Pastor's Blog

“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 – Luke 14-15

Courtney Cavin is in the hospital to give birth to Lily Grace.  At the time of this writing (3:45AM) she had not given birth as far as I know.  Pray for Courtney and the baby.

Bro. Jerry visited Ruby in the hospital yesterday and she was much improved.  Praise the Lord!

Miss Kittie was out and about a little bit yesterday but she did not need to be!  (I am telling Jeanette!)

Rusty told me that he has visited his Uncle Charles each day this week and that yesterday was his best day yet.

Tim Knighten will have surgery in the morning.

We were blessed with a good Wednesday.  I am told that we had a really strong number in our adult choir rehearsal.  God receives the glory but He has certainly used Jeanette Bates in a wonderful way.  I would love to challenge all choir members, past and present, and prospective members to join the choir now in order to be a part of the Christmas musical.  I am praying for a certain number in the choir this Sunday morning!  Will you join them?

Lisa and I leave this morning heading to Holland, Michigan for the annual GRACE Ministries pig roast which takes place tonight.  Tomorrow we will drive to Kalamazoo to visit family.  We will then head back to Grand Bay on Saturday.  Pray for safety in travel for us.

I did some Barney Fife detective work yesterday and discovered that the person(s) who broke into my office did so on Monday night, 10/17.  He/she/they then entered the other offices.  It now appears that some things were taken but I will not say what or from which office(s).  Hopefully, they left some finger prints.  This is a job for my good friend, Office Tony Tripp!

Did you hear that scream?  That was Pastor Wes Bates celebrating when the Cubs won game two last night!  Rumor has it that his dad, Sonny, will purchase tickets to the next game at Wrigley Field?  I had heard tickets were going for ten thousand dollars and knew Sonny would not pay that amount.  However, I now see where they are as low as twenty one hundred and fifty dollars so Pastor Wes should be packing his bags!  Airfares are as little as twelve hundred dollars – is that a great deal or what!

I would like to mention my former girlfriend, Nanette Brooks Fontenot.  (She prefers that I call her by her maiden name – what is up with that?)  Why mention her?  So she will not get all mad at me again!  She is a wonderful person!  (Or something like 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 – Luke 12-13

Ruby Gulley remains hospitalized.  She was not coherent enough yesterday to give me an update on her condition.

Miss Kittie Camp was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  She still does not feel well and her heart remains in afib.  Keep praying.

Tim Knighten is scheduled for surgery this Friday, 10/28.

Courtney Cavin is scheduled to be induced this Friday, 10/28, if she does not go into labor between now and then.  I am not certain but I think she and Chris are naming this baby “Bama Girl” or something like that.

John & Liz Whalen had a friend, Gale Chinn, pass from this life on Monday.  Pray for the Chinn family, please.

We are on a regular schedule this morning and tonight.  Hope that many members of the Friendship family will join us for Bible study, choir practices and classes.  The fare for tonight’s 7:30PM Bible study is white chicken chili (we could not catch any of the red chickens as they are much faster than the white ones!)

Mission of Hope service at Friendship this Friday, 10/28, beginning at 7:00PM.  A meal will be served beginning at 6:00PM.  Everyone invited.

McKemie Place Ministry next Tuesday, 11/1, beginning at 6:00PM.  For more information contact Randall or Rita Broome.

Hallelujah Festival this Sunday, 10/30, from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the CAB.  Chili and bags of wrapped candy still needed.

Believe it or not, someone broke into my office at the church at some point between Monday night, 10/17, and yesterday, 10/25.  As far as I know, nothing was taken.  Honestly, there is absolutely nothing in my office that is of any value.  I only wish they would have cleaned the place up a bit!  Hey, if you need in my office, just ask and I will give you a key!

I thought I was going to have a night off last night.  Should have known better when Lisa asked late yesterday afternoon, “you have plans for tonight?”  I replied “no” and she said, “you will go buy groceries since you did not do so this past weekend!”  So, off to Walmart I went with her list in hand.  Folks, the woman is a slave driver!  (BTW, when is this Walmart that Larry Whitehurst keeps talking about coming to Grand Bay?)

I did watch a couple of innings of the baseball game last night.  If I understood the announcers correctly, the Cubs are in great shape after losing the first game?  I just know that Pastor Jack Bailey was happy with last night’s outcome while Pastor Wes Bates was not so happy.  Me?  I am pulling for the Nationals and Coach Bobby Henley!  Go Nats!

