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 – Isaiah 56-58; II Thessalonians 2

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

Tonight marks the moving of the young adult Bible study from Wednesdays to Thursdays.  Pray for Dylan Westbrook as he facilitates this study tonight.

The visitation with the Bradley Cumbie family takes place today beginning at 1:00PM and lasting until the 2:00PM service time.  Visitation and service at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore.  Pray for Caroline and family.

Well, the Cubs still have a pulse!  I am sure Pastor Wes Bates is all smiles this morning.  And the Yankees have certainly stormed back in their series against the Astros.  Personally, I think the entire MLB season should be winding down right now instead of just now being in the league championship series.  I do not think they have asked for my opinion.

I pray that you will have a great Thursday 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 – Isaiah 53 – 55; II Thessalonians 1

Robert Baria was moved to a rehab facility on Monday.  I spoke to his daughter last night and he seems to be doing well.  Keep praying for Robert, Roseanne and family.

I posted the obit for Bradley Cumbie yesterday.  Keep praying for Caroline and family.

We are on a regular schedule this morning and tonight with one notable change.  We began having a college/young adult Bible study on Wednesday nights around fifteen years ago.  We met in the youth building a time or two before moving it to our house.  Lisa has cooked hundreds of meals over those years feeding those in attendance.  She has done a superb job and has not complained even once.  Tonight, that group will not meet as we have moved this Bible study to Thursday nights in hopes of drawing more people.  They will meet tomorrow night at 6:45PM in the youth building.  Dylan Westbrook will be facilitating the study for the initial two weeks.  Jonny Gaston has been a huge help in getting this thing moved to Thursday nights.  So, tonight will be “strange” for us but it is a good strange!

I am looking for jack.  If anyone sees him, please have him contact me immediately!

Enjoyed a vacation day yesterday.  Was able to get some work done outside.  What a delightful weather day!  Folks, yesterday’s weather here is basically every day’s weather in El Tejar, Guatemala.

Lisa, Dana, & I took the grandchildren to the fair in Pascagoula last night.  The Edwards three joined us.  We saw half of the Friendship family there.  It was a good night.

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

Bradley Ray Cumbie, age 54, of Irvington, AL Passed Away on Thursday October 12, 2017. Bradley was born December 5, 1962.

He is survived by his daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Cumbie, mother, Caroline Ford, siblings, Bryan (Mai) Cumbie, Craig Cumbie and Scott (Frances) Cumbie, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

A visitation for Bradley will be held Thursday, October 19, 2017 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Serenity Funeral Home, 8691 Old Pascagoula Rd., Theodore, AL 36582. A funeral service will occur Thursday, October 19, 2017 at 2:00 PM, 8691 Old Pascagoula Rd., Theodore, AL 36582. An interment will occur at Mobile Memorial Gardens.

The visitation with the Bradley Cumbie (Caroline Ford) family will take place on Thursday, October 19, from 1:00 – 2:00PM at the Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore, Alabama.  The celebration of life service will begin at 2:00PM from the funeral home chapel.  Pray for Caroline and family.

Did you hear that shout around 9:00AM today?  If so, you either heard Lisa or me!  The doctor removed both casts!  The right arm now has a removal brace that she is to wear less and less over the next two weeks and then remove it completely.  The left arm has a removal cast which she has to wear full time for the next month until she sees the doctor.  We were not expecting both casts to be removed today but we are happy campers!  We are grateful to God.

So, we no longer need any food brought to us.  We have been overwhelmed by the many kindnesses shown to us over the past month.  It is now time for us to minister to others.

I failed to say a huge “thank you” to the folks who came to our work day this past Saturday morning.  We started at 7:00AM and were completely finished by 8:15AM.  We had around twenty folks which included men, women and children.  Great job!

Did not realize when I posted earlier that Turner’s homer last night for the Dodgers was exactly twenty nine years to the date of Kirk Gibson’s homer in the 1988 World Series.  Wow!

“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 – Isaiah 47-49; 1 Thessalonians 4

Robert Baria should be moved back to a rehab center today.  He has shown signs of improvement.  Keep praying for Robert, Roseanne and the family.

Caroline Ford will hopefully hear from the coroner’s office today in regard to when they will release Bradley’s body which will allow Caroline to begin meeting with the funeral directors.  Keep praying for Caroline.

