Today, I am thankful for seven men, Kenny Ray Gill, Luther Terrell, Charlie Schwartz, Michael Anthony, Gerald Griffith, Bob Babin, and David Alford, who packed about a thousand shoeboxes in cartons (15-16 per carton) in preparation for sending them to Hammond tomorrow. The tables were stacked five high with boxes from Monday that we did not have time to pack Monday and the additional boxes we received yesterday. We had already packed some boxes, so now we have a total of 1100+ boxes. Jackie Babin and I did paperwork and helped as needed. We are so blessed to have had so much help. Just think of all the children who will have an opportunity to learn about Jesus!
Pray for a day without rain while we are working. It is much harded to get the boxes in quickly so they do now get wet. When they get wet, we have additional work to do.
OCC Schedule – Six more days of opportunity!
Wed, Nov. 15: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Thu, Nov. 16: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Fri, Nov. 17: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Sat, Nov. 18: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Sun, Nov. 19: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Mon, Nov. 20: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
ALTERNATIVE OPPORTUNITIES
You can go to the Samaritan’s Purse website and pack a shoebox online or contribute funds to help with transporting shoeboxes.
Read the Bible
Wednesday
II Chronicles 14:2 – 16:14
Like King Asa, I will fail also if . . . .”
Prayer Focus for Today
Let’s spend time today praying for the people of the Middle East.
The first OCC collection day is always the busiest and when the most shoeboxes are turned in. Today I am so thankful for the sixchurches that turned in 1017shoeboxes yesterday while it drizzled all day! Over a thousand children and their families will have an opportunity to take God into their hearts and lives! We still have six more days for churches, businesses, and individuals to bring in thoses shoeboxes. The drop off team at FBC, Kentwood works hard and feels blessed by the opportunity to do so.
Read the Bible
Proverbs 1: 5-6
Psalm 56: 3-4
Psalm 57: 1-11
“Allowing God to work demands that I , , , ,”
Today’s Prayer Focus
Today, I thank God for the rain we had yesterday and are expecting during the next few days. I thank God for the “slow drizzle”, as David calls it, saying it is better for us than a “gully-washer”.
Today, please pray all the Drop-Off Centers across our country will run smoothly and that many wonderful boxes will be collected and packed in big cartons for shipment to their next location. Pray for an adequate number of trained, friendly, helpful, patient, and willing volunteers to serve during the next eight days. Pray for safety of the drivers and packages as they travel and for all the various trailers, trucks, planes, trains, donkeys, boats, etc. that will deliver the packages to their destinations.
On a local level, pray for adequate, healthy, friendly workers. Today, will be one of our two busiest days days meaning a couple more volunteers would be very helpful. Call if you can help from 10 – 12 this morning. Say special prayers for us from 10:00 – Noon. Thanks so much!
Thankfulness
Today, I am thankful for all the volunteers who have helped with shoeboxes in 2023. We have worked together for many hours to accomplish so much. I am thankful for every dollar turned in, every purchase made, and for every hour given to this ministry. It would not be possible without all of you!
FBC, Kentwood
Yesterday was a wonderful Lord’s Day at church. Two people joined the church by letter and a new baby was dedicated. The messages were good, both in the morning and again last night. The children and adults continue to practice for Christmas programs.
Bro. Darrell has surgery on the 21st. That’s next week! He is making plans for services to continue in his absence.
I often tell you about the benefits of sending shoeboxes to children, but today I want to link you to Samaritan’s Purse and Franklin Graham for some different opportunities to help all over the world. This gives you the opportunity to help families in many ways.
Today, we want to thank God for opportunities to make a difference in the lives of families around the world. Let’s pray for the people who benefit from these Christmas gifts. Pray the families benefit financially and eternally.
READ the BIBLE
Week 43 – TRUST: LETTING GO
Psalm 20
Psalm 49: 5-15
“To have a victorious life, I must stop . . . .”
THANKFULNESS
Today, I am thankful for the love and concern many people shoe us. It often “makes our day”! I cannot imagine life without the opportunity to love others and have the joy of others loving us.
DROP-OFF WEEK
We begin a long week, Monday – Monday, of being the collection point for area shoeboxes. I love seeing all the shoeboxes that have been packed. Many churches try to pack a few more each year or every few years. The people who come are smiling and joyful as they give us the boxes to place in cartons and ship to their next destination. They usually tell us the number of boxes while wearing a big smile. They are thankful for their church and people working together to accomplish such a big task.
