Monday Afternoon

Ryan Edward Didone
(April 8, 1990 – November 22, 2009)

Died at 10 a.m. on Sunday, November 22, 2009 near Kentwood, LA. He was a native of Baton Rouge, LA and a resident of Kentwood, LA. Age 19 years. He was a graduate of Sumner High School, was a hard worker, loved to hunt and fish, and loved everyone he met. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Services conducted by Dr. Danny Smith. Interment Tangipahoa Cemetery, Tangipahoa, LA. Survived by mother, Jessica Didone David and her fiancee’, Rickey Pitre, Westwego, father, Robert McLean, Jr. And his wife, Debra, Kentwood, former step-father, Russell David, Jr., Summit, MS, sister, Rachel Budde, and her husband, Josh, Mt. Hermon, niece, Kaille-Lynn Budde, 3 step-sisters, Bridget Holst, Bangor, ME, Carrie Holst, Bangor, ME and Brooke Pitre, Westwego, 3 step-brothers, Gerald Holst, Kentwood, Chris Pitre, Kenner and David Gray, Kenner, grandparents, Barbara Didone, Kentwood and Paul and Annette Wheat, Summit, MS, great-grandparents, Ruby and Aubrey Stokes, Kentwood and Mavis Wheat, Summit, MS, numerous other nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and family members. Preceded in death by grandparents, Eddie Didone and Robert and Sue McLean, great-grandparents, Kathleen Cameron, Jesse Didone and Frank Bedwell.

Monday

Some men arrived carrying a paraplegic on a stretcher.

They were looking for a way to get into the house

and set him before Jesus.

When they couldn’t find a way in because of the crowd,

they went up on the roof,

removed some tiles,

and let him down in the middle of everyone,

right in front of Jesus.

Impressed by their bold belief,

he said, ‘Friend, I forgive your sins.’

~Luke 5:18-20 (Msg)~

Sydney Dixon (Written by her mother, Jess)

She’s doing better! God is faithful and the prayers of many are being answered– the weaning of oxygen is going well so far and we’re hopeful that maybe the doctors will start talking about home tomorrow!

Ryan Diddon

Just wanted to inform you about Ryan, he is the grandson Mr.Eddie Didone and Ms. Barbara Didone of Tangipahoa. From what I understand that a hunter found him this morning he killed himself. Which as I am sure you remember Mr. Eddie done the same thing a couple of years ago.
Just be in Prayer for the family they have had several tragic events in the past years.

Thanks
Stephanie McKenzie

Trisha Wilson, daughter-in-law of Robert and Ora Lee Wilson

Friends, just wanted to ask you to pray for a few evangelistic outreaches. We are hosting Abby Grace’s kindergarten class in our home on Thursday, December 3rd and Graham’s first grade class on the 4th. Both Christmas parties are right after school. We’ll decorate cookies, and then I will share the nativity from FamilyLife, What God Wants for Christmas. I plan to put a bit more of the Gospel in at the end as well. Please pray that kids will come and have a good time, for the Gospel to be clearly heard by all, that I will be filled with the Spirit, and any other thing you can think to pray!

Also, I am speaking at a few women’s outreaches/brunchesl. One is Tuesday evening, December 8th and the other is Saturday, December 12th. Again, please pray women will come and hear a clear presentation and that it will be in a very natural way and not weird or anything!

I appreciate your prayers so much!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Love,

Tricia

Pray for Mrs. Jeanette McGhee as she has surgery about the middle of the day.

Mrs. Della McDaniel is doing better.  She hopes to be home be the end of the week.  Keep praying for her and her family.

Signals

aahs.jpgIN THE ACADEMY award-nominated film Traffic, Michael Douglas plays the federal government’s newly appointed drug czar, charged with leading the country’s war on drugs…

In a sad irony, he is so caught up in his rising political career that he is blind to the fact that his own teenage daughter is a drug addict. Because of his wife’s own previous experimentation with drugs, she is able to see what her husband missed–the clear, unmistakable warning signs that her daughter was involved with drugs. When Douglas’ character finally realizes that his own daughter has become hooked on illegal drugs, his wife chastises him for not picking up on the warning signs earlier. The film’s audience feels Douglas’ mix of frustration, self-anger, and helplessness as he realizes that he “should have seen it coming.”

