Pastor's Blog

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 31-32; Acts 23:16-35

This entry is late.  I apologize.  (It will also be short!)

Since I was on the road all day yesterday, I do not have any updates.  Sorry about that.

Regular schedule tomorrow for the Friendship family.

Meeting at 4:00PM in the auditorium to discuss the proposed budget.  Vote, with no discussion, in the evening service.  Also will vote on jump starting the special fund with $10,000.

Message in the morning will be taken from Acts 20:35.  Surprise, surprise, surprise!

Bobby and the boys have lost two in row and the Dodgers have matched that streak!  Not good!  The Nationals still have a ten game lead in their division and the Dodgers hold a nine and one half game lead.  Bobby needs to get all of this straightened out!

Lisa is on the island.  Did not let me go but left me here with strict instructions to get the yard work done today.  Slave driver!

I pray that you will have a great Saturday with Jesus.

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 29-30; Acts 23:1-15

Visited with Tina Wilkinson yesterday morning and she was about to be discharged from the hospital.  She was a happy camper.

Attempted to see Tommy Watson but he was in therapy so I left a card.

Visited Stella Brinkman.  She was still in the ER due to no rooms being available.  However, Katie sent me a message saying that Stella is now in ICU.

Visited with Robert Baria.  Roseanne was not there at that time.  I saw Robert open his eyes so I put on all of the required garb to enter his room.  However, he had fallen asleep by the time I got in there and I could not awaken him.

I think the service for Larry Moss was good.  The meal was very good and I appreciate Lisa, Daphne and Jennifer Davis coordinating it.  I also saw Kayla Hatcher helping.  Thanks to everyone who attended the visitation/service and to those who helped with the meal.

As you are reading this, I will most likely already be driving to Hartselle, Alabama.  I am meeting my parents for breakfast, picking up Titus from my niece’s house and then heading back to Grand Bay.  Seven hundred miles in one day – no problem!

I pray that you will have a great Friday with Jesus.

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 26-28; Acts 22

Obviously, Stella Brinkman remains in the hospital and is in an ICU.  Did not get a report last night but will be checking on her today.  Pray for Stella and her family.

Learned after the service last night that Tina Wilkinson is in the hospital.  I “think” it is just an overnight stay but I am not one hundred percent certain.

Robert Baria was taken off the vent yesterday.  That is good news.  He still has MRSA so Roseanne is asking folks not to visit but to simply pray.

Tommy Watson remains in rehab.

Pattie Suthoff was discharged from the hospital.  That was that “sound” you heard around 10:00AM yesterday – Pattie shouting!

Charles Wainwright was injured at work last week.  He is scheduled to undergo surgery next Wednesday, July 26.  Charles has worked all of his life and does not grasp the “you cannot do that” mentality.  Maria has her hands full as the guy is a worker!

Esther Beritech is scheduled to have open heart surgery next Friday, July 28.

Mary Jackson is scheduled to have surgery at some point in July.  Problem is they will not give her a definitive date.

The memorial service for Larry Moss takes place tonight, 7/20, beginning at 6:30PM in our auditorium.  It will be preceded by two hours of visitation with the family.  If you are helping with the food, please have it in the fellowship hall no later than 6:30PM.  Thank you to those who are helping with this ministry.

Today marks the 89th birthday of Pastor Robbie Howard.  I often think of Bro. Robbie & Miss Peggy – what a pair!

Talked to Andy Hamil yesterday.  He and Miss Betty are scheduled to arrive back in Grand Bay on Tuesday.  I sure hope they are ready for this humidity!  (Guess what?  They are not!  Basically no one is!)  It will be good to have Andy & Betty home!

Well, Bobby and the boys got shut out last night.  In my opinion, it was all about the lack of production from the third base coach!  He sent no one home!  However, their lead remains at eleven and one half games over the Braves.  They are off today before traveling to Arizona for a weekend series.  Send ‘em Bobby, send ‘em!

One month, thirteen days and fifteen hours before Bama kicks off the 2017 football season but who is counting?

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.

Stella Brinkman was taken by ambulance to the hospital this morning.  She has a brain bleed.  They have since moved her to another hospital better equipped to handle cases like hers.  Pray for Stella.

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 23-25; Acts 21:18-40

Visited with Robert Baria yesterday but he was out of it as he remains on the ventilator.  So, I do not have an update.

Pattie Suthoff was in good spirits and is thinking that she “could” be discharged today.

Had a nice visit with Tommy Watson.  He will be in rehab at least through next Friday, 7/28.  They will then reevaluate and go from there.

Regular schedule this morning and tonight.  The fare for the 7:30PM Bible study will be lasagna and the trimmings.

There was a local news story that broke yesterday afternoon and it was several websites.  I am told that it was all over FB.  Well, hate to be the bearer of bad news but I will simply say that about 97.238% of that story was untrue.  Wrong business, wrong location, et cetera.  Why bother with getting the facts before reporting?  Crazy!

Bobby and the boys are rolling – six in a row and an eleven and one half game lead in their division.  Keep sending them home Bobby!

One month and fourteen days until college football is here!  Hooray!

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 20-22; Acts 21:1-17

I visited with Roseanne Baria yesterday as she was sitting in Robert’s ICU room.  He is on a vent and cannot talk.  Robert is a very sick man.  He now has MRSA.  While the ICU has an open visitation policy, Roseanne respectfully asks that no one visit Robert until he is much improved.  Just pray for Robert and his family.

