Pastor's Blog

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Hurricane Sally is now expected to make landfall basically on the Mississippi/Alabama state line late tonight or early Wednesday morning.  This entry is being written just after 4:00AM and the sustained winds have decreased to ninety miles per hour.  Pray for all of us who will be affected by this hurricane.

The church office is closed today and tomorrow.  If we have electricity then it will be open on Thursday.  No services or activities on our campus tomorrow.  No soccer practice any day this week.

If you are a widow or senior adult and need help because of the storm today then please contact Bro. Jerry, Bro. Abel or me as soon as possible this morning.

Miss Kittie is at home and Jeanette said the medicine appears to be helping.  Keep praying.

Larry & Judy got home yesterday afternoon and he received some good news from the doctor.  The tumor has decreased some in size and has changed appearance which is a good thing.  The doctor told Larry that he would not need another MRI for a year.  Praise the Lord!

Larry Crawley was by the house late yesterday afternoon so he continues to work.  Keep praying for Larry!

Tracy Prater in North Alabama seems to have made some improvement but is still in need of a miracle that only God can provide.

Thank you to First Baptist Reeltown and Danville Baptist for their donations of items to be placed on the container.  I drove to Prattville, AL yesterday to get these donations.

Obviously, whether or not I get to blog tomorrow, Thursday, et cetera depends on the availability of electricity, internet access, et cetera.  Pray for one another as we to through these next twenty four to thirty six hours.

Today is Independence Day in Guatemala.

Speaking of Guatemala, I am going to try and put together a team for October or November and then one for December which could be the week following Christmas Day.  If you are interested in being on either of these teams, send me an e-mail so I can begin to think more seriously about who would be available.

Be safe today and have a good Tuesday with Jesus.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

First, let me explain the absence of a blog entry for the past three mornings.  Something went wrong with the blog site and our website.  This happened at some point on Thursday.  Soy was traveling.  (I could have corrected the problem but Soy likes for this to be his “thing” and I did not want to steal his proverbial thunder)  When Soy got back to GRACE Mountain there was no electricity until late Friday.  Took him most of the day on Saturday to locate and then correct the problem.  I was not going to do an entry on Sunday regardless.  So, now you know.  Thanks to Soy for getting us up and running again.

Let me share some thoughts regarding Tropical Storm Sally.  The church office will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, 9/15, and Wednesday, 9/16.  (The ministerial staff will remain in town and will be on call during the entire time of this storm)  There will be NO services or activities, morning or evening, on our campus this Wednesday, 9/16.  There will be NO soccer practices any day this week due to the excessive amount of rain that is expected.  Thursday & Friday should be good weather days but the ground is going to need some time to dry and this also keeps all teams on an even number of practices schedule.  (I am making this call so do not get upset with Bro. Abel)  Sally is expected to become a hurricane by tomorrow and the path is still not one hundred percent guaranteed i.e. it still could shift more to the East before making landfall.

Miss Kittie Camp was admitted to the hospital on Friday and discharged yesterday.  She has some fluid around her lungs.  Pray for a complete healing.  Miss Kittie is our “church mother” and is a sweetheart!

Larry Whitehurst is at the Mayo Clinic this morning for several appointments.  Pray for all to go well and then for Larry & Judy to have safe travels returning home.

Larry Crawley was in our second morning service yesterday.  He looks well but definitely needs our continued prayer support.

We had two buses run their routes yesterday morning – hallelujah!  Thank you to Dylan Westbrook for coordinating this.  Thank you to Cecil Guidry and Carl Ray Moulds for driving the buses.  I am told that we had around forty riders which is not bad considering our buses have not been on the road since early March.

The reports coming out of children’s church are very positive!  The numbers are up and the excitement has continued.  Again, thank you to Dylan & Elizabeth along with the other workers.

Lindsey Vice messaged me last night to say that we had thirty three children present for our AWANA ministry last night – that is awesome.  Her words to me were, “we are stoked and ready for next Sunday!”  (Dr. Rex, I thought about Mark Mast & Pollo Campero upon hearing the word “stoked!”  LOL!  Mark, you remember that?)

Bro. Abel’s brother, Miguel Garcia, did a very nice job of leading our musical worship in the morning services yesterday.  I am still mad at Bro. Abel’s brother-in-law, Andre, for not letting me know he was going to be in attendance!

