Pastor's Blog

I visited with Jodie Crawley and her grandfather, Mr. Tom Hill, yesterday afternoon.  It appears his time on earth is very limited.  Pray for him and for his family. 

Johnny Gulley has been battling cancer and he passed away yesterday afternoon.  I don’t know the arrangements but ask you to pray for his family. 

I assume that Josh & Desi did not get the test results regarding the baby yesterday which means they should get them today.  Pray for them.

Carla Kyser is still battling the sores in her mouth/throat and her daughter, Larsyn, is sick too.  Miss Joyce Bosarge is doing pretty good per Liz in prayer meeting last night.  Keep praying!

Word came to me late last night that Chase Hearon, daughter of Gregg & Jan Hearon, passed away yesterday afternoon.  I know none of the details but do ask that you pray for the Hearon family during this difficult time.

The stove in the hospital was still “broken” yesterday which means Miss Vivian did not get to cook biscuits.  She was having some problems with dizziness yesterday. 

Speaking of eating, did you see where the guy in Warren, MI walked into a diner this past Sunday night with a 5 inch night stuck in his chest?  He ordered coffee and talked about the cold weather.  He had called 911 from a pay phone outside saying that he had been stabbed in an attempted robbery and was going into the restaurant because they had a place to sit and it was too cold to wait outside.  Wow!  (I wondering it this 5 inch knife is related to that 5 inch ice pick in MO?  Had this guy been to the mall?) 

Our attendance in yesterday’s services was not great by any stretch.  I appreciate those who attended.  We probably had 175 or so in attendance when all was said and done.  I realize some families were having their Christmas gatherings and some folks have already traveled out of town.  Again, I am grateful for those who attended.

It appears the weather is not going to be good during the 5:00PM hour today for our Christmas Eve service.  Of course, they don’t always get the forecast correct (you think?) but they are calling for some pretty strong winds and rain all afternoon.  We will have that service and will be finished by 6:00PM.  I hope many of you will join us for this special service. 

Well, I had hoped to get to the mall today for a little Christmas shopping but I had probably best not get out in this weather!  Surely Lisa will understand! 

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

Car 54 alert – it is painfully obvious that Bret Hart has forsaken us! 

Car 54 alert – the next alert was going to be for Rex Looney and then he appears via a comment yesterday! 

Mark Mast, don’t call!  LOL!

I begin on a very serious note this morning.  Joshua & Desi Hovel are expecting their second child in the Spring of next year.  I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that the doctors suspected possible physical problems with the baby.  More tests were done yesterday and that concern has grown deeper.   The physical problems could be much more severe than originally thought.  They could receive a more definitive word from yesterday’s tests either today or tomorrow.  I ask you to pray without ceasing for this couple and their baby, Bro. Jerry & Tena, and the entire family. 

Lisa & I visited with Miss Vivian late yesterday afternoon.  She continues to do well.  As a matter of fact, she is supposed to cook biscuits for the hospital staff today as a part of her therapy.  (She was supposed to yesterday but the stove was not working!)  Keep praying!

I woke up this morning thinking about Carla Kyser.  Keep praying for her, Miss Joyce Bosarge, and the others battling cancer.  Keep praying for Louise as she recovers from her surgery.  Pray for Ian & Brittney McClinton as they await the arrival of their first child next week.  Keep praying for Ryan & Rochelle Genzink too. 

I read on Pastor Jack’s blog yesterday that his daughter, Hope, was to have surgery yesterday morning.  I pray that everything went well and ask that you pray for her recovery.  (I will refrain from making any comments about Hope!  However, I am “mad” at my niece Jamie for not letting me know about Hope’s surgery!) 

Spoke to T. Garrett via the phone yesterday.  He had gotten a couple of calls about his “dilemma” but all is well.  Some folks believe that you can’t believe much of what I say unless I am standing directly behind the pulpit.  Suffice it to say that the Wrights are safe & sound in their apartment.

Today is a regular schedule for the Friendship family with the morning service and evening activities. 

We will also have a Christmas Eve service tomorrow beginning promptly at 5:00PM and ending no later than 6:00PM. 