I have a reminder to those who packed the boxes. If you have some “leftovers”, you can place them in ordinary brown boxes and leave theem with us to send to the processing center. There our “leftovers” become “filler” for boxes that need more items. Help make sure no boxes have any extra room so no child will have to look at their friends and see how much more other children have received. LET’S TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HELP EACH CHILD TO RECEIVE A BOX IS SO FULL IT DOES NOT RATTLE WHEN SHAKEN!
THANK YOU to the churches and individuals who have packed this year. See some of you soon during the collection hours as you bring your boxes to us!
Cry out, “Save us, God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, and glory in your praise.”
I Chronicles 16:35
PRAYER FOCUS
Today, let’s pray for all the young men and women who serve or have served to protect our country. Say special prayers today for those serving in the Middle East today.
CHURCH SERVICES
SUNDAYS – Sunday School at 9:15
Worship Service at 10:30
Worship Service at 6:00
WEDNESDAYS – Service at 6:00
The Sunday School lesson is from Mark 14.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD DROP-OFF WEEK
Location – FBC, Kentwood’s Fellowship Hall
Monday’s Time – 8-10 A.M.
COMING IN DECEMBER
Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions. Be ready to give to share God’s Word all around the world (Everwhere but Canada and the United States is covered by this offering).
THANK-YOU for reading, praying, and sharing the link with others.
Pray for the churches who have not packed their shoeboxes yet. It’s a big job, no matter how many you are packing! For new OCC leadership, it is especially difficult. I know they will appreciate your prayers. They probably could use some extra help. Ask if you can help!
Read the Bible
Friday
I Timothy 4: 9-22
“Tough times demand that I become . . . .”
Personal Prayer Time
Pray for the people on your prayer list. All of you are aware of needs I do not know of. Often, these needs are family related. Today, pray for those needs.
If you do not have a special place to write needs, today surely is a good day to find something like a little notebook ($1.00 at a dollar store) and begin.
Obituary
Jerry Woodard Fairburn
May 22, 1953 – November 8, 2023
Jerry Woodard Fairburn May 22, 1953 – November 8, 2023 On November 8, 2023 at 12:20 am, Jerry went home to heaven. There he would meet our Lord and would be reunited with his many loved ones. Jerry was a person who loved to work with his hands. As a mechanic, he loved to rebuild machines and then sell them. He was a carpenter for many years. His greatest love was woodworking. Jerry spent many hours making gifts for family and friends. Jerry is survived by his wife Sharon of 45 years and son Kevin and wife Jessica and grandsons Jack and Greyson. Also daughter Lynette Edwards and husband Keith and grandchildren Allison, Russell, and Elizabeth Edwards. Jerry is also survived by brother Darrell and Tish Fairburn, sister-in-law Carol Fairburn, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Preceded in death by his parents Woodard and Ozell Fairburn, brothers Gerald and Roger Fairburn. Visitation Saturday, November 11, 2023 from 9 am until religious services at 11 am. Conducted by Brother Matthew Gazaway and Brother Danny Smith. Interment in Spring Creek cemetery. Pallbearers will be Brandon Fairburn, Anthony Sloan, Darren Fairburn, Blake Fairburn, Ryan Fairburn, Mike Langely, and Roman Rad. In lieu of flowers, the family request donation made to Spring Creek Baptist Church Building Fund. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
As churches pack their shoeboxes, if they have any extra items that they will not pack and do not intend to save until another year, please share with others. You can pack them in REGULAR cardboard boxes and turn them in at FBC, Kentwood during Drop-Off Week. We will sent them on with the boxes. They will be opened at the packing center where they will be used to FILL boxes that need something else or given to a group that will have a use for them.
I do this with many of my extras. It frees up space for new items in my room and gives an immediate use for the items somewhere else. That’s like the “Decluttering of a home”! I encourage other churches to try this.
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
2 Thessalonians 3:16
No Post Tuesday
My keyboard quit. It’s a long story, but I got the new keyboard installed this morning.
Thankfulness – November 8
Today, I’m thankful to have my computer going again so I can reconnect with you. I felt like I was incomplete yesterday.
