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 94-96; Romans 15:14-33

Good news in the fact that both Cameron and Alex were discharged from the hospital on Monday afternoon.  I know they are happy campers!

Visited with Robert Baria yesterday afternoon.  He remains in CCU but was able to open his eyes and talk to me some.  He still has a long way to go but each step forward is a blessing.  Keep praying.

Regular schedule this morning and tonight.  Praying for a strong attendance in all of our services/classes.  The fare for the 7:30PM Bible study is ham, green beans, macaroni & cheese, et cetera.

Our students will be having a “free” (donations accepted) car wash this Saturday, 8/19, from 9:00AM until noon in front of State Farm Insurance on Highway 90.  What does this really mean?  A typical student car wash means that you go get your vehicle washed which then means you have to go home and wash it yourself because the students miss so many spots that now stand out like the proverbial sore thumb.  LOL!

Well, now we get six weeks of more campaigning in the election of a senator.  A lot of negative advertising took place in the primary but I not so sure that can be the case in the runoff.  I did predict a runoff (boy, that was hard to predict with a field of nine candidates) and that the workers in our fellowship hall were bored.  I was in there twice and they were certainly not busy.  Twice?  Did I vote twice?  No, went and voted early and then went back with Nanette Fontenot when she voted.  Said she needed me to help her understand the ballot.  Just trying to be a good pastor.

Seventeen days!  Still do not have tickets in hand.  Something about the seat configuration in the new stadium.

Bobby and the boys continue to roll beating the Angels last night.  I trace their success back to the third base coach.  Just saying.

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 91-93; Romans 15:1-13

Robert Baria remains in CCU but was taken off the ventilator on Sunday afternoon.  Roseanne was with him whenever I visited yesterday and he opened his eyes and talked some.  I am joining Roseanne in praying for a complete healing.  Pray.

Cameron Watson was sitting in a chair and looked bored!  He is ready to go home.  There is a good possibility that will happen today.  He still has soreness around the area where they went into his chest but otherwise is doing well.  Did I mention he is ready to go home?

Alex was bouncing off the walls.  Amazingly, they were talking about sending him home yesterday.  Not sure if that happened or not. He will not be going to Birmingham for therapy.

Bro. Benny McGath called yesterday afternoon to let me know that Hansel Gray passed from this life on Sunday night.  We have had him on our prayer list as he battled against cancer.  Hansel was very actively involved in his church and in going on mission trips.  Pray for his family.

Bro. Jerry & Gloria Whitmore allowed me the privilege of taking Pastor Alex to lunch and then to the airport in Gulfport.  Who knew that a man from India would love the dollar menu at McDonalds?  I guess we are all kids at heart.  Anyway, I enjoyed my time with Alex.

We had a better number (basically double last Monday) at our prayer time last night.  I appreciate those who come to pray.

Today is voting day in Alabama as we vote in the primaries for a new senator.  I will make two predictions – both parties will have a runoff and the folks manning the polling place in our fellowship hall will be bored to tears today.  I am considering writing in Bill Kendrick’s name on my ballot.

Yesterday was a good day!  Why?  Because Nanette Fontenot called me!  Just kidding!  Because we received our Alabama football season tickets!  Eighteen days away!  (BTW, Nanette basically calls me every day – just saying!)

I pray that you will have a great Tuesday 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 89-90; Romans 14
Tuesday, August 15 – Psalms 91-93; Romans 15:1-13
Wednesday, August 16 – Psalms 94-96; Romans 15:14-33
Thursday, August 17 – Psalms 97-99; Romans 16
Friday, August 18 – Psalms 100-102; 1 Corinthians 1
Saturday, August 19 – Psalms 103-104; 1 Corinthians 2
Sunday, August 20 – Psalms 105-106; 1 Corinthians 3

I will be visiting the folks in the hospital this morning.  Word is that Alex may not be moved to Birmingham simply because he is making good progress here.  I will update Cameron Watson’s and Robert Baria’s situations either later today or in tomorrow’s entry.

Really good day in our services yesterday.  Pastor Alex did a very nice job of sharing the Word and reports in all three of our services. I appreciate Pastor Alex and the ministry God has given him.  It is always good to see him and have him fill our pulpit.  Lord willing, I will be taking him to the airport this morning in order for him to catch an early afternoon flight.

Two baptisms were the highlight of our evening service.  We thank God for the increase!

It was a joy to see the entire front of the auditorium filled with our Hispanic friends yesterday morning.  Jeff Holifield is presently serving as their preacher/teacher and I appreciate him doing so.  I am grateful for our Hispanic ministry.

Our prayer time will take place today from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the auditorium.  Enter and exit through the West side door.  Come and go or come and stay.  The main thing is to pray!

Our GROW visitation will take place tonight beginning at 6:00PM.  Meet in the church office.

Bobby & the boys got good news yesterday on Bryce Harper’s injury and then won the split of a double header on a walk off grand slam!  Way to go Bobby!