Congratulations to the USA Jags on their 67 – 66 victory over the Florida Gators last night!  (That comment was for Kim French since she thinks the USA football team needs some love for playing a high school schedule!) 

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

I  visited with Myrtle yesterday morning as Miss Vivian was sleeping.  Miss Vivian is doing well.  I attempted to see Donald Stork too but the hospital didn’t have him listed as a patient.  I don’t know if he had been discharged or it was one of those privacy issues.  Miss Kathleen Henderson has been placed back in the hospital.  I think this is like her 8th time this calendar year. 

Our LMCO total is at slightly more than $33,000.  We will wait until after this Sunday, 12/27, to see if any more GA money comes in and then that will be it for the 2009 offering.  We already have several hundred dollars toward our 2010 LMCO.  Praise the Lord!

News flash – I am not a shopper!  In past years, I have tried to get to the mall on Christmas Eve to buy Lisa’s Christmas gift.  As Deidra & Daphne got older i.e. could drive, I simply let them do my Christmas shopping (please don’t tell Lisa) which was the best case scenario. 

I had been seriously contemplating “making a run” to the mall this Thursday to get Lisa a gift.  However, after reading about the happenings in Springfield, MO yesterday, I am reconsidering.  A man was stabbed six times with a wooden-handled, 5 inch ice pick suffering a punctured kidney.  Where did this happen?  In a shopping center parking lot.  Who did it?  An 18 year old girl.  Why did she do it?  Because the man took a parking space where she was planning on parking.  Folks, that is why I don’t shop! 

T. Garrett and his lovely bride, Johna, were coming this way via the airlines but have been delayed in New York due to the snow.  So, they will now arrive on Christmas night.  (The part I don’t understand is that they are staying in the NYC airport since they missed their flight.  Why don’t they simply go back to their NYC apartment? LOL)

Laurie Chandler offered some help via a comment on yesterday’s post.

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

Car 54 alert – we have found Sandra McElwee!  However, Bret Hart seems to be lost now! 

Mark Mast, please contact me via phone or e-mail as soon as possible.  Thanks!

What a wonderful Sunday before Christmas!  God is good!  First, He allowed us to have two more folks make public professions of faith and another to come for believer’s baptism.  As always, God givest the increase and we give Him the glory! 

Our Girls In Action and their leaders turned in $768.34 (I think that is the exact amount) they collected from their post office.  Of course, this goes to our 2009 Lottie Moon offering which will bring our final total to around $33,000.  Folks, that is a total God thing! 

We had a really nice attendance in all of our services yesterday.  However, the evening service was basically a “wall to wall” happening.  The choir did a nice job of sharing through song. 

So, we simply say “thank you” to God for giving us a really good day! 

Bobby Stork’s brother, Donald, had his surgery last Thursday and may come home today.  Miss Vivian remains in rehab during her physical therapy.  Jodi Crawley’s grandfather, Tom Hill, remains at home but under constant watchcare.  Caroline Ford was in one of the morning services yesterday.  Louise Morris is still recovering at home from her surgery.  Carla Kyser is still having troubles with the sores from her latest treatment.  Pray for these folks!

Archaeologists in Israel have uncovered a house and things that look like they come  from Nazareth during the time of Jesus.  They describe Nazareth as probably a poor hamlet of 50 houses populated by poor Jewish families.  Imagine that – their discovery lines up with the Word! 

I was okay with the Saints getting beat but not by those Cowboys!  (Bro. Robbie is presently in mourning over this loss!) 

Don’t forget our Christmas Eve service this Thursday beginning at 5:00PM and ending at 6:00PM.  Invite others to join you!     

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

Car 54 alert – Sandra McElwee must be lost in cyberspace and she has not radioed in. 

Bret Hart – where are you?

Amy Huhn was admitted to the hospital yesterday after having gotten sick at church on Wednesday night – I can have that effect on folks!  They were scheduled to run a test on her this morning to help diagnose her problem. 

Louise Morris did well through her surgery and should come home tomorrow.  She says she will in church this Sunday morning but we’ll see.

It is almost 3:30PM and I can’t reach Caroline Ford by phone to find out what the doctor told her. 

