Pastor's Blog

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

Sarah Thornton is doing well as far as her knee replacement is concerned.  She had some breathing issues on Tuesday night so we was on oxygen yesterday morning.  She thinks she will be discharged tomorrow but hopes it is today.  Pray for Sarah.

The pathology reports have come back regarding Myrtle’s situation and she will be seeing an oncologist soon.  Once she meets with an oncologist then a plan of action regarding any possible treatments will be put in place.  The surgeon thinks Myrtle will be discharged tomorrow.  Keep praying for Myrtle.

The arrangements for TJ Vice’s paternal grandmother are as follows:  visitation with the family tomorrow, 10/18, from 10:00AM until the noon service time at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.  Pray for the Vice family as they go through this time.

Sonny Bates continues to receive his daily radiation treatments.  Pray for Sonny.

Eddie Albritton is still milking it for all it is worth!  Come on Eddie!

“Sweet” Sunday this week as we will receive an offering to help with the purchase of candy for our “Trail of Truth & Treats” which will take place on Saturday, 11/2.

Bobby & the boys are just patiently waiting on an opponent for the World Series.  Yes, Bobby did interview for a manager’s job but it does not appear he will be the one selected for that position.  Do you realize that if Bobby were to get a manager’s job in the MLB that he would almost be in the same salary financial category as Joey Switzer?  Just saying!

I watched a good bit of the South game last night.  They are struggling.  I hope they can turn it around soon.

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)

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.

Sarah Thorton’s surgery was a success.  They had to address an issue before the surgery could begin but they finally proceeded after about an hour’s delay.  Keep praying for Sarah.

Visited with Myrtle and they had just gotten her up for the first time.  I was in and out in about thirty seconds.  Folks, those who are sick do not need to have to entertain company.  Just saying!  Keep praying for Myrtle.

Talked to TJ Vice late yesterday afternoon and learned that his paternal grandmother had just passed from this life.  Obviously, the arrangements are pending.  Pray for the Vice family.

As far as I know, Eddie and his cow are doing fine!

I have Rick Bradley, Betty Creech, Witney Edwards, Tommy Johnson, Jamie Jordan, Tim Knighten & Tina Wilkinson as the members of the Friendship family who plan on taking part in our December 4 – 11, 2019 GRACE Ministries trip to Guatemala.  Am I missing anyone?  If so, you must personally contact me no later than this Sunday, October 20.  Very important or you will not have a ticket on the airline.  Folks, this is going to surprise you but I do make mistakes!  So, if your name should be on the list and is not, blame Katie Tillman as she has been serving as my December trip secretary!

Speaking of Guatemala, Pastor Joe David, Pastor Jack and their respective churches are presently in Guatemala.  They are scheduled to return home tomorrow and Friday.  Pray for them to finish strong!

Bobby and the boys are heading to the MLB World Series!  Let that sink in!  Yes, for the first time since 1933 there will be World Series baseball in DC.  The Nationals are on a roll!  Congratulations to Bobby and the boys!  Four more wins!  I am excited for Bobby!

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

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

Myrtle’s surgery went “as expected” per the surgeon.  She will remain in the hospital for several days.  Keep praying for Myrtle and family.

Sarah Thornton is next up on the surgery list as she will have a knee replaced today.  Pray that all goes well.  Sarah is a sweetheart and a diehard Auburn fan!  Yes, I even pray for Auburn fans!

Sonny Bates continues his daily radiation treatments so keep praying for him too.

I appreciate Jeanette Bates, Bro Jerry & Bro. Abel for their help with the celebration of life service for Wanda Jordan yesterday morning.  The family appreciates all of the prayers that have been offered on their behalf.

Eddie Albritton continues his “recovery” at home!  Eddie could have very well been a dairy farmer as he knows how to “milk it” for all it is worth!  LOL!

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

The weather forecasters are giving us a decent chance for rain over the next day or so.  I hope they are correct as I love the rain!

Get the brooms out as Bobby and the boys are on the verge of a sweep!  What a big win last night.  Win tonight and they can rest until next Tuesday, 10/22.  Let’s go Nationals!