I am ready for the football season to begin.  So much so that I even watched some preseason NFL and some CFL games last night.  The emphasis is on “some” as I got bored pretty quickly.  Nineteen days!

Someone told me this weekend that I was not keeping folks updated on my garden this year.  Hello!  My garden was in and done basically by the end of May!  Now John Milton has planted more stuff but I am not John Milton.  I do not enjoy it when the temps are in triple digits and the humidity is above one hundred.  The garden did very well as the Lord blessed.

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

Our Hispanic ministry marks the eighth anniversary of their existence today.  Congratulations to each participant and worker.  We have had a number of folks work with/in this ministry over these past eight years and I am very grateful to each of them.  However, the one constant in all of this has been Rita Broome.  In my opinion, she has been the proverbial glue that has kept it all together from a human perspective. Thank you Rita! Of course, we give God the glory for all that he has done and and through this ministry.

“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 84 – 86; Romans 12

Continue to pray for Robert Baria as he is back in ICU.  As has been said many times, the road to recovery is going to be a long one for Robert.  Keep praying for Robert, the medical staff, and Robert’s family.

Lisa and I visited Alex and his mother, Regina, yesterday.  They will be moving Alex to Birmingham first thing Monday morning.  He will be undergoing more intensive physical therapy while in Birmingham.  Pray for Alex!

We also visited Cameron Watson who remains in ICU.  He had some issues yesterday morning that kept them from moving him out of the unit.  I “think” he will probably be moved into a regular room today.  Pray for Cameron!

Saw Charles Wainwright at the church on Thursday afternoon.  He had just gotten back from seeing his doctor and was sporting a cast on his arm.  Charles is a worker and they continue to have a hard time keeping him still.

Lisa and I drove to Montgomery yesterday afternoon to visit Josh, Mandi & Ruby Fortner.  Ruby was born on Thursday.  Josh & Mandi are really good friends.  They were all doing well and are extremely happy and blessed.  It was good to spend about thirty minutes with them.

When we got to Montgomery yesterday we stopped to visit with Decker & Martha Terry.  Folks, you talk about a sweet, godly couple! We were able to visit with them for about forty five minutes or so.  What a blessed time!  Martha is confined to the house but you talk about woman of prayer – wow!  Decker & Martha have such a heart for ministry and missions.  They have become some of our dearest friends and partners in ministry.  Decker has been having some health “issues” over the past few days so please pray that all is well when he sees his doctor next week.

Ok, confession time.  Yes, we did visit with the two families mentioned but our real reason for going to Montgomery was to eat at Jim & Nick’s Bar-b-que!  We both enjoyed a “pig in the garden” salad and those small biscuits.  As a matter of fact, I ate an extra couple of the biscuits in honor of Dale Bosarge.  It was the least I could do in his absence!

Today, Lord willing, we are going to Big Mike’s in Orange Beach.  This is a Sunday School outing for the 20-29 and one of our senior adult classes.  Can taste that steak already!  Could it be that a stop at Hope’s Cheesecake on the way home is in order?

Pastor Alex will be our messenger in tomorrow’s services.  Pray for him.  Attend the services.  Alex is one of the good ones!

Remember, benevolent offering in the services tomorrow.  We will meet a need and then, if received, hold any extra for future ministry needs.

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

Was unaware when I posted earlier today that Robert Baria has been placed back in ICU and is on the ventilator again.  Talk about a roller coaster ride!  Pray for Robert and family.

August 1 Psalms 57-59; Romans 4
August 2 Psalms 60-62; Romans 5
August 3 Psalms 63-65; Romans 6
August 4 Psalms 66-67; Romans 7
August 5 Psalms 68-69; Romans 8:1-21
August 6 Psalms 70-71; Romans 8:22-39
August 7 Psalms 72-73; Romans 9:1-15
August 8 Psalms 74-76; Romans 9:16-33
August 9 Psalms 77-78; Romans 10
August 10 Psalms 79-80; Romans 11:1-18
August 11 Psalms 81-83; Romans 11:19-36
August 12 Psalms 84-86; Romans 12
August 13 Psalms 87-88; Romans 13
August 14 Psalms 89-90; Romans 14
August 15 Psalms 91-93; Romans 15:1-13
August 16 Psalms 94-96; Romans 15:14-33
August 17 Psalms 97-99; Romans 16
August 18 Psalms 100-102; 1 Corinthians 1
August 19 Psalms 103-104; 1 Corinthians 2
August 20 Psalms 105-106; 1 Corinthians 3
August 21 Psalms 107-109; 1 Corinthians 4
August 22 Psalms 110-112; 1 Corinthians 5
August 23 Psalms 113-115; 1 Corinthians 6
August 24 Psalms 116-118; 1 Corinthians 7:1-19
August 25 Psalms 119:1-88; 1 Corinthians 7:20-40
August 26 Psalms 119:89-176; 1 Corinthians 8
August 27 Psalms 120-122; 1 Corinthians 9
August 28 Psalms 123-125; 1 Corinthians 10:1-18
August 29 Psalms 126-128; 1 Corinthians 10:19-33
August 30 Psalms 129-131; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16
August 31 Psalms 132-134; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

“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 81-83; Romans 11:19-36

Cameron Watson was sitting in a chair when I visited with him yesterday morning.  He said it has been rough but he was in good spirits.  Maybe he will be moved from ICU today.

