Pastor's Blog

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

Early morning greetings from GRACE Mountain.  I know you are tired of reading about it but these cool temperatures are amazing!  I have a nice cool breeze blowing on me as I sit in front of an open window while writing this entry.

Eddie Albritton will have hip replacement surgery this morning.  It will be done on an outpatient basis at a surgery center.  Pray for all to go well.

Otherwise, as far as I know, all is quiet on the home front.  I am grateful to the Lord for this blessing.  There will be a private, family only, memorial service for Wanda Jordan next week.  There is a member of the Friendship family who has gotten some not so great news this week.  I think that word is public now but I do not feel free to post it yet as I am not sure.  Just pray.  Continue to pray for the person who came to our house simply saying, “I need a miracle!”

We are on a regular schedule this Sunday morning and evening.  Gideon Jeff Holifield will share about the ministry of the Gideons in our two morning services and I will bring a brief message.  Remember, we will receive a love offering for the work of the Gideons in our morning services.  Lord willing, I will also be in the pulpit for our evening service.

Our Finance Committee will meet at 4:00PM this Sunday, 10/13.

Bryant, UMS & Resurrection all have home games tonight while Mobile Christian, Faith & Theodore all travel.  Best of luck to all of these teams.

Bobby and the boys are in St. Louis for game one of the NLCS tonight.  Folks, I honestly believe that the Nationals are going to make it to the World Series.  Have felt that ever since I went and watched them play in person back in August.  Could I be wrong? Hello!  I still feel the winner of the ALCS will win the World Series and I think that will be the Astros.  I will gladly say, “I was wrong” if the Nationals win it all!  Let’s go Nationals!

My Thursday consisted of four more meetings.  All were productive.  Deidra, the girls and I went to the local mall last night for supper.  Unknown to us, it was the grand opening for the newly renovated mall with some major additions.  I basically could not believe my eyes and all we did was go to the food court.  It is hard to believe there is such poverty all around and then to see that place – very modern.

Today, Lord willing, it will be a day with the girls.  Lizzi & Sydney will have their final day of this school year and then we will celebrate before I head home tomorrow.

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

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

It is either going to be “good evening” or “good morning” just depending on when I actually hit publish on this entry.  It is Wednesday night and I did not post an entry this morning.  What is up with that?  Great question.  I am going to take the high road and not throw anyone under the bus on this one.

I am hearing nothing from the home front so I am definitely going with the “no news is good news” stance.  I do know that Eddie Albritton will be having hip replacement surgery on Friday.  I “think” Bob Evans will be moving in with him to nurse him back to health.  I figure Eddie should be up and going in six weeks or so and then Bob can move back to his apartment.

Colegio JET is real!  I have seen the building as it is being constructed so I know that.  However, after meeting with every teacher and administrator Monday and Tuesday it became even more real.  Eddie treated all of the teachers, minus one, to supper at Las Antorchas last (Tuesday) night – how nice was that!  They had a blast!  The school became the most real to me thus far when Deidra showed me the uniforms.  Talk about nice and good quality.  Yes, they are purple (well some of them are).   Deidra did an excellent job with the uniforms.

Two things I have really enjoyed while being in Guatemala – the much cooler temperatures and the rain.  Both have been so nice!  I am trying to gather some of each one and put them in my suitcase to bring home with me.  To me, the weather has been awesome!

Nationals win!  Nationals win!  Nationals win!  How about that!  First time ever for the Nationals to advance to the NLCS.  Bobby and the boys have done the improbable!  On to St Louis and hopefully on to the World Series!

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

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

Good morning from GRACE Mountain where we have already enjoyed rain and some really, really nice cool temperatures!  Can you say hallelujah?  I love this weather!

Bro. Jerry is looking for some men who can travel to Pace, Florida late this morning to load/move some items.  Contact him for the details if you are available.

As far as I know all is well on the home front.  I am thankful.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

Gideon Sunday this Sunday, 10/13, at Friendship.

Soy, Deidra and the girls had their residency papers accepted yesterday as they sat in that office from 9:00AM until 2:00PM.  This is an answer to prayer.  Please keep praying that there will be no “new” changes as this process takes place.

I needed no one to rock me to sleep last night.  Left Mobile at 7:45AM which was forty minutes late which meant I basically had to run through the Atlanta airport in order to make the connection to Guatemala.  My brother, Eddie, was at the gate waiting on me. All is well, right?  Nice flight to Guatemala and we landed on time.  Driver waiting outside.  What could go wrong?