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)

There will be a private, family only memorial service for Wanda Jordan today.  I appreciate Steve and family allowing me to return from Guatemala before having this service.  Wanda was a very important part of the Friendship family although she chose to stay in the background.  Pray for the family as they seek closure to Wanda’s passing.

Myrtle Bowden will be having surgery today.  As you know, she has been diagnosed with a malignancy in two different areas of her body.  Today’s surgery will address one of those malignancies.  I visited with Sammy & Myrtle yesterday afternoon.  They are trusting God as I expected.  Pray for Myrtle!

Joey Switzer’s mother will also be having surgery today.  Pray for Miss Shirley.

Sarah Thornton will be having a knee replaced tomorrow.  She has already had two knee replacements.  (Think about that one!)  Pray for Sarah!

Eddie Albritton is at home recovering from his hip replacement surgery.  Says he will try to only miss two weeks of work.  Let’s be honest here – he sits at a desk all day long so why the long delay in going back to work?  Coach Saban went back to work the day following his hip replacement surgery without a walker or cane – hello!  Bob Evans would go from the surgery table back to the job on the same day if he were having the same surgery!  Come on Eddie!

Gideon Jeff Holifield did a very nice job of sharing about the work of the Gideons in our morning services yesterday.  The Friendship family did a very nice job of giving financially to support this worthwhile ministry.  Thank you Jeff and thank you Friendship family.

Our attendance in the services was down somewhat yesterday.  I am so dumb!  I was trying to figure out why not realizing that the public schools are not in session tomorrow which means folks leave town for the long weekend.

I was involved in a number of meetings while in Guatemala.  One of those was with Pastor Lazaro Suruy at his request.  It was during that meeting that he submitted his resignation as a part of GRACE Ministries.  He strongly believes this is God’s will for his life so I support his decision wholeheartedly.  He will be with us through the end of this calendar year.  Pray for Lazaro and family.  Pray for us to find God’s man to lead the GRACE Community Church as pastor.

Go ahead and pencil in the Nationals for the World Series.  That did not come from Coach Bobby.  It came from me.  Just saying.  Could not believe the Yankees dominated game one of the ALCS but the Astros pulled even last night.  Good series.

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)

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.  Finance Committee meets at 4:00PM.

At some point in one of today’s services, we will spend time praying specifically for Myrtle Bowden.  I ask that you pray without ceasing for Myrtle as she undergoes surgery tomorrow.

I also ask that you keep praying for that individual in need of a miracle.  God knows.

Love offering for the ministry of the Gideons today in both of our morning services.  Pray for Jeff Holifield as he shares with us.

Randall Broome will be leading the musical worship at Brewer Baptist Church in Richton, MS this week beginning this morning.  Pray for those services to go well.

The Lord blessed and I arrived safely home a little after 11:00PM last night.  I am “meeting out” but it was a productive few days.  I appreciate my brother, Eddie, joining me for a couple of days in meeting with the school personnel.  Deidra did a nice job of organizing everything.  It was good to spend some time with Lizzi, Sydney & Audrey.

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)

This is actually almost a Sunday entry as it is Saturday night and I am sitting in the Atlanta airport waiting on my connection.  Sorry for the delay.  Was going to wait and post in the morning but Jennifer Brinkman is whining!  So, this entry is in her honor!

Myrtle Bowden is facing two separate malignancies.  She will have surgery this Monday morning to address one and then the other will be addressed a bit later.  Myrtle, Sammy & family are requesting fervent prayer support.  Join me in doing just that!

Eddie Albritton is doing well following his hip replacement surgery.  Keep praying for a complete recovery.

Gideon Sunday at Friendship tomorrow morning in both services.  Jeff Holifield will be sharing about the ministry of the Gideons and we will receive a love offering for this ministry.  Pray, attend and give as the Lord leads.

Finance Committee meets at 4:00PM tomorrow.

Bryant won their game last night – good for them!  UMS & Faith also won.  Theodore and Mobile Christian were not as fortunate.  I do not know about Resurrection.

Bobby and the boys are on fire!  Two more wins and they are World Series bound!  Let’s go Nationals!

I pray that you will have a restful Saturday night and that you will attend church tomorrow.

“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.