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)

Mac McGriff is having surgery on his left thumb today.  Pray that all goes well.

Thank you to the members of the Friendship family who came to the visitation with the family and/or the service for Miss Ruth Whitehurst yesterday.  Pray for Larry, Judy and the rest of the family as they travel to Maben, MS for the committal service today.

Donna Glass kept me updated on Rileigh’s situation yesterday.  The surgery was deemed a success per the surgeon.  Rileigh will remain in the hospital for a few days as she recovers.  Keep praying for Rileigh.

Jerry Whitmore sent me a message yesterday afternoon sharing that the closing on their house went well and they are now ready to head North.  Praise the Lord!  He and Gloria will be leaving in the morning to begin the drive to Virginia.  I thank God for Jerry & Gloria and will certainly miss them but totally understand their situation and I am very happy for them.  Pray for Jerry & Gloria to have traveling mercies.

The CAB floor is being professionally cleaned today.  The process was started yesterday.  I appreciate Steve Hatcher doing this for us.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday.  Some of our students will be attending a Winter Retreat in Citronelle.  Pray for them.

Bus visitation and basketball tomorrow.

First Joe Brady and now Dave Aranda.  Wow, the LSU football team has taken a significant hit since winning the championship game this past Monday night.

I pray that you will have a great Friday 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)

Miss Ruth Whitehurst, Larry’s mother, passed from this life early yesterday morning.  The visitation with the family will take place today, 1/16, beginning at 2:00PM and lasting until the 4:00PM service time.  Visitation and service at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore.  The committal service will take place near Starkville, MS tomorrow.  Pray for Larry, Judy and the family during this time.

Rileigh Glass will have surgery in Birmingham today.  The surgery is expected to last four to six hours.  Pray for all to go well.

Raymond Wilkinson’s mother did well through her surgical procedure yesterday afternoon.  It is possible that she will be discharged from the hospital today.  Pray for Miss Brenda.

Lois Adkinson has been in the hospital for a couple of days.  She is a very private person and really was in hopes of being discharged before anyone found out she was in the hospital.  I visited with her yesterday afternoon and she hopes to be discharged today.

Pastor Mack Morris called me yesterday afternoon to share some details of his recent health issues/hospital stay with me.  God did some miracles in his life and he is blessed.  He is at home now but will be down for some time as he recovers.  Pray for Dr. Mack and his family.

Wow, the LSU football team got hit hard yesterday when seven juniors declared from the NFL draft.  Combine that with the loss of their seniors and Coach Brady and it could make for some tough sledding next season.  Time will tell.

The lows for Grand Bay are forecast to be 36, 28 & 31 Sunday, Monday & Tuesday nights.  High on Tuesday calls for 49.  Yes, yes, yes!  Folks, it is Winter!

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

Mrs. Myrtle Ruth Whitehurst, 90, passed away January 15, 2020 in Mobile. Visitation will be Thursday, January 16, 2020 at Serenity Funeral Home from 2-4 PM with a 4 PM Chapel service to follow. Interment will be Friday, January 17, 2020 at 12 Noon at Crossroads Baptist Church Cemetery in Maben, MS.

Mrs. Whitehurst was raised in Kewanee, MS and had lived in the Mobile area for a number of years. She loved gardening, quilting and cooking for her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hubert Whitehurst and sons, Edward and Eugene Whitehurst.

Mrs. Whitehurst is survived by her sons, Charles Whitehurst (Candy), Larry Whitehurst (Judy) and Jerry Whitehurst; daughter, Sandra Freeman (Gene); 12 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.

“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)

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.

Larry Crawley departs for Zambia & Uganda today.  Pray for Larry and this mission trip.  We look forward to hearing from him upon his return home.

Raymond Wilkinson’s mother is scheduled to have surgery today.  Pray for that to go well.

Myrtle Bowden received another chemo treatment yesterday and, per Cecil, she did well during and afterwards which is a praise.

Riley & Donna Glass’ granddaughter, Riley, will have heart surgery tomorrow in Birmingham.  Pray for Riley, the doctors and the family.

Jerry Whitmore sent me a message yesterday saying that if all goes as planned then they will have the closing on their house tomorrow afternoon.  The moving company will arrive either tomorrow or Friday and, if I understand correctly, Jerry & Gloria will begin driving to Virginia on Saturday.  Jerry & Gloria have been faithful to the Friendship family and are going to be missed.  I am grateful that they are able to move closer to their sons and their families.  Pray for Jerry & Gloria.

Our students will be attending a Winter Retreat (since it is so much like Winter here) this Saturday, Sunday & Monday.  Pray for Bro. Abel, our students and the other chaperones as they take part in this retreat.

Speaking of Winter, the weather forecasters are calling for some cooler temperatures for us on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday of next week.  They are even forecasting a low of twenty nine on Tuesday night – YES!

LSU knew they were losing Burrow to graduation and it now appears they will lose Joe Brady too – ouch!

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)

Myrtle Bowden will have another treatment today.  Pray that all goes well.

Raymond’s mother is scheduled to have surgery tomorrow.  Pray for that to go well also.

