Pastor's Blog

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

Pray for Tim Knighten and family today as they continue the process of making the arrangements following the passing of Tim’s father last night.

Larry Whitehurst will travel to the Mayo Clinic at the end of this month for a MRI and to meet with the various doctors.  Keep praying for Larry.

Bobby Jack called me yesterday to say that the surgeon said the pain and discomfort being experienced by Bobby Joe is pretty much common because of the severity of the surgery.  Bobby Joe meets with an oncologist on 1/10.

Danny Lafferty is set to be released from the rehab facility today.  Pray for his continued therapy.  Remember the special offering for Danny & Anita on Sunday, 1/13, in all three services.

Lord willing, Lisa and I will leave early in the morning to travel to Columbus, Georgia for my Uncle Will’s funeral service.  I have been asked by my cousin, Jamie, to preach that service.  Prayers appreciated.

Regular schedule this Sunday – morning and evening.  Deacons are asked to meet at 4:00PM.  The Buildings & Grounds Committee is asked to meet at 5:00PM.

Well, Lisa and I were so very happy to see December 12, 2018 come as that meant Deidra and the girls would arrive from Guatemala.  We are not so very happy for tomorrow to come as it means that Deidra and the girls will leave here to spend a week with Soy’s parents and will then depart from there bound for Guatemala.  Who ever knew that twenty four days could pass so quickly?  We are very thankful to each person who has loved on our daughter and her family during these twenty four days.  We are even more thankful to each person who has invested in their lives through prayer, love and finances over the past eighteen months as they have ministered in Guatemala.  Our ultimate “thank you” goes to the Lord Jesus for calling them, using them and keeping them.  Thank you Jesus for these precious days with family!  (Please note that I do not count Charles or Soy in the “family” number – just saying!)

We have twenty seven more days under the “dollar for dollar” matching program to give to the construction of the school in Guatemala.  Yes, up to one hundred thousand dollars will be matched dollar for dollar during the month of January.  Someone gave fifty dollars yesterday which became one hundred dollars because of the match.

One can purchase a ticket in the lower level end zone for Monday night’s CFB championship game for $228 with all fees included.  The scalpers are probably not going to come out on the plus side on this one.  Am I going?  No.  As I have written earlier, Eddie & Sue along with Lisa and I are going to Peru the following week so I do not want to be gone back to back weeks.  Plus, I leave for Guatemala on the last day of the month.

The forecast lows in Grand Bay for the next three nights are forty, forty one, and forty nine degrees – talk about Winter!  Folks, this old boy likes cold weather during the Winter months and we simply are not getting any cold temperatures this Winter.

Want to get an e-mail notice when a blog entry has been posted?  Send me an e-mail and I will add you to the list.  (We now have nine of our thirteen readers using this service which equates to ninety one percent)

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

Received word from Peggy Knighten that Tim’s father, Mr. Les Knighten, passed from this life shortly after 6:00PM tonight.  Pray for Tim, his brother, and the family as they walk through this valley.

Terry Brooks had three stents placed in his heart arteries today.  It is possible that he was discharged this afternoon but I do not know if that happened.  Pray for Terry.

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

Terry Brooks is scheduled to have a heart cath this morning.  Pray that the doctor can get a good look and then for wisdom if anything needs to be done.

I did not make it to the hospital until around 3:30PM or so yesterday and Elaine Brown had already been discharged.  I am happy for her.  Pray that she can completely recover from the surgery and the heart issues she has been dealing with recently.

Visited with Danny & Anita Lafferty yesterday.  He was a happy camper as he is set to be released from the rehab on Friday.  He will then have home health for a while followed by outpatient therapy.  Remember, we will receive a special offering for Danny & Anita on Sunday, 1/13, in all three services.

Roy Blodgett took a fall and had to be admitted to the hospital.

JoNell Barnes has gone back to Birmingham to be with her daughter, Carol.

