Pastor's Blog

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

Mrs. Bonnie Eyler passed from this life on Tuesday.  The visitation with the family takes place today beginning at noon and lasting until the 2:30PM service time.  Everything takes place at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore, AL.  Miss Bonnie’s sons are Randy, Gary & Kelly.  Kelly is married to Sonni who is the daughter of Edna Holifield Glover.  Pray for the Eyler family.

Soy & Deidra are heavily involved in providing help to those families in Guatemala adversely affected by the eruption of the volcano on Sunday, June 3.  They are taking food to families in the affected areas.  It takes them about seven hours driving round trip because of having to take the alternate routes due to the main road being closed.  You can read Deidra’s blog at shininglightabroad.com for more details.

By the way, remember “bless Tess?”  That was first mentioned in April which seems like yesterday.  Well, this Wednesday, 7/11, will see Tess leave Guatemala after helping at the feeding center for a little over two months.  Tess has done a great job of teaching  reading skills to the children, building and leveling a library for the feeding center and being a great support for Deidra.  Pray for Tess as she seeks the “next” in her life.  Thank you Tess for a job well done!

We are on a regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.  Lord willing, I will be preaching in all three services tomorrow.  Is that exciting, or what?  Hey, at least the music will be good!  I am in hopes that the members of the Friendship family will be faithful to attend, bring others, give, et cetera.  Let us not forsake the assembly of ourselves together!

The baby shower for PT & Claire Belle takes place tomorrow afternoon in the fellowship hall.  I only mention this again because Claire Belle was upset at me following yesterday’s entry.  She is not registered at Bay Tire & Lube – I was wrong!  She is registered at Greer’s, Grand Bay Pharmacy and Sessions Fruit Stand!  How could I not know that?

Our Finance Committee meets tomorrow afternoon at 5:00PM.

The guys in our 20-29 year old Sunday School class will meet at 6:30AM today to trim the hedges around the auditorium.  I am not going to call anyone out but let me just say that “they all with one consent began to make excuses!”  One guy had his wife contact me to say “we would be there but we already have plans to do yard work!”  What do they think our guys will be doing?  Another guy says, “I would be there but this overtime is killing me!”  I am good with that – send your wife!  By the way, we will not discriminate against anyone regardless of their age so if you want to lend a hand then come join us!

Speaking of yard work, the “boss” had me going full steam ahead around here yesterday.  I was on the backside of a weed eater basically from 8:00AM until 1:00PM.  (Did take a few breaks to eat some of the watermelon provided by John Milton!).  I was then on a mower until around 5:00PM.  The boss then said, “go buy groceries!”  The tough part is that I still have more yard work to do today.  Our grass is growing faster than we can mow it!

I did encounter my first snake of the Summer while eating weeds yesterday.  It was a young black racer so no harm.  He minded his business and I kept eating weeds.

Bobby and the boys won their second game in a row last night and now find themselves five games behind the Phillies and Leslie Hacker’s Braves.  The Phils have won five straight while the Braves have dropped four in a row.  Meanwhile, the Dodgers blew a lead in the bottom of the ninth to fall one game behind the Diamondbacks.

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

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

Tammy Womack had a scan done this past Tuesday and met with the doctor yesterday.  As of Wednesday, she was still experiencing pain.  Pray for Tammy, Pastor John and the family.

Larry & Judy Whitehurst have a two year old great niece who has an unusual physical malady.  Pray for the doctors and the family to have wisdom as to how to proceed.

I am asking the guys in our Sunday School class to meet me at the church this Saturday morning, 7/7, at 6:30AM.  We are going to trim the hedges so we need trimmers, extension cords, rakes, ladders, et cetera.  We may even ignite the burn pile.  Our class is the 20-29 years old but we will take all comers.  Plans call for us to finish by 8:30AM or so.

There will be a baby shower for Phillip & Claire Belle Turner in the fellowship hall this Sunday, 7/8.  I am not sure of the beginning or ending time.  It is a girl!  I think they are registered at Greer’s, Grand Bay Pharmacy and Bay Tire & Lube – I could be wrong.  Claire Belle is an absolute sweetheart.  She and Phillip are going to make great parents!

We are on a regular schedule this Sunday morning and evening.

So our skeleton crew handled the office ok yesterday.  The phones were basically silent even though there was one prayer request taken and the fellowship hall reserved for a shower in October.