Alex Winfield was sleeping when I attempted to see him.

Robert Baria woke up for me and we had a “small” conversation.  He called my name and spoke a few words to me.

I heard from Mark Hubbard yesterday regarding his wife, Courtney.  She will be traveling back to M.D. Anderson next week for more tests.  She has been having some issues of late.  Pray for Courtney, please.

I am very thankful to the members of the Friendship family who attended the visitation and/or service for Esther Beritech yesterday. I felt the Friendship family was well represented.  Again, thank you to those who helped with the meal.

Our good friends in Millbrook, Alabama, Josh & Mandi Fortner, welcomed their first child into this world yesterday afternoon.  Ruby Kathryn arrived via c-section.  I do not know the stats but do know that daughter and mother are doing well.  Congratulations to the Josh Fortner family!

My friend, Bryan Creps, from Baldwin County has been diagnosed with stage four mouth cancer.  He is scheduled for surgery in Birmingham on August 21.  I think I am correct in saying that Bryan’s wife, Lisa, is related to Norman Richerson.  Bryan & Lisa’s daughter, Kortni, is a very faithful participant in GRACE Ministries.  As a matter of fact, I performed her wedding ceremony last September.

Hospice chaplain Travis Northcutt and I had lunch yesterday at Due South Bar-b-que.  The server asked me what I wanted and I said, “Big Bob’s!”  (She was clueless)  I enjoyed the fellowship with Travis and Chris was around for a few minutes asking me IT questions.  (I get so tired of him picking my brain on computer stuff!)

My plan was to mow yesterday afternoon.  You know what they say about the best laid plans of rats and people!  So, Lisa made me reconcile her office checkbook and then demanded that I go to buy groceries at Walmart.  I told her it was storming to which she replied, “you buy groceries inside!”  She decided to go with me which was a mistake on my part as she spends too much money!  Live and learn!

I have two pressing needs this morning.  First, an IT person.  I made this appeal back in May and had a guy who was moving on June 14 tell me that as soon as he got moved my need for an IT person would be over as he would do it.  Liar, liar pants on fire!  Just saying!  Hey, I am even willing to pay.  I need Catfish from Danville to move to Grand Bay!

Second, I need a good locksmith quickly!  Dana & Gina made the move late yesterday to the house formerly occupied by Soy, Deidra and the girls.  Lisa and I are now officially empty nest folks – hooray!  I want to get the locks changed immediately.  Will also change the code on the garage doors as well as the security code!  I just feel that Dana & Gina may be like a stray dog and show up at the house again!

The Nationals just keep winning.  Sammy Bowden wants equal press time on this blog for another team that he knows is a favorite of mine.  Not going there.  I am staying with Bobby & the boys as far as this blog is concerned.  Bobby is my favorite third base coach of all the ones in the MLB!  Wait, Bobby is my favorite third base coach period regardless of the league!

As I was entering one of the hospitals yesterday morning, Claire Belle was leaving having supposedly worked all night.  You guessed it!  She asked me if I could spare ten dollars for her to buy breakfast!  (How did she know that I had ten dollars?)  Said she “forgot” her wallet and left it at home!  So, what do you think I did?  Correct!

Twenty two days!  I am ready!

Hey Decker, expect a knock on your door this afternoon.  Just saying!  Lord willing.

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 79-80; Romans 11:1-18

Good day in our services yesterday.  Our RA’s & GA’s had their recognition service in the fellowship hall last night.  I think that went well.

Cameron Watson will remain in CCU for two days.  He did well through his surgery.

Alex Winfield is in the hospital.  I will be checking on him this morning.

Roseanne said Robert was talking to her yesterday.  Bro. Jerry visited with them and said Robert seemed to be some better.

The visitation and service for Esther Beritech takes place this morning in our auditorium beginning at 10:00AM.  Pray for the family.

P.C. Alexander will be our guest this Sunday, 8/13.  As you know, Alex is from India.  Looking forward to hearing from the Lord through him.

I am trying to decided if I am “offended” by any of the school names around here.  If so, I may ask them to change the names!

Bobby and the boys righted the ship last night.  Still cruising with a big lead in their division.

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

One of our teens in the morning service got a text during the preaching which said Cameron Watson did well in surgery.  He is projected to be in ICU for two days and in the hospital for five to seven days.  Thanks to those who prayed.  Keep praying!