Keep praying for Tim Knighten’s father, Les Knighten.

I have not spoken to Bobby Jack regarding Bobby Joe’s visit with his surgeon.

Jeanette sees the doctor again tomorrow to have the stents (I think that is what they call them) removed.

We had a good first Wednesday of 2019 yesterday.  Our morning attendance in the auditorium was better than our evening attendance.  I am very thankful to folks who are faithful to attend on Wednesdays.

The momentum for the construction of a school in Guatemala continues to build.  We received a one thousand dollars pledge yesterday and received word that a five thousand dollars check is in the mail.  So, that equates to being twelve thousand dollars once it is matched.  Praise the Lord!

Ticket prices for the national championship game on Monday have dropped to around two hundred dollars upper level.  Several reasons – game is in California, folks cannot afford to attend both a semifinal game and the championship game, the nation is tired of Alabama vs Clemson every season.  They should change the venue to Ladd Stadium and it would be a sell out.  Just saying.

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)

Edna Pearl sent me a message yesterday to let me know that Elaine Brown has been moved into a regular room.  I plan on visiting Elaine today.  Keep praying.

Terry Brooks will have a heart cath tomorrow morning.  He saw a doctor in December and he scheduled this for Terry.  Terry received two stents last January.  Pray that all goes well.

Bobby Joe Felps has an appointment with the surgeon today as he continues to experience pain.  He will also see an oncologist on the tenth of this month.  Pray for Bobby Joe.

As far as I know, Danny Lafferty remains in a rehab facility.  Pray for Danny and family.  Remember, we will receive a special offering for Danny on Sunday, January 13.

The arrangements have been set for my Uncle.  There will a service for him this Saturday, 1/5, at 1:00PM in Columbus, Georgia.  Prayers for his family are appreciated.

Regular schedule for the Friendship family this morning and evening.  No choirs until next Wednesday, 1/9.  We will begin our prayer lists with a clean slate today/tonight and build them from there.

We had another person make a financial donation to the construction of the school in Guatemala yesterday.  Spoke to another person on the phone who said they would be giving in January too.  Remember, we have a dollar for dollar match during the month of January.  It would be nice if folks like Ross Genzink, Tom Compagner, Eddie Turrentine, Jordan Lollar, Steve Compagner, Dean Kapenga and others outside the Friendship family would step up and accept this challenge.  Just saying!

We had five more people ask to begin receiving this blog via their e-mail.  Combine those with the three already receiving that service and we are now at fifty percent of our thirteen readers.  Nice.  E-mail me if you want to receive the blog notices via e-mail. Deidra is one of the ones who signed up and she loves it!  Says it is one of the best things to ever happen in her life!

Well, I finally watched a bowl game outside of the playoffs.  I am a SEC homer so I was pulling for Georgia in the Sugar Bowl but that did them no good.  The reporter tried to bait the Texas quarterback after the game but he used wisdom in not being trapped.  I did watch some of the LSU game earlier in the day and was glad to see them win.  No conference can really brag after this bowl season.  Either the ACC conference or the SEC conference will have the ultimate bragging rights following next Monday night’s game.

I am ready for Winter but it does not appear we will see any temps below forty degrees over the next ten days which is not good in my book.  Oh well, the Lord knows.

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

My cousin, Tony Gettig, who lives in Michigan has produced a video about the January matching challenge for the construction of the school.  Soy has already put it on his FB account.  Deidra is working on getting it on their website (shininglightabroad.com) and her blog.  If you have FB then please share it however that works.

I really appreciate Tony and his help with this project.  We gave him very short notice, paid him nothing and he did a very professional job.  The dude is really good!

Folks, I really believe that together we can, with God’s blessing, reach the challenge of giving and/or pledging one hundred thousand dollars by January 31, 2019.  Let’s do it to the glory of God!

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

Happy New Year!  I got to working on some stuff and stayed up until well after midnight.  I do not really remember the last time I was up when the new year came in.  It really does seem that time passes more quickly the older I become.