Bobby and the boys scored two touchdowns last night while holding the Marlins to a touchdown, field goal and a safety to pull out a 14 – 12 win.  Leslie Hacker’s Braves took it on the chin for their third consecutive loss so the Nationals are now only six games out of first place in the NL East.

Meanwhile, over in the NL West, the Dodgers had the night off.  However, the Diamondbacks lost their second in a row which means that they now share the top spot with the boys in blue.  Go Dodgers!

I am an Alabama football fan.  I am not a big fan of Eli Gold calling their games.  However, I did like Phil Savage doing the color.  He has stepped down from his position due to being a GM in the new professional football league.  I will miss Phil.  I am submitting Pee Wee Roberts’ name as Phil’s replacement.

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

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

This entry is late.  Again, no excuses.  It seems that I am getting more like Deidra daily when it comes to blogging – Lord help me Jesus!

The church office will be open today with a skeleton crew – me!  What?  Who made that call?  Me, with the blessings of the Personnel Committee.  Lord willing, I will be in the office from 8:00AM until 4:30PM with one exception.  I will be attending a graveside service in Mobile beginning at 1:00PM so it will probably be 2:00PM before I return from the lunch hour.  So, if you need something from the office I will be there.  However, when I give you that “deer in the headlights look” please do not laugh! LOL!

The graveside service for Kerrie Lastorka’s paternal Aunt takes place at the Springhill Memorial Gardens cemetery today at 1:00PM.  Where is that, you ask?  Basically sets across from Baker High School.  The only reason I know is because I have had services there in past years.

Really have no updates today so let’s go with the “no news is good news” philosophy.

Today marks my brother-in-law’s fiftieth birthday (7/5/68 – 7/5/18) which is unbelievable!  Michael Clark passed from this life on September 2, 1986 at the young age of eighteen.  He is Charles & Ann’s only son.  So many memories.  So many “what ifs” too.  I only knew Michael for about seven and one half years but he had a profound impact on my life.  He did not live a long life on this earth but I do believe he lived a full life.  Today, he lives but now in a much better place.  Folks, death stings even after almost thirty two years.

Bobby & the boys are struggling big time having now lost five in a row.  They were swept by the Red Sox and then called for a players only meeting.  I am in hopes they can turn this thing around quickly.  By the way, Jerry & Gloria Whitmore were at the Nationals game yesterday.  Their seats were not too far away from the third base coaching box and they sent me a picture of Bobby.  (I am assuming Gloria was there but I know Jerry was)

The tally after the three game series in New York:  Bobby Gene – 2; Leslie Hacker – 1.  Bob wins!  Bob wins!  Bob wins!

The Dodgers have moved to within one half of a game of the first place Diamondbacks in the NL West.  Let’s go Dodgers!

Someone wrote yesterday and said, “it is a beautiful day.  Enjoy this weather with your family!”  I did.  We all got the same sun – the family out by the pool while I was on the back side of a weed eater most of the day followed by being on the mower.  Same sun!  Disclaimer – I would rather work in the yard than to be in the pool.

Gina Bug arrived safely in Guatemala last night.  Thanks to Ryan for taking her to PNS and to Soy & Zach for getting her from the airport in Guatemala City.

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

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

Our church office is closed today in observance of the fourth of July.  However, I am in town and readily available in the event of an emergency.  The office will be open tomorrow, 7/5.

Thank you to each person who visited with the Petersen family on Monday night and those who attended the celebration of life service yesterday.  Oscar will be greatly missed by the members of the Friendship family!

I think I am correct in saying that Bill Goff now assumes the role as the oldest male member of the Friendship family.  I “think” I know who the oldest member is but I want to confirm before declaring any thing publicly.

Kerrie Lastorka had an Aunt to pass from this life on Sunday.  The service will take place tomorrow.  Pray for the family.

Kelly Eyler’s mother passed from this life yesterday.  Pray for the Eyler family too.

Norman Richerson brought us some beautiful tomatoes yesterday afternoon.  What a kind gesture on his part.  We are grateful!

Gina, Titus, Ryan and I left late yesterday afternoon and drove to Jim n Nick’s in Prattville.  We were met there by my older brother, Eddie, my dad, and two of Eddie’s grandsons, Grayson & Jace.  We enjoyed a great meal and even greater fellowship.  It was great seeing family and enjoying fellowship.

This afternoon, Lord willing, Gina will board a plane in Pensacola and fly to Guatemala where she will be for the next month.  Traveling alone does not phase her one bit.  Soy & Deidra’s girls will be happy to see her.  I am very grateful to Phillip Dixon for allowing her time off work in order to be involved in ministry.  I encourage you to support Sam’s Super Burger as often as you can.

