Pastor's Blog

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Well it is 3:30AM and we just arrived at our Uncle’s house in Lima, Peru.  We crammed that seven hour flight into nine hours.  Thank God we are here.

I have no updates from home so let’s go with the no news is good news scenario.

We have very limited access to the internet here.  I have a call into Al but do not expect much this week.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Good morning from the New Orleans airport.  Lisa and I arrived here way early expecting possible longer than usual lines, delays, et cetera but none of that proved true.  So, we have plenty of time as we wait on our flight to Atlanta.  We “only” have four hours to make our connection once in Atlanta.  It is all good!

The biggest news out of the Turrentine family today is that today is Sydney’s first day of school in Guatemala.  Her teacher speaks zero English and Sydney speaks zero Spanish – should be fun!  We pray Sydney has a great day and Lizzi too!

I am in hopes the Friendship family will show up and support Scott Older and his family tonight as they grieve the loss of Scott’s maternal grandfather.  The visitation with the family takes place from 5:00 – 8:00PM at First Baptist Grand Bay.  The service takes place tomorrow at 11:00AM also from First Baptist.  Pray for the Mahathy family.

Regular schedule for the Friendship family on Wednesday – morning and evening.  Bro. Jerry Hovel will be preaching/teaching in my absence.

Lord willing, I will be back in the pulpit this Sunday for all three services.

“Hey pastor, how about Joey?  You think he does?”  LOL!

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Word coming from Guatemala is that Teresita and the baby are both doing ok.  The baby weighed four pounds or so.  Keep praying.

Charles Suthoff was discharged from the hospital late Friday night.  Keep praying for him.

The visitation with Scott Older and family takes place tomorrow from 5:00 – 8:00PM at First Baptist followed by the service on Tuesday morning at 11:00AM also at First Baptist.  Scott, Bo and the girls are very faithful members of the Friendship family.  What a great young family!  I pray that the members of the Friendship family will support this family during this time.

Regular schedule this morning and evening.  Finance Committee meets at 5:00PM.

Special love offering today for Danny & Anita Lafferty in all three of our services.  Pray and then give as the Lord leads.  (Ushers, we will go back to back on these offerings)

Have you prayed about giving to the school construction offering?  About making a pledge in January?  Have you shared the video?  Have you asked others to consider giving?  The clock is ticking!  Pray and then do as the Lord leads.

Have you noticed the back forty in the past few days?  If not, take a look today.  Many thanks to Steve Morris for his dedication to keeping that area looking good.  Just as soon as the doctor released him he was right back at it!  Steve & Virginia are such a vital part of the Friendship family.

Props to Bob Evans for helping with the memorial service which took place in our auditorium late yesterday afternoon.  Bob was a tremendous help to me (if I were a supervisor at UPS the dude would have a job in November/December – just saying!).  Thanks Bob!  Likewise, Tina Wilkinson and James Mareno did very well ministering too.

I gave Kendall Falana one job to do and he. . .    The only thing I know to do is to maybe have Bob Evans work with Kendall trying to teach him a few things – LOL!  (In Kendall’s defense, Amy Huhn is his cousin so he does have an excuse!)

One of the hot topics right now concerning college football is “who will be Alabama’s next offensive coordinator?”  Chip?  Steve?Butch?  Well, let me give you the inside scoop – remember the name Eric!  Just saying!  (And remember that you heard it here first!).

Lord willing, Lisa and I will drive to New Orleans early in the morning in order to catch a plane to Lima, Peru.  The flight from ATL to LIM is just short of seven hours – ouch!  If all goes as planned, we will arrive back in Grand Bay next Saturday, 1/19.

I pray that you will have a great Sunday with Jesus.  Go to church!

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Those who have traveled to Guatemala in the past know Pastor Max & Teresa Lara along with many of their children.  Their daughter, Teresita, was thirty two weeks pregnant and, as I understand it, had a c-section just before midnight last night.  As far as I know, baby and mother are doing well.  They are in the national hospital in Antigua.  Please pray for the baby, Teresita and her husband, Ignacio.  I will update as I get information or if things change.

Speaking of Guatemala, the Friendship family will receive a love offering in all three services tomorrow for Danny & Anita Lafferty.  As you know, Danny had heart surgery and suffered a stroke on December 14, 2018.  He was very recently released from the hospital and rehab.  Pray and then give as the Lord leads.

I am not sure if Charles Suthoff remains in the hospital.  Pattie will let me know today.  Pray for Charles.

I posted the obituary for Scott Older’s maternal grandfather.  The visitation will take place Monday night and the service on Tuesday.  Both will take place from First Baptist Grand Bay.  Pray for the family as they walk through this valley.

Regular schedule tomorrow – morning and evening.  Lord willing, I will be in the pulpit all three services.

Tyrone Crawley & Tim Knighten – please check your e-mail today, if possible.

Soy, Deidra and the girls had an uneventful trip back to Guatemala yesterday.  Their flight out of Atlanta was delayed but they eventually got to the mountain in El Tejar safe and sound.  I miss Deidra and the girls.