The word I kept hearing coming out of our services yesterday was, “there was a sweet spirit present!”  I like hearing that!

What can I say about the men who attended last night’s service and then helped with the container unloading?  We had a huge number and were finished in like twenty minutes – amazing!  The Friendship family is blessed!

I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.  Make the proper preparations for the storm.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our services yesterday.  The past two Wednesdays have seen our morning attendance get back to “normal” more or less.  We still have regulars missing on Wednesday nights.  I just hope they know they are missed!

Larry Crawley sent me a message saying that he is doing good and will see his doctor the first week of October.  He is still working and going strong.  Keep praying for Larry.

JoNell Barnes had surgery on Tuesday.  She was having a few issues yesterday.  If those are not better this morning then she will go back to the doctor.  Pray for JoNell.

Vinnie Brewer’s son, Buddy, has been meeting with doctors and undergoing tests for the past couple of days.  Pray for Buddy.

Karen McGriff’s mother was taken to the hospital yesterday.  Karen will be driving to be with her today so pray for Karen’s mother and traveling mercies.

Larry & Judy Whitehurst will soon be traveling to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville for various appointments.  Pray for traveling mercies, the appointments and good news.  Larry will be having two eye surgeries (local) in the coming weeks as well.

Clara Broadus has a couple of family members in need of our prayer support.

Tracy Prater in North Alabama has now had two days of radiation.  She is already weak so these treatments make her tired easily. Keep praying for Tracy, please.

I announced yesterday that for the first time in over forty years we will not be hosting the Thanksgiving meal for the senior adults our our community and local area.  This decision was not made lightly.

We will load the container on Saturday, September 26.  Help will be needed.  Working for a morning loading time.

Can UAB upset Miami tonight?  I hope so.  Hope to watch at least some of the game.

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

A very bittersweet day on the hill.  Early this morning we saw part of our family leave.  Bitter because we have enjoyed their presence for an extended period of time this Summer.  Swimming, watermelons, road trips, GA’s, church services, Sunday meals, Sunday School fellowships and the list goes on.  One of the girls said last night, “this is the hardest part!”  The tears flowed freely last night then again this morning.

Sweet because we know they are returning to the place where God has called them to serve.  In other words, they are being obedient to God.  “To obey is better than sacrifice!”  We have to keep in mind that the eternal picture is what really matters.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning at 10:00AM and this evening at 6:30PM.  I am praying for the members of the Friendship family to be found faithful.

We have had n0 takers on the use of an covered trailer.  It appears we are going to have to rent one and it also appears that Jonathan Jordan is going to get us the best deal.

There is one major change as it relates to the container – the loading date has been changed to Saturday, September 26.  I hope they will allow us to begin the process fairly early.  We shall see.

Speaking of the container, we need all toys and PPE brought to the church by this Sunday, 9/13.  You can leave them in the foyer of the auditorium.

Joey & Bibbi Bosarge gave us fresh shrimp for supper last night.  Jason & Dana Taylor gave us some really nice crab claws.  Jay & Angie Oakwood provided us with fresh red snapper.  We had a feast!  Lisa did an excellent job of cooking all of it.  Ann cooked a pear cobbler.  The food was great but the family time was greater!

Joey & Bibbi also gave us stone ground yellow grits from South Carolina.  Let’s just say that you cannot cook those grits in five minutes or less.  Lesson learned!  Hey, we are not from the bayou!  Just saying!

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

I am sorry to write that I do not have any updates on our local folks for whom we have been praying.  All I know to do is to ask you to keep praying.  Pray for miracles!

Tracy Prater in North Alabama is doing much better since she had the feeding tube put in place.  My brother, Eddie, said yesterday that Tracy is a very strong lady.  Everyone who knows her says the same thing.  Pray for Tracy.

We need a covered trailer that we can use for two weeks.  It needs to be parked on our campus and remain there.  This relates to the container that will be shipped to Guatemala soon.  Can anyone local help?

We need all donations of toys and/or virus PPE to be brought to the church by this Sunday, 9/13.  I realize that Deidra probably gave a later date but she is no longer in charge of this thing.  There is a new sheriff in town!

