Pray for friends as them make big medical decisions. In life, we often have people make decisions for us, but sometimes the decision is up to us. When it comes to medical decisions, please pray for wisdom as people are required to make decisions themselves. Pray for wisdom as such decisions are made. Pray, too, for peace once the decisions are made.
Make prayer part of your preparations for the Lord’s Day.
Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”
“…and now these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love, but the greatest of these is Love.” Barbara Birch McDaniel was called home on 9/12/2023. Born 4/13/1935 in Bluff Creek, Louisiana to Clifton and Rena Chaney Birch, Barbara was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.
She came to know the Lord when she was 12 yrs old at New Zion Baptist Church and has been active in many different churches, presently a member of Woodland Hills Baptist Church in Longview, TX.
After graduating Greensburg High School in 1953, she attended La. Baptist College, receiving her Business degree in May of 1957. She then began working as Social Worker for the State of Louisiana.
Barbara married the love of her life, Riley E McDaniel, on 8/31/1957 and they made their home in Opelousas, La. until Riley finished college.
Due to the flooding in Baton Rouge on 8/14/2016 Barbara started living with her daughter and family in Allen, Texas, moving to Longview, TX in June of 2017.
Her hobbies included sewing, cooking, photography, and genealogy. She wrote a book of the Birch family, Chaney family and Lee family and helped with the McDaniel and Bennett books.
She is preceded in death by her parents Clifton and Rena Birch, husband, Riley McDaniel, brothers Jack, James, Donald Ray Burch and sister, Carolyn Easley.
She is survived by sisters Jane Duncan, Grace B. Williams, Cheryl B. Scott and Beverly Birch; daughter, Marcia M. Dupree and son-in-law Todd and their 2 sons, Grant and Connor Dupree; her son, Darrell McDaniel and daughter-in-law Michelle and their 2 sons, AJ and Christopher McDaniel and 2 daughters, Briley and Emma McDaniel.
Visitation will be at McKneely Funeral Home, 501 Avenue G, Kentwood, LA on Friday, September 22, 2023 from 6:00PM until 9:00PM and from 9:00AM until religious services at 10:00AM on Saturday, September 23, 2023. Interment will follow at Killian Chapel Cemetery located at the intersection of Hwy 16 and Hwy 43 west of Amite, LA.
Prayer Focus Today
Today is a good day to focus some thoughts and actions on those who are homebound. Being homebound is lonely. You cannot imagine how lonely that is until you are there yourself!
Bring some hope and love into some homes with those who don’t get out much.
Ways to focus on those who are homebound:
Phone calls
Small, practical gifts
Visits
Magazines
Food
Music
etc.
How about starting with one home and gradually increasing the number?
Operation Christmas Child
Packing of our shoeboxes will be done in less than a month. We have already started to collect items we will pack next year. What a joy the shoeboxes are! How blessed we are to participate in international missions and know many lives will be won for Jesus because of the shoeboxes!
LA. Baptist Children’s Home
The truck picked up our donations Monday morning. Our people were very generous, as usual. The families will be benefiting all through the coming year because of the goods and checks that were turned in.
Thank-you for participating in your very generous ways!
Senior Adult Revival ’23 is over, but we certainly enjoyed it. We heard three pastors preach and Kay play the piano each day. The choirS looked like a choir of our youth and young adult years. We also saw many friends we haven’t seen lately. Thanks to the senior adult leadership for making the revival a part of our association again this year. Now, we’ll be looking forward to the Two Rivers Senior Adult Revival ’24. Yesterday, the eight pastors in attendance all lined up across the front to talk to people who came forward. Eight pastors! What an awesome sight! That always is special to me. What a blessing to the older folks THIS WEEK!
ILLNESSES
We have several friends who will be having surgery in the next couple of months. You probably do too! Let’s get them “prayed up” for their surgery.
READ the BIBLE
Thursday
Luke 9: 51-55
Romans 12: 17-21
I Thessalonians 5:15
“I can help others who are vindictive by . . . .”
Baptist Press
The cure for whatever ails a Baptist church is more baptisms.