The tally now stands at one each for Leslie Hacker and Bob Evans as the Yankees won last night.  Bobby & the boys are in a bit of a mire having lost four in a row.  The Dodgers remain a game and a half back of the Dbacks.  The Twins did not record a single out at first base in last night’s game – how about that!

My plan (actually Lisa’s plan for me) is to work in the yard the better part of the day.  Of course, I would be happy with an all day rain!

I pray that you will have a great Fourth of July holiday with Jesus.

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

The celebration of life service for Bro. Oscar Petersen will take place today, 7/3, beginning at noon from the chapel of the Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore, Alabama.  Pray for the Petersen family and pray for the service.

If you are helping minister to the Petersen family by bringing food or drinks then please have them in the fellowship hall no later than 11:00AM today.  Thank you for being a part of this ministry.  Special thanks to Tina Wilkinson for coordinating this meal.

Phil Sims is scheduled to have eye surgery today in Hattiesburg.  Pray that all goes well.

I spoke to Larry & Judy Whitehurst last night and they told me that Tammy Womack has been really sick.  Would you stop right now and voice a prayer for Tammy, Pastor John and family?

Can you believe this?  I received an e-mail from Steve Morris yesterday apologizing for not contacting me about his surgery.  Said he knew I was in Guatemala and had a lot going on so he did not want to bother me!  Also, told me that he has a set of mower blades sharpened if anyone is going to mow the back forty!  Are you serious?  Steve was in tough shape, spent several days in ICU and is apologizing for not contacting me!  Wow!  I think Steve understands the part about “it is not about me!”  What a blessing!  Keep praying for Steve!

Our church office will be closed tomorrow.  No services, classes or activities morning or evening.  Regular schedule on Sunday, 7/8.

Bobby and the boys lost again last night which now drops them seven games behind Les Hacker’s Braves.  The Dodgers bombed the Pirates 17 – 1 while the Dbacks lost so the Dodgers are now only one and a half games behind in the West.   Those young Braves are on a roll!

Leslie Hacker – 1

Bob Evans – 0

John Milton Ladnier made good on his promise to give us some watermelons.  He came over Sunday afternoon with two big melons.  Lisa says we cannot cut them until the 4th!  John Milton is a really good gardener.  He gives more of his garden stuff away than any person I know.  He has kept us in in tomatoes, cucumbers and now melons this Summer.  I very much appreciate his generosity.

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

The visitation with the Oscar Petersen family will take place from 5:00 until 7:00PM tonight, July 2, at Serenity.  Please note the earlier ending hour.  Thank you.

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

Good morning!  Sorry this entry is a bit late.  No excuses.  Just late!

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our services yesterday.  As I said yesterday morning, I could not decide if this past weekend was a holiday weekend or this coming weekend gets that designation.  The attendance in our morning services was good.  We would have been at capacity plus if we had combined the services.  The preaching was not much but you had heard good preaching the previous Sunday.  It was a joy to welcome Josh Nelson into the Friendship family by transfer of letter.  Josh has been faithful to attend for the past several months since moving to Grand Bay.  Welcome Josh!

The visitation with the Oscar Petersen family will take place tonight, 7/2, from 5:00 – 8:00PM at the Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore, AL.  The celebration of life service takes place tomorrow, 7/3, beginning at noon.

Tina Wilkinson has coordinated the post service meal for the Petersen family.  Thank you to each person who is helping with that meal.  I am “guessing” that the food needs to be in the fellowship hall no later than 11:00AM tomorrow.

Steve Morris is recovering at home.  Keep praying for Steve & Virginia.

Phil Sims did not have eye surgery last week but is now scheduled to have it tomorrow in Hattiesburg.  Pray for Phil.

Scott told me yesterday morning that Nanette is in a lot of pain.  Keep praying for Nanette.

Kendall Falana told me yesterday that his other will find out the results of a spot on one of her lungs next Monday, July 9.  Pray for Kendall’s mother.

I have not printed this in my blog up to this point.  At least not as far as naming the person.  However, I now have permission to do so.  Pastor John Womack’s wife, Tammy, was diagnosed with a malignancy some time ago.  She had surgery and treatments.  A couple of weeks ago they found a couple of spots that seemed suspicious.  The malignancy has returned and it is termed “aggressive” by the doctors.  So, please join me in praying for Tammy, Pastor John, their children and their grandchildren.