We really need a strong final two weeks in January of giving to or pledging to give toward the school construction in Guatemala.  Our Ladies Helping Hands made a nice contribution yesterday.  I appreciate the generosity of those ladies.  Remember, all gifts/pledges in January will be matched dollar for dollar.  We are going to need at least three hundred thousand dollars to make this school a reality building wise not including furnishing it or the operational costs.  We believe this is a God thing and the He will move on hearts to help.  Will you help?  Give and pass the word to others.  Share the video found on shininglightabroad.com.  All gifts are tax deductible.

The first mission team of 2019 arrived on the mountain yesterday as they are staying in the L.G. Camp, Jr. Mission House.  This team is from Michigan.  Pray for them.  The first three teams of 2019 are from Michigan.  The fourth and fifth teams will be led by me and they are heavily populated with Michiganders too.  Thank God for Michigan!

I am going to predict that Jalen Hurts will eventually end up at Miami for his final year of college football.  I know a girl who used to date Jalen so you can say that I have inside information!  I commend Jalen for the way he has handled himself over the past year plus now.  Class act.

I think Paul Tagliabue has been trying to contact me to get me to watch the NFL games again.  Thanks but not thanks!  I hear the Saints are good this year and I would love to watch them but respect for the American flag remains more important to me.  So, my boycott of the past two seasons remains in effect.

Remember, it is highly possible that I will not blog again until Monday, 1/21, as Lisa and I will be in Peru.  I am not sure if Al has installed internet there or not.  Bro. Jerry will preach in my absence on Wednesday, 1/16.

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

Elbert Clinton Mahathy, 91, of Forts Lake, MS passed away on Thursday, January 10, 2019. He was born July 6, 1927 in Kreole, MS to the late Marvin Clinton and Minnie Elena Seaman Mahathy. He served in the U.S. Navy and worked for International Paper Company for 45 years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and farming. He always included his family in his adventures and loved for everyone to go fishing in his pond. Elbert was a long-time member of Eastside Assembly of God Church. He loved to serve his Lord and Savior and did so by helping others and sharing God’s word, love, and kindness. Along with his parents, Elbert was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley Evon Benefield Mahathy; brothers, Arnold Lee (Velma) Mahathy, and Arthur Ray (Mary Ann) Mahathy; sister, Ida Mae (Fred) Carter; and grandson, Bobby Duane Parker. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Ida Eyrle Pierce-Tanner Mahathy; brothers, Forrest Calvin Mahathy and James Leroy (Big Sandra) Mahathy; sisters, Ima Jane (Stanley) Bragg and Gloria Faye (Jack) Hamilton; children, Melba Faye (William) Schafer, Sandra Raye (James) Parker, Winfred (Reby) Tanner, Cynthia (David) Cochran, Mae Jean Henderson, Robert (Carmen) Tanner, and Marty Tanner; grandchildren, Ginger Hamilton, Carla Weaver, James Parker, Clint Schafer, Scott Older, and Taylor Older, and 27 more grandchildren; great-grandchildren, Perrin, Brett, Ryan, Lora, Leah, Lilly, Avery, Morgan, James, Autumn, Kala, and 54 more great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held on Monday, January 14, 2019 from 5 p.m until 8 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Grand Bay, 10170 Grand Bay Wilmer Road South, Grand Bay, AL. Funeral service will be Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 11 a.m. in the church. Interment will immediately follow at W. R. Clark Cemetery in Forts Lake.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Charles Suthoff was admitted to the hospital last night.  Pray for him, the medical personnel, and Bernard & Pattie as they have had a lot on their plate lately.  (Pattie literally just called to say that Charles was kept in PACU last night and they are not certain what will happen today.  He “could” be sent back to the convalescent facility today.  Pattie has been very faithful to keep me posted and will do so today)

Bobby Joe Felps met with an oncologist yesterday afternoon.  His malignancy is stage three.  The doctor is content to just watch it for the time being.  He stressed that Bobby Joe had major surgery and will be out of commission for another couple of months.  Keep praying for Bobby Joe and family.

Andy Hamil was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday and was able to go home – not to rehab.  Keep praying for Andy & Betty.

I talked to Tim Knighten yesterday.  Obviously, he and Peggy are still in the grieving process.  Just keep them in your prayers, please.

Pray for those being affected by the government shutdown.

Soy, Deidra, Lizzi, Sydney & Audrey left this morning heading back to Guatemala.  (That noise you heard around 6:30AM was Sydney screaming!).   Actually, I think she did fairly well this go around.  Lisa and I are working on getting the girls back to Alabama during the Summer when they have a school break so they can eat watermelon and swim.

We are on a regular schedule this Sunday morning and evening.  That includes Sunday School, Discipleship Training and adult choir.  I pray the members of the Friendship family will be faithful in all areas.  Lord willing, I will be in the pulpit for all three services.

Love offering for Danny & Anita Lafferty this Sunday in all three services.  Pray and then give as the Lord leads.  God used Danny to open the door for our ministry in Guatemala.  I have never forgotten that kindness.