Pattie Suthoff was taken from the hospital over to the doctor’s office yesterday morning and they lanced her sore.  She is glad as she believes this is the best route to healing.  (I need to point out here that last Wednesday I had to explain to Pattie where one’s sinuses are located.  Just saying!).

The memorial service for Larry Moss takes place this Thursday night, 7/20, beginning at 6:30PM.  It will take place in our auditorium and will be preceded by two hours of visitation with the family.  Lisa & Daphne are coordinating the feeding of the family following the service.  If you can help, please contact Lisa by calling her cell phone, her office or the church office.

The Finance Committee has finished preparing the proposed budget for the August 1, 2017 through July 31, 2018 fiscal year.  Therefore, a copy of the proposed budget will be mailed this week.  A meeting designed for discussion, questions, comments, amendments, et cetera will take place this Sunday afternoon, 7/23, in the auditorium beginning at 4:00PM.  Then a voice vote, with no further discussion, will take place during our evening service.  I appreciate the work our Finance Committee has done this entire fiscal year and especially in preparing this proposed budget.

Deidra posted a blog entry yesterday.  You can find it by going to shininglightabroad.com.  Dr. Jack Bailey and I are working with her on her blogging skills.  We will eventually get her trained!

Bobby & the Nats are en Fuego! They won again last night sweeping the series with the Reds.  I am a firm believer that it all comes down to the third base coach as being the difference!

I pray that you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus.

The memorial service for Larry Moss will be held this Thursday, July 20, beginning at 6:30PM from our church auditorium.  The service will be preceded by two hours of visitation (4:30 – 6:30) with the family.

The Friendship family will provide a meal for Moss family following the memorial service.  My wife, Lisa, and our daughter, Daphne, have agreed to coordinate this meal.   (Thanks Carol Lucky for allowing them to do this)  If you can help by cooking something then please contact Lisa (259 8072).  Thank you in advance for ministering to this family.

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 18-19; Acts 20:17-38

Tuesday, July 18 – Psalms 20-22; Acts 21:1-17
Wednesday, July 19 – Psalms 23-25; Acts 21:18-40
Thursday, July 20 – Psalms 26-28; Acts 22
Friday, July 21 – Psalms 29-30; Acts 23:1-15
Saturday, July 22 – Psalms 31-32; Acts 23:16-35
Sunday, July 23 – Psalms 33-34; Acts 24

It was certainly a joy to worship last night as eight young folks followed Jesus in believer’s baptism.  They were very well supported by their families and the church family as well.  Praise God for these decisions.

Robert Baria has been placed on a ventilator again.  I will be visiting with him a bit later this morning.  Keep praying for Robert.

Pattie Suthoff remains hospitalized and her doctor should make rounds this morning.  The doctor on call has been seeing her over the weekend.  Pattie has a plan she just needs to doctors to follow along!

Tommy Watson remains in rehab.

Larry Moss passed away early yesterday morning.  I was unaware that he was living in the Birmingham area near his son, Craig, and Craig’s family.  It “appears” that a memorial service will take place from our auditorium this Thursday night, 7/20.  I will be talking to Craig today in order to finalize everything.  Pray for Larry’s family.

Bobby and the Nationals have begun the second half of the regular season in a good way winning all of their games thus far.  They are on a four game winning streak, have a ten and one half lead in their division, have the third best record in all of baseball, and acquired two relievers in a trade with the A’s yesterday.  They also have the best third base coach in the majors!

The college football season basically “officially” begins on Saturday, 9/2, which is only one month and sixteen days away.  Just saying!

I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 13-15; Acts 19:21-41

There was no blog entry yesterday morning.  Very astute observation – LOL!  Why not?  Well, Lisa and I slipped away for the night (Thursday) and I simply stayed offline for an extended period of time.  Call it fasting from the blog.

Pattie Suthoff was admitted to the hospital on Thursday.  She has a staph infection which has been fairly common for her in years gone by.  However, it has been awhile since she last had one that required hospitalization.

Robert Baria was moved to a Mobile hospital on Thursday.  I visited him in Biloxi that morning and they were in the process of getting him moved at that time.  Good move for his family and hopefully for Robert too.

Phil Sims was taken to the ER on Thursday but would not let them admit him.  He went to see his primary doctor yesterday and she put him on a fluid pill which has helped him tremendously.  I spoke to him this morning and he sounded good.

Tommy Watson continues to be in the hospital undergoing different kinds of therapy.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.  Baptism as a part of the evening service.

I pray that you will have a great Saturday with Jesus.

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 7-9; Acts 18

Bernard & Pattie’s grandson, Zach, will be undergoing surgery on his sinuses this morning.  He is a bit nervous which is to be expected.  Pray for Zach!

Robert Baria had another surgery yesterday.  That went well.  Roseanne is working diligently to have him moved to a Mobile hospital for a variety of reasons.

Ruby Gulley remains the hospital but told me yesterday that she is definitely being discharged this morning.

Tommy Watson continues to do his therapy daily.

We had a good day in our services yesterday.  Not a great day but a good one and we give God the glory for all He did.  Again, thank you to those from the Friendship family who are faithful.

Pastor Keith Martin and his folks have been on GRACE Mountain since last Thursday.  They learned fairly late last night that their this morning flight had been cancelled and they had been rebooked for tomorrow.  Not so fast my friend!  Pastor Keith and Kirk Lightfield began to work the phone lines and finally got everyone out at 2:00PM today.  They will get home much later but at least it will be on the same day.  I am thankful it worked out for them.

We have now issued an APB for Mike & Janice Moreland.  They had either abandoned the blog or have been abducted by creatures from Mars.

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.