Visited with Elaine Brown yesterday afternoon.  She was in ICU but was gracious enough to speak with me and to ask us to keep praying.  So, please do.

Continue to pray for Tim’s father, Les Knighten.

The church office is closed today.  It will open tomorrow at 8:00AM.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening with one exception – no choir until next Wednesday, 1/9.

A challenge has been issued for folks to give to the building of the school in Guatemala.  Every cent given or pledged during the month of January will be matched dollar for dollar up to one hundred thousand dollars.   Folks, this is an incredible offer.  Yesterday we received over fourteen thousand dollars and the anonymous donor has agreed to include that amount in the challenge.  So we now need eighty four thousand five hundred dollars to match this challenge.  God can do this – through us!  There is going to be a video/audio blog on shininglightabroad.com either today or tomorrow.  It is only a tad over three minutes long so watch it and then share it with others.

I have learned how to add folks who would like to receive this blog via e-mail.  If interested, please send me an e-mail and I will add you to the list.  The daily blog will then be sent directly to your inbox once I post.  Three of our thirteen readers are already using this service and they like it!

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Cecil Guidry told me yesterday morning that Elaine Brown has been admitted to the hospital.  Her problems are related to her heart and she is in ICU.  Pray for Elaine.  Pray for the doctors to find some answers.

Tim Knighten’s dad remains in tough shape physically.  Pray for Mr. Les Knighten.  Pray for Tim and his brother as they travel back and forth to Pensacola and as they make decisions relating to their dad’s situation.

Received word from Kirk Lightfield that Miss Shirley Johnson was discharged from the hospital in Guatemala City yesterday afternoon.  She is sore but is recovering from her hip replacement surgery.  Pray for Shirley.

Jeanette Bates was in our service yesterday after having a surgical procedure on Friday.  It went well per the doctor.  She will have a follow up visit this week.  Pray for Jeanette.

Kayla Hatcher was also in our service yesterday after having a surgical procedure on Thursday.  Pray for Kayla.

My last remaining paternal uncle, James Thomas “Will” Turrentine, passed from this life Saturday afternoon.  He was eighty eight years old.  His body will be moved to Columbus, GA at some point today and there will be a visitation and service later this week.  So, my dad is now the last one living of the eight siblings.  Lord willing, I will be traveling to Columbus at some point this week.

We had a good day in our service yesterday morning.  Good attendance.  Good Spirit.  Levi & Sofie did a nice job of leading us in our musical worship.  I appreciate Jeanette & Tena for being so flexible.

This is our last week with Soy, Deidra and the girls as they will leave Grand Bay this Saturday.  The time with them has been treasured and has gone by really quickly.  They will spend a week with Soy’s parents before returning to Guatemala.  Thank you to each person who has loved on this family and to those who support them with your prayers, thoughts and finances.  They are a blessed family.

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Visited Elaine Brown yesterday morning and she was thinking that she might be discharged later in the day.  I do not know if that happened.  I do know she is ready to get out of the hospital.  Pray for Elaine.

Visited Danny Lafferty too.  He has improved but still has a ways to go with his speech.  He did talk to me some which is a positive.  Keep praying for Danny.

Tim Knighten’s dad, Les Knighten, is fighting for his life over in Pensacola.  Pray for Tim and his brother as they have some tough decisions in front of them.  Pray for Mr. Knighten.

Shirley Johnson did have surgery yesterday but I do not know the outcome.  Pray for Shirley.

The visitation with the Leasa Salter family takes place tomorrow morning from 9:00AM until the 11:00AM memorial service.  The Friendship family has been asked to provide the desserts for the family following the service. Contact Tina Wilkinson if you will help.  I am going to say have your desserts in the fellowship hall no later than 9:30AM.  The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Haven of Hope P.O. Box 8504. Mobile, AL 36689.  Keep praying for the family.