We have twenty one days to either give or pledge toward the school construction in Guatemala for those gifts/pledges to be matched.  Thank you to those who have done so already and to those who are going to do so this month or later.  Remember, we are asking that, if possible, all pledges be paid by September 30, 2019.   Will you pass the word, share the video, direct others to shininglightabroad.com, et cetera?

Basketball in the morning beginning at 8:00AM.  Bus workers meet at 8:30AM tomorrow.  Finance Committee meets Sunday at 5:00PM.

A special thanks to Danny Lewis for filling in the potholes in the church parking lots.  He has done a nice job.  Macgyver is a Danny Lewis wannabe!

Lisa and I have plans to travel to Peru next week.  I know some Poiroux’s but I have never been to Peru.  This trip has been years in the making and can only be taken by us in January.  Not my choice of dates but we had to fit it in when my Uncle is there.  Eddie & Sue will be our traveling companions.  Our plan is to be home on Saturday, 1/19, with plans to be in the pulpit on Sunday, 1/20.  I said all of that to simply say that I do not know if I will blog during our time away.  Not sure about internet access, our schedule, et cetera.  Just FYI.

Since I am no longer watching the NFL (two years now), I have decided to not apply for the draft.  Just saying!

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

The Ladies Helping Hands Ministry will meet tomorrow night, 1/10, beginning at 6:00PM in the fellowship hall.  All ladies of the Friendship family are invited to attend this meeting.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Andy Hamil is set to be discharged from the hospital today.  He will go to a rehab facility for an unspecified period of time.  Pray for Andy & Betty.

A member of the Friendship family had a heart cath yesterday.  The results were very good.

Another member of the Friendship family will be having surgery today.  Not sure if I have permission to list that person’s name here so I will not.

Regular schedule today – morning and evening.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Tim Knighten’s father will be buried in Quitman, MS today.  I appreciate Jeff Holifield and Grant Tillman going to Milton, FL yesterday for the visitation with the family.  The pastor did a nice job with the service and Peggy wrote a nice poem about Tim’s father which she read during the service.  Keep praying for the Knighten family.

Visited with Andy Hamil yesterday morning.  He may be discharged at some point today but will be going to a rehab facility instead of home.  Obviously, he needs some physical therapy.  Pray for Andy & Betty.

Thank you to those who asked about Jayden.  He has been diagnosed with a fever virus which is not contagious.  I had never heard of this type virus until yesterday when my niece, Jamie, told me about it.

Are you serious?  44 – 16!  Hey, I am am Alabama fan and I wish they had won last night’s game.  However, as a follower of Jesus, how can you not like Coach Dabo Swinney?  His initial interview after the game was amazing as he definitely gave God all of the glory.  The Lawrence kid was amazing and the Ross kid was even more amazing.  In my opinion, Alabama was outplayed and outcoached in last night’s game.  Congratulations to Coach Swinney and his Clemson Tigers in becoming the first 15 – 0 team in the modern era of college football.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Pray for Tim & Peggy Knighten along with the rest of the family as they will have a visitation and a celebration of life service for Mr. Leslie Knighten at the Wallace Baptist Church in Milton, Florida today from 11:00AM until the 1:00PM service time.  The burial will take place tomorrow in Quitman, MS.  Tim and Peggy are very faithful members of the Friendship family and we certainly want to support them during this time.

Andy Hamil is doing well.  It is possible he could be discharged from the hospital today.  Not sure how probable that is but it is possible.  Keep praying for Andy.

We were blessed with good services yesterday.  The highlight of the day for me was to have Brandon & Pam Baker join the Friendship family by transfer of letter – welcome home!  I hold this young couple in very high regard and believe they are a great addition to the Friendship family.

We are going to remodel our auditorium and prayerfully that will take place this year.  Financial gifts, above one’s regular offering, can be given at any time.  Simply write “renovation” on the memo line of your check or in the designated area on the offering envelope.  You can also give online.  Soon, I will be appointing an ad hoc committee to oversee this renovation.  We are basically talking about painting, carpet, seating and maybe a couple of other things.  Again, the committee will be bringing recommendations as to the particulars.

This Sunday, 1/13, we will receive a love offering in all three services for Danny & Anita Lafferty.  Pray and then give as the Lord leads.

Our deacons are going to host a “Widow’s Day” on Saturday, February 23.  This will involve a meal, a time of encouragement and a great meal.  Plans call for this to take place in the mid afternoon so these ladies can get home before dark thirty.  Widows, please call the church office to sign up for this special day.

I have heard rumor that there is going to be a game tonight.  Personally, I think it could go either way and will be close.  However, I am not the world’s greatest prognosticator – just saying!

Our landline phone rang at midnight.  Dana told me that the baby was burning up with fever.  When we got to the ER his temperature was 104.1.  Motrin followed by an antibiotic and we were back home a little after 4:00AM.  So, all is good but this preacher is somewhat tired.  I am saying that to say there is no telling the number of mistakes you will find in this entry.  My apologies!

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