We are trying to provide the new school with every possible thing needed to have the latest in order to help our students.  That includes electronics which I had twelve different items with me.  The customs officials in the Guatemala airport decided they needed a cut.  It is a long story but suffice it to say that I spent three hours in customs and would eventually have to pay taxes.  I was good with that especially considering the amount they originally quoted me to the amount actually paid.  Have you ever been to a cash only establishment but did not have sufficient cash on you?  That was me yesterday.  Another long story but God’s grace was more than sufficient.

Once we got to GRACE Mountain we quickly got ready and made our way down to the feeding center where we had seven meetings with the school teachers/administrators.  Those meetings went well.  Thank you Jesus for a good day!

Bobby and the boys did it last night as they beat the Dodgers.  Max pitched a gem.  Now the series shifts back to LA for a winner take all game.  The Braves are in the same situation as the Dodgers.  Did the Astros actually lose a game?

Tennessee versus Alabama has an 8:00PM kick off – are you serious!

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)

What a beautiful sight to see all of those Bibles being held high in our two morning services yesterday.  Thank you to those who responded!

This Sunday, 10/13, we will observe Gideon Day in our morning services.  Our resident Gideon, Jeff Holifield, will be present to share new insights with us regarding this wonderful ministry.  We will receive a love offering to support the ministry of the Gideons.  Please pray, attend, and then give as the Lord leads.

The sign up has begun for folks to host the stations at our Trail of Truth & Treats which will take place on Saturday, 11/2, from 3:00PM until 6:00PM.  Contact TJ, Lindsey or Bro. Abel for the details.

Sign up has also begun for our basketball leagues.  Contact Marcus Hatcher, Eddie Albritton or Levi Seymour for more information or to sign up.

Bobby and the boys had an early lead in last night’s game but had a tough sixth inning which led to a loss.  They play tonight and need to win in order to force a game five and get Strasburg back on the mound.  I would love to see the Nationals advance to the World Series.  Will they?  Time will tell.

I am sitting in the Mobile airport waiting to board a plane for Atlanta where I will make a connection to fly to Guatemala.  I will be meeting with every person who will be teaching/serving at the school.  I think I have fourteen meetings over the next couple of days.  Of course, I am also going to take a couple of days to spend with Deidra and the girls.  How about Soy?  Really?

Soy, Deidra and the girls are meeting with the powers that be today to hopefully get their residency progress going full steam ahead.  Pray that all goes well.

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)

“Bring Your Bible To Church” today!

Wanda Jordan passed from this life around 11:30AM yesterday.  She simply had too many things wrong with her physical heart.  Pray for her husband, sons, siblings and other family members as they walk through this valley.  A memorial service will be held at a date TBA.  Wanda was a very sweet Christian lady.

Clara Broadus has a brother-in-law, Clint Clark, who passed from this life this past Wednesday.  The visitation with the family will take place this afternoon from 4:00 – 6:00PM at Serenity Funeral Home.  The service will take place tomorrow morning at 11:00AM from the chapel at Serenity.  Pray for Clint’s wife, Dianne, their children and all of the family.

I think I am correct in saying that Wanda and Clint were both sixty four years old.  Folks, that is young to this old pastor!

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.  Deacons meet at 4:00PM.

Our preschool choir will sing in our 6:00PM service tonight.  The children need to be in the auditorium at 4:30PM and will then go to AWANA’s at 5:00PM.  They will be taken from AWANA around 5:45PM and then taken back to their class once they have finished singing.

I do not bet.  Never have.  Do not plan on starting.  One of the reasons is that I would miss big time probably all of the time.  I would have taken Auburn all day long against Florida yesterday.  I was wrong.  So, I congratulate Rick Bradley and his Gators on their big win.  Can the Gators play with UGA?

Bobby and the boys can take a huge step toward the NLCS with a win at home tonight.  If Max pitches, I will be curious to see how he does having pitched in relief Friday night.  He has struggled some this season due to injury.  I am in hopes that Bobby and the boys can play their way into the Word Series.  How sweet would that be?

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

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

I did not visit with Wanda Jordan yesterday.  I ask that you continue to pray for her.

The Arriola/Gregory wedding takes place this afternoon.  All of the Friendship family members are invited.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  Deacons meet at 4:00PM.

Faith, UMS, Resurrection, and Mobile Christian were all winners last night.  Bryant’s game was stopped and will be resumed at 10:00AM today – I have no idea.

The MLB games played out yesterday just like I thought.  Bobby and the boys are now in hopes of ending their series with the Dodgers at home.  Can they basically ride two pitchers all the way through the playoffs?  I say “no” but what do I know.  They are just trying to get through this series.