I received the following from Mark Hubbard last night: please pray for Courtney as she has had a rough week. Her platelets are extremely low, her skull lesions are very painful, the numbness has spread and covers the majority of her face, and the nerve pain from Bell’s Palsy hasn’t improved. On Thursday, she began having severe pain in her pelvis and back hip, making it extremely painful and difficult to walk. She will see Dr. Gatewood in the morning for blood work to check her labs and determine if she needs a blood transfusion. If needed, he will immediately send us to Houston. We are scheduled to fly out Tuesday for scans to determine if she can continue on her current trial. Please pray for her comfort and good test results.

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  Bro. Randy deBrabant did an excellent job of sharing in our morning services.  Folks, there is hope!

Bro. Jerry Hovel is using a vacation day today.  Therefore, there will be no GROW ministry tonight.

We will have our prayer time in the auditorium from 5:00 – 7:00PM.

Lisa sees the doctor this morning.  We are in hopes that he will remove the right cast and replace it with a brace.  However, we do not want to rush anything.  Pray for wisdom on the doctor’s behalf.

I did not watch any of the game but was happy to read this morning that the Dodgers won the second game of their series with the Cubs last night.  I do not expect the Cubs to go quietly.

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 – Isaiah 43-44; I Thessalonians 2

Visited with Robert Baria yesterday.  I was pleasantly surprised as he and I were able to carry on a really good conversation.  His speech was extremely good.  This is the kind of man Robert is – he asked to make sure that my family was doing ok – wow!  I was thinking of all he has going on and yet he is concerned about how my family is doing.  Jesus Others You.  Keep praying for Robert.

Also visited with Caroline Ford for a few minutes yesterday.  She cannot make arrangements until the autopsy is complete and the funeral home actually has Bradley’s body in their possession.  As of late yesterday afternoon they had no idea when they would take place.  In the meanwhile just pray for Caroline and her family.

An abbreviated work day this morning from 7:00 – 9:00AM.  Picking up limbs compliments of Hurricane Nate.  I realize it is opening day of bow season for the deer hunters but I do not decide when the hurricanes make landfall on the Coast.

There will be a memorial service for Mrs. Pat Pendleton tomorrow afternoon at the Methodist Church from 2:00 – 4:00PM.  Does that mean it is a “come and go” event?  IDK.  Marcus Hatcher could give you the details.

Bro. Randy deBrabant will be our guest in our morning services tomorrow.  It is hour annual Hope Sunday.

Finance Committee members please note that the meeting set for tomorrow afternoon has been moved to next Sunday, 10/22.  No meeting tomorrow!

I slept in a bit yesterday morning after a good bit of driving (for me but it would have been nothing for Jonathan Jordan) on Thursday.  Then took care of some things via the internet before heading to Mobile to see Robert, visit Caroline, et cetera.  Came home and jumped on the mower and mowed until dark thirty.  I was tired and was thinking I would go to bed early.  Not so fast my friend!  There stands Lisa with a Walmart list and tells me that since I have work day on Saturday and will then be heading to Tuscaloosa that she needs those things NOW!  Reminds me that she has two casts, has worked all day, et cetera.  So, luckily Titus was willing to go with me and after grabbing a quick shower we did the Walmart run.  Lisa “allowed” me to unload the groceries and put them up too!  Folks, you just do not know!

Hey, we were blessed with two awesome meals this week.  We had pupusas one night and homemade chicken pot pie another night.  You talk about good!  Thank you to each person who has helped feed us.  We should be good from this point forward.  You have fattened me up and I now get to start running in order to lose some of this weight!

Syracuse beat Clemson last night?  Lacrosse right?  Football?  No way!  Any of the “experts” want to tell me about how “bad” Alabama looked against A&M now?  It is difficult to have your “A” game each week.

The Astros won game one of their series with the Yankees.  Hooray!  I am not a fan of the Yankees.  Pulling for the Dodgers tonight!

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

“Please plan tonight to come and support this outreach! We want a packed house to show the Christian support of local outreach. Led by Local Evangelist Jonny Gaston with REACH Evangelism Network. Please come and enjoy this short amazing film and hear Jonny’s full testimony how he went from suicidal atheist to born again Christian.”

Short Powerful, sound biblically and incredibly compelling film “Exit”

Free Popcorn and drinks!

Several real life stories from people who battled depression and suicidal thoughts.

Gospel presentation

You can find out more about the movie at www. Theexit Movie.com Please get the word out quickly!! Thank you!

Grand Bay Community Center beginning at 7:00PM, Friday, October 13.