Pastor's Blog

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Our most pressing prayer concern today is for Anna Carol Bosarge.  She has a meeting with a specialist this morning.  Pray for wisdom for the doctor and Anna Carol as they chart a course of action.  Anna Carol is once again battling very intense pain and needs relief.

Miss Rebecca Perkins passed from this life yesterday.  I have posted her obituary on this site.  Everything will take place this Saturday.  Pray for the Perkins family.

Regular schedule for the Friendship family this morning and evening.  Our GA’s will be selling some “sweets” tonight as a mission project with the funds going toward the school construction.  Our students will be doing a “pie in the face” for the same cause.  (The pie episode will take place from 6:00 – 6:30PM).

Have you shared the video about the January dollar for dollar matching challenge regarding the school construction?  We have eight days remaining.  Pray, give as the Lord leads, share with others.

We are going to have a Spring soccer league.  It will begin in March and end the first Saturday in May.  Amy Reynolds and Coley Johnson will be the league coordinators again.  Amy will be the contact person for more information.

The forecast calls for rain today and then a cooler snap moves in.  We probably will not go as low as Denali, Alaska as Bill Kendrick reported sixty one degrees below zero yesterday.  I do like cold but I think I will pass on that one!

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

Age 85, a resident of Grand Bay, Alabama, passed away on Monday, January 21, 2019. She is survived by her children, Glenn (Margy) Perkins, Ken (Diane) Perkins and Ben (Kay) Perkins, grandchildren, Chad Perkins, Blake Perkins, Trisha Perkins, Tasha (Jeremy) Howard, Dale Perkins and Chase (Shayna) Perkins, great grandchildren, Landon Touchstone, Ryleigh Howard, Brody Howard, Sadie Perkins and Sawyer Perkins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Visitation will be held at Serenity Funeral Home on Saturday, January 26, 2019 from 10 am until 12 noon. Graveside service will be held in Grand Bay Cemetery on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 12:30 pm.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

The Friendship family is blessed in the fact that we presently have no one in the hospital.  We give God the glory and continue to pray for those who are at home not feeling well.

Hope Roberts’ surgical procedure went well.  She will get the pathology report at some point next week.

Talked to Larry Whitehurst yesterday and he is still set to be in Florida at the end of this month.

This is a slow time of the year for me sports wise.  I really do not watch much in the way of college basketball until March Madness.  So, my television time is basically zero these days.  That is not necessarily a bad thing.

We are going to warm up a bit they say and have rain tonight and tomorrow.  Then our temperatures are supposed to drop back into the thirties for seven of the next eight nights beginning tomorrow night.  That is what I am talking about!  I would personally love some nights in the twenties but it is what it is and God knows.

Spoke to Ross Genzink yesterday morning and our friends in Michigan are enjoying temperatures below zero.  They cannot match Mark Mast but they can definitely top us!

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Just a quick short and sweet entry to get things started this week.  First, I want to wish a happy “belated” birthday to my nephew, Josh, as his birthday was yesterday.  Hope his day was great!

Hope Roberts has gone to Guatemala with us numerous times.  Last week she was diagnosed with a malignancy.  Today, they will do surgery.  Pray for Hope.

Anna Carol Bosarge has been sick for a couple of weeks.  She is home but needs our prayer support.

Pat Bryant, brother of Jim & Morris Bryant, had heart surgery last week.  He remains hospitalized but is doing well as far as I know.  Pray for Pat.

Pray for the family of the police officer who was killed in Mobile yesterday afternoon.

Teresita’s baby was discharged from the hospital but Teresita remains in the hospital with high blood pressure issues.  We are praying today will bring better news.

We had a good day in our services yesterday but we had a ton of our regulars missing.  Not sure if that was due to sickness or the fact that schools are out today?  Either way, those folks were missed.