Lynn Brewer is Vinnie Brewer’s daughter-in-law.  Lynn’s father, Pastor J.L. Gore, passed away on Wednesday.  The visitation with the family takes place today from 2:00PM until 4:00PM at Heritage Funeral Home on Highway 63 in Escatawpa, MS.  The celebration of life service will take place in Wayne County, MS on Saturday, 12/29, at 1:00PM.  Pray for the Gore family during this difficult time.

We had a nice attendance at the meeting last night.  Momentum is building for the school construction.  As a matter of fact, we have someone willing to match dollar for dollar up to one hundred thousand dollars given/pledged in January 2019.  Will you prayerfully consider giving/pledging during January?  All pledges need to be paid no later than September 30, 2019.  What a kind offer this person has made.  God has opened a door.  Will we be obedient?  Spread the word, please.

Rhett Butler and Carl Ray Moulds worked on the CAB doors again yesterday.  I finally figured this thing out – those two are doing the work but Bob Evans is the one who came up with the plan.  So, Bob is the brains behind this job.  Now you know the rest of the story.

I had four tickets to the Orange Bowl which will be played tomorrow night in Miami.  I gave two to my sister and her husband (big Bama fans) and then one to Brad and one to Soy.  Morris Bryant provided two for Deidra and Daphne.  So, while those four are enjoying the game, Lisa and  I will be monitoring eight tornadoes!  Something is wrong with this picture!  If Alabama wins will I travel to California?  No.  Taking a week of vacation to visit an Uncle & Aunt in Peru the following week.  (I have to get a new travel agent!)

I pray that you will have a great Friday with Jesus.  I may not post tomorrow because of tornado activity on Potter Tract Road!  Remember, one worship service this Sunday, 12/30.  It will begin at 10:30AM.

Bernard & Pattie Suthoff contacted me to share the the visitation with the Leasa Salter family will take place this Saturday, December 29, from 9:00AM until the 11:00AM memorial service.  The visitation and service will be held from the Community of Christ Church 4220 Sherman Road in Escatawpa, MS.  (The address is Moss Point)  Keep praying for Bernard, Pattie, Zachary and family.

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Kirk Lightfield messaged me last night to say that Shirley Johnson will be having hip replacement surgery today.  She took a fall back in November but did not know her hip was broken until yesterday.  Her leg had swollen so they took her to a hospital in Guatemala City where the break was discovered.  Pray for Shirley, Wilfred and family.  Wilfred & Shirley are our neighbors on GRACE Mountain in Guatemala.

Visited with Elaine Brown yesterday morning.  She was thinking she might be moved out of ICU yesterday.  Edna Pearl contacted me this morning to say that Elaine was moved to a regular room.  One step closer to going home.

Danny Lafferty was moved to a rehab facility in Jackson County yesterday.  He will be in speech therapy.  Keep praying for Danny.

I spoke to Bernard yesterday.  They will be meeting with the funeral director today.  They are looking at the possibility of having a memorial service at some point this Saturday, 12/29.  Nothing has been finalized at this point.  Keep praying.

The meeting being hosted by Deidra begins at 6:30PM tonight in the fellowship hall.  Thank you to those who have responded to the invitation.

I now know how the Maytag repairman feels!  The office was dead yesterday as far as receiving phone calls.  I told Bro. Jerry to not come back in the afternoon.  From 12:45PM until 4:40PM there were zero phone calls.  That is a good thing.  I did get a lot done on my computer.  The office will be open today from 8:00AM until noon and then from 1:00PM until 4:30PM.

Rhett Butler and Carl Ray Moulds secured the CAB door yesterday.  That door will not be broken into now unless dynamite is involved.  I appreciate these guys handling that situation.

Lisa and Deidra have headed to Walmart this morning.  Deidra is buying food for tonight’s meeting.  Lisa will save me hundreds of dollars toward Christmas 2019!

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