May
20
2008
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TUESDAY, 5/20/08

Today will see eleven graduates who are members and/or attend Friendship walk across the stage in the Mitchell Center to receive their high school diploma.  Those eleven are – Aaron Burnett, Caryn Hyatt, Coley Johnson, Ben Mallett, Josh Mott, Cody Povilonis, T.J. Presley, Morgan Rogers, Levi Westbrook, Dana Wetterer, & Thea Whalen.  The ceremony begins at 3:00PM.  Congratulations to this group of graduates! 

Eric Burnett’s heart cath revealed no blockages or other problems.  The doctors are eliminating possibilities one at a time.  I don’t have an update on Joe Hill, David Boutwell, or Leo Reinwald. 

I heard yesterday that Miss Lucine Bryant will have some type of test this morning with a possible surgery to follow.  The surgery would be to replace her knee. 

Bro. Jerry received an encouraging report from the doctor yesterday morning and is attending a mission conference in Tennessee (which is a mission field in and of itself) this week. 

The folks who normally meet in our house at 8:00PM on Wednesdays for Bible study are asked to note that we will not have that service tomorrow night.  Those folks are asked to attend the 7:00PM service in the auditorium or help in one of the student Bible studies.  Please pass the word! 

I am going to spend a few days with Deidra this week.  She and Michael leave for a mission trip to the Dominican Republic next Monday.  This time together wasn’t planned but it has worked out for us to have a few days together. 

Our 20-29 year old Sunday School class is going to New Orleans this Saturday.  Anyone in that age bracket wishing to join us should call Lisa at 865-4517 (O) or 865-4912 (H) to sign up or for more information. 

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

Written by Teddie in: Daily |
May
19
2008
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MONDAY, 5/19/2008

The Lord blessed us with a wonderful day yesterday.  The day was capped by the baptism of Darrell & Betty McMann in our evening service.  That is always a great way to end a Sunday! 

The evening service was special as we commissioned Alisha Vice for her summer of mission work with the IMB of the SBC.  (If you aren’t Southern Baptist then those initials mean nothing to you)  Thank you to those who affirmed Alisha publicly last night.  A number of folks told me of what that service meant to them personally.  Pray for Alisha as she leaves this Saturday and is scheduled to return on August 3. 

Our graduate recognition service yesterday morning went very well too.  Thanks to Chris & Nicole Taylor for their help with the power point and getting the graduates in the auditorium in order.  The meal was “excellent” and I say a huge thank you to each person who helped cook, serve, clean, et cetera.  You did a great job!  Congratulations to the Class of 2008! 

Speaking of graduations, Amy Sessions graduates from Murphy today at noon and then the Alma Bryant graduation is tomorrow at 3:00PM. 

The need for food for the elderly lady is not as pressing as it was reported but we may still try to help.  I will be speaking with Miss Vinnie today about this matter and she will be our point person for this. 

Pastor Travis Northcutt finished his ministry in KY yesterday and now moves to NC.  Hopefully, he and his family will join us in our 8:00AM service this Sunday as they will be in Grand Bay for a few days.  His first Sunday in NC is June 1.  Pray for them as they make this move and begin this new ministry. 

Our senior adults are asked to join us for this Sunday’s 10:30AM service as we will be honoring God by recognizing them.   A meal at the Catfish Point Restaurant in Wade, MS will follow and the church will pick up the tab on that one.  So, senior adults please plan on joining us this Sunday.

Today is Cathy Sellers birthday.  Cathy is the daughter of Bro. Robbie & Miss Peggy Howard.  Happy birthday Cathy! 

Justin Ellerman is having a procedure done this week that requires him being put to sleep.  Eric Burnett is having a heart cath done this morning.  David Boutwell remains hospitalized as does Joe Hill.  Carla Kyser continues her battle against cancer.  Tom Russell is at home but is having some issues.  Louise Morris’ brother, Leo Reinwald, is seemingly near death in St. Louis.  The death total in China has exceeded 34,000 and the death total is Burma is 78,000 (last word I heard).  These things need our prayers!

I hope you will have a great Monday with Jesus!

Written by Teddie in: Daily |
May
16
2008
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FRIDAY, 5/16/08

We have awakened to a stormy Friday morning.  Word came late yesterday afternoon that Caroline Ford’s legal issues have been resolved and are now a thing of the past – praise the Lord!  Thank you to those who have prayed for, and with, Caroline through this time.  She is grateful too! 

This is another graduation weekend as Madison Bosarge graduates from high school tomorrow afternoon, Jessica Cole graduates from Huntingdon College in Montgomery tomorrow, and Taylor Gill, Bruce’s son, graduates from Southeastern College in Hammond, LA tommorrow.  Congratulations to Madison, Jessica, & Taylor. 

