Pastor's Blog

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!

“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 77 – 78; Romans 10

Since I posted an entry yesterday afternoon, there is really nothing new to report regarding those for whom we have been praying.  Robert Baria is the only member of the Friendship family presently in the hospital.  I hope to catch him awake this morning.

Cameron Watson will join Robert as being hospitalized in just a couple of hours as he will be having open heart surgery.  It is my understanding that he will be having a valve replaced.  That procedure is scheduled for early this morning.  Pray all goes well.

Regular schedule today and tonight.  Children’s choir begins a new season starting at 5:30PM.  All children are invited and encouraged to attend.  Lisa and I have not discussed the fare for tonight’s 7:30PM meal but it will be something good.

The visitation/service for Esther Beritech takes place tomorrow, 8/10, beginning at 10:00AM.  Special thanks to those folks who will be feeding the family following the service.

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

This entry is late – you think?  Why?  Well. . .

Attempted to visit Robert Baria in the hospital again today but he was sleeping soundly.  I put on all of the garb required and tried to awaken him but to no avail.  Prayed and left a card.  Keep praying for Robert.

Cameron Watson is scheduled to have surgery in the morning.  It is heart surgery but I do not know the details.  Just pray that all goes well.

As I posted yesterday, the visitation with the Esther Beritech family will take place on Thursday from 10:00AM until 11:00AM which will be the beginning of the service.  Everything takes place in our auditorium.  Pray for the family.

Bobby and the boys are on a two game winning streak and maintain a fourteen game lead in their division.  If Bobby is not third base coach of the year then the whole thing is rigged!  He has my vote!

Only twenty five days until Bama kicks off the 2017 season.  I am ready.

Deidra has been in Grand Bay since last Friday.  It has certainly been good to have her here although we have missed the girls tremendously.  She leaves in the morning heading back to Guatemala.  I know she will be glad to see the girls.  BTW, she did not post a Monday blog – just saying!

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

The arrangements for Esther Beritech are as follows:  visitation at 10:00AM followed by a celebration of life service at 11:00AM on Thursday, August 10, 2017.  Visitation and service will take place from the Friendship Baptist auditorium.  Interment will take place in the Oddfellow’s Cemetery in Bayou La Batre.

Mary Jackson was discharged from the hospital today.

Cash Westbrook was discharged from the hospital today.

“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 72-73; Romans 9:1-15

The Lord blessed us with a really good day in our services yesterday.  There were two salvations in our 10:30AM service.  The ordination service for Brad Hutto was special.  We thank God for a good day.

Robert Baria has been moved to a regular room so the roller coaster ride continues.  I am praying that he is finally on the road to recovery.

Dylan said last night that Cash should be discharged from the hospital tomorrow.

Dana told me last night there is a chance her mother will be discharged today.

The Beritech family should be meeting with the funeral directors today to set the arrangements for Esther’s service.

Bro. Jerry Hovel has been given today off as there have been surgeries the past two Fridays while I was away.  I always try to cover Friday surgeries but obviously cannot whenever I am away.  So, please do not contact Bro. Jerry today.  He will be in the office tomorrow.

We are going to resume our Monday evening prayer time today from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  Please enter/exit through the West side door.

Children’s choir begins this Wednesday, 8/9, at 5:30PM.

Acton Bowen will be with us the dates of Friday, 9/15, through Sunday morning, 9/17.  Pray for these services.

Bobby and the boys won in dramatic fashion yesterday and won the series against the Cubbies.  Bobby has the boys on a roll!

I pray that you will have a great Monday 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 70-71; Romans 8:22-39

Happy 80th birthday to my mother-in-law, Ann Clark.  I could not ask for a better mother-in-law!  (Father-in-law?  Did you really just ask that question?). We enjoyed a day of celebration as a family yesterday.  I think Ann was pleased!  I am thankful to Miss Kittie and her Sunday School class for coming to make the celebration even greater!  Very kind of them!  Thank you ladies!

Visited with Robert Baria last night and had a good talk with him.  He is obviously off the ventilator.  I assured him of our prayer support.  I think he has a ways to go yet but progress is being made.

Visited with Mary Jackson but she was sleeping very soundly.

Visited with Dylan, Elizabeth & Cash.  Cash has improved.  I am grateful to God.  Dylan & Elizabeth are such a fine young couple.

Tommy Watson is at home.  He will be receiving in home rehab from this point forward for a period of time.

I have a friend from Baldwin County and New Life Baptist Church.  His name is Bryan Creps and he was diagnosed with stage four mouth cancer last week.  His daughter, Kortni, was in Guatemala with us.  He is scheduled for a MRI and full body scan on 8/16 and then surgery on 8/22 in Birmingham.  Bryan is believing God for a complete healing and I am asking you to join us in that prayer.

Regular schedule today – morning and evening.

We will ordain Brad Hutto as a deacon in tonight’s service.  All ordained men are asked to meet for a council at 4:00PM in the auditorium.  Obviously, I am proud of Brad.  He is a wonderful son-in-law.  (Is he as wonderful as Soy?  Are you serious!).

I pray that you will have a great Sunday 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 66 – 67; Romans 7

Mary Jackson is having surgery this morning.  Pray that all goes well and that she will recover quickly.

Dylan & Elizabeth Westbrook’s son, Cash, was admitted to the hospital last night.  The expect him to be there for a few days.

Tina Wilkinson’s surgery was almost successful.  They could not get one of the stones so they will try again later.  Tina is complicated – LOL!

Robert Baria has been put back on the ventilator.  The roller coaster ride continues.  Pray for Robert.

Tommy Watson will be discharged from the hospital today.  He has been hospitalized since May 6.  Plans call for him to now have home health rehab.

The Beritech family is still working on the arrangements for Esther’s service.  Keep praying for the family.

I am typing this from the airport in Guatemala City while waiting on Delta to allow us to begin boarding.  Lord willing, I will be home late this afternoon.

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