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 – Jeremiah 49-50

David Bosarge’s mother, Miss Maxine, was not feeling so well whenever I visited with her yesterday morning.  She is weary of the going back and forth to the hospital.  Pray for Miss Maxine.

Randy Collins was in good spirits and seemed to be doing well.  He was in hopes of going home yesterday but I am not so sure the doctor shared those hopes.

Everyone in the convalescent homes seemed to be doing ok.

Pray as Carla Kyser meets with the doctor at UAB today.  Pray fervently!

We had a really good number in our prayer time last night and for that I am grateful.  Oh how we need to pray!

I do not know how many folks took part in our GROW visitation but I do know some did.  Thank you to those who joined Bro. Jerry in this ministry last night.

Work day this Saturday, 8/27, beginning at 8:00AM.  There will be a biscuit breakfast available beginning at 7:30AM.  We will not go past noon and should be finished before that hour.  All hands on deck, please!

The deacons are in the process of planning a retirement celebration fellowship for Bro. Kerry Kelley.  Those details will be announced as soon as they are finalized.

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 – Jeremiah 46-48
Tuesday, August 23 – Jeremiah 49-50
Wednesday, August 24 – Jeremiah 51-52
Thursday, August 25 – Lamentations 1:1-3:36
Friday, August 26 – Lamentations 3:37-5:22
Saturday, August 27 – Ezekiel 1-4
Sunday, August 28 – Ezekiel 5-8

As the members of the Friendship family are already aware, Bro. Kerry Kelley resigned last night as our Minister of Music/Senior Adults in order to retire.  He has served the Lord through the Friendship family for the past fourteen years with August being his anniversary month.  I am always happy for any person who reaches the point in his life that he can retire.  That is true of those in the ministry or those in the secular work force.  My hope is that Bro. Kerry will have many years of good health so he can enjoy his retirement doing whatever he chooses to do.  Bro. Kerry’s resignation will be effective Sunday, September 4, 2016.  Pray for him and Barbara as they move to this next chapter in their life.

The Friendship family continued the call that was given to Josh Schlehuber in June to serve as our student ministry intern.  He has done a nice job and this will go hand in hand with his studies at the University of Mobile.  Pray for Josh and for our student ministry.

The Lord certainly blessed in our services yesterday as we saw a salvation decision in our second morning service and another one in our evening service.  God gives the increase and we give Him the glory!  Thank God for souls being saved!

Our prayer time will take place tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the auditorium.  Enter and exit through the West door.  The ministry of prayer is so very important to the church family!

Our GROW visitation takes place tonight beginning at 6:00PM.  Those taking part in this ministry are asked to meet Bro. Jerry in the church office.  When we go, they come!

Work day this Saturday, 8/27, beginning at 8:00AM.  We will have a biscuit breakfast beginning at 7:30AM.  The seven members of our Buildings & Grounds team will lead this effort.  This is an “all hands on deck” effort.

Tomorrow is a big day for Carla Kyser.  The doctors from MD Anderson sent word late last week that they do not have an available medicine to treat the cancer afflicting Carla.  Carla was in Birmingham for the weekend and called UAB to see if they could give him an appointment for a second opinion.  They gave her one tomorrow, 8/23.  Pray that they will be able to help her or that God will divinely touch her.

Becky Sellers will receive a chemo treatment this week if all goes as planned.  It will be a lower dosage as her cancer markers are down.

Bernard continues to receive his radiation treatments each week day.

David Bosarge’s mother was admitted to the hospital on Saturday.  Randy Collins remains hospitalized.  I will visit these folks today to get an update.

Decker & Martha Terry are good friends who live in Montgomery.  They both have been having some health issues and I ask you to pray for them.  Decker is one of our thirteen readers of the blog.

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 – Habakkuk 1-3

Can you believe it?  I wrote a fairly long entry earlier this morning, hit publish, and it totally vanished into cyberspace.  Frustrating!  I have left a message for Al!

Bus visitation today.  Pray for Bro. Benny and our bus workers.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.

Carla K sees a doctor at UAB on Tuesday for a second opinion.

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 –  2 Kings 24-25; 2 Chronicles 36

Randy Collins underwent a surgical procedure yesterday.  When I visited he was already in surgery so I do not have an update on his condition.

The folks in the convalescent home all seemed to be doing well.  Was finally able to see all of the intended ones as there was no service or activity taking place during my time there.

