Pastor's Blog

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)

I am fairly sure that our regular blog readers are aware of the fact that Miss Dollie Trout passed from this life and entered Heaven yesterday afternoon.  Arrangements are pending.  Pray for Bob, Laura and their families.

Larry Whitehurst had his surgical procedure done yesterday afternoon and it appears everything went well.  He will be out of commission for a few days.  Pray for Larry.

Eddie Albritton’s father found out yesterday morning that the surgery they did on Wednesday afternoon apparently did not work. He has no feeling in either of his legs or feet.  They did a full body MRI and gave his some steroids.  It is possible that they may have to do an additional surgery today.  Pray!

Sarah Thornton was discharged from the hospital yesterday morning.  As a matter of fact, she was gone before I got there to visit.  Good for Miss Sarah!  Keep praying.

Debbie Kendrick’s mother has made a remarkable come back.  She is sitting up, eating and wanting to be discharged.  Pretty amazing.  Keep praying for Mrs. Amonett.

The celebration of life service for Miss Connie Hardy’s brother will take place this morning beginning at 10:00AM from the chapel of Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore, Alabama.  I went to the visitation with the family last night.  Miss Connie is such a gracious lady.  Pray for the family.

Belvin McDonald took a fall this week and suffered a broken collar bone.  Pray for Belvin.

One of the teachers at Colegio JET in Guatemala is in the hospital and will have surgery early next week.  Pray for Darlene.

I briefly attended the meeting for the soccer parents last night.  I was there to say a word of welcome and to pray the opening prayer.  I did those two things and then slipped out.  My point is that there were like one million people present – crazy!  Practice starts Monday and the opening day is Saturday, March 28.

Speaking of soccer, Gideon Garcia was selected as the Mobile County Soccer Coaches Association player of the week. An awards presentation and reception will take place today at the Mobile Chamber of Commerce to recognize Gideon for this honor.  Way to go Gideon!

Thirty seven degrees for a low tonight in Grand Bay – sweet!

Time change this Sunday, 3/8.  Spring forward one hour before going to bed Saturday night.  My least favorite Sunday of the year!

Friendship family, special offering this Sunday for the travel bus.  Pray and give as the Lord leads.

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

This afternoon around 3:00PM, Miss Dollie Trout passed from this life and entered Heaven.  Pray for Bob, Laura and the family as they walk through this valley.  Bob & Laura have been so very faithful to stay by their mother’s side until the very end of her earthly life.  Arrangements pending.

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)

Good day in our services yesterday even though our attendance was down somewhat due to the rain.  Baptists and rain can be like oil and water.  Just saying!  LOL!

There is a meeting tonight in the CAB beginning at 6:30PM for all of the parents of the players who will be involved in our Spring leagues.  A soccer parent – I am so glad that I could never be called that!

The annual yard sale takes place for three days beginning next Thursday, 3/12.  Want to help get things ready on Monday & Tuesday?  Contact Bro. Jerry Hovel.

Larry Whitehurst is scheduled for a test this morning and a surgical procedure this afternoon.  He is not feeling great this morning so please remember to pray for him.

Sarah Thornton did well through her surgery yesterday morning.  If things go as planned, she will be discharged today.

Eddie Albritton’s father also had surgery late yesterday afternoon.  He too did well but will remain in the hospital for a couple of days.

Debbie Kendrick’s mother remains in the hospital.

Dollie Trout continues to decline physically.

Myrtle Bowden continues with her treatment regiment.

Ethan, Brittney and the boys continue to walk through this valley of grief.

Miss Connie Hardy’s brother passed from this life on Tuesday, 3/3.  The visitation is from 5:00 – 7:00PM tonight at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore and the service will be in the morning at 10:00AM.

So, pray for all of these needs plus others.

Color me wrong if the weather forecasters are correct about tomorrow night’s temperature.  I had said that we would not see another low in the thirties this calendar year but the forecast calls for thirty eight Friday night.  I hope I can be colored wrong!

Spring forward this Saturday night!  Move your time pieces up one hour before going to bed.  My least favorite Sunday of the year!  Congress, leave the time alone!

You ever wonder why a mother is never late for a high school softball game but is late for Wednesday night church services?

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

Eddie Albritton’s dad will be having surgery late this afternoon.  He was admitted to the hospital yesterday.  Pray that all goes well.

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)

Sarah Thornton will have a surgical procedure done on her heart this morning.  Pray that all goes well.

Larry Whitehurst will travel to Jacksonville, FL today in order to have a surgical procedure.  I am not sure of the schedule but do know he will be there for several days.  Pray for Larry.

Debbie Kendrick’s mother has been admitted to a local hospital.  She is ninety two years old.  Pray for Mrs. Amonett.

Visited with Miss Dollie’s daughter, Laura, yesterday morning as Miss Dollie slept through the visit.  Miss Dollie’s physical condition continues to slowly decline.  Keep praying.