It is also another birthday weekend as our son-in-law, Brad Hutto, is joined by Sarah Morgan and our Michigan friend, Lindsay Ellens, in celebrating a birthday on Sunday.  Happy birthday Brad, Sarah, & Lindsay!

It is also another wedding weekend as Ross Hatcher & Betty Clair Barton will be united in marriage tomorrow afternoon in Tallassee, AL.  It will be unique seeing all of those Hatcher boys dressed up!  Congratulations to Ross & Betty! 

We will recognize our graduates in the 10:30AM service and then treat them to lunch immediately following that service.  Graduates – please be in the auditorium by 10:15AM! 

We will be observing the ordinance of baptism in our evening service and those being baptized are to meet in my office at 5:30PM. 

I want to congratulate Pastor Danny Sinquefield and the family of believers at Faith Baptist Church in Bartlett, TN on the dedication of their new auditorium this Sunday morning!  This is where Michael & Deidra are members and the Faith family has become special to me personally and ministerially.  Bret Hart is a wonderful supporter of our GRACE Ministries.  Faith is sending two teams to Guatemala this summer.  The Faith family is growing by leaps and bounds so I congratulate them on their new building.  May God be glorified!

Gena, I saw your comment from yesterday but you have to remember that those go through me and I am holding that one! 

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

Written by Teddie in: Daily |
May
15
2008
1

THURSDAY, 5/15/08

mothers-day-2008-417.jpg

Derrick & Jodie are foster parents.  This picture was sent to me via e-mail and comes from Mother’s Day ’08.  Sesa and Jodie look good!   

We had a good Wednesday.  I continue to be impressed with our morning service attendance as it seemingly increases week by week.  Our middle school Bible study had a really strong attendance too and our senior high attendance was strong once again.  Praise the Lord! 

Bro. Jerry saw the doctor and was sent home with some more meds and some type of machine.  He is to see the doctor again Monday morning. 

Shirley Hill’s husband, Joe, is in an intensive care unit in a local hospital.  They are going to shock his heart today but his main problem is lungs. 

William & Ann Estes’ granddaughter had to have emergency brain surgery yesterday.  It is my understanding that her life is not in danger.  The doctor told them this morning that there are not to be any major reprecussions from this situation. 

Greg Boutwell’s brother, David, remains hospitalized too.  Pray for all of these situations.

Eula Mae Blackmon is celebrating a birthday today!  Happy birthday Eula Mae!   

Kristin Fontenot is running a scam!  She “works” for a cleaner.  Last night, I gave her $20 which she conveniently placed in her purse.  It was for her to take two of my suits and have them cleaned.  The only problem is that she didn’t take the suits!  However, that is not the proverbial icing on the cake.  Lisa had given her a dress to be cleaned and she charged me $85 for it last night!  (Yes ocho cinco, eighty five, 8 5 dollars!)  Since her mother and I almost got married you would think she would give me a break but instead she is breaking me!  Be careful Josh! 

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

Written by Teddie in: Daily |
May
14
2008
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WEDNESDAY, 5/14/08

Bro. Jerry has asthmatic bronchitis and has been placed on total rest by his doctor for yesterday and today.  He sees the doctor again this afternoon so pray that he will show improvement.  He is not supposed to even be talking on the phone. 

I received a few more calls/contacts yesterday asking about my brother in China.  Again, he and his wife are in the States and are fine.  Thank you for your concern and please pray for those affected by this terrible tragedy. 

A tragedy hit a SBC church family in the Tampa, FL area.  Pastor Forrest Pollock, 44, of the Bell Shoals Baptist Church and his 13 year old son were killed in a plane crash this past Monday morning.  Pastor Pollock was the pilot and his son was the only passenger.  They had flown to North Carolina on Sunday afternoon to visit Pastor Forrest’s mother and left there bound for a preaching engagement in Texas.  He is survived by his wife and five other children.  You can read updates on www.bellshoals.com

My southern gospel friends already knew this but I learned yesterday that Dottie Rambo, 74, was killed in a bus accident this past Sunday morning.  Wow, that lady wrote a million (2,500) songs. 

I have good news – Ryan Johnston has been located!  His “lame” excuse was that he had to keep the kids as his wife wasn’t home – whatever! 

A reception is being held today at Castlen Elementary to honor Stella Brinkman on her retirement.  Congratulations to Stella! 

This will be a normal busy Wednesday with our morning service and then the evening activities.  I will be preaching a funeral service at noon today.  Pray for me as this is one of those where I don’t know the deceased lady or any of her family members.  The funeral home called yesterday afternoon looking for a pastor to minister to this family. 