Illicit drug users aren’t the only ones who give warning signs. Research has shown that a wide variety of destructive social behaviors are preceded by visible early-warning signals. Many times, people whose spouses have been unfaithful to them say that, in hindsight, there were signs that something was amiss in the marriage. Similarly, young women suffering from eating disorders often drop clues to their behavior. And frequently those committing suicide will tip off their intentions ahead of time. Of course, not everyone in such situations exhibits the signs. And obviously, not everyone knows how to read the signs properly. But those who do are, more often than not, able to detect that something is wrong and successfully intervene either to prevent or minimize the negative behavior.

Might the same be true for those falling away from the faith? Do those abandoning the Lord telegraph their behavior ahead of time? These are important questions because, if there are some telltale signs that a fellow Christian is drifting away from the faith, keen-eyed believers might be able to act to prevent him or her from falling away. (Brian Simmons)

“Bear one another’s burdens,

and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

~Galatians 6:2~

Posted by Mike Benson

Take time to think of all the ways you are thankful to God.  Enjoy a great week of expressing to God and others how thankful you are.

Anna Lee

Sunday – Update on Sydney Dixon

Jess, Sydney’s mother, wrote this:

Prayers for Sydney- a few more details

It’s hard to explain all that we’ve been through. As hard as it is to take my eyes off our girl for even a minute to sit at the foot of her bed and type, I want to write this out so everyone will understand what’s going on (as best I can explain it) and know how to pray with us.

How we ended up at Vanderbilt- the quick version
Thursday morning, before we were released from the hospital (from Sydney’s birth), the pediatrician thought she looked slightly jaundiced. It wasn’t serious enough to require any treatment at that time; he wanted us to follow up on Saturday morning though, just to be sure it wasn’t getting any worse. Saturday morning, the pediatrician, Dr. H, was satisfied with Syd’s color. However, he was concerned because she was breathing pretty rapidly and wasn’t responding appropriately to all the pokes and prods- rather than being agitated, she just laid there. He gave us instructions to go straight to the ER at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and told us they would be expecting us.

Vandy ER
Sydney was seen right away. By this time, her breathing seemed to be under control, but she was extremely lethargic. It had been four hours since her last feeding and she wouldn’t wake up to eat and wasn’t crying or fussy. All the doctors could tell us at that point was that something was causing her to behave that way and we needed to figure out what it was. It was a long day of waiting, crying, and praying. She had chest x-rays, abdomen x-rays, blood tests, urine cultures (after hours of trying to get urine out of her), and even an attempted spinal tap- 2 sticks were unsuccessful at withdrawing fluid. All the tests were coming back ok, but the doctors weren’t convinced that all was fine.

In the Infant Unit
She was finally admitted around 6 or 7 last night. Her blood-ox level had been good all day in the ER, but the nurse on the floor noticed it dropping shortly after we moved up. She was assessed by yet another doctor. It wasn’t long before they started “blow-by” oxygen, indirectly giving her concentrated amounts of O2. By 10 or 11, she was showing signs of needing more attention, and over the course of the next hour or so she ended up with 5 nurses/doctors standing over and around her bed trying to draw blood, start a new IV, get her blood pressure from all extremities. It was excrutiating for me and Rob, so we know it could only have been worse for her. Finally around 1am, they finished and were satisfied that they’d done all they could do until morning. By this time, we’ve been told her situation could be related to a viral infection, lung problem, heart defect, heart murmur, meningitis, and several other options I can’t even remember any more.

Overnight
Sydney had an EKG and a nasal cannula was started because the blow-by oxygen was no longer enough to keep her blood saturation up at a healthy level.

Sunday Morning
We’re waiting for a pediatric cardiologist to come up and do a heart echo. Sydney nursed a little bit, and then drank 2 oz. from a bottle (yay!). She blew her second IV early this morning, but Dr. H wants to hold off on a third IV if we can get her to keep drinking. He sat down with us and was very compassionate in explaining that while most pediatric cases are pretty clear, Syd’s obviously is not. He feels like he can rule out, at this point, a viral or lung issue or infection. He’s anxious to hear from the cardiologist, though, and believes that we may find the root of our girl’s problems. Dr. H is a believer, and he prayed with us before he left. He also shared that as he prayed yesterday morning, before he began his day and met us for the first time, God stirred his heart and told him that he needed to be on alert because he was going to see something important that day; he thinks God was preparing him to meet Sydney. She is indeed important to us.