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday 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 – Luke 10-11; John 10:22-42

Miss Kittie had a good night Sunday and is thinking that she will be discharged from the hospital today.  Still is bothered by a cough and her heart remains in fib.

Ruby Gulley is in the hospital.  She actually went in late last week but I did not know about it until yesterday morning.  She is very confused.

Charles Suthoff was much improved in my opinion.  He remains somewhat confused but seems to be doing much better physically.

Coley Johnson did well through his surgery.  He assured me that he will not “milk” this thing like Rusty Suthoff has done.  I believe him because it would basically be impossible to milk it as long as Rusty has.

Nancy West and family are planning a memorial service for Nancy’s mother at some point next week.

Tim Knighten is set for surgery this Friday morning.  It will be outpatient.  The big thing will be waiting on the report that should come next Monday.

Pretty good number for our prayer time last night.  Thank you to each one who participated.

Early voting in the presidential election seems to indicate that the election is going to be much closer than the media has been projecting.  Can you believe the media could be wrong?  Amazing!

For this first time this season, I can boldly predict that Alabama will not lose in a game played on the field this weekend.  (They may have a player get arrested or something but they will not lose on the field)

Our weather has been nice.  Personally still waiting on some cooler temps but I am thankful for the little bit of Fall we have experienced up to this point.  It appears there is no rain in sight but God is control and I trust Him.

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 – John 9:1-10:21

Tuesday, October 25 – Luke 10-11; John 10:22-42
Wednesday, October 26 – Luke 12-13
Thursday, October 27 – Luke 14-15
Friday, October 28 – Luke 16-17:10
Saturday, October 29 – John 11
Sunday, October 30 – Luke 17:11-18:14
Monday, October 31 – Matthew 19; Mark 10

Miss Kittie Camp was admitted to the hospital on Saturday.  Her heart is in afib, she is having breathing issues, and she has a constant cough.  Pray for Miss Kittie.

Coley Johnson will have surgery on his knee this morning.  It is an outpatient procedure.  (Will Coley “milk” this thing as long as Rusty has “milked” his surgery?  I am going to say no way!)

Tim Knighten will have surgery this Friday.

Courtney Cavin will give birth at some point this week as they plan to induce on Friday if she has not given birth earlier.  She and Chris will be welcoming their second daughter into their family.  Pray that all goes well.

We were blessed with good services yesterday.  Bro. Jim and the men from the mission did a nice job in last night’s service.  You did an awesome job in providing them with a “sweet send off!”  Thank you!

Prayer time in the auditorium tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  Let’s have a good attendance as we seek God!  Enter/exit through the West side door, please.

GROW visitation at 6:00PM.  Meet in the church office.

Hallelujah Festival this Sunday, 10/30, from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the CAB.  Chili, candy and workers needed.  Contact TJ or Lindsey for more information.

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 – Matthew 18

Nancy West’s mother passed from this life early last night.  Arrangements incomplete at this time.  Pray for Nancy and her family as they walk through this valley.

Charles Suthoff was discharged from the hospital yesterday and taken back to the convalescent facility.  Pattie said he is happy to be “home!”

A “sweet send off” for the men from the Mission of Hope tomorrow night.  Bring any type dessert that will then be sent with the men as they return to the mission after the service.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.  Lord willing, I will be preaching in both of the morning services.

Arrived in Montgomery late last night and Lisa & I then drove to Birmingham.  We will drive over to Tuscaloosa this morning before heading home tonight.  As far as I know, all of the others from the conference arrived home safely too.  Again, thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s conference a success.

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 – Matthew 17; Mark 9; Luke 9:28-62

Pattie Suthoff has done an excellent job of keeping me updated on Charles’ status.  There is a possibility that he could be discharged from the hospital today.  If not, almost assuredly on Monday.  Keep praying for Charles.

Bro. Jerry has also done well in keeping me updated on all situations.  Last night he said we need to keep praying for Nancy West and her mother’s situation.  So, join me in doing that.

As I am writing this entry, I received an unspoken prayer request.  In time it will become known as a prayer request or a praise report.  Let’s pray for the latter!  God knows.

