Pastor's Blog

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11) Miss Lanell McConnell was discharged from the hospital yesterday morning. I know she is a happy camper. Joe Ladnier remains in the hospital and in the unit. He is not such a happy camper as he will have to remain in the hospital and in the unit for the immediate future. Pray for Joe! Anna Carol Bosarge was taken by ambulance to the hospital yesterday morning. I went by and they were taking her for tests. Not sure if she was admitted or sent home. Pray for Anna Carol. Eddie Albritton’s surgery went well. He sent me a message wanting to know how one goes about getting signed up for those “meals after surgery” thing? Somebody please bake Eddie a cake, pie or something! The Friendship “exercise” leagues take place tomorrow morning beginning at 8:30AM. Everything takes place at the middle school. Bro. Benny and our bus workers will meet tomorrow morning at 8:30AM before going into the community to invite folks to our Sunday School and service. Pray for this ministry. The Lord is blessing us with some absolutely beautiful weather. Titus and I are sleeping with the windows open and are enjoying every second of it. I enjoyed the first two basketball games last night but the second two were difficult to watch. The Purdue vs Tennessee game was a really good one. I did not realize Texas Tech was so good defensively. UVA is also good defensively but those games tend to bore me. However, offense sells tickets while defense wins championships. I can see the SEC getting shut out tonight but I cannot see them winning all three as I do not think LSU will win. Lisa is scheduled to arrive home late Sunday afternoon. She left me a list of things “to do” while she was away. So far I have done zero of those things! I have my work cut out for me today and tomorrow! I want to go with the “she has not seen me in two weeks so she will not care that I have not completed all of the tasks she assigned me” but somehow I think that is not going to fly! We shall see! I pray that you will have a great Friday with Jesus. *This entry was ready at 4:00AM but it would not publish.  Soy had to bale me out.  Sorry for the tardiness.

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

Joe Ladnier remains in the hospital and, as of yesterday afternoon, in the unit.  He is doing better in some areas but has a couple of areas that the medical folks are closely watching.  Keep praying for Joe & Kathy.

The medical folks have diagnosed Miss Lanell McConnell’s problem.  I think it is reasonable to believe she will be discharged from the hospital either today or tomorrow.  Keep praying for her.

Eddie Albritton will have his knee scoped today.  Pray that all goes well and this will be the end all for his knee difficulties.

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday morning and evening.  I am grateful for folks who are faithful.

Our website went down yesterday.  One of our thirteen readers immediately alerted me of this matter and I jumped into action.  What was wrong?  Folks, it is too technical for me to try and explain it.  You would have to be a computer expert and many of you do not fall into that category.  I am thankful for an anonymous reader who tipped me off so the problem could be corrected.

What a difference a week makes!  Last Thursday I was enjoying Colorado while Lisa was home working.  Today, I am at home while she is enjoying Guatemala, especially the granddaughters.  Titus has my back here as he is faithfully staying with me each night.

Coach Nate Oats.  I have to be honest in saying that I had never even heard of the guy until he was announced as the basketball coach at Alabama yesterday.  His resume looks strong.  We shall see.

The tourney resumes play tonight with Tennessee being the only SEC conference team playing.  The other three have games tomorrow night.  It would be sweet if the SEC conference could put three teams in the Final Four but I will be surprised if that happens.  I will enjoy watching the games this weekend.

How about your garden, pastor?  Not yet.  However, I think I was taken for a ride last night.  Our RA’s/GA’s sold me some tomato plants.  Six plants for two dollars – fair enough.  However, I get home only to realize they have sold me purple tomatoes!  Purple?  Are you kidding me?  Purple?  Fried purple tomatoes!  Oh well, it is for a good cause!

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)

Visited with Joe Ladnier yesterday and he was much improved.  His speech was good.  Still having some issues with his leg arm but that was improved too.  They were going to keep him in the unit yesterday and left him rest.  I will check on him later today.  Keep praying for Joe.

Visited with Miss Lanell McConnell too.  What a sweet lady.  She is going to be in the hospital for a few days it seems.  Pray for Miss Lanell.

Eddie Albritton will have surgery tomorrow.  It is either on one of his knees, or hips, or ankles or his head!

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.

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)

Joe Ladnier, husband of Kathy Ladnier, suffered an apparent stroke yesterday and is in a unit in a local hospital.  I spoke to Kathy via the phone several times last night and received an e-mail from her early this morning.  Pray for the doctors to have wisdom in treating Joe.

Miss Lanell McConnell has also been admitted to the hospital.  I appreciate Rose Anne Baria letting me know.  Pray for Miss Lanell.  I will be visiting her and Joe this morning.

