Pastor's Blog

You do not know this about me but I am not a computer guru.  Cannot get the aglimpseofgrace website to allow me to post a blog entry.  So, I am doing one here in case anyone is interested in the happenings this trip.

Our actual first day of being in Guatemala started out typical but then went in a totally different direction.  Devotion was at 7:00AM which was early for our late night arrivals.  Lana Lollar, Darin Price and Pastor BJ Parson did an excellent job of leading our musical worship.  Juan Marcos Ruiz provided a huge assist by running the sound.  Such a nice guy.  We spent some time in the Word and then headed out.

The entire team plus went down the hill about five minutes away and hosted the students and faculty from the My Special Treasure School for a field day.  There were one hundred and forty two of them.  They were given breakfast and lunch.  I think everyone had a good day.

Seven of our guys went in the latter part of the afternoon and started on the house building.  Two of them were framed up and are basically ready for the tin.

After the field day, Deidra and others took those who sponsor a child in the feeding center to visit their child’s family in their home.  That was a neat experience.

Tonight was spent around the table enjoying a good meal and fellowship.

Tomorrow we feed folks displaced by the volcano, do the feeding center and build houses.

Pray for this team.  Thanks for checking on them.

Blessings!

P.S. – Jennifer Brinkman is the ultimate helicopter mom!  Just saying!

My brain is not working so great this morning.  Forgot to mention in my first entry that the Friendship family will host a service at the Mission of Hope tonight beginning at 7:00PM.  Everyone is invited.

Also, Evangelist Michael Mason will be filling our pulpit in all three services this Sunday, 6/24.  I am asking each member of the Friendship family to be in their rightful place for the services.  I have sent an e-mail to our deacons asking them to lead the way in this area and I feel certain they will.  Remember, we will be receiving a love offering for Bro. Michael in all three services so pray and give as the Lord leads.

We have a few openings on our December 1 – 8, 2018 GRACE Ministries trip and the airfares out of Mobile are extremely good right now.  They most likely will not stay that way for long.  So, if you have any interest in taking part in that trip then you need to contact me via e-mail like yesterday!  This is a great trip for those who sponsor a child in the feeding center program.  Pray about it!  (But do not pray long or the fares may increase!).

Blessings!

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

I am living by the “no news is good news” philosophy this morning as I have heard nothing from home so I assume all is well.

It is shortly after 1:00AM here in Guatemala and our last crew (25 in number) just arrived from the airport about thirty minutes ago.  They left New Orleans just before 4:00PM and were then delayed by an hour or so in Houston.  They are tired folks but came with really good attitudes.  They have already learned about being flexible and are doing well with it.

Pastor Jordan and Pastor BJ arrived with their folks (23 in number) around 3:00PM yesterday.  They left Huntsville at 5:30AM yesterday so they found the beds fairly quickly last night.  Some really good folks from Ethelsville Baptist and Thelma Baptist in Wetumpka.  We have ten folks staying off campus as the mission house can only sleep forty folks.  Those ten have taken it all in stride too.

I would ask you to pray for one of my maternal uncles, Bill Brown.  He lives in Paw Paw, Michigan.  I found out today that he suffered a heart attack over the weekend and had to have four stents put in place.  It is my understanding that he is a bit anxious so I would appreciate your prayers for him.

The hour is late and little Lisa (Deidra) is demanding that I be in the kitchen at 5:00AM!  As they say, the pear does not fall far from the tree!

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)

Dana Taylor’s father was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  Not sure what the final outcome was in his situation but do know that he continues to need our prayer support.

Phil Sims continues to do well following his most recent eye surgery.  He is scheduled to have his other eye operated on next Thursday, 6/28.  Keep praying for Phil.

Bernard Suthoff is scheduled to have a heart cath next Thursday, 6/28.  Bernard is a bit anxious so pray for him.

The anonymous person I have been praying for finally got a report from the doctor.  It is not the news they wanted to hear.  I am not comfortable posting a name on the blog at this point.  Just pray.

Bro. Jerry said we had a good day in our services yesterday – morning and evening.

I cannot stress enough my desire for the members of the Friendship family to be faithful this Sunday morning and evening.  Evangelist Michael Mason will be bringing the message in all three of our services.  God is going to use him to speak to those in attendance.  Please pray.  Please attend.  Please bring others with you.

Our GRACE Ministries team members are traveling today from Huntsville and New Orleans.  The Huntsville twenty three are set to arrive in Guatemala City at 12:05AM while the New Orleans twenty five are set to arrive at 9:30PM.  Pray for safety in travel for these forty eight folks.

Pastor Terry Rainey’s team is on GRACE Mountain at the present but they are flying out this afternoon.  Pastor Terry & I had a meeting with Pastor Ben Labrill yesterday morning about the 2018 Christian worker’s conference being hosted by LifeAid Ministries.  It was productive.

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)

Dana Taylor’s father did not have a good day yesterday per the report I received.  She asks that we keep praying for her parents.

Phil Sims has a procedure on one of his eyes.  This is the second one on that eye and the hope is that it will show immediate improvement.  Pray for Phil!

Bernard Suthoff has had some tests in recent weeks.  Something is amiss regarding his heart so they will be doing a heart cath soon.  Pattie had told me about this earlier but wanted to wait until after the doctor’s visit yesterday to go public.

I had an uneventful day of flying yesterday.  Nic & Annie Gray were on the flight from PNS to ATL.  I spoke to them once we had gotten off the plane in ATL.  Nic tried to borrow some money – said something like he had left his wallet!  I gave Annie twenty dollars just in case!