**Updated Sunday Afternoon**
The cardiologist just left and her heart is “perfectly normal”. PRAISE THE LORD!!! He suspects bronchiole-itis (sp??). We’re back to waiting for the next step, but we’re so encouraged that it’s not a problem with her heart! Thank you Jesus!

As for us…
Rob and I are “ok”. I’m so thankful that he’s so strong; he’s been a rock while I’ve been a mess. On Tuesday, I thought labor and delivering a baby would be the hardest things I would ever do. I was so, so wrong. The hardest thing I’ve ever done is sat and watched my four day old baby be poked and prodded while she screamed with all her little lungs had. The hardest thing I’ve ever done is sat and watched my four day old baby be poked and prodded while she lay there and didn’t respond at all. My heart has been broken over and over again, and put back back together every time she’s opened her eyes and looked at us.
Really, we are ok. We have absolute faith and trust that God knows what is going on and He will continue to be faithful to heal our girl. It hasn’t been easy to believe, but it’s all we can do. We’ve been encouraged and strengthened by the calls, texts, and prayers of so many. Thank you for loving us and loving our baby enough to lift up her name. We look forward to the day we can take her home and send out pictures of a happy, healthy, thriving little girl.

How you can Pray for Us
– Pray for Sydney!! She’s been a trooper so far. Pray that she’ll continue to eat good without IV fluids, pray that she’ll sleep good when she’s not being messed with and that she’ll show her dissatisfaction when she’s agitated. Her cry has become a sweeter sound than we ever could have imagined. Pray for her pain to be minimal and healing to come quick
– Pray for the doctors, nurses, and specialists who are treating Syd and reviewing her case. Pray for wisdom for them to see what exactly is causing these problems and knowledge of how to treat it quickly
– Pray for Rob and I to continue to have strength and energy to endure the next few hours and possibly days. We came in as exhausted parents of a four-day-old baby and haven’t gotten much rest since. Pray for my milk to continue to flow so that it will be enough to sustain Syd nutritionally. Pray for our faith to grow in the midst of this trial

We love you and are grateful that we have a wide network of family and friends who we can call on for support- both physically and emotionally. Please keep praying and we’ll do our best to keep you updated.

Sunday Afternoon

Pray for Mrs. Della  McDaniel.  She fell at home and is hospitalized at Jackson.  Pray for her and her family.

Pray for the family of Ryan Diddon who died tragically this morning.

Pray for Sydney Dixon, the five day old daughter of Rob and Jess Dixon.  Sydney is having breathing problems and is undergoing tests.  Rob was a journeyman in Romania a few years ago and worked with Boyd and Jennie.  Rob spent the Christmas holidays with us at Jennie’s in Bucharest a few years ago.  He is special to our family.

Sunday

And all of you must put on the apron of humility,

to serve one another;

for the scripture says,

“God resists the proud,

but shows favor to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:5 (TEV)

Mr. Earl Dees is doing well following heart surgery.  Keep him in your prayers.

Continue to pray for Rev. Butch Reviere as he seeks medical answers and faces surgery.

Pray for Dr. Earl Council as he also seeks answers concerning his health.

Continue to pray for David Allen.

Robert Earl Sanders
(August 31, 1943 – November 19, 2009)

Died at 4:55 p.m. on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at Canon Hospice Center in Metairie, LA. He was born August 31, 1943 in New Orleans, LA and was a resident of Hammond, LA. Age 66 years. He is survived by his 2 brothers, James O. Sanders, III, Covington and Charles David Sanders, Metairie. He was preceded in death by his parents, James O. Sanders, Jr. and Thelma Mae Smith Sanders. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor

SOME TIME BACK I read a statement which really got my attention…

The statement declared that a little, tiny gnat can wreck an automobile.  Of course, I wondered, “How?”  And the article then explained that a tiny gnat had wrecked a car by flying into the eye of the driver at a critical time, causing the driver to lose control.

The lesson was quite plain: So often in life, little things can do great harm.  It is easy for us to be like the gnat.  Our petty criticisms, murmuring, complaints, and fault-finding can “wreck” the most ambitious person or program.

Friend, what the church needs is “builders” — not “wreckers.”

Which are you?  David Sain

“Now we exhort you, brethren,
warn those who are unruly,
comfort the fainthearted,
uphold the weak,
be patient with all.”
1 Thessalonians 5:14
Have a great Lord’s Day!
Anna Lee

Saturday

“Whoever wants to be great must become a servant.”