Auburn versus Florida is the game of the day in college football.  Should be a good one.

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

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

Visited with Wanda Jordan yesterday and she remains basically unchanged.  Please keep praying for her.

Made an in home visit with someone from the Friendship family who is dealing with some tough news on the medical front.  Just pray.

The Arriola/Gregory wedding takes place tomorrow afternoon at 4:00PM in Mississippi.  The Friendship family is invited to attend.

Regular schedule on our campus Sunday morning and evening.  Deacons meet at 4:00PM.

Bobby and the boys took it on the chin last night.  They will send Strasburg to the hill tonight and that dude is tough!  The Braves lost a tough one last night.  I suspect they will rebound in game two.

Coach Collier and his Bobcats thumped the boys from Murphy last night.  Mobile Christian and Resurrection each host home games tonight while UMS, Faith Academy & Bryant all hit the road.

The weather forecasters are saying we have sixty percent chance of some rain on Monday.  The ten day forecast shows highs in the nineties today and tomorrow but then in the eighties for the following eight days.  Lows are forecast to be in the sixties.  Have I ever mentioned that I like cooler temperatures?  I do!

The folks in charge have given one more weekend of red snapper fishing and that begins today.  Edd Gillespie has graciously invited me to join him and four others for an excursion today.  That is the good news.  The not so good news is that one of those four others is Bob Evans!  Pray for me!

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

Word came to me early this morning that Gena Davis passed from the life yesterday.  Gene called me a few minutes ago to share some details.  There will be a memorial service at a later date on our campus.  Details TBA.

Pray for Gene and the family as they walk through this valley.

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

Happy birthday to our daughters, Dana & Gina!  I hope they have an awesome day!

Adriana Arriola and James Gregory will become one in marriage this Saturday, October 5, at 4:00PM.  The Friendship family is invited to attend. It will take place in Moss Point, MS.  It will be an outside wedding.

Wanda Jordan remains in the hospital and is in critical condition.  Please keep praying.

Sonny Bates will receive another radiation treatment today.

Keep praying for the person who visited me and is in need of a miracle.

I have a second cousin who lives in California.  She is with child and it is a high risk pregnancy.  Her due date is early November.  Prayers appreciated.

My Uncle Herschel (was married to my dad’s only sister) is on hospice.  He is ninety four years old and is sharp as a tack mentally.  He has asked me to preach his funeral.  He and my Aunt are the reasons I am a Bama fan so you know he is a good man!  Pray for him.

My dad has another UTI.  Prayers needed.

Unlike Kevin Sprinkle and Debbie Hyatt, I will be pulling for Bobby and the boys throughout this entire postseason regardless of their opponent.  Just saying!

South hosts Georgia Southern tonight.  I will be a happy camper when they get an on campus stadium.  The Jags need a win.

True story – my cousin, Tony, from Michigan writes me yesterday and then closes by writing, “I have a conference call with Teddy Bradshaw to get ready for. That guy is something else!”  Hilarious!

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

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

This is basically “a dog ate my homework” story.  Wrote an entry around midnight last night and clicked publish.  Somehow, some way it disappeared.  Is that odd or what?  Sabotaged!  I am thinking Democrats?  Or Republicans?  Or LSU Tigers?  So, this one will be much shorter and hopefully sweet.

Wanda Jordan remains in the hospital.  I did not see her yesterday but will to so today, Lord willing.  Pray for Wanda.

The COLS for Lillian Brinkman went well and I am very thankful to each person who had a part in that service.  The Friendship family hit it out of the park when it came to ministering to the family – what a ton of food!  Raymond & Tina stopped by the office late yesterday afternoon and Tina said she had never seen that much food for a family.  Thank you to each person who brought food, served the family, helped set up, helped clean up, et cetera.  Pray for the Brinkman family!

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and tonight.

Nationals win!  Nationals win!  Nationals win!  What a great comeback win for Bobby and the boys last night.  Now they are off to play the Dodgers in LA.  I am a lifelong Dodgers fan.  My brother, Eddie, treated me to a couple of games in Dodger stadium a number of years ago.  That was awesome!  When it comes to the MLB I bleed Dodger blue!  However, unlike Debbie Hyatt, I am going with Bobby and the boys even against the Dodgers.  Bobby is a brother in Christ, a part of the Friendship family, and a friend.  Debbie needs revival!  Just saying!  LOL!

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

P.S. – If I could only meet Teddy Bradshaw then. . . .

P.S.S. – If someone wants to spring for a trip for me to attend a couple of the playoff games in LA. . .