Two radiation treatments down and fifteen more to go for my dad.  Eddie stayed in Hartselle this week instead of going to Ohio to work so he can take dad to his treatments.  I am grateful.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.

They say the rain is coming but it is arriving a bit later than forecast and may not be as much as originally projected.  If the rain does come today then my plans are to get in a corner and study while watching it rain.  Perfect day!

Time change this Sunday as we “spring forward” one hour before going to bed Saturday night.  Please do not forget!

Deacons meet this Sunday, 3/8, at 4:00PM.

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

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)

McKemie Place ministry tonight beginning at 6:00PM.  Everyone invited.

Visited with Miss Dollie Trout yesterday morning.  Actually, Miss Dollie slept as I sat and talked with her son, Bob.  I am not a doctor but Miss Dollie’s physical condition seems to be worsening to me.  I continue to be impressed with the care being given to Miss Dollie by her children, Bob & Laura.  Pray for Miss Dollie.

As far as I know, my dad had his first radiation treatment yesterday afternoon.  At least that was the plan.

Today is voting day for those of us living in Alabama along with a number of other states.  I encourage those who are registered to go vote.

I had two folks give me a tremendous helping hand yesterday.  First, John Milton Ladnier came over and plowed my garden spot. He feels sorry for me as he already has his seeds in the ground.  I really appreciate John Milton being such a good neighbor!

(Speaking of a Good Neighbor – I live with one!  She would love to hook you up with a life insurance policy this month.  Just saying!)

Logan Wainwright came over late yesterday afternoon and serviced my mower.  Folks, Logan knows small engines!  If you need someone to service, repair, et cetera your mower then you really need to consider using Logan.  He is a great small engine mechanic but he is an even better guy!

It appears we will get some rain today but the real rain event for our area is coming tomorrow.

We are on a regular schedule on our campus for tomorrow morning and evening.

Friendship family, we will receive a special offering for the next two Sundays.  This offering will go toward the purchase price of the travel bus we purchased back in January.  Pray and then give as the Lord leads.

Deacons, we will meet this Sunday, 3/8, at 4:00PM.  Deacon Vice has the devotion if my memory serves me correctly.

The Easter Sunday schedule for the Friendship family – Sunrise service at 6:00AM with Pastor Wes Bates, worship service at 9:00AM with the pastor preaching, worship service at 10:30AM featuring the ministry of our adult choir.  No evening service.  Pass the word and bring folks with you to these services.

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

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)

Happy birthday to Lisa’s sister, Kim!  I hope Kim has a great day.  How old?  Exactly!

I did not visit with Dollie Trout over the weekend but have plans to do so this morning.  Keep praying for Miss Dollie.

My dad should be discharged from the hospital this morning and then will have his first radiation treatment later today.  Thank you for the prayers.

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our services yesterday.  Our attendance was not great but it was not bad considering it was that second Sunday of an off week for the public schools.  I appreciate Larry Crawley sharing about his recent mission trip to Zambia & Uganda in our evening service.

Randall & Rita Broome will lead a night of ministry at McKemie Place tomorrow night, 3/3, beginning at 6:00PM.  All are invited to join them!

This Sunday, 3/8, will be my least favorite Sunday of the year as we will be required to “spring forward” thus losing an hour of sleep on Saturday night.  It seems that a good number of Baptists tend to “forget” this time change but never have a problem remembering the one in the Fall – LOL!

The forecast is calling for a significant chance of rain for us tomorrow and Wednesday.  I am good with that.  What I am not thrilled about is the call for higher humidity and higher temperatures.  I miss Winter!

The Easter Sunday schedule on our campus will be as follows:  sunrise service at 6:00AM with Pastor Wes Bates preaching; 9:00AM worship service with the pastor preaching; 10:30AM service featuring our adult choir presenting their musical.  Just FYI.

TJ Vice is reporting that the Alabama football team has hired a strength and conditioning coach.  Seems he is bringing a doctor with him.  Folks, if TJ reports it then write it down in concrete!

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

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)

Good morning from sweet home Grand Bay, Alabama!  Lisa, Titus & I arrived home safe and sound last night and we give God the glory for giving us safe travels.

Keep praying for Miss Dollie Trout.

My dad’s physical condition is better.  We are thankful.  However, he had a tough day mentally yesterday.  Stayed way confused all day.  Thank you for your prayers for him.

The church on GRACE Mountain will officially change their name to Iglesia JET this morning to better align it with Colegio JET.  The existing members of the church went into the town of El Tejar yesterday evangelizing and sharing information about the church.  Today, the church will have Sunday School classes for the first time.  These are exciting times for the church!

My prayer is that the members of the Friendship family will be faithful to attend our services today and tonight.  We are on a regular schedule.  June mission trip meeting immediately following the evening service – important!

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