~Mark 10:43 MSG~

CaringBridge Sites”

Baptist Press

November 19, 2009

WASHINGTON–Pro-lifers: Senate health bill unacceptable. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31722

WASHINGTON–D.C. suit asks for voter input on ‘gay marriage.’ http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31723

LOUISIANA–La. Baptists express CP support. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31724

WASHINGTON–Northwest Baptists welcome 13 churches. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31725

GEORGIA–Churches become ‘Missionary Encouragers.’ http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31726

LOUISIANA–CP VIEWS (Reggie Bridges): Cooperating for missions. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31727

INDIANA–CP VIEWS (Paul Brewster): My two cents worth. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31728

TEXAS–FIRST-PERSON (Penna Dexter): ENDA VS. religious liberty. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=31729

KOMpray (Kids on Mission Pray)
November 20, 2009

“Let the little children come to Me, and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these,” Luke 18:16b

Thanksgiving Dinner

Have you ever heard of the country of Bhutan?  When you say it, it sounds like boo-TAHN.  Look it up on a map, and you will find it close to India, Bangladesh and Nepal—way over in the eastern part (the right side of the map). Most of the people are Buddhist, not Christian.

There are many people from Bhutan who have moved to the United States.  About 300 live near Richmond, VA, and lot live in Texas.  Maybe there are Bhutanese (boo-TAH-nees) people living in your city too…

Christians are going to invite some of these Bhutanese people to their houses to have Thanksgiving dinner with their families. They will eat turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy.  The people from Bhutan like chilies in their food so maybe they will slip some hot chilies in the dressing!

Pray for the families that invite these Bhutanese people into their homes. Pray that they will explain that Thanksgiving is a holiday when we give thanks to God for His blessings.  Pray for the people from Bhutan that they will want to learn more about God.

Guess what? I’m praying for you too—praying you will have a GREAT Thanksgiving and that you will say “Thank You” to God lots of times for all the wonderful things He is doing for you.

Prayer Requests from Missionary Kids

Pray that the International School will be able to start their campus in Kuala Lumpur.  MA, age 12 (Southeast Asian peoples)

My family has just moved to a new village in Niger.  Already the Lord has brought me many new friends and I love to run up and down the paths in our village.  Today we had church in our front yard and many people came to hear us sing and tell stories from the Bible.  Please pray that they might come to understand the love of Jesus. NOAH, age 3 (Sub-Saharan African peoples)

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor
FAITH IS INDISPENSIBLE in the lives of individual Christians (Hebrews 11:6)…
Faith is also the vital ingredient for church growth.  The words “faith” and “belief” are used almost 500 times in the New Testament.  No individual or congregation can ever be great without faith!
The contemporary religious scene offers no shortage of church growth experts who tout a wide variety of leadership styles, management plans, and growth strategies for building bigger, better, more exciting churches.  In the final analysis, however, real growth in any congregation will never rise above the level of faith of its membership and leadership!
How can you determine whether or not a church possesses genuine faith?
A church with faith is a working church. James says, “But someone may wells say, ‘You have faith and I have works’; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18).  A church’s faith is measured by the energetic service, involvement, and sacrificial commitment of its members.  Faith finds a way!  We must dream, but we must also work our dreams!
A church with faith has its heart on God. We must never leave God out of the picture.  Too often we talk of future plans and needed works as though God were not even involved.  We conclude that some things are “impossible” or “out of the question” because we have eliminated God from the discussion.  We made the mistake of trying to calculate the future of the church with an adding machine and a slide rule, without leaving room for God!  We may plant and water, but it is God who gives the increase!
Genuine faith is highly visible — it can be seen!  Our problem is that we try to build churches the wrong way around — we want the results of faith without the rigors of faith!  But faith cannot be counterfeited or imitated.  It must be real to produce real church growth!  Bobby Dockery
KneEmail: “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” Romans 10:17

Dorothy Courtney Stevens
(October 16, 1921 – November 20, 2009)

Dorothy Courtney Stevens

“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden fall upon us; When adversity takes the place of prosperity; When friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; When trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.” – Washington Irving

Mrs. Dorothy Courtney Stevens was born October 16, 1921 and passed away at 2:45 a.m., Friday, November 20, 2009, at Hood Memorial Hospital, Amite. Mrs. Dorothy was 88, a native and resident of Amite.

