Pastor's Blog

Our weekly prayer time will take place tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the auditorium.  Enter/exit through the West side door.

GROW visitation begins at 6:00PM.  Meet Bro. Jerry Hovel in the church office.

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Nehemiah 1-5

Tuesday, September 27 – Nehemiah 6-7
Wednesday, September 28 – Nehemiah 8-10
Thursday, September 29 – Nehemiah 11-13; Psalms 126
Friday, September 30 – Malachi 1-4

Maria Wainwright’s mother, Mrs. Hamilton, was given the choice to remain hospitalized or be discharged.  Obviously, she chose to go home.  The doctors are not optimistic.  Pray for Mrs. Hamilton and her family.

A good Sunday!  God is good!  He is faithful!  What a blessing to see one salvation decision in yesterday’s 10:30AM service and then to see five folks follow Jesus in believers’ baptism as a part of last night’s service.  God gives the increase and we continue to give Him all of the glory!

Men’s breakfast this Saturday morning, October 1, beginning at 8:00AM in the fellowship hall.  All men are invited to attend.

Operation Christmas Child boxes will be available from mid-October until some point in November.  If you need more information about this ministry, contact Reb Nevin.

October 2016 is going to center around “hope” with our annual “Hope Sunday” taking place on October 16.  We are also asking folks to be faithful in our evening services as we will have “October Nights!”

Congratulations to Pastor Joe David Bailey!  The Danville Baptist Church family extended a call to him yesterday morning.  He will assume the duties of pastor effective January 1, 2017.   Joe David is a great friend and I am very, very happy for him!

Did they really fire Les Miles?  I will admit that I do not understand the inner workings of the business side of college athletics but this seems crazy to me.  He was 114 – 34 in his eleven plus seasons.  Five top ten finishes, two SEC championships, one national championship, another appearance in the national championship game and the second winningest coach in the history of LSU football. Rusty is upset!  Basically begged me to take up an offering for Miles in last night’s service.  Has a Fathead of Miles in his living room.  He has set up a counseling appointment with me each day of this week.

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Esther 6-10

Ladies, remember the wedding shower for Brandi & Brad today from 2:00 – 4:00PM in the fellowship hall!

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.  Baptism in the evening service.

Thanks for Jeff Holifield for covering the hospitals for me yesterday.

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Esther 1-5

Bro. Jerry handled the hospital visits yesterday as I was taking a vacation day.  He reports that Winston Gulley was doing good and Tony Blackwell was waiting on the doctors to determine the next move in his situation.

Bernard finishes his radiation treatments today – hooray!

Carla K spent all day Wednesday in appointments with doctors and having fluid drawn from one of her lungs.  She is using that as an excuse for missing the service on Wednesday night but I am not buying!

Important – I normally do not do shower announcements in this space.  (Used to but then all of the legal stuff factored into it)  There is a wedding shower tomorrow, 9/24, for Brandi Wescovich and Brad Morgan.  It will take place in the church fellowship hall from 2:00 – 4:00PM.  They are registered at Bed, Bath & Beyond (gift cards available at Walgreens in Grand Bay) and Grand Bay Feed & Seed (gift cards not available at Walgreens in Grand Bay).  Ladies, please take note and attend, if possible.

Technology amazes me!  Lisa and I are traveling today and will eventually end up in Tuscaloosa for the game tomorrow.  She has taken over the driving so I can blog.  Amazing!

I spent almost all day yesterday on a mower.  Had a very nice assist from Jonny the Baptist Gaston.  Had no assistance from Soy or Rusty but what else is new?  Believe it or not, I enjoyed the day.

Dr. Jack Bailey does not read this blog.  I sure hope none of our twelve readers tell him that we got a nice rain shower yesterday afternoon!  (12?  Still not convinced my niece, Jamie, is back on board!  Just saying!)

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

I failed to mention in my entry earlier today that our youngest grandchild, Audrey, celebrated her second birthday today.  She was born on Monday, 9/22/14, at 1:08PM, weighed seven eleven and was nineteen and half inches long.  (Deidra is going to be so impressed that I remembered all of those figures!)  We had her party this past Sunday but today is her date of birth.  She is a sweetheart!  Happy birthday Audrey!

She is our youngest grandchild but she also is not our youngest grandchild.  What?

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Zechariah 8-14

Winston Gulley did well through his surgery.  In somewhat of an unusual twist, he was actually moved up on the list and they took him early.  As a matter of fact, I literally ran them down in the hallway in order to have prayer with him before he entered the surgical suite.

Judy Blackwell’s son, Tony, suffered a stroke yesterday and is in the hospital.  Not sure of the severity of it.  I am also not sure of Tony’s age.  I have basically known him most of his life so he still seems really young to me even though he has at least one son in his teens.  Pray for Tony.

Maria Wainwright’s mother is in a hospital in Louisiana.  It is my understanding that she is not doing well.  I spoke to Logan following last night’s service and they are very concerned for her physical well being.  Pray for Mrs. Hamilton and the family.

Chris & Courtney Cavin had a very young neighbor (around 16 or 17 years old) to unexpectedly pass from this life on Saturday night.  Pray for that family and for Chris & Courtney as they seek to minister to them.

Bernard Suthoff has a radiation treatment today and then his final one in the morning.  He has seemingly done very well with these treatments.