A resident of Greensburg, LA, passed away on Monday, September 18, 2023 at St. Helena Parish Nursing Home in Greensburg, LA. She was born January 7, 1933 and was 90 years of age. She is survived by her son, Charles Allen and wife, Rita; daughter, Rayann Cleveland and husband, Bob; 3 grandchildren, Bryan Allen and wife, Melissa, Brad Cleveland and wife, Louisa, and Chauntel Snoddy and husband, Nathan; great-grandchildren, Tayten Allen, Jaedyn Allen, Ashton Cleveland, Emilyann Cleveland, Julye Gros, and Mason Gros and wife, Kaylee; great-great-grandchild, Atlas Charles; sister, JoAnn Havard Achord. Preceded in death by her parents, J.D. and Juanita Redmond; husband, Ed Whitmire; second husband, Paul Ray Allen; sister, Virginia Redmond; and brothers, Edward Redmond and Eddie Louis Havard. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 11:00AM until religious services at 1:00PM on Thursday, September 21, 2023. Interment Greensburg Cemetery, Greensburg, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Have you shared “The Prayer Link” with someone. Use the Contact Button at the top of this screen to share your experience.
I have several friends who are facing various surgeries soon. Please be in prayer for the surgery patients and the hospital staff who will be working with them.
Senior Adult Revival
The first two days of the senior adult revival have been wonderful. We will conclude our meetings this year with a meeting at FBC, Amite.
9:oo – Coffee;
9:30 – Choir practice;
10:00 – Worship followed by lunch.
You are invited to join us.
Pine Ridge Study of Woven
1:oo P.M. today
Studying chapter five.
Prayer Focus Today
Let’s thank God for opportunities to meet, visit, and worship as senior adults.
A resident of Greensburg, LA, passed away on Monday, September 18, 2023 at St. Helena Parish Nursing Home in Greensburg, LA. She was born January 7, 1933 and was 90 years of age. She is survived by her son, Charles Allen and wife, Rita; daughter, Rayann Cleveland and husband, Bob; 3 grandchildren, Bryan Allen and wife, Melissa, Brad Cleveland and wife, Louisa, and Chauntel Snoddy and husband, Nathan; great-grandchildren, Tayten Allen, Jaedyn Allen, Ashton Cleveland, Emilyann Cleveland, Julye Gros, and Mason Gros and wife, Kaylee; great-great-grandchild, Atlas Charles; sister, JoAnn Havard Achord. Preceded in death by her parents, J.D. and Juanita Redmond; husband, Ed Whitmire; second husband, Paul Ray Allen; sister, Virginia Redmond; and brothers, Edward Redmond and Eddie Louis Havard. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 11:00AM until religious services at 1:00PM on Thursday, September 21, 2023. Interment Greensburg Cemetery, Greensburg, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
We had a great meeting at Greensburg yesterday. This morning, we will meet in Kentwood.
Prayer Focus Today
Today, let’s focus on day two of the senior adult revival.
FBC, Kentwood on Facebook
If the missed the service Sunday morning and have not seen the video, I urge you to watch the video today. You’ll be blessed.
Tomorrow’s Bible Study at Pine Ridge
The ladies’ study of Woven by Angie Smith meets at 1 P.M. Wednesday. We will be studying chapter five of the book.
Hello, my friend!
Yesterday, a friend shared that a former teaching friend reads this blog daily. That made my day. Thanks for sharing, “Miss” Colleen! Hello, “Miss” Irene. Two special ladies!
Pray for the truck and driver this morning as they pick up all the items donated for the children and staff there. Thank you for you donations. What a worthy cause!
Packing Parties for Shoe Boxes (OCC)
October 14 – Girls
October 21 – Boys
November – FBC,K will serve as the drop-off location for this area November 13th – 20th.
Thank-you to alll who have helped purchase items, prepare items for shoeboxes, tell others about OCC, etc.