She is survived by daughter, Margaret Ann Stevens McCoy and husband Bobby R. McCoy, Baton Rouge; son, Larry Earl Stevens and wife Cindy Dees Stevens, Amite; three grandsons, David McCoy and wife Rene, Prairieville; Derek McCoy and wife Shirley, Baton Rouge; Robbie McCoy, Baton Rouge; two granddaughters, Kimberly Stevens Guillory and husband Heath, Ponchatoula; Kristen Stevens, Amite; three great-grandchildren, Madeline, Patrick Wallace and Evangeline McCoy, Prairieville; sister, Margaret Courtney Stevens, Amite.

Preceded in death by husband, Wallace Earl Stevens; parents, Harney and Bessie Shumway Courtney; brother, Norman Courtney.

Pallbearers are David McCoy, Derek McCoy, Robbie McCoy, Ray Bellot, Gerald Melancon, Paul Johnson, and Charles “Butch” Slade. Honorary pallbearer is Greg Dreher.

Visiting at McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Monday, November 23, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m and on Tuesday, November 24 from 8:00 a.m. until Religious services at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Mike Foster officiating. Interment in Stevens Cemetery, Amite, LA.

An on-line Guestbook and to view a Memorial 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 & Bond Eye Clinic.

Have a great day preparing for the Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Friday Afternoon

Dr. Earl Council is home for now.  Continue to pray for him.

ALYNE “DALE” WILSON, AGE 68

And a resident of Mt. Hermon died at 7:15 pm Thursday November 19, 2009 at Good Samaritan Nursing Home under the care of Camellia Hospice. She was a member of Mt. Hermon Baptist Church and worked alongside her family on their dairy farm for over 50 years.

Survived by:

Husband of 52 years: Horace Wilson of Mt. Hermon

Son and Daughter in law: Troy and Brenda Wilson

Daughter: Stephanie Wilson of Mt. Hermon

Grandson and Granddaughter in law: Troy Wilson II and Donette Wilson

2 Great-granddaughters: Cassie and Macey Wilson

Great-grandson: Trenton Wilson

Nephew: John and Regina McElveen of Yazoo City, MS

2 Very Special Friends: Laurine Bracy and Jerry Rayborn, Jr.

She was preceded in death by her parents Leo and Dora Lee McElveen, brother Wade McElveen, grandson Spencer Wilson, and great-granddaughter Hannah Wilson

Visitation will be at Crain Funeral Home Saturday November 21st after 10 am until the funeral service at 1 pm in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Troy Bankston, Rev. Karl Wilson and Leroy McElveen officiating. Burial will follow in the Bogue Chitto Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Sherry G. Simpson

Friday

If you wait for perfect conditions,

you will never get anything done.”

Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NLT)

Pray for Mr. James Miller.  He’s “under the weather”.

Dr. Earl Council is hospitalized in Ruston.  Pray for him and his family as they seek a diagnosis.

Mrs. Jeanette McGehee will have surgery Monday.  Please be in pray for her.

Robert Earl Sanders
(August 31, 1943 – November 19, 2009)

Died on Thursday, November 19, 2009 in New Orleans. He was born August 31, 1943 in New Orleans, LA to James O. Sanders, Jr. and Thelma Mae Smith Sanders. Age 66 years.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time with McKnely Funeral Home, Amite.

Wilton “Ditsy” Bennett
(February 28, 1940 – November 19, 2009)
Died at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at his residence in Loranger, LA. He was born February 28, 1940 in Independence. Age 69 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 10 a.m. until religious services at 1 p.m. Saturday, November 21, 2009. Services conducted by Bro. Marshall Wallace. Interment Loranger Cemetery, Loranger. He is survived by his 4 daughters, Tawana Bennett, Loranger, Dana Bennett, Eagle, CO, Rosalind Bennett, Wesson, MS and Shannon Bennett, Independence; a son, Brandon Bennett, Loranger; grandchildren, Hannah Depew, Heaven Schmidt, Hayley Bennett, Ragan Gainey, Tristian Picou and Eathan Bennett; great-grandson, Aiden Gainey; brother, James E. Bennett, Loranger; sister, Barbara Williams, Loranger. He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Lee Hayden Bennett; parents. Obie and Lettie Cutrer Bennett.

THAT’S AMORE!

Ready for some groaners? (author unknown)

When the moon hits your eye,
Like a big pizza pie,
That’s amore.  (song made popular by Dean Martin in 1953)

When an eel bites your hand,
And that’s not what you planned,
That’s a moray.

When your horse munches straw,
And the bales total four,
That’s some more hay.