Sarah Thornton’s husband, Tom, had surgery in Birmingham last Friday.  He did well.  Pray for Tom.

Elaine Brown will be having a test done today related to her heart.  The hope is that she will not need open heart surgery.  Pray for Elaine.

Eddie Albritton will be having surgery this Thursday.  Eddie has so many aches and pains that I cannot keep up with which joint is getting worked on this time.  Just pray for Eddie!

Anna Carol Bosarge continues to need our prayer support.

Yancey Hall will be having knee replacement surgery soon.  Pray for Yancey.

Lisa’s dad, Charles Clark, is doing well following his knee replacement.  He was in Sunday School this past Sunday and plans to be in the morning service this Sunday.

Lisa and Dana remain in Guatemala.  Titus has taken up residence at our house during their absence.

I am ready for the continuation of the basketball tourney.  The ACC has five teams in the Sweet Sixteen; the SEC conference has four teams and the Big Ten has three.

Alabama’s AD has not contacted me yet regarding the selection of the new basketball coach.  I suspect he will eventually ask for my input.  All I know is that Alabama basketball needs some help!

Another beautiful day is on tap for the Gulf Coast.  Thank you Jesus.

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)

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our services.  I was very critical of the preacher’s delivery but did receive multiple messages from folks telling how God used the messages to speak to their heart.  It has to come from God.

We had a tremendous number of folks indicate yesterday that they have someone living in this area who is not involved in any church.  Therefore, the pledged to do their best to pray, invite and bring them to our 10:30AM service on Easter Sunday.  Remember to pray for that special day and pray especially for Evangelist Michael Mason as he prepares to bring the messages that day.

Will you worship today?  You are going to worship someone, some being or some thing.  Only God is worthy of our worship.

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)

What, a blog entry?  On a Sunday?  What is going on?  Well, I took four days of vacation time this past week to travel to Colorado to spend time with Gina.  Somehow Soy got in on our father/daughter time but it is what it is.  I spent very, very little time online thus very limited blog entries.  The good news is that all thirteen of our readers seem to understand and respected my time away.  Thank you.

Regular schedule this morning and evening.  Message from John 19 this morning and Psalm 9 tonight.  I sure hope that many members of the Friendship family will join me for these services.

I was gone for five days and Lisa said, “ok, big boy, my turn!”  So, she, Dana and the baby left for Guatemala yesterday to visit with Soy, Deidra and the girls.  They are not scheduled to return home until next Sunday.  This is Dana’s Spring Break week which is why they traveled this week.

I am a SEC conference (that is for Rusty Suthoff) homer.  I was glad to see Auburn, Kentucky & LSU advance to the Sweet Sixteen yesterday.  I am pulling for Tennessee to do the same today.  If they do, the SEC will make up twenty five percent of that group.  The Big Ten already has three teams in the Sweet Sixteen and the chance to increase that number to five today.  The ACC already has one team in the S16 and a solid chance to put four more there today.  (I like Virginia Tech’s coach but I will be pulling for Liberty to pull the upset tonight)  (I also think Virginia’s coach is a clone of Will Reynolds when it comes to looks)

So, how was the skiing?  I am so glad you asked.  We had an almost perfect three days as far as the weather was concerned.  Wednesday was the best day I have ever experienced skiing when it comes to just perfect weather!  Gina is a very, very good skier! Did she out ski me?  She did.  She is not in Scott Fontenot’s league yet but she is closing in on him.  Then she will make her move toward catching Spencer Cole.

Was there a bad part to the trip?  Well, Gina, Soy & I shared a room.  I only wish Soy would cut his toe nails!

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)

My prayers today are with the McGath family as they will gather for the visitation and then the celebration of life service.  Visitation begins at 10:00AM and the service beginning at 11:00AM.  Pray for the family and, if possible, attend the visitation and/or service.