Carla Kyser had a specific financial need regarding her medical bills.  After Wednesday’s event, she had those funds plus just a little over.  Folks, God is good!

Our TNBA went well last night too.  There are some really nice guys who play on Thursday nights.  Not just good ball players but really nice guys.  That is a good time of fellowship.

The public schools high school football season begins tonight.  Bryant is hosting Faith Academy.  Coach Collier and his Bobcats will be in Tuscaloosa playing against Northridge.

The yard is calling my name.  Our grass is growing so very fast these days.  Bobby Broome mowed the church yard yesterday and he just does an outstanding job week after week.  If you need to hire someone to mow your yard then I would seriously recommend Bobby Broome – he is good!

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 – Jeremiah 38-40; Psalms 74; 79

Glory to God and way to go Friendship family!  Lisa and I joined our 7:30PM Bible study group in going to the South location of Sam’s Super Burger for dessert last night.  We crashed the place around 8:30PM but they knew we were coming so they could be somewhat prepared.  The owners, Phillip & Natalie, were super nice and shared with us the total receipts for both locations.  I will just say that the South location took in more which is exactly what I predicted during our service last night.  It was the highest total of receipts in the thirty year history of Sam’s Super Burger!  What a tremendous show of support for Carla by the Friendship family and the entire Grand Bay community.  We closed the place down by praying for Phillip, Natalie and their business.  By the way, I appreciate them not being open on Sundays!  May God richly bless them and their business!  (We had four Pentecostal sisters somehow slip into our Baptist line in order to get free ice cream – what is up with that?)  As pastor and a friend of Carla, I say “thank you” to each person who helped make “Carla Felps Kyser Day” a huge success!  Again, glory to God!  (The “friend of Carla” thing is just to make this sound sweet!  Do not read too much into it. Just saying!  LOL!)

Randy Collins was admitted to the hospital yesterday and will be undergoing a surgical procedure today.  Pray for Randy as this has been problematic for several weeks now.

Linda Green’s sister will be discharged from the hospital today.

Per the hospital operator last night, Pastor Jiggs Ramsey has been discharged.  That is good news!  Now he just needs to give himself time to recover!

Larry Whitehurst shared yesterday morning in our service that he visited with Ted Ezell this week and found that Ted had taken a nasty fall on Saturday night.  Cut his head and required stitches.  Pray for Ted as he recovers.

Pastor Wes Bates felt God leading him to resign from his position as a pastor this week so he obeyed.  Pray for Pastor Wes and his family as they now wait on the Lord’s leading for their next step in the ministry.  Maybe they will be joining us for some of our services during this interim period.  That would make Grandma Jeanette a happy camper!

The celebration of life service for Pastor Jack Bailey’s great niece will be held on Friday afternoon at the high school in Ardmore, Alabama.  I assume that her pastor, Tim Keenum, will be the main speaker but not sure if Pastor Jack or Pastor Joe will be involved.  Regardless, pray for the Greer family.

We had a really strong Wednesday in our services.  The attendance in our student Bible studies was way up!  School beginning is obviously a plus as the students can connect on a daily basis and encourage each other to attend.  Pray for Jim, Josh, Jonny & Dale and all others involved in teaching/reaching our students.

The attendance in our morning service was good as usual while the evening attendance was higher than normal which is a good thing!

Work day on 8/27 @ 8:00AM!

Prayer service for America on 9/11 @ 6:00PM.

Another night of no Olympics for me last night.  The “robbery” thing has me confused.  I am thinking that maybe OJ was involved?  May need to send Tony down to sort this thing out!

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 – Jeremiah 35-37

Today is “Carla Kyser Day” at both Sam’s Super Burger locations in Grand Bay.  Remember, ten percent of all receipts will be donated to Carla to help financially in her battle against cancer.  I encourage you to support this cause which will be a tremendous boost emotionally to Carla and her family.

Speaking of Carla, she had to have about three fourths of a liter of fluid drained from one of her lungs yesterday.  She also has some fluid on the other lung but I am not sure what they are going to do about that at this point.  Keep praying.

Bernard continues taking his radiation treatments each weekday morning.  Becky Sellers will soon have another scan.

Was able to have a very nice visit with Pastor Jiggs & Sister Joan Ramsey yesterday.  He was moved from the CCU on Monday night.  They really did not know when he would be discharged from the hospital.  Their trust is in God and they are very grateful for the prayers offered on their behalf.  Keep praying.