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
A resident of Kentwood, LA, passed away on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. She was born April 10, 1958 in Landstuhl, Germany and was 65 years of age. Patricia was a registered nurse who is remembered for her work in ICU, Home Health, Nursing/Rehab Centers, and as a nursing instructor at Northshore Community College in Greensburg, LA. She enjoyed sharing her knowledge and talents with others through teaching and crafts. She especially enjoyed spendingtime with her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Patricia is survived by her son, J.B. Needham and his wife Crystal of Luling, TX; grandchildren Jed and Jaycee Needham, Cameron McLin, Haley Davis, and Hunter Haydel; mother, Mildred Cade; siblings Becky Crow (Danny) of Ellicott City, MD, James Cade (Melonie) of Hattiesburg, MS, Bobby Cade and Terri Bourgoyne of Kentwood, LA, and 15 nieces and nephews. Patricia is proceeded in death by her father, Staff Sgt. Arthur B. Cade, United States Army; maternal grandmother, Pearl Mulkey; paternal grandparents, Willie and Bertie Cade; and sister-in-law Betty Dees Cade.
Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Tuesday, September 19, 2023. Services conducted by Pastor Danny Crow. Interment Silver Springs Cemetery, Osyka, MS. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com
The annual Two Rivers Associational Revival begins tomorrow. I’ll post more information later today so you can be ready tomorrow.
La. Baptist Children’s Home
The truck will be in Kentwood early tomorrow to pick up our donations. This will be your last reminder. It is not too late to donate today! You can purchase items to send or send a check so they can purchase fresh foods as needed.
Prayer Focus
Today, let’s think about and pray for all the families who are helped by the work of the La. Baptist Children’s Home. Because of the home, the children are raised in a loving environment, have adequate homes, food, get an opportunity to go to school, can participate in sports, learn to take care of a family, can enjoy and develop musical skills, and get to learn about Jesus. These children deserve out support.
“So far, 28 projects in the Houma area have been completed including homes, a church, and an associational office.”
Today’s Prayer Focus
Today, let’s thank God for the many Georgia Barnette projects we have learned about this week and realize they are a few of many projects we can be a part of by giving to the Georgia Barnette Offering. Even though the focus on this offering will end tomorrow, you can give to the offering at any time of the year. Let’s pray for adequate funds and workers to meet the needs, trained leadership to continue, and lives to be changed as homes, churches, etc. are being rebuild.
Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home
Tomorrow, the 17th, is the last day to give items needed to feed and meet other needs of many children during the coming year. Let’s help stock their huge pantry for all the cottages with food and other items that will be needed in the coming year. Your checks can also help by allowing them to buy items like meat, fruits, and vegetables. The food truck only comes once a year, so let’s make their stop in Kentwood worthwhile.
Children’s Christmas Program
The practices have begun. If you have a child, grandchild, niece, nephew, neighbor, etc. who would like to be in annual Christmas program, please get them to church on Sunday nights, 6:00 – 7:00 P.M. Our team of workers is well experienced and very excited about the children and the program they have chosen for this December. Practice will be on the second floor in the children’s area.
OCC Coming Events
October 14 – Packing of girl’s shoeboxes beginning at 9 A.M.
October 21 – Packing of boy’s shoeboxes beginning at 9:00 A.M.
November 13th – 20th – Our church will again serve as the collection center for all those collecting shoeboxes in our general area. Then, our boxes will be trucked to Dallas where they will be inspected before being shipped to children all around the world. The daily collection times vary, so be sure to check with the Samaritan’s Purse website to get the correct times. Also, by November, the church office will be able to give you the collection times.
The Lord’s Day
Tomorrow, FBC, Kentwood and many other churches in this area, will be prepared to receive you for any and all activities. We pray you will attend the church of your choice.
Associational Senior Adult Revival
The annual Two-Rivers Revival will be Monday – Wednesday. It certainly is good to visit, worship, and eat with many of our Christian friends. I hope you will join us if possible.
Thank-you for reading and praying today. If you ever have any questions, call or email me. You can easily send me a message by clicking on the “CONTACT”” button at the top of this screen.
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
“…and now these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love, but the greatest of these is Love.” Barbara Birch McDaniel was called home on 9/12/2023. Born 4/13/1935 in Bluff Creek, Louisiana to Clifton and Rena Chaney Birch, Barbara was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.
She came to know the Lord when she was 12 yrs old at New Zion Baptist Church and has been active in many different churches, presently a member of Woodland Hills Baptist Church in Longview, TX.