I need all available able bodied folks to plan on joining us on Thursday, September 24, to load the container that will be shipped.  The time will be announced but probably not until the day before.  This is the call of the shipping company.

Tomorrow will be a sad day on this hill.  We are always so glad to see them come and then so sad to see them go.  Pray for all involved.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.

By the way, Becky & Jeanette did a very nice job on the special this past Sunday evening.  Ditto for Ian & Dede in the morning services.  Thanks to Jeanette for filling in for Brad and Becky filling in for Jeanette.  Thanks to Tena for doing extra.

The blog readers are beginning to come out of the woodwork.  I have now heard from twelve of the thirteen readers.  So far Alabama, Canada, Guatemala, Michigan & Texas are represented.  Is it possible we could surpass thirteen regular readers?  Oh my!

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

As expected, our attendance in our morning services yesterday took a hit.  The virus plus the holiday weekend provided a double whammy.  We especially saw it in our second morning service.  However, our evening service was fairly well attended for which I am grateful.  I am very thankful to those who were faithful to attend.

It was great hearing our AWANA students reciting their respective verses as they entered the auditorium last night.  Thank you to each person who is working in this ministry this year.  Good stuff!

The church office is closed today for Labor Day.

I have now heard from eleven of our thirteen readers of the blog.

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

We are on a regular schedule on our campus today which means worship services at 8:00AM; 10:30AM and 6:00PM with Sunday School at 9:15AM.  Lord willing, I will be in the pulpit for all three services today.

Obviously, it is a major holiday weekend.  We have folks out of town.  So, I encourage each member of the Friendship family who is in town to be in attendance today and tonight.

The 8:00AM service will be live streamed.  That is the only service today that will be live streamed.  The radio feed will be available for all three services.

I want to remind the members of the Friendship family about our online giving option.  This is an excellent opportunity for you to worship through giving even if you are out of town and cannot be present in our services.

The church office will be closed tomorrow in observance of Labor Day.

Lord willing, we will resume our bus ministry next Sunday, 9/13.  Want to be a part of this vital ministry?  Contact Dylan Westbrook.

I have now heard from like nine of our thirteen blog readers.  Two more and we will be up to ten readers.  Dr. Rex Looney sent a message saying he is on board.  Sandra McElwee whined for two months but has she let me know she back on board?  Exactly!

They say college football began this weekend but, for me, it does not begin until the SEC conference begins play on 9/26.  I am ready for those games!

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

The visitation with the Belynda Sprinkle family takes place tomorrow from 11:00AM until the noon service time.  Everything will be at First Baptist Heron Bay. Pray for Will, Bibbi and the entire family.

As far as I know, no real significant changes in any of the folks for whom we have been praying.  Just keep praying.

Eddie Albritton and I attended the Theodore vs Bryant game last night.  Good game and good win for the Bobcats.  The Hurricanes are an improved football team.  Eddie & I did not get to stay for the entire game because Eddie was upset that there was no popcorn or candy being sold at the concession stand.  I had to stop at Dollar General on the way home to buy him a “prize!”  Never again!

Big win for South Alabama football last night.  Ditto for UAB.  It is good to have college football back.  I wish the SEC was playing this weekend but it is what it is.  Cannot wait until the Big Ten begins play!  Wait, they are not playing this Fall!

Labor Day weekend which means folks will be traveling out of town.  Everyone on the hill minus Charles, Ann & me will be gone.  As a matter of fact, everyone except Lisa & Deidra have already left.  Those two should leave early this afternoon.  By the way, the local State Farm office will close at 4:00PM today which is an hour earlier than normal.  Folks, you cannot get that type of information on any other blog!

If you are going to give toys for the “toy drive” for Guatemala then you need to act sooner than later.  Read Deidra’s blog for information.  Deidra tells me that Ollie’s is a great place for good, small toys.  (I thought Ollie’s was a bbq joint)

We need many able bodied adults to keep Thursday, 9/24, open.  Time TBA.  We will be loading the container that day.  All hands on deck!

Ok, it is Labor Day weekend and Lisa has given me the mandate to “labor” today for mowing.  Charles has done a great job this Summer of keeping much of the grass mowed.  I have tried to tell Lisa that he enjoys it so we should let him mow it all.  She is not buying it!