Regular schedule this Sunday, 10/23.  A “sweet send off” will take place on Sunday night as we host the men from the Mission of Hope.  Praying for great services!

The 2016 pastors’ conference is now history.  Missionary Mark Mast brought a strong message on Wednesday night and then Pastor Abel Garcia, Evangelist Michael Mason and Dr. Tico Vargas all did great jobs of preaching yesterday.  There were also three break out sessions yesterday.  Again, special thanks to each person who helped in any way!

Three of the guys have already left for the airport as they have early morning flights.  The rest of us will leave GRACE Mountain around 8:00AM as we have an early afternoon flight.  Pray for all of us to have safety in travel.

Not sure if I will blog in the morning or not.  Lisa and I will be in Birmingham before driving to Tuscaloosa.

Those Cubs are so close to advancing to the World Series.  That “noise” you heard last night was Pastor Wes Bates shouting when they won game five!

I pray that you will have a great Friday 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 – Matthew 16; Mark 8; Luke 9:18-27

This entry is late and for that I apologize.  Guatemala is an hour behind Central Time which throws me off a bit.  Again, my apologies.

Charles Suthoff has been moved out of ICU.  They are still “experimenting” with his meds and such.  He remains confused.  Keep praying.

I want to say “thank you” to the folks who are always willing to help around the church plant.  Larry Crawley repaired a gas leak and a toilet yesterday.  We have others who are constantly doing things that basically go unnoticed unless they do not get done.  So, “thank you” to each of you!

The men from the Mission of Hope will lead our worship service this Sunday evening, 10/23, beginning at 6:00PM.  Remember, we want to give them a “sweet send off” which means the members of the Friendship family are asked to bring some type of dessert i.e. cakes, pies, cookies, brownies, et cetera.  Please have them in the fellowship hall no later than 6:00PM.  Kenny Lingle and Carl Ray Moulds are the point men for this service.

Hallelujah Festival on Sunday, 10/30, from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the CAB.  Candy donations appreciated.  Workers needed.  Contact TJ or Lindsey Vice for more information.

The color run in honor of Carla Kyser takes place on 11/12.  Runners and sponsors needed.  Contact her or Jodie Crawley if you need more information.

Things are well at the pastors’ conference.  The registration stands at three hundred and seven.  Evangelist Johnny Tucker, Pastor Terry Rainey and Missionary Mark Mast all did a wonderful job of preaching the Word yesterday.  The three ladies from Motlow Creek Baptist Church are doing a good job of cooking/serving/cleaning for the team.  I appreciate each member of this team.  Pray that we will have a strong finish to this conference today/tonight.

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 – Matthew 15; Mark 7

Jimmy Moates will have a scan next Monday, 10/24, and then get the results on Friday, 10/28.  Pray for Jimmy!

Charles Suthoff was better yesterday per Pattie.  Still in ICU.  Still needs our prayer support.

Regular schedule today/tonight.  Bro. Jerry Hovel will be preaching in the 10:00AM and 6:30PM services.  The fare for the 7:30PM Bible study is lasagna with all of the trimmings.

All is well in Guatemala.  Pastor Bob Harvey preached yesterday afternoon and Evangelist Michael Mason preached last night.  At this point, I am undecided which of them preaches Adrian Rogers’ sermons the best?  All of us from the States taught a break out session yesterday afternoon.

We will have a morning session and an evening session involving us today.  Four preaching messages and one break out session.  Pray that all will go well and that God will be glorified.

My family enjoyed a good time at the Jackson County Fair last night as did a number of the Friendship family.  Wish I could have joined them.  Glad they were able to go and enjoy.

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday 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 – John 6

Charles Suthoff was admitted to the ICU yesterday afternoon.  At this point in time the doctors are not sure what is causing the problems Charles is experiencing.  Pray for Charles and for Bernard & Pattie as they stand beside him.

Nancy West’s mother has been moved to a rehab facility.

I visited the convalescent home yesterday but was actually only able to visit with three of the residents.  All of the others I normally see were either playing bingo, asleep or being seen by the staff.

Evangelist Michael Mason and I will meet in Atlanta later this morning and will bring up the proverbial rear of the ten men leading the 2016 pastors’ conference in Guatemala.  We will actually miss the opening of the conference but should be there in time to hear Pastor Bob Harvey bring the first message and then to participate in the first break out session.