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

John Hardin McGath, 87, Theodore, AL, went home to be with his Lord & Savior March 17, 2019. Born December 21, 1931 to Edward & Lois McGath in Bedford, Indiana. In July of 1950 he enlisted in the US Navy, and served in Korea during the Korean Conflict. While in the Navy he met his wife of 43 years, Joan Delores McGath. In 1961 he entered the Baptist Seminary of Little Rock. He was a Baptist Preacher for over 50 years, holding pastorates in: Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri & Mississippi. He often enjoyed entertaining friends, cooking, and for many years was an avid student of genealogy and history as well as his longstanding memberships with the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and the General Society of the War of 1812. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers; Bud Auffenburg, Tom McGath and Jerry McGath and sisters; Sherry Craven, and Judy Clark; his wife, Joan D. McGath and sons, Thomas Owen McGath and John Lee McGath. He is survived by his son, Benjamin E. (Julie) McGath, daughter Cynthia L. (Joseph) Jones, grandsons; Stephen E. McGath, Thomas L. McGath, Ethan C. (Gabrielle) McGath; granddaughters Caitlyn E. McGath & Chloe L. (Garrett) Keating; brother Norman “Mick” (Pat) McGath; and sister Janet (John) Miller. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. from The Baptist Chapel, 10431 Old Pascagoula Road, Grand Bay, Alabama. The family will be accepting friends at the church Thursday one hour prior to services. A graveside service will follow Friday, March 22, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. from Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida. Bro. Steve Merritt will be officiating.

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

The arrangements have been completed for Bro. Benny McGath’s father, Pastor John McGath.  The visitation with the McGath family will take place this Thursday, March 21, from 10:00AM until the 11:00AM celebration of service time.  The visitation and service will take place at Baptist Chapel Church 10431 Old Pascagoula Road in Grand Bay.  There will be a graveside service on Friday, March 22, at the Barrancas National Cemetery Naval Air Station, 1 Cemetery Road Pensacola, FL 32508 beginning at 10:00AM.  Pray for Bro. Benny and family during their time of sorrow.

The church office will be open today from 8:00AM until noon and then from 1:00PM until 4:30PM.

Gina, Soy & I arrived in Breckenridge, CO around 3:30PM yesterday after landing in Denver at 8:30AM.  There was a problem on I-70 and traffic was bumper to bumper for hours.

We did make two stops with the first one being something I really wanted to do.  We stopped and met Jack Phillips who is the owner of the Masterpiece Cake Shop.  He was a really nice, humble, friendly gentleman.

We also had lunch at Beau Jo’s Pizza.  Very unique pizza place.  Hugh Jackman eats there.  (I have no idea who Hugh is but he was there one time when we eating there)

Colorado is a beautiful state.  Snow everywhere.  It is twenty one degrees right now, heading up to thirty seven today and then down to fourteen tonight.  No more snow in the forecast but that is ok.

Not sure if I will be blogging over the next couple of days or not.  If something happens that the Friendship family needs to be made aware of then I will post an entry as soon as possible.

We are on a regular schedule this Wednesday morning and evening.  Deacon Jeff Holifield will be sharing in the services in the auditorium.

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)

Good morning from the New Orleans airport.  Gina & I left the house at 2:00AM and arrived here at 4:00AM.  We are now sitting at the gate waiting on our 6:30AM flight.  We will meet Soy in Denver, Lord willing.

Bro. Benny McGath called me yesterday afternoon to share that his father has passed from this life.  It appears that he suffered a heart attack.  Bro. Benny’s dad was a pastor for many years.  Pray for Bro. Benny and family as they walk through this valley.  Obviously, arrangements pending.

Bro. Jerry Hovel missed last Wednesday night’s service and all of the services yesterday due to sickness.  Tena said he is going to try and be in the office today.  Pray that he fully recovers.

Deacon Jeff Holifield will be leading both of our services this Wednesday, 3/20.  I asked him to do this since Bro. Jerry has been sick and he could still be sidelined Wednesday.

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  It was a blessing indeed to see another public profession of faith in our 10:30AM service.  God gives the increase and we give Him the glory.

Our first week of our “exercise” leagues went well.  Amy made a good call in delaying the games due to the weather.  Lots of people attended the games in spite of the wet and cool weather.

Gina is on Spring break this week.  A couple of weeks ago I decided to treat her to a snow skiing trip as she loves to ski.  Dana is on Spring break next week and she will be joining Lisa in going to visit Deidra and the girls in Guatemala.  So, Gina and I are going to spend this week together and somehow Soy managed to get included.  Oh well, it is what it is!

Alabama did not make the tourney field.  Are you kidding me?  Had they been invited then it is possible they would have won it all.  Bama fatigue strikes again!  I am going with Duke to win it all simply because of Zion.  The dude is an incredible basketball player and he has a good supporting cast.

Congratulations to Auburn for winning the SEC tourney yesterday.  They basically destroyed Tennessee in that game.  The SEC has seven teams in the tourney which ties the ACC and trails only the Big 10 as they had eight teams invited.  By the way, the Michigan vs Michigan State game was a good one yesterday.

Our deacons stand ready and willing to minister in my absence so do not hesitate to call them, if needed.

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