Sinclair & Mediacom are now back in a battle over money.  So?  If it goes as they say, Mediacom will not show anything from Sinclair after 12/31/09.  So?  Sinclair owns WEAR which is the ABC affiliate which will air the national championship game on 1/7/10 and folks in Grand Bay with cable have Mediacom as their provider.  This presents a problem!  Not something worth praying over but a problem nonetheless!

It is slightly past 4:00AM as I write this and I was awakened by the rainfall.  Wow, we have gotten some rain in the past week or so!  It really isn’t a bother to us regarding any flooding, or potential flooding, but I do feel for those folks who have already experienced flooding due to the recent rains or for those who will be flooded because of tonight’s rain. 

Louise Morris is scheduled for surgery at noon today so keep her in your prayers.  Caroline Ford is scheduled to see her doctor at 12:30PM today.  I will go see Miss Vivian at some point today.  She was a bit sick when I stopped by yesterday but is still doing well.  One of John & Tammie Curl’s sons had an episode last week but is doing better now.  Keep praying for Carla, Miss Joyce, and the others battling cancer. 

Stan & Becky Hatcher will host a Christmas gathering tomorrow night at 7:00PM for the folks who attend our Spanish ministry.  You are invited to join them for this time of fellowship but I would ask that you contact Becky if you plan on attending in order for proper food arrangements to be made. 

Our adult choir will present their cantata this Sunday at 6:00PM.  They have worked hard in preparation for this worship experience and I hope the Friendship family will be present for this special service. 

Bob Knight said at a banquet last night that Kentucky basketball coach, John Calipari, should not be coaching today due to a lack of integrity.  (He left two schools that were put on probation due to actions on his watch)  Your response may be “pot meet kettle” but I say it is a picture of the society in which we live.  We have a “win at all cost” mentality and if the coaches and/or players can deliver “wins” then we really don’t mind what baggage they bring with them.  Commitment is out the door!  This mindset has spilled over into the church but that is a whole chapter that I don’t have the time nor space to delve into here. 

Speaking of winning, Peyton & the Colts remain undefeated.  It just kills me that Peyton went to college at such a bad school but he is an awesome pro quarterback.  I am glad the Saints are winning too but I am not real happy with the shirts they are selling in New Orleans that feature Drew Brees. 

I pray that you will have a great Friday and weekend with Jesus.  I really should do some Christmas shopping but . . . the roads are so wet with all of this rain that is really isn’t safe to shop.  You think Lisa will understand?  There is always Christmas Eve! 

Car 54 alert – Sandra McElwee, where are you?

*It is now 8:30AM and I am having to rewrite part of this blog entry.  Posted at 6:00AM or so this morning and didn’t realize that a couple of paragraphs in the middle of this entry did not make it to the blog.  What’s up with that?  I have a call into Al!

Good Wednesday with one exception!  Sherry, Matthew, & Josh Schlehubers went to Oklahoma this past weekend and came back with an OU bib for Titus!  Talk about doing emotional damage to a child!  The thought may have been great but the gift was horrendous – LOL! 

We were blessed with a good attendance in our services yesterday morning and last night.  I am told that the Christmas party at the convalescent home went well too.  So, we bless the Lord for giving us a good day. 

I will visit with Miss Vivian later this morning.  I spoke to Cecil yesterday and there had been no significant change.  Miss Joyce Bosarge will receive two units of blood today.  Marisa Felps gave us an update on Carla last night and she is having some problems with sores related to her treatment.  Mr. Tom Hill continues to need our prayers.  Louise Morris is scheduled to have surgery tomorrow.  Rochelle Genzink (MI) is now in the hospital.  Joel Huffman shared last night of two deaths in families in the Moody, AL area which is where Joel is from originally. 

I also know that Pastor Jack Bailey is happy this morning as Kobe hit the game winner at the buzzer in OT last night.  They and the Celtics (Reb, have I mentioned that I don’t like the Celtics?) now are tied for the best record in the NBA.  Does life get any better for Dr. Jack – reached their LMCO goal and his Lakers on a roll! 