Lord willing, I will be in the pulpit this Sunday morning at 8:00AM, 10:30AM and 6:00PM.  I hope all of the members of the Friendship family who are in town will join me for these services.  Sunday School begins at 9:15AM.  We plan on resuming our bus ministry next Sunday, 9/13.

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

The celebration of life service for Belynda Sprinkle will take place this Saturday, 9/5, beginning at noon.  It will be preceded by an hour of visitation with the family.  The visitation and service will take place at First Baptist Heron Bay.  Keep praying for the Sprinkle family.

I was thinking Andy Hamil had not finished his radiation treatments but he did so last Thursday.  Good for him!

Keep praying for Larry Crawley.

As far as I know, Tracy Prater had a feeding tube put in place yesterday.  Tracy needs fervent prayers!

Hurricane Nana made landfall early this morning in Belize.  The assumption is that Chimaltenango, Guatemala will be affected by the rain from this storm.

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our services yesterday.  Our morning attendance was up considerably from where it has been in recent months.  Good evening attendance too.  Thank you Jesus.

Regular schedule this holiday weekend Sunday.

Coach Collier and his Bobcats travel to Bryant tonight to face the Hurricanes.  I hope it is a good, competitive game.

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

The date of September 2 will forever be etched into my memory as it was on this date in 1986 that Lisa’s only brother, Michael, was involved in an automobile accident that would claim his earthly life.  A day I will never forget!  Just three short years later, John M. “Dub” Ladnier, Sr. would depart from this life after a battle with cancer.  Michael & Dub were big buddies and it is somewhat ironic that they passed from this life on the same date.  So today is a walk down memory lane for me.  Folks, thirty four years later, death stings!  I have already prayed for Charles & Ann this morning and also for Cecil, Myrtle & John Milton.

Bibbi Bosarge & Will Sprinkle have a sister, Belynda, pass from this life last Friday.  The final arrangements are still pending.  Pray for the Sprinkle family as they walk through this valley.

Tracy Prater from North Alabama returned home from M.D. Anderson on Monday night and was basically taken directly to the hospital in Huntsville where she was admitted.  They will put a feeding tube in today.  Tracy is one tough lady and has battled her cancer very bravely.  Pray for her, please.  By the way, her brother-in-law, Spencer Cole, has been a great friend to my family and me for years.  Tracy, Stacy & Spencer went with us to Guatemala a few years back.

Andy Hamil has been receiving radiation treatments.  If my memory serves me correctly, he has one today and one tomorrow and then he is done.  Pray for Andy.  He and Betty have been great friends of mine for over forty one years.

Larry Crawley continues his battle against cancer.  He has such a positive attitude and is totally depending on God.  Keep praying for Larry.

Nanette Fontenot sent me a message yesterday saying their grandson, Isaiah, did well through his surgery.  A rod was installed and his elbow was put back in place.  He is at home doing well.

Carol Miles is a friend from Michigan.  She makes some mean Monster cookies.  I call her Monster Miles.  She is battling cancer and has had some really tough days.  Please pray for her.

Speaking of Monster cookies, the Mast family loaded us down with them this past weekend – nice!  Thank you Mast family.

Well, it finally happened!  The back forty on our campus was crawling with children yesterday afternoon as they were involved in soccer practice.  This is somewhat of a dream come true and I am thankful for all those who have helped it become a reality.

Thank you to the “seems like father/son team” of Bob Evans and Eddie Albritton for their help yesterday afternoon in loading some more items on the container.  We are going to need an “all hands on deck” effort on Thursday, September 24, as we will load the actual container going to Guatemala.  Time to be announced.

Well, I heard from two folks, Kayla Hatcher & Pastor Jordan Lollar, expressing their happiness in seeing the blog yesterday.  We had gotten up to thirteen readers before taking a break and our goal is to be back up to ten readers before 12/31/20.  Pass the word!

Regular schedule on our campus this morning at 10:00AM and this evening at 6:30PM.  Join us.

Bobcats vs Hurricanes tomorrow night in Irvington.

I am mowing our yard grass twice weekly.  I am so ready for some cool weather but I am always ready for cool weather.  Actually, cold weather.

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