When Othello’s poor wife,
Becomes stabbed with a knife,
That’s a Moor, eh?

When you ace your last tests,
Like you did all the rest,
That’s some more “A”s!

A comedian ham,
With the name Amsterdam,
That’s a Morey.

When your chocolate graham,
Is with marshmallows crammed,
That s’more, eh.

When you’ve had quite enough,
Of this dumb rhyming stuff,
That’s “No more!”, eh?

What is amore?  It’s the Italian word for love!  The Greek word is, of course, agape.  And in scripture, love is:

–the cement that holds relationships together, the “bond of perfection” (Col. 3:14)

–the essence of God’s nature (I John 4:7)

–the one thing greater than any of God’s spiritual gifts (I Cor. 13:8)

–the foundation of the greatest command (and the second greatest!) (Mark 12:30-31)

–the culmination of the Christian graces (2 Peter 1:5-7)

That’s amore!  “Let all that you do be done with love.”  (1 Cor 16:14).

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a great Friday.  Make time to pray!

Anna Lee

Thursday

“Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow

if you can help them now.”

~Proverbs 3:28 TEV~

Frances Gay shared two requests

  • Rachel Booty has been having seizures for about a year.  She had five yesterday and was taken to an emergency room in New Orleans.  Pray for Rachel and her family as they seek the cause of ther problem and the proper treatment.
  • Ann McMillan has also has been having seizures.  She was released from the hospital in Tylertown yesterday.

Your prayer for these will be greatly appreciated.

Mr. Earl Dees will be in CCU for about three days.  Please remember him and his family in your prayers.

George Langlois
(December 22, 1955 – November 18, 2009)

George Langlois, 53, was born on December 22, 1955 and passed away at 9:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at Kentwood Manor Nursing Home, Kentwood.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

An on-line Guestbook 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 & Bond Eye Clinic.

Ms. Jessie Jones

Age 61, and a resident of Hammond, Jessie passed away on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at North Oaks Medical Center. She was a very special person, who touched many lives and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Having worked in the banking business for the past forty years, she was employed by Capital One for the past ten years as the Hammond branch manager and vice-president.

Jessie is survived by two daughters, Lesley Fannaly, and Ashley Lanoue and husband John; grandsons, Davis and Spencer Lanoue; sister, Susan Patenotte; brother, Jerry Jones Sr. She is also survived by her former husband and longtime friend, Bernie Fannaly and many extended family members, including a special niece, Lori Batts.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral services from the chapel of Brandon G. Thompson Funeral Home on Friday, November 20, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. The family requests that visiting hours be observed on Thursday, November 19th from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and again on Friday from 8:00 a.m. until the funeral service time. Rev. Willie J. Holland will officiate the services and entombment will follow in Rose Memorial Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made, in memory of Jessie Jones, to the American Cancer Society, 10528 Kentshire Court, Baton Rouge LA 70810.

Condolences and other information are available online at http://www.bgthompsonfuneralhome.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brandon G. Thompson Funeral Home of Hammond.

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor

FAITH IS INDISPENSIBLE in the lives of individual Christians (Hebrews 11:6)…

Faith is also the vital ingredient for church growth.  The words “faith” and “belief” are used almost 500 times in the New Testament.  No individual or congregation can ever be great without faith!

The contemporary religious scene offers no shortage of church growth experts who tout a wide variety of leadership styles, management plans, and growth strategies for building bigger, better, more exciting churches.  In the final analysis, however, real growth in any congregation will never rise above the level of faith of its membership and leadership!

How can you determine whether or not a church possesses genuine faith?

A church with faith has its FEET ON THE GROUND.  Faith must be rooted in the Word of God (Romans 10:17).  We are living in the age of religious gimmickry.  All sorts of inducements are offered to lure people to worship.  Some will justify anything which fills pews.  Churches seek to sell excitement, entertainment, easy going informality, and minimal commitment.  The only church growth which his real and enduring, however, is that which is based on God’s Word.  Gimmickry betrays a spiritual shallowness.  It is an expression of a loss of confidence in God’s Word.

A church with faith has its HANDS ON THE PLOW.  Jesus said, “No man having put his hand to the plow, and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).  (To be continued).  Bobby Dockery

“Jesus said to him,
‘If you can believe,
all things are possible to him who believes.'”
~Mark 9:23~
I hope you will join us at the cabin tonight for food, fellowship, and a devotional time led by Rev. Dennis Walker.
Have a great day!
Anna Lee