Riley & Donna’s granddaughter will have surgery on Thursday.  That will be in Birmingham.  Pray for young Riley.

Larry Crawley leaves tomorrow for the Here’s Life Zambia mission trip.  He will be in Zambia and Uganda.  Pray for Larry and this trip.  Thank you to those who gave to the love offering for Larry this past Sunday.

Congratulations to the LSU Tigers!  SEC, SEC, SEC!  I realize that many (most) folks who are not Alabama fans pull for whoever is playing Alabama.  However, if Alabama cannot win it all then I have zero problem pulling for another SEC school.  I do like Dabo.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

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)

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our services yesterday.  Our AWANA ministry did well in last night’s service especially Lydia Hatcher!  (You could tell Ross has been working with his daughter!).

The church family adopted the proposed budget which now becomes our 2020 budget.  Heidi Butler has done an excellent job of serving as the committee chairperson and TJ Vice brings a professional voice to the table.  All of the committee members are to be commended for a job well done.

Pray for Jerry & Gloria Whitmore as they have hit a snag in their house selling plans but we are believing this will be overcome.

Larry Crawley is scheduled to leave for Zambia on Wednesday.  Thank you to those who gave to the love offering yesterday.  Pray for Larry and this mission trip.

Raymond Wilkinson’s mother is scheduled to have surgery this Wednesday.  Pray for her.

Linda Green’s son, Ty, is scheduled to have surgery at some point this week.  Pray for Ty.

Riley & Donna Glass’ granddaughter, Riley, is scheduled to have heart surgery on Thursday.  Pray for Riley.

I think LSU wins the game tonight.  Yes, I will be pulling for the Bayou Bengals as I am a SEC conference homer.  However, I do like Dabo.  Just saying.

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 Grand Bay!  When the weather folks started talking early in the week about yesterday being a bad weather day in Alabama then I knew it would most likely impact my travel schedule.  It did as I arrived home about four hours or so later than scheduled but that is obviously minor compared to those who lost family members, property, et cetera in the storms so I have zero complaints.  Thank God for traveling mercies and may He be with those who suffered loss.

Regular schedule on our campus today.

A love offering will be received for Larry Crawley and “Here’s Life Zambia” as Larry leaves for Zambia and Uganda this Wednesday, 1/15.  Pray, give as the Lord leads and then pray for the trip.

The Finance Committee will present the proposed budget for 2020 in a 4:00PM meeting today.  This will be a time of discussion.  A vote will then be taken, with no further discussion, in our 6:00PM service.  Thank you to the members of the Finance Committee who have done a very nice job in the area of our finances.

Our students will travel with Bro. Abel to Winter Jam this afternoon/evening.

Our AWANA ministry will share during tonight’s service.

I am grateful to Eddie Albritton for driving to Gulfport last night to bring me home from the airport.  I did not know until we pulled up at the house that he now drives for Uber so he charged me the going rate – wow!

I am also grateful to Will Reynolds as he is helping me out with a delivery via UPS tomorrow.  Something very important to another person.

I pray that you will have a great Sunday 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)

A final, at least for this time, good morning from GRACE Mountain.  Lord willing, I will be boarding a plane in a few hours heading to Atlanta and then boarding one from there heading to Gulfport, MS.

There is a potential for some severe weather in our area today.  Therefore, Eddie & Marcus, made the decision to cancel today’s basketball games.  So, there will be no activity in our CAB today.  (BTW, Eddie & Marcus consulted with Rachel’s Uncle Bob before making the final call!  Just saying!)

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

We will receive a love offering in all three services tomorrow for Larry Crawley’s trip to Zambia and Uganda.

Our Finance Committee will be presenting the proposed budget for a time of discussion at 4:00PM tomorrow.

Bro. Abel will be taking our students to Winter Jam tomorrow afternoon/evening.  Check with him for the details.

Our AWANA ministry will be sharing during our 6:00PM service.

The first week of classes in Colegio JET were a success – to God be the glory!  In my opinion, Deidra was made for this!  She has done a “excellent” job in the months leading up to the opening of the school.  She has flaws and has made mistakes but her heart is one hundred percent into seeing this ministry succeed which means ministering to these students.  Folks in this area understand how successful Colegio JET is going to be as there have been numbers of families offering to pay just to have their child enrolled.  That is not the intent as our plan has always been to give the poorest of the poor an opportunity that would not be otherwise afforded to them.  Thank you to each person who has helped, is helping and will help make this possible.  We still need to sponsor a few teachers.  Will you help?

Clyde & Levonia Gillott have been in my life for all of my life.  Clyde passed from this life on Thursday night.  The visitation with the family will take place tonight in Hartselle with a celebration of life service set for tomorrow afternoon.  Obviously, I will miss these happenings but ask that you pray for Levonia and family during this time of grief.

My uncle, Herschel Martin, is seemingly near death’s door.  He is ninety three years of age and has personally asked me to preach his funeral service.  My cousin has assured me that she will make sure that service does not take place on a weekend which is obviously very helpful to me.  Pray for Herschel Martin and family.