We down to our last eleven days for folks to give to the school construction in order of their gift/pledge to be matched.  As I shared in our services yesterday, we received a very, very nice donation earlier in the week.  It came from a sister church and is just an amazing thing!  The building is going to cost three hundred fifty thousand dollars which is considerable more than we originally planned.  However, God knew that beforehand and He is going to use folks to help us reach that total and more.  That is what He does!

This cooler weather is nice.  Thank you Jesus.  I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Well it is 3:30AM and we just arrived at our Uncle’s house in Lima, Peru.  We crammed that seven hour flight into nine hours.  Thank God we are here.

I have no updates from home so let’s go with the no news is good news scenario.

We have very limited access to the internet here.  I have a call into Al but do not expect much this week.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Good morning from the New Orleans airport.  Lisa and I arrived here way early expecting possible longer than usual lines, delays, et cetera but none of that proved true.  So, we have plenty of time as we wait on our flight to Atlanta.  We “only” have four hours to make our connection once in Atlanta.  It is all good!

The biggest news out of the Turrentine family today is that today is Sydney’s first day of school in Guatemala.  Her teacher speaks zero English and Sydney speaks zero Spanish – should be fun!  We pray Sydney has a great day and Lizzi too!

I am in hopes the Friendship family will show up and support Scott Older and his family tonight as they grieve the loss of Scott’s maternal grandfather.  The visitation with the family takes place from 5:00 – 8:00PM at First Baptist Grand Bay.  The service takes place tomorrow at 11:00AM also from First Baptist.  Pray for the Mahathy family.

Regular schedule for the Friendship family on Wednesday – morning and evening.  Bro. Jerry Hovel will be preaching/teaching in my absence.

Lord willing, I will be back in the pulpit this Sunday for all three services.

“Hey pastor, how about Joey?  You think he does?”  LOL!

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Word coming from Guatemala is that Teresita and the baby are both doing ok.  The baby weighed four pounds or so.  Keep praying.

Charles Suthoff was discharged from the hospital late Friday night.  Keep praying for him.

The visitation with Scott Older and family takes place tomorrow from 5:00 – 8:00PM at First Baptist followed by the service on Tuesday morning at 11:00AM also at First Baptist.  Scott, Bo and the girls are very faithful members of the Friendship family.  What a great young family!  I pray that the members of the Friendship family will support this family during this time.

Regular schedule this morning and evening.  Finance Committee meets at 5:00PM.

Special love offering today for Danny & Anita Lafferty in all three of our services.  Pray and then give as the Lord leads.  (Ushers, we will go back to back on these offerings)

Have you prayed about giving to the school construction offering?  About making a pledge in January?  Have you shared the video?  Have you asked others to consider giving?  The clock is ticking!  Pray and then do as the Lord leads.

Have you noticed the back forty in the past few days?  If not, take a look today.  Many thanks to Steve Morris for his dedication to keeping that area looking good.  Just as soon as the doctor released him he was right back at it!  Steve & Virginia are such a vital part of the Friendship family.

Props to Bob Evans for helping with the memorial service which took place in our auditorium late yesterday afternoon.  Bob was a tremendous help to me (if I were a supervisor at UPS the dude would have a job in November/December – just saying!).  Thanks Bob!  Likewise, Tina Wilkinson and James Mareno did very well ministering too.

I gave Kendall Falana one job to do and he. . .    The only thing I know to do is to maybe have Bob Evans work with Kendall trying to teach him a few things – LOL!  (In Kendall’s defense, Amy Huhn is his cousin so he does have an excuse!)

One of the hot topics right now concerning college football is “who will be Alabama’s next offensive coordinator?”  Chip?  Steve?Butch?  Well, let me give you the inside scoop – remember the name Eric!  Just saying!  (And remember that you heard it here first!).

Lord willing, Lisa and I will drive to New Orleans early in the morning in order to catch a plane to Lima, Peru.  The flight from ATL to LIM is just short of seven hours – ouch!  If all goes as planned, we will arrive back in Grand Bay next Saturday, 1/19.