Obituaries
Dannie Dewayne Huber
October 25, 1942 – November 5, 2023
A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Sunday, November 5, 2023 in Springfield, LA. He was born October 25, 1942 in Natchez, MS and was 81 years of age. Dannie was a true family man and was happiest surrounded by those he loved. He was a wonderful husband, loving father, and the best pawpaw and uncle you could ever have. Dannie will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Patsy Cox Huber; daughter, Tammy Threeton and husband, Billy; 2 grandchildren, Chelsea Phillips and Hunter Threeton; brothers, Robert Dalton “Boozie” Huber and wife, Sue, William Huber and wife, Deanna, and Keith McDaniel; and many family members and friends. Preceded in death by his parents, Artie Blades and Dick Huber; and sister-in-law, Margaret Grice Huber. Graveside Services will be held at Tangipahoa Cemetery, Tangipahoa, LA at 10:00AM Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Services conducted by Rev. Ray Schenk. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
LINDA HUMPHREY REEVES
December 7, 1940 – November 4, 2023
A resident of Greensburg, LA, passed away on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. She was born December 7, 1940 in Easleyville, LA and was 82 years of age. Miss Linda retired after 30 years of service with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. She is survived by 2 grandchildren, Kasey Reeves Foster and husband, Zachery, and Lucas Reeves and wife, Kailyn; 3 great-grandchildren, Saphera Foster, Ronen Foster, and Evelyn Reeves; brother, Sylvester Humphrey; sister, Lolita Blades; niece, Mindy Simmons Carter and husband, Mitch; and great-niece, Sydni Brown. Preceded in death by her husband, Leslie L. Reeves; 2 sons, William Boyd Reeves and Calvin West Reeves; parents, Percy and Thelma Birch Humphrey; sister, Paulette Simmons; niece, Deana Simmons Warwick; and 2 nephews, Clifton Wayne Simmons and Brian Blades. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 5:00PM until 9:00PM on Wednesday and from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Services conducted by Rev. Byron Humphrey. Interment Shiloh Cemetery, Pine Grove, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Thomas James Hood, III
May 9, 1998 – November 7, 2023
On November 7th, 2023 at 12:47am, Thomas James Hood, III, took his last breath. The gates of Heaven opened and the angels rejoiced as Tommy gazed upon the face of Our Lord and reunited with his loved ones that went before him while Tommy’s family and friends left behind flooded the Earth with their sorrowful tears. This beautiful soul leaves behind his father, Thomas James Hood, Jr., his mother, Kenna Settoon (Edgar Smith), his brother, Bill Hood, his second mother, Keri Settoon, his maternal grandparents, Joan and Dudley Settoon, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and a tremendous work family at Smitty’s Supply. Visitation will be held at Cornerstone Church of Amite on Thursday, November 9th, 2023 from 9am until religious services at 1pm led by Pastor Mike Foster. Interment at the Amite Memorial Gardens to follow. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.
Prayer Focus
Tommy Hood’s family has traveled a long journey with his illness. The families of the other two people I listed probably traveled the journey with their relatives too. Today, pray for other people who are sick, but who do not have family members to travel that journey with them.
Read the Bible
II Timothy 4:6-8
Revelation 2:10
“To endure in times like ours calls for ….”
Illness
I know of three Kentwood families with a patient at St. Tammany who was facing possible gallbladder surgery yesterday. I don’t know if any of the surgeries actually came about. Please pray for all those hospitalized today.
Operation Christmas Child
Please pray for the churches and individuals who are working to complete the packing of their shoeboxes today. Also, please share the Drop-Off Schedule I posted Monday with anyone who might need it.
Prayer Meeting
Prayer meeting will begin at 6 P.M. today for those attending in person and watching live. I suggest that being there in person is the most meaningful, but watching live services is wonderful when you cannot be there in person. A third option is to watch at another time that is convenient for you.
Baptist Press
I hope you have time to read some interesting articles today.
I must begin by saying the movie at FBC last night was fantastic. We had the special opportunity to view “The Blind”. It was very heart-touching. I hope all of you have the opportunity to view it. It surely can be life-changing!
Read the Bible
II Timothy 4: 1-5
Hebrews 12: 1-3
“The secrets of this lifestyle is . . . .”
Prayer Focus
Today, let’s pray the movie “The Blind” impacts many lives because people were able to view it in many local churches in our area.
Operation Christmas Child
Many of our area churches have packed their shoeboxes and collected funds to pay for shipping and delivery. Pray each box is an opportunity for a child and family members to learn about Jesus and invite him into their heart,
Holidays are especially difficult times of the year. Do something special for the ones who are home alone or missing some family members since this time last year.
The Prayer Link 
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