Take the Tigers in Monday night’s game.

I pray that you will have a great Saturday 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 GRACE Mountain.  Why no entry yesterday?  Fair question.  I did not have internet service until up in the morning.  Al has been notified.

Dorothy St. Amant’s husband took a fall from a ladder and suffered broken bones and torn ligaments.  He has had one surgery and will be having more in the coming weeks.  Pray for him.

Rita Boutwell, Clinton Stringfellow & Diane Trotti have a sibling who has been in the hospital.  Pray for that situation too.

Because of FB then most of you already know about the first day of Colegio JET.  It was a great day!  To God be the glory!  How did day two go?  It went well.  There are some challenges with the construction workers still on site but Deidra & I met with the contractor yesterday to work out some of those issues and to get a finishing date.  It is all good.

I spent the better part of day one in meetings with the local (El Tejar) department of education and then the state (Chimaltenango) department of education.  You have to do this in order to get a code that allows the school access to the student’s files.  Deidra graciously allowed me to be the one playing the waiting game!  So nice of her!  She also let me buy a coffee maker and a microwave for the school.

On day two Deidra said, “dad, you are going to be in charge of setting up the tables in the cafeteria” which was her kind way of saying “just stay out of the way!”

Today, Deidra has a “list” that she needs done before I leave for home.  Killing me!

There is a potential for some rough weather in South Mobile County today, tonight and tomorrow.  Please take caution if you are out and about.

I pray that you will have a great Friday 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 Wednesday morning from GRACE Mountain.  The only news I am hearing from home is that Ethan & Brittney Nelson’s son, Ian, had a procedure done on his ear drum yesterday and that went well.  Praise the Lord!

I have known Linda Green for forty one years.  She has been one of the most faithful church members I have ever known.  If we are having a service then Linda is there almost without fail.  She has been experiencing some physical issues that have kept her out of our services the past couple of weeks.  Would you take a moment and pray for Linda?  Very special lady!

Riley & Donna Glass have a granddaughter, Riley, who is eighteen years old.  She had a procedure done on her heart when she was very young and now they need to do another one next week.  This will take place in Birmingham.  Pray for young Riley, the doctors and the family.

Jerry & Gloria Whitmore have a couple of important things happening today and Friday with the selling of their house.  Pray that all goes well.  If it does, they should be able to finalize everything next week.

We are on a regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.  Bro. Jerry will be teaching in my absence.  I pray that the members of the Friendship family will be faithful to attend.

Let me go back to a couple of items real quickly.  First, I want to say “thank you” to each person who helped minister to the Jack Davie family by providing a meal this past Sunday.  Special thanks to Tina Wilkinson for coordinating this ministry.

Second, thanks to Eddie Albritton for allowing us to use his truck to travel to the Gulfport airport on Monday.  This allowed us to all travel together in one vehicle which was nice.  Obviously, Lisa had to drive it back and she was kind enough to stop in Escatawpa and fill it up with diesel.  Eddie is a great friend.

Our CAB will be closed this Friday morning as the floor will be cleaned by a professional cleaning company.  Just FYI.

I had the privilege of meeting with the Colegio JET staff yesterday afternoon and sharing some thoughts from the Word of God with them.  I asked if they had a Bible verse for the year?  They did not but they do have a motto.  They then share with me that their word for this first school year is “EXCELLENCE!”  Are you serious?  I honestly did not know that!  We ended the meeting on a “sweet” note as each person was given North American candy.  They were happy campers!

I left that meeting and thought, “I will go walk the mountain in order to get some exercise!”  Not so fast my friend!  Enter Deidra!  I spent the rest of the day and into the night working on helping get the classrooms in order.  There were workers everywhere!  There is a team (Hearts & Hand Guatemala Outreach) from the Holland, Michigan area here right now and they have been a huge help in getting the school ready for opening day.  Thank you men & women for your help!

Today is the day – opening day for Colegio JET!  Deidra is nervous.  The teachers are nervous!  (They got real nervous yesterday when I shared with them that today’s events will be on FB live)  However, this is a day that is all about God first and the students second! Folks, this school is an absolute miracle from God!  One year ago today there were young boys playing soccer on the very spot where an impressive building now sets.  One year ago today we had probably twenty five percent of the funds needed to build this building.  One year ago today we were told it could not be built in eleven months.  “But God!”  Hallelujah!

Is the building one hundred percent ready?  It is not.  However, the classrooms are ready, the teachers are ready and the students will be on the mountain at 7:30AM.  So, “ready or not, here we go!”  I am so very thankful to have the opportunity to be here for this most special day in the life of Guatemala Relief And Compassion Effort along with Shining Light Abroad Ministries.  The dream becomes reality today!  I am blessed!

Two more things and I am done for this entry – the question has been asked if all of the teachers have been sponsored.  No, they have not.  We still need sponsors for five teachers.

Soy & Deidra have worked extremely hard to see this day happen.  The past two weeks have seen them going almost non stop.  I am grateful!  Would you pray for God to strengthen them today?

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

P.S. – You can follow Soy on FB.  Shininglightabroad.com.