Regular schedule this morning and tonight with morning worship at 10:00AM, children’s choir at 5:30PM and all of the other activities at 6:30PM.  Jonny Gaston will be preaching to our senior high students tonight.

Our 7:30PM Bible study meal will be bar-b-que pork sliders with baked beans, chips, dessert and drink.  As usual, it will be good!

Church wide work day on Saturday, 8/27, beginning at 8:00AM.  Biscuit breakfast served beginning at 7:30AM.

Did not watch any of the Olympics last night.  Mowed grass until almost dark thirty.  Wait, I thought you mowed grass this past Saturday?  I did!  Only about six more weeks and then hopefully the grass cutting will slow down.

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.  Go to church and go to Sam’s Super Burger!

Our granddaughter, Nora, is celebrating her third birthday today!  We had a small gathering this past Sunday to celebrate with her.  I hope her day is great!  Happy birthday Nora!

“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 – Jeremiah 32-34

I was under the impression that Tommy Johnson’s mother had been discharged from the hospital over the weekend but found out late yesterday afternoon that she is still in the hospital.  I will visit her first thing this morning.

Pastor Jiggs Ramsey remains in the hospital too.  The thought was that he would be discharged yesterday but that did not happen.  I will also visit him this morning but I figure that he may be discharged today.

Pastor Jack Bailey’s great niece, sixteen years old, was involved in an automobile accident last Friday night and she passed from this life yesterday morning.  Pray for the Greer family as they walk through this valley.

Keep praying for all those battling cancer.  Remember, tomorrow is Carla Kyser day at Sam’s Super Burger (both locations) with ten percent of all receipts going to help Carla financially.  By the way, our annual “Hope Sunday” is set for October 16 – please mark that day on your calendar.

Six folks joined me last night in discussing our special prayer service for our country.  This service will take place at 6:00PM on Sunday, September 11.  Oscar Petersen is the point man for this service.  Please keep your schedule clear and make plans to join us as we call out to God on behalf of our nation.

We also had a good number show up for our prayer time in the auditorium last night.  I appreciate those who come to pray.  I know what would really get our numbers up but I certainly do not want that to happen.  I just pray that we will become a people of prayer.

Bro. Jerry Hovel is offering art classes that begin today with a morning and evening session.  You can contact him for more information.

Work day on Saturday, August 27, beginning at 8:00AM.  We will have a biscuit breakfast available beginning at 7:30AM.  This is a “all hands on deck” work day.

Watched a few minutes of the Olympics last night.  Was disappointed Sunday night when Bolt only ran a 9.81 in the one hundred meters.  I have seen Baptists running faster than that when heading to the table at a church eating meeting.

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 – Jeremiah 30-31

Tuesday, August 16 – Jeremiah 32-34
Wednesday, August 17 – Jeremiah 35-37
Thursday, August 18 – Jeremiah 38-40; Psalms 74; 79
Friday, August 19 – 2 Kings 24-25; 2 Chronicles 36
Saturday, August 20 – Habakkuk 1-3
Sunday, August 21 – Jeremiah 41-45

Prayer time tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the auditorium.  Use the West side door to enter/exit.  Prayer is so very important!  Come and go, come and stay, just pray!

The Lord blessed us with a really good day in our services yesterday.  The Spirit was excellent and the attendance was very good in all three services.  We give God the glory!

Please remember that this Wednesday, 8/17, is “Carla Kyser Day” at both of the Sam’s Superburger locations in Grand Bay.  Ten percent of all receipts will be given to Carla to help financially in her battle against cancer.  Spread the word!

Our Building & Grounds Committee met yesterday and will be doing so again this Sunday, 8/21.  I am going to call for work day on Saturday, August 27, beginning at 8:00AM.  Our B&G committee members will lead this effort.  A biscuit breakfast will be served beginning at 7:30AM.

Rusty had to go to the ER yesterday with a kidney stone.  Have to hand it to him as he was in Sunday School and then back for the evening service.  He is one committed young man!

Justin Chinners had an apparent seizure yesterday afternoon.  He did not have to be taken to the hospital and everything seems to be ok with him now.

Charles, Rusty and Soy all helped get the fifteen acres mowed this past Saturday afternoon.  Only one mower got stuck.  The thing about having Rusty & Soy help is that they just randomly quit with no rhyme or reason.  Once one quits the other follows suit.  They only left me with about one hour of riding and then push mowing and weed eating.  Killing me!  Hiring Rusty & Soy is like losing four good men!

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