Greg & Holly Lybarger will be moving to Colorado.  Holly is a NP and will be running an urgent care clinic there for a hospital.  She recently got a good report regarding her battle against cancer.  Of course, Holly is the daughter of Rob & Reb Nevin.

We had a good day in our services/Bible studies yesterday/last night.  We give God the glory.

We plan on observing the ordinance of baptism this Sunday evening, 9/25, as a part of our worship service.  Anyone desiring to follow the Lord in believers’ baptism needs to contact me personally beforehand for instructions.

The college football weekend begins tonight with the Clemson @ Georgia Tech game.  Both teams are 3 – 0 but I am going to take the Tigers in this one. (Have to remain friends with Pastor Rainey and Bro. Eddie Burdette!)

I am a cool/cold weather person.  Always have been.  The long range forecast is calling for our night time lows to begin to stay in the 60′s  starting next Tuesday night and our day time highs in the mid 80′s.  I am always ready for Fall!  Day time highs in the 60′s and night time lows in the 40′s (or colder) would be excellent!  However, I am aware that we live on the Gulf Coast and that is not happening.  I am totally good with that!

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Zechariah 1-7

Winston Gulley will be undergoing heart surgery today.  I will go pray with him before surgery and then Bro. Jerry will sit with the family during the actual surgery as I will come back to Grand Bay for our morning service.

Carla Kyser will have fluid drained from her right lung this morning.  (I offered to do this for free as I have a water hose but she declined my offer!)

Miss Ica Walley spent part of Monday and all of yesterday in the hospital.  She was discharged last night.

Everyone that I visited in the convalescent home yesterday seemed to be doing well.  Miss Carmen & Miss Barbara were asleep so I did not get to visit with them.

Jeff Holifield has taken care of getting our tractor/mower to the shop, repaired and back to the church.  A few folks have mentioned that they will help keep the front part of the back forty mowed once the mower was available.  Well, it is not available so contact me if you are willing to help in this area.  I appreciate Jeff handling this detail.

We are on a regular schedule this morning and evening.  Pizza Hut pizza will be the fare for the 7:30PM Bible study.

Looking forward to another weekend of college football beginning tomorrow night.  I think Clemson handles GA Tech tomorrow night and that Utah will beat USC on Friday night.  The Arkansas vs Texas A&M game does not begin until 8:00PM on Saturday night – that is too late to start a game!  It will not end until 11:30PM or so.

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

Age 94, a resident of Grand Bay, AL passed away on Sunday, September 18, 2016. She was employed by the International Paper Company for many years in Moss Point, MS. She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Adams Bowden, parents and 7 siblings. She is survived by her children, Sammy (Myrtle) Bowden and Denny (Anna) Bowden, 6 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, 1 great great-grandchild, 4 siblings, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Visitation will be held at Midway United Methodist Church (Hwy 90 Orange Grove, MS) on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 from 5 pm until 8 pm. Funeral service will be held at the church on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at 10 am. Interment will be in Grand Bay Cemetery.

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Haggai 1-2

The visitation with the Eunice Bowden family will take place tonight from 5:00 – 8:00PM at the Midway United Methodist Church in Orange Grove, MS.  The service will take place tomorrow morning at 10:00AM and will also take place at Midway.  Burial will be in the Grand Bay Cemetery.  Pray for Sammy, Denny, and the entire family.

Winston Gulley is still scheduled for surgery tomorrow.

Do not any updates on those folks we have been praying for who are battling cancer.  I do know that we need to keep praying for them.  Bernard should be really close to finishing his radiation treatments.

David Bosarge’s mother, Miss Maxine Rogers, began her chemo treatments yesterday.  On for five days and then off for three weeks.

Did the unthinkable  last night – went the Friendship soccer games!  The bad part is that folks actually saw me there!  That ministry has much potential as there were a lot of folks in attendance.  Larry, Curly & Mo are doing a nice job!

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Ezra 4-6; Psalms 137

Tuesday, September 20 – Haggai 1-2
Wednesday, September 21 – Zechariah 1-7
Thursday, September 22 – Zechariah 8-14
Friday, September 23 – Esther 1-5
Saturday, September 24 – Esther 6-10
Sunday, September 25 – Ezra 7-10

Miss Eunice Bowden, mother of Sammy & Denny, departed this life peacefully last night around 6:30PM.  She has been a resident in the local convalescent home for the past couple of years.  The arrangements are incomplete at the time of this writing.  Pray for the Bowden family.

Winston Gulley is scheduled to have heart surgery this Wednesday.  Pray that all goes well.

GROW visitation tonight beginning at 6:00PM.  Meet with Bro. Jerry Hovel in the church office.

Prayer time in the auditorium tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  Come and go or come and stay.  Use the West side door to enter/exit.

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our services yesterday.  The Riders did a nice job of sharing in song.  I am told they did a very good job in the women’s conference on Saturday as well.  I appreciate all of the ladies involved in putting the conference together.  Thank you to each person who gave to the love offering as well.

Lisa had taken care of the grass cutting and grocery shopping for me last night so I could have this past Saturday “off” relating to those things.  I did officiate a wedding in Bay Minette which meant that I missed seeing the first half of the Bama game.  (What was I thinking when I agreed to do that one?)  However, once we got back home I just sat back and watched football games until 11:00PM or so.  It was a good afternoon in that regard.

We had SNBA last night and it was good.  Alex “Larry” Byrd was the star of the night.  Jonny the Baptist made his debut too.  Plans call for us to have SNBA this coming Sunday as well.

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