I pray that you will have a great Sunday with Jesus.  Go to church!

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Those who have traveled to Guatemala in the past know Pastor Max & Teresa Lara along with many of their children.  Their daughter, Teresita, was thirty two weeks pregnant and, as I understand it, had a c-section just before midnight last night.  As far as I know, baby and mother are doing well.  They are in the national hospital in Antigua.  Please pray for the baby, Teresita and her husband, Ignacio.  I will update as I get information or if things change.

Speaking of Guatemala, the Friendship family will receive a love offering in all three services tomorrow for Danny & Anita Lafferty.  As you know, Danny had heart surgery and suffered a stroke on December 14, 2018.  He was very recently released from the hospital and rehab.  Pray and then give as the Lord leads.

I am not sure if Charles Suthoff remains in the hospital.  Pattie will let me know today.  Pray for Charles.

I posted the obituary for Scott Older’s maternal grandfather.  The visitation will take place Monday night and the service on Tuesday.  Both will take place from First Baptist Grand Bay.  Pray for the family as they walk through this valley.

Regular schedule tomorrow – morning and evening.  Lord willing, I will be in the pulpit all three services.

Tyrone Crawley & Tim Knighten – please check your e-mail today, if possible.

Soy, Deidra and the girls had an uneventful trip back to Guatemala yesterday.  Their flight out of Atlanta was delayed but they eventually got to the mountain in El Tejar safe and sound.  I miss Deidra and the girls.

We really need a strong final two weeks in January of giving to or pledging to give toward the school construction in Guatemala.  Our Ladies Helping Hands made a nice contribution yesterday.  I appreciate the generosity of those ladies.  Remember, all gifts/pledges in January will be matched dollar for dollar.  We are going to need at least three hundred thousand dollars to make this school a reality building wise not including furnishing it or the operational costs.  We believe this is a God thing and the He will move on hearts to help.  Will you help?  Give and pass the word to others.  Share the video found on shininglightabroad.com.  All gifts are tax deductible.

The first mission team of 2019 arrived on the mountain yesterday as they are staying in the L.G. Camp, Jr. Mission House.  This team is from Michigan.  Pray for them.  The first three teams of 2019 are from Michigan.  The fourth and fifth teams will be led by me and they are heavily populated with Michiganders too.  Thank God for Michigan!

I am going to predict that Jalen Hurts will eventually end up at Miami for his final year of college football.  I know a girl who used to date Jalen so you can say that I have inside information!  I commend Jalen for the way he has handled himself over the past year plus now.  Class act.

I think Paul Tagliabue has been trying to contact me to get me to watch the NFL games again.  Thanks but not thanks!  I hear the Saints are good this year and I would love to watch them but respect for the American flag remains more important to me.  So, my boycott of the past two seasons remains in effect.

Remember, it is highly possible that I will not blog again until Monday, 1/21, as Lisa and I will be in Peru.  I am not sure if Al has installed internet there or not.  Bro. Jerry will preach in my absence on Wednesday, 1/16.