After graduating Greensburg High School in 1953, she attended La. Baptist College, receiving her Business degree in May of 1957. She then began working as Social Worker for the State of Louisiana.
Barbara married the love of her life, Riley E McDaniel, on 8/31/1957 and they made their home in Opelousas, La. until Riley finished college.
Due to the flooding in Baton Rouge on 8/14/2016 Barbara started living with her daughter and family in Allen, Texas, moving to Longview, TX in June of 2017.
Her hobbies included sewing, cooking, photography, and genealogy. She wrote a book of the Birch family, Chaney family and Lee family and helped with the McDaniel and Bennett books.
She is preceded in death by her parents Clifton and Rena Birch, husband, Riley McDaniel, brothers Jack, James, Donald Ray Burch and sister, Carolyn Easley.
She is survived by sisters Jane Duncan, Grace B. Williams, Cheryl B. Scott and Beverly Birch; daughter, Marcia M. Dupree and son-in-law Todd and their 2 sons, Grant and Connor Dupree; her son, Darrell McDaniel and daughter-in-law Michelle and their 2 sons, AJ and Christopher McDaniel and 2 daughters, Briley and Emma McDaniel.
Visitation will be at McKneely Funeral Home, 501 Avenue G, Kentwood, LA on Friday, September 22, 2023 from 6:00PM until 9:00PM and from 9:00AM until religious services at 10:00AM on Saturday, September 23, 2023. Interment will follow at Killian Chapel Cemetery located at the intersection of Hwy 16 and Hwy 43 west of Amite, LA.
Shirley Jean Stevens Hayden
December 12, 1930 – September 12, 2023
Surrounded by her loving family, Shirley Jean Stevens Hayden went to her heavenly home peacefully on September 12, 2023, at the age of 92. The youngest of seven children, Shirley was born in Amite, Louisiana on December 12, 1930. In 1949, she married Roy Hayden and together they raised three boys.
Mamaw, as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren, was quite a character that had a sense of dry humor and kept us laughing, even until the end of her time here. She was happiest when she was amidst kinfolk, working in the yard, having daily coffee at 2:00 with her family, and spending time in the kitchen listening to the Statler Brothers’ hymns. As a young lady, she worked in the office at Hood Automotive until she had children. She then spent several long years rearing three rambunctious boys on “The Hill” on Chicken Farm Road and taking care of Papaw and her home. Once their boys were grown, she and Papaw enjoyed traveling to the Smoky Mountains with her sisters and their husbands. Her sisters were her best friends and they talked daily and went shopping together often. She knew that this earth was not her home and that she was only passing through on her way to be with her Savior, and for that we can all be thankful.
She is what one would think of as a Proverbs 31 woman. A lifelong member of Hayden Grove Church of Christ, she was a virtuous wife that provided for her family. She girded herself with strength and her children call her blessed and her husband did also. Shirley was a godly woman that loved the Lord and she set an example for her family and for others to follow for generations to come.
Shirley is survived by her sons: Jon Rory Hayden, Kenneth Roy (Angela) Hayden, and Kelly Nelson (DeDe) Hayden; grandchildren: Erin (Timothy) Verberne, James (Jacy) Hayden, Kody (Alison) Hayden, Holly (Michael) Hightower; great grandchildren: Carrie (Donovan) Hartman, Sarah (Shelton) Starkey, Roy Hayden, Beric Hayden, Robyn Hayden, Danielle Hightower, and Edmund Hightower; great -great grandchildren: Kate Hartman, Cohen Hartman, and Rhett Starkey who is due to be born in December.
Joining her in heaven is her husband, Roy Alton Hayden. She is also preceded in death by her parents, Leon and Carrie Stevens, siblings, Sue Lott, Willie Ruth Bennett, Marguerite Durnin, Jimmy “Rip” Stevens, Robert Stevens, and Charles Stevens.
A special thank you to the staff of The Lodge at Tangi Pines for the wonderful care they have provided.
Read the Bible
Numbers 32: 1-15
“If the Lord were angry with me, it would be because . . . .”
Prayer Focus Today
I know some people study their Bible more than others. Today, I pray for people to begin reading the Bible even more. I desire to be in the number who study more and more. Pray for more Bible study in every home.
The Prayer Link 
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