*I had originally written another paragraph but I can’t remember the details.  It must not have been important!  Gotta go, Al is returning my call about the internet issues! 

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

I got word this morning that Mr. Tom Hill, Jodi Crawley’s grandfather, is not doing well physically.  He is at home and has someone staying with him each day while Tyrone & Jodi stay with him each night.  Mr. Hill raised Jodi so he has been a father figure to her too.  Pray for Mr. Hill, Tyrone & Jodi, and the entire family. 

Ross & Kathy Genzink are dear friends of our family, the Friendship family, and GRACE Ministries.  Their son, Ryan, and his wife, Rochelle, are expecting triplets in April.  Rochelle is being placed in the hospital today to be closely observed for the next seven to ten days.  I ask you to join me in praying for Rochelle, the babies, and Ryan. 

Carla Kyser and Miss Joyce Bosarge continue their respective battles against cancer so please keep praying for them.  Obviously, Miss Vivian Ladnier remains hospitalized as she continues to rehab.  Pray that she will gain the confidence needed to be comfortable coming home. 

Betty McMann stopped by the office yesterday for a few minutes.  It is good to know that she & Darrell arrived home safely from Illinois.  Thank you for praying!

We will have our morning service today.  In the early afternoon, I will go to Beaumont, MS with Charles & Ann to the funeral service for Miss Ethel Dunnam.  Lord willing, we will make it back in time for the evening service.  (By the way, guess who bought Charles’ supper last night?)

Those from the Friendship family who minister at the convalescent home will host their annual Christmas party for the residents tonight at 6:00PM.  You are invited to join them for this celebration of the birth of Jesus. 

I don’t know whether it is blessed, lucky, or what but I do know that Chris Taylor was able to secure two tickets to the national championship game yesterday via the internet sale.  (Do I need to mention that he did that on company time?)  I don’t know how many folks tried but there were only 2,000 tickets available.  What Chris doesn’t know is that I am not going to give him that Thursday, 1/7, off so those tickets won’t do him any good – LOL!  Congratulations to Chris & Nicole and Roll Tide!

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

Wow, we have really gotten some rain in the past few days.  I have never been one to tell God what we need as I know He does all things well.  Come this summer, we will perhaps be wishing it would rain. 

There is really nothing new to report regarding any of the folks who are in the hospital or who have recently been discharged from the hospital.  Lisa & I visited with Miss Vivian and Cecil for a few minutes yesterday morning and she continues to do well.  However, she doesn’t seem to have any interest in going home.  Pray for her as well as the others.  Pray for those battling cancer.

Lisa & I will go to Beaumont, MS tonight to visit with Marlene & family.  (I suspect Charles & Ann will ride with us so as to save his gas!  Plus, he will probably want us to buy his supper!  LOL!)  Marlene is Lisa’s aunt and lives next to Charles & Ann.  Marlene & Bobby did a great job of giving care to Miss Dunnam over the past three weeks or so as she moved in with them. 

Our Missions Committee met this past Sunday afternoon to discuss several matters relating to GRACE Ministries.  The officers for that committee are Jerry Whitmore, Chairman; Raymond Wilkinson, Vice-Chairman; Dawn Hacker, Secretary.  Pray for them as they lead us in giving & going at home and around the world.  FYI, 28 teams are scheduled to use the L.G. Camp, Jr. Mission House in 2010 – wow!  That is a God thing! 

There is a friend of GRACE Ministries who is presently in another country leading a small team doing missions.  They are working with our IMB missionaries.  Pray for them as they minister and for their safe return later this week.

I am a Kurt Warner fan but the Cardinals really looked out of sync last night in their game against the 49ers.  Can the Saints & the Colts stay undefeated and meet in the Super Bowl?  I doubt it but that would be nice! 

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

The arrangements for Marlene Broome’s mother, Miss Ethel Dunnam, are as follows:  visitation with the family on Tuesday, 12/15, from 5:30 – 9:00PM.  Funeral service on Wednesday, 12/16, at 2:30PM. 

The visitation and service will take place from the chapel of the Jones & Son Funeral Home chapel in Beaumont.  The chapel is located on 5th Street.