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

Elbert Clinton Mahathy, 91, of Forts Lake, MS passed away on Thursday, January 10, 2019. He was born July 6, 1927 in Kreole, MS to the late Marvin Clinton and Minnie Elena Seaman Mahathy. He served in the U.S. Navy and worked for International Paper Company for 45 years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and farming. He always included his family in his adventures and loved for everyone to go fishing in his pond. Elbert was a long-time member of Eastside Assembly of God Church. He loved to serve his Lord and Savior and did so by helping others and sharing God’s word, love, and kindness. Along with his parents, Elbert was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley Evon Benefield Mahathy; brothers, Arnold Lee (Velma) Mahathy, and Arthur Ray (Mary Ann) Mahathy; sister, Ida Mae (Fred) Carter; and grandson, Bobby Duane Parker. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Ida Eyrle Pierce-Tanner Mahathy; brothers, Forrest Calvin Mahathy and James Leroy (Big Sandra) Mahathy; sisters, Ima Jane (Stanley) Bragg and Gloria Faye (Jack) Hamilton; children, Melba Faye (William) Schafer, Sandra Raye (James) Parker, Winfred (Reby) Tanner, Cynthia (David) Cochran, Mae Jean Henderson, Robert (Carmen) Tanner, and Marty Tanner; grandchildren, Ginger Hamilton, Carla Weaver, James Parker, Clint Schafer, Scott Older, and Taylor Older, and 27 more grandchildren; great-grandchildren, Perrin, Brett, Ryan, Lora, Leah, Lilly, Avery, Morgan, James, Autumn, Kala, and 54 more great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held on Monday, January 14, 2019 from 5 p.m until 8 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Grand Bay, 10170 Grand Bay Wilmer Road South, Grand Bay, AL. Funeral service will be Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 11 a.m. in the church. Interment will immediately follow at W. R. Clark Cemetery in Forts Lake.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Charles Suthoff was admitted to the hospital last night.  Pray for him, the medical personnel, and Bernard & Pattie as they have had a lot on their plate lately.  (Pattie literally just called to say that Charles was kept in PACU last night and they are not certain what will happen today.  He “could” be sent back to the convalescent facility today.  Pattie has been very faithful to keep me posted and will do so today)

Bobby Joe Felps met with an oncologist yesterday afternoon.  His malignancy is stage three.  The doctor is content to just watch it for the time being.  He stressed that Bobby Joe had major surgery and will be out of commission for another couple of months.  Keep praying for Bobby Joe and family.

Andy Hamil was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday and was able to go home – not to rehab.  Keep praying for Andy & Betty.

I talked to Tim Knighten yesterday.  Obviously, he and Peggy are still in the grieving process.  Just keep them in your prayers, please.

Pray for those being affected by the government shutdown.

Soy, Deidra, Lizzi, Sydney & Audrey left this morning heading back to Guatemala.  (That noise you heard around 6:30AM was Sydney screaming!).   Actually, I think she did fairly well this go around.  Lisa and I are working on getting the girls back to Alabama during the Summer when they have a school break so they can eat watermelon and swim.

We are on a regular schedule this Sunday morning and evening.  That includes Sunday School, Discipleship Training and adult choir.  I pray the members of the Friendship family will be faithful in all areas.  Lord willing, I will be in the pulpit for all three services.

Love offering for Danny & Anita Lafferty this Sunday in all three services.  Pray and then give as the Lord leads.  God used Danny to open the door for our ministry in Guatemala.  I have never forgotten that kindness.

We have twenty one days to either give or pledge toward the school construction in Guatemala for those gifts/pledges to be matched.  Thank you to those who have done so already and to those who are going to do so this month or later.  Remember, we are asking that, if possible, all pledges be paid by September 30, 2019.   Will you pass the word, share the video, direct others to shininglightabroad.com, et cetera?

Basketball in the morning beginning at 8:00AM.  Bus workers meet at 8:30AM tomorrow.  Finance Committee meets Sunday at 5:00PM.

A special thanks to Danny Lewis for filling in the potholes in the church parking lots.  He has done a nice job.  Macgyver is a Danny Lewis wannabe!

Lisa and I have plans to travel to Peru next week.  I know some Poiroux’s but I have never been to Peru.  This trip has been years in the making and can only be taken by us in January.  Not my choice of dates but we had to fit it in when my Uncle is there.  Eddie & Sue will be our traveling companions.  Our plan is to be home on Saturday, 1/19, with plans to be in the pulpit on Sunday, 1/20.  I said all of that to simply say that I do not know if I will blog during our time away.  Not sure about internet access, our schedule, et cetera.  Just FYI.

Since I am no longer watching the NFL (two years now), I have decided to not apply for the draft.  Just saying!

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