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

Written by Teddie in: Daily |
May
13
2008
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TUESDAY, 5/13/08

I begin today by apologizing to Jim Sciple and Jill Ellens for failing to mention their birthdays this past weekend.  Jim’s was Saturday and Jill’s was Sunday.  Jim is old, Jill is not!  Happy belated birthday to Jim & Jill!  (Lindsey Hatcher & Jennifer Wetterer are the ones who keep me updated on the birthdays and they have not been doing so great!)  Also, Rick & Beth Bradley celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary this past weekend too!  Happy belated anniversary to Rick & Beth! 

My maternal grandfather, Troy Brown, passed away very unexpectedly 38 years ago today.  I will never forget mama’s tears as she received that news from Michigan.  It wasn’t too long after the news came that I was outside shooting basketball when Pastor Jack Freeman drove up to pray with my mama.  That image of my pastor coming to pray with our family during a difficult time is forever etched into my memory.  Pastor Jack is now in heaven but I will forever be grateful to him for ministering to my family!

Speaking of former pastors, Bro. Johnny Tucker and his team are doing well in the Philippines.  Miss Judy called me yesterday from Citronelle and said the Lord is blessing.  Please continue to pray for them as they are there until the 28th. 

I received several phone calls/e-mails about the earthquake in China.  First, my brother, Eddie, and his wife, Sue, are Stateside right now.  Second, they live in Qingdao and that city was not affected by the quake.  However, some of the workers in Eddie’s plant are from the affected area so it is highly possible they had family members injured or killed but that isn’t factual yet.  Also,  I stand amazed that Beijing is almost 1,000 miles away and the buildings there were swaying/moving during that quake.  The latest reports put the number of deaths at 12,000 with at least 8,000 more missing.  Wow, Burma and then China.  I ask you join me in praying for these folks as they deal with these tremendous tragedies. 

This year’s high school seniors who are going to be in the service this Sunday are asked to get us their photos – yesterday! 

We mailed a package on May 1 with our notarized forms and a check for Wild Week to their office in Texas.  It was sent priority mail but there has been a problem.  We can track the package online but it simply keeps going from Little Rock, AR to Ft. Worth, TX and back again.  I am not placing blame anywhere but am asking that you join me in praying that the package will either get to the intended destination or be returned to us so we can start all over. 

Speaking of Wild Week, the secretary in that office has an aunt, Sandra Akin, who had surgery yesterday related to cancer.  Would you pray for her?  Also, Paul Wetterer has a sister-in-law who was diagnosed with a GBM brain tumor so please pray fervently for her and her family.  Betty Creech has a friend, Gene Chism, who will be having heart surgery either tomorrow or Thursday.  Continue to pray for David Boutwell.  Bro. Jerry is going to the doctor again this morning so pray for him too.

We have asked the TN authorities to help locate Ryan Johnston since he didn’t show up to help us load the U-Haul this past Saturday.  I am certain he must have been abducted or something!  (For those who don’t know – Ryan is a staff member at Faith Baptist)  Ryan graciously asked members of the church to join him for the moving party so I am certain he would not have missed it intentionally!  Bret, please share our concern with Ryan’s family! 

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

Written by Teddie in: Daily |
May
12
2008
1

MONDAY, 5/12/08

Mother’s Day ’08 was a great day!  Although we had a number of our regular folks missing, we still had a good attendance.  I really appreciate those who came to the evening service last night.  The Lord blessed our day and we give Him the glory! 

The Lord gave us safe travels to and from Memphis.  We had a good time visiting with family & friends and attending the graduation ceremony.  At the graduate luncheon on Friday, Deidra gave the speech for the graduating class.  She did well.  We would learn later in the day that since the seminary’s founding in 1972, Deidra is the first female student to be selected for that speech.  We give God the glory for allowing her to be chosen for this honor.

The names Bret Hart, Donald Pennell, Lucas Hines, Mark Edwards, & Scott Steele aren’t signficant to you but they are to me.  These five guys from Faith Baptist of Bartlett, TN all showed up at Michael & Deidra’s apartment on Saturday morning to help us load the U-Haul truck.  What a huge blessing as we were moving them from a third floor apartment!  I have been so impressed by Faith Baptist!  They have gotten involved in GRACE Ministries and are quality people!  Of course, the question that begs to be answered is – where was Ryan Johnston? 

Curtis & Myrna (from Smyrna) Taylor, Michael’s parents, were there too.  If you ever need to move and are going to load the truck yourself, just call Curtis!  He packed that truck to the max when I didn’t think we were going to get it all in.  We actually had room to spare!  Curtis should go into the moving business! 