A “sweet send off” is our plan for this Sunday night, 10/23, when the men from the Mission of Hope join us for the 6:00PM service.  Members of the Friendship family are asked to bring a dessert i.e. cake, pie, cookies, brownies, et cetera that will be sent back to the mission with the men.  Please have these items in the fellowship hall not later than 6:00PM.

Carla Kyser is about to drive me crazy!  First, she dumped the entire “HOPE Sunday” in my lap and now she wants me to promote the color run in her honor.  Does this blog look like an advertisement page?  Hello!  At any rate, the run will take place on Saturday, November 12, at Bryant High School.  Sponsors and runners are needed.  Contact Carla for more information.

Hallelujah Festival on Sunday, 10/30, from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the CAB.  Donations of candy are needed – boxes are in the auditorium foyer and the fellowship hall.  Need more information? Contact TJ or Lindsey Vice.

The Big 12 (with only ten teams) has pretty much assured that Coach Tom Herman will be leaving Houston.  It would appear either LSU or Texas (if they part ways with their present coach) will be the top pursuers.  The man is about to be making mega bucks!  By the way, the Big 10 has fourteen teams.  Big 12 = ten teams.  Big 10 = fourteen teams.  Must be that new math stuff!

I do plan on blogging daily if internet is available and I have anything to report.

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 – Matthew 14; Mark 6; Luke 9:1-17

Tuesday, October 18 – John 6
Wednesday, October 19 – Matthew 15; Mark 7
Thursday, October 20 – Matthew 16; Mark 8; Luke 9:18-27
Friday, October 21 – Matthew 17; Mark 9; Luke 9:28-62
Saturday, October 22 – Matthew 18
Sunday, October 23 – John 7-8

Glory to God!  Wow!  What an awesome day we had in our services yesterday.  The verbal and written comments have been so encouraging.  Jim Chinners, Dr. Michael Finan, Aaron Chinners, Lisa Thompson, Blake Stokes, Carla Kyser, Pastor Roy Crouch, Randall Broome, Jennifer Brown and the praise band all hit it out of the ball park when it comes to ministering.  The Holy Spirit was present.  The attendance was great.  Just a day when I got home last night and simply prayed, “thank you Jesus!”

What a joy to have Luke & Jennifer Brown and Chris & Sabrina Byrd join the Friendship family on statement and by letter.  Folks, we we are blessed as these are two really great families!

GROW visitation tonight beginning at 6:00PM.

Prayer time in the auditorium tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  Lisa and I will be making a ministry visit tonight so I will be there early and then will come back to lock up.  I hope that we will have a strong showing for this important ministry.

We will host the men from the Mission of Hope next Sunday, 10/23, during our 6:00PM service.  They will be singing and sharing words of testimony.  We are going to have a “sweet send off” as members of the Friendship family are asked to bring a dessert i.e. cakes, pies, brownies, cookies, et cetera to give to the men to take back to the mission with them upon their departure from the service.  Please place those items in a designated area in the fellowship hall by 6:00PM.

Please note that the Friendship family will then host the men from the mission on Friday, 10/28, beginning at 7:00PM.  This is our regular monthly time of ministering to the men at the mission.  The two events are not related but just happened to fall that way on the calendar.  So, we will host the men twice in six days.

Pastors/evangelists Abel Garcia, Bob Harvey, Terry Rainey and Johnny Tucker are all traveling to Guatemala today to participate in the annual GRACE Ministries pastors’ conference that begins tomorrow, 10/18.  Evangelist Michael Mason will join me in traveling tomorrow.  Pastor Mark Mast and Tico Vargas are already there.  So, pray for these eight men plus Dr. Wilfred Johnson as they lead this conference Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Today will be a day of spending some time with Pastor Roy, Rachel and the children this morning, making some visits and packing/preparing to leave in the morning.  As I mentioned earlier, Lisa and I have the opportunity to be involved in a ministry visit tonight.

Bro. Jerry will be preaching in the services this Wednesday, 10/19, in my absence.  I appreciate his doing that.  Our deacons stand available and ready to minister in any way needed.  What a great group of men!

Lord willing, I will return to the States on Friday night as Lisa will pick me up in Montgomery.  We will then head to the game on Saturday.  I will then be in the pulpit for both services Sunday morning and will join you in worshipping with the men from the mission on Sunday night.  Remember, “sweet send off!”

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