Pastor's Blog

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

When the phone rang at 1:05AM this morning I immediately knew that one of two things had just taken place.  Either Dana was calling to say it was time to go to the hospital because she was in labor or Mark was calling to tell me of Courtney’s passing.  It was Mark sharing that Courtney had just traded life for everlasting life.  It is approaching 4:00AM and I just returned from being with Mark and family while they waited for the funeral home personnel to come.  Pray for Mark, the three children, Courtney’s parents, Courtney’s siblings and all of the family as they walk through this valley.

Lisa, Daphne and Deidra have been cooking a meal for the Hubbard family at least once week for the past several months.  Ann Clark & Marisa Felps have helped.  Lisa will be cooking a meal for them again tomorrow.  I am going to give anyone reading this blog the opportunity to help.  Lisa will be cooking roast – they absolutely love Lisa’s roast.  If you want to help with this meal then you can bring a side or a dessert.  I would simply ask you to have it in fellowship hall by 3:00PM tomorrow.  Cakes, cookies, brownies, et cetera would be great as they do not have to be refrigerated.  Please use disposal containers that do not have to be returned.  Please call Lisa’s office at 865 4517 by 5:00PM today (Tuesday) if you want to help with this ministry.

I did not contact Larry Whitehurst yesterday.  I was coughing so badly that I did not want to get around anyone.  I will contact him today to get an update.

Maria Wainwright shared with me yesterday that her daughter, Brittney Nelson, has been having problems with high blood pressure during this pregnancy.  She will be thirty eight weeks next Wednesday and, if she does ok until then, there is a strong likelihood they will allow her to have the baby then.  Pray for Ethan & Brittney and their family.

Charles Wainwright’s mother took a fall yesterday.  She was taken to the hospital by ambulance but did not break any bones.  Pray for Mrs. Wainwright.

Jennifer Brinkman’s grandfather in Maryland has been put under hospice care.  He is in the latter stages of Parkinson’s.  Pray for him and his family.

A huge shout to Jack Lastorka and his employer, Merit Health in Biloxi.  Merit Health provided us with several hundred individual containers of hand sanitizer that were placed in our worship center this past Sunday.  I am not saying the we knew exactly what to do with them but it was nice having them available.  Thank you Jack!

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.

Mission of Hope service on Friday night beginning at 7:00PM.  Service will be a the mission.  The men will join us for our 8:00AM service this Sunday, 1/28.  We have folks preparing breakfast for the men which will be served before the service.  Thank you to everyone helping with this ministry.

Folks who attended our evening service this past Sunday were giving a homework assignment.  I heard from one of our young adults and her daughter yesterday.  They prayed on the way home from the service and asked God to give them an opportunity on Monday.  He did!

One of our  a bit older ladies shared with me following the service that she may have missed an opportunity on Sunday.  God gave her another opportunity on Monday and she did not miss it.

The Lord graciously placed an opportunity in front of me yesterday too.  I am thankful!

Called the doctor’s office yesterday morning which is a major step for me.  Told the lady that I had a persistent cough and an awful voice.  She asked, “are you sick?”  I replied that I was not running a fever.  She said, “we cannot see you this week as we are only seeing sick folks!”  (Believe me when I say that this old boy will be one sick puppy before he calls that office again!).

So, I contacted a doctor friend who graciously called in a prescription to help cut this cough.  It has helped.  Still sound horrible but not coughing as much.  I am also eating Luke Green’s honey like it is going out of style in an effort to stop this cough.  I did ask the doctor to give me an excuse to miss work the rest of the week but he did not do so.

Why did I not just go to an Urgent Care?  Two reasons – do not want to wait and do not want to spend the money.

Are you tired of hearing me complain?  Thought so.  I will stop!

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

P.S. – remember to call Lisa’s office today before 5:00PM if you want to help with the meal for the Hubbard family.  (Yes Courtney Cavin they will need tea and rolls!).