Our church office will be closed this Wednesday, July 4.  Also, there will be no services, classes or activities on Wednesday.

My niece, Jamie, sent me a message last night telling me that LeBron is now a Laker!  I am excited!  The Lakers have struggled for the past five years.  It will be tough getting past the Warriors in the West but LeBron is the best in the game right now.  If Jerry West will come out of retirement then maybe they can win it all at least one more time!

Bobby and the boys have fallen six games behind Les Hacker’s Braves in the East.  The Dodgers seem to be stuck on staying two and one half games behind the Diamondbacks in the West.  However, tonight none of that matters as Les Hacker’s Braves travel to New York to take on Bob Evans’ Yankees.  Les vs Bob – who ya got?

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)

It is a little after 2:00AM and this entry is being written while I am around thirty seven thousand feet above the earth.  I left Guatemala just after midnight their time and am scheduled to land in Pensacola just before 9:00AM.  I will be somewhat tired but at least I will be home.

Leaving Guatemala was tough on me.  Deidra cried but that is nothing new.  Lizzi cried which is the first time she has done so when I have left.  She began asking on day one how many more days before I had to leave.  She misses her family in Alabama and is old enough now to better understand the situation.  Pray for Lizzi!

Bernard Suthoff was released from the hospital yesterday.  He is doing well.

Karla & Ella Rose are also home from the hospital.  That is great!  Keep praying for them.

Regular schedule for the Friendship family tomorrow morning and evening.

Deacons will meet tomorrow afternoon at 4:00PM.

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

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

Bernard’s heart cath revealed several blockages and the most major was corrected by the balloon procedure.  The others will be treated with medications.  I appreciate Pattie keeping me updated.  Pray for Bernard to do well!

Nanette sent me an update on her surgery.  She had some pretty major stuff done and the recovery is going to be a ten weeks process.  She has a block that has helped with the pain but that is to wear off today.  Pray for Nanette during this recovery time.  We probably had better pray harder for Scott.

Steve Morris remains in the hospital.

I did not get an update on Phil Sims so I am thinking “no news is good news” as far as his surgery is concerned.

I did get an unfavorable report on an unspoken request.  Prayers definitely needed.

One of my maternal uncles in Michigan is having issues with congestive heart failure.  He has been hospitalized twice since I have been in Guatemala.  I appreciate my cousin, Tony, keep me updated.  Would you pray for my Uncle Bill?  Thank you.

The folks from Ethelsville Baptist & Thelma Baptist had traveling woes yesterday.  Their flight from Atlanta got cancelled.  A bus came from Thelma Baptist to get them.  They arrive in Wetumpka around 11:00PM (left the mission house at 3:30AM Alabama time).  The Ethelsville folks stayed in Wetumpka and will drive home this morning.  Pastor BJ and Pastor Jordan left Wetumpka at 5:00AM to drive to Huntsville to retrieve luggage.  I am so sorry this happened to them but they seemed to take it in stride.  “Blessed are the flexible for they shall not get bent out of shape!”

Lord willing, I leave from Guatemala at 12:05AM tomorrow.  I am ready to be home but I am very reluctant to leave Deidra, Lizzi, Sydney & Audrey.  Lizzi has been especially clingy on this trip and constantly asking how many more days can I stay.  The good news is that Gina is set to arrive here on 7/4 and then Lisa comes later in the month too.

Bobby & the boys lost their third in a row last night.  I sent Pastor Joe David Bailey to Philadelphia to help them but to no avail.  The Dodgers took it on the chin as well.

Alabama is tentatively set to begin Fall camp on August 2.  Now that is exciting news!

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

It is now a little after 4:00AM and GRACE Mountain is minus forty eight folks as the team left here at 2:30AM heading to the airport.  They arrived there safely and the Delta folks are already checked in.  I assume the United folks are in the process too.

Yesterday, the team was given an extra hour of sleep.  Musical worship was as usual and then Jeff Holifield brought a word from the Word.  The team then headed out to dedicate the sixteen houses that they built.  Pastor Jordan, Pastor BJ, Jeff Holifield and Eric Collier each led a team with each team dedicating four houses.  That was a good experience.

Yesterday afternoon was a time of packing and just hanging out.  The final share time began at 5:00PM and lasted until 7:00PM.  That was a special time.

So, another GRACE Ministries trip has come to an end.  God was once again faithful.  We give Him the glory.

Pray for the team as they travel home today.  Thank you for checking on them.  Blessings!