Benny McGath, Dewayne Lavelle, Kyle & Morris Bryant, & Phil Sims met us when we got back to Grand Bay and they unloaded the truck for us.  Blessed again!  (I am not going to mention the fact that it took the TN boys one and a half hours to load it while only taking the Bama boys twenty minutes to unload it!) 

Wes & Rebekah Bates are leaving this morning for a mission trip to Greece.  They are going with the University of Mobile.  Pray for their safety in travel and for a fruitful trip. 

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

Written by Teddie in: Daily |
May
09
2008
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FRIDAY, 5/9/08

We arrived safely at the Hampton Inn in Bartlett, TN around 8:30PM last night.  I sure will be glad when this graduation thing is over so I can get out of TN!  Bret Hart and the rest of these Big Orange fans are killing me!

Thanks to those who let me know about others who graduated from USA last Saturday.  Davy Bosarge, Karla Teasley Bosarge, and Brittney Fillingim (Ian McClinton’s bride to be) were in that graduating class.  Congratulations to these three too! 

I totally forgot to mention yesterday that Teddy Ray & Rachel are grandparents again – kinda sorta!  Derrick & Jodie are the proud new foster parents of a two month old boy.  Jodie will be a great mother!  I don’t know the baby’s name but will be told in due time!  Congratulations to Derrick & Jodie!  

We will finally get to see Jace Elleson Glenn as he will be attending Deidra’s graduation tonight.  (His dad, Adam, was supposed to come help load the U-Haul tomorrow morning but he wiggled out of that responsibility!)  We also get to see Hannah Grace Taylor.  Her dad, Ben, is a seminary student too.  They live next to Michael & Deidra. 

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

Written by Teddie in: Daily |
May
08
2008
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GRADUATION UPDATE

Leave it to me to leave some folks off the university graduating list.  (Pam Landry e-mailed me and fussed me out about this matter – such a fiesty little thing!)  Ross Hatcher graduated from Auburn University (School of Pharmacy) this past Tuesday, Dale Perkins will graduate from Auburn University this Saturday, and Brandon Baker will graduate from the University of Mobile this Saturday. 

Sharon Chandler graduated from Auburn University Montgomery and Jennifer Wetterer graduated from Troy University last December. 

I will mention a couple of others who will graduate next Saturday, 5/17, in next Friday’s entry.  Let me know if I missed anyone. 

Written by Teddie in: Daily |
May
08
2008
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THURSDAY, 5/8/08

We had a good Wednesday.  I was blessed by the number of senior high students who attended our Bible study at 6:00PM and the young professionals who came at 8:00PM.  Not to be outdone, our Wednesday morning attendance continues to increase weekly.  Of course, I am grateful for those who attended each of our Bible studies or worship services.  Wednesdays are pretty awesome at Friendship!

Carla Felps Kyser is having a port placed into her body this morning.  David Boutwell has been moved into a regular hospital room.  Tom Russell (Faith Academy) remains hospitalized in isolation.  Genesis (Casa Aleluya) has several problems following her transplant surgery.  Bro. Johnny Tucker and his team are ministering in the Philippines through May 28.  The citizens of Burma are going through a terrible tragedy as they are now estimating the total number of deaths could reach 100,000.  Pray for these situations. 

The IMB website is reporting today that the nine year old daughter of IMB representatives in Indonesia died of head wounds caused by a fall from her bicycle.  Pray for the Borger family.  (You can read the brief story at www.imb.org)

We now have six of the high school graduates photos in hand.  Diane Vickers came through but Deanna Wetterer is still lagging behind.  Remember, we need those by this Sunday, 5/11. 

It is definitely graduation season.  Wes Bates graduates from the University of Mobile and Alisha Vice graduates from William Carey University this Saturday.  Congratulations to Wes & Alisha.  On Monday, Wes & Rebekah (the good one) go to Greece with the University of Mobile for a mission trip.  Alisha leaves on 5/24 for an assignment in Europe.  Pray for these respective efforts.

My family and I are leaving today following the Castlen Elementary 5th grade honors program.  We will drive to Memphis in order to attend a luncheon tomorrow and Deidra’s graduation from Mid-America Seminary tomorrow night.   

On Saturday morning, Bret Hart and a host of hundreds from Faith Baptist Bartlett will load a U-Haul truck with Michael & Deidra’s belongings and I will drive it to Grand Bay.  (Bret and his crew will allow me to sleep in while they load the truck – what nice guys!  They also want to pay for the fuel for the U-Haul truck but I am going to draw the line as enough is enough!)  Michael & Deidra will go to the Dominican Republic on 5/26 for a mission trip. 

I don’t know if I will post tomorrow or not.  I will try but it may be later in the day. 

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

Written by Teddie in: Daily |

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