I arrived on GRACE Mountain around 3:00PM or so and had an hour or so of visiting with Lizzi, Sydney & Audrey.  They helped me unpack.  Not that they were looking for anything – LOL!  It was then off to a meeting out West of Chimaltenango.  That meeting lasted until after 9:00PM so it was pushing 10:00PM when we got back to GRACE Mountain.  I was a tired puppy and slept well once I went to bed.

I have a meeting this morning relating the pastor’s conference this Fall.  I have some other things to do in order to get ready for the team’s arrival tomorrow.  Praying for a good day.

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

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

Good Tuesday morning from the Pensacola Airport.  I will soon be boarding a flight to Atlanta where I will connect to a flight to Guatemala.  As usual for me, I am going a couple of days ahead of our team in order to get things ready.  Plus, I have four excellent reasons to have a couple of extra days.  I have one good reason to not go early but the four excellent trump that one.  Lord willing, I have an important meeting tonight and then at least one more before the team arrives.  Pray that all goes well.

Dana Taylor’s father remains hospitalized.  He had a test/procedure yesterday morning but I do not know the results.  Just keep praying.

We had a member of the Friendship family in the hospital over the weekend.  I was told they were being discharged yesterday morning.

I have had two prayer requests shared with me in recent days that are not ready for broadcast yet.  Pray for those involved in these situations.

We are on a regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.  Bro. Jerry Hovel will be preaching/teaching in my absence.  I pray that the members of the Friendship family will be faithful.

Evangelist Michael Mason will be our special guest this Sunday, June 24.  He will be preaching in all three of our services.  I certainly hope and pray that the members of the Friendship family will attend these services.  We will receive a love offering for Bro. Michael in all three services.  Please pray, attend, and give as the Lord leads.

Yesterday was a marathon day for me as there was much to do before leaving today.  I packed everything on Saturday and was ahead in the game.  Not so fast my friend!  I only received like one hundred packages Sunday and yesterday.  Last night was about deciding what goes and what stays.  Lisa demanded that I mow the yard even though I had just mowed it on Friday – she is a real slave driver!

I did preside over nine funerals Sunday night and yesterday.  Rodents had taken up residence in my chicken coop so I fed them a little something.  It has worked so far.  I have passed the baton to Luke Green until I return home.  Brad killed one of my chickens while I was in London so I did not trust him this time.

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)

We enjoyed a really good day in our services yesterday.  Our attendance was down in the second morning service but that was expected as our students were still at camp.  It was a blessing to see a good number of folks at the altar during both of our morning services.  God is faithful!

Norman Richerson (84) was our oldest father present in our first service yesterday morning and Max Peacock (82) received that honor in our second service.  I am praying for Norman to keep on living as long as I am the pastor at Friendship as I do not want to have to give that gift card to Charles – just saying!

Our VBS family night was a real blessing.  We enjoyed a really good week in our VBS.  We saw twelve salvation decisions.  Our missions offering was a little over thirty five hundred dollars which will be a tremendous help to the family in Spain.  Thank you to each person who gave.  Thank you to our VBS director, Myrtle Bowden, and our VBS pastor, Bro. Jerry Hovel, for jobs well done.  A thank you also goes to each person who helped in any way.

How about our deacons!  They did an outstanding job of grilling the burgers and dogs for the VBS picnic.  Their wives were also very involved.  What a huge blessing.  My wife, Lisa, handled buying everything on Saturday.  That was hard for her as she just does not like to shop!  That picnic cost me several hundred dollars as Lisa just had to stop by Belks, Kohls, and about three other stores since she was in town buying the food for the picnic!  I do appreciate Lisa taking care of that for me.

Dana Taylor’s father was hospitalized last Friday and remains there this morning.  The thinking is they will do a heart cath soon.  They believe he suffered a stroke Friday morning but are really having a hard time pinpointing his exact problem.  Pray for the doctors as they continue to search for answers.

I have another serious prayer request that remains confidential for the time being but do ask that you join me in praying.  God knows.

Have you noticed that Karla Teasley Bosarge is with child?  I had not paid any attention until yesterday!  Anyway, she will be induced this Friday, 6/22, if she has not gone into labor before then.  Pray for Karla in these last days of her pregnancy.

Bobby & the boys have been on the wrong end of the score for the past three games and are now three and one half games behind Les Hacker’s Braves.  The Dodgers remain one and one half game behind the Diamondbacks in the West.  The Astros are on fire having won eleven in a row!

Ok, the decision has been made regarding the blog and my possible retirement.  Lisa says I am not retiring and that ends that discussion!  I am thankful for the eleven of the thirteen readers who sent in their comments on the situation.  Six said “keep blogging” and the other five said “put us out of our misery!”  However, Lisa said “either you keep blogging or you are going to start washing daddy’s car every week!”  That was a no brainer for me!

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)

Word came to me that things are going well at youth camp.  That is good to hear.  (I have not heard from any of the leadership but I do have sources!).

Our 2018 VBS concludes today!  It has been a good week.  Family picnic this Sunday night.  Service begins at 5:00PM and the picnic follows.  Please bring chips and desserts.

Received some disturbing news yesterday about someone’s physical condition.  Privacy is requested right now so I cannot share the details.  However, I can tell you that it affected my entire day.  Would you join me in praying for this person?  God knows.

Per Dr. Mike Clark’s latest journal entry there have been one hundred and ten confirmed deaths in Guatemala as a result of the volcano’s eruption.  The government has announced that nine hundred and ninety six families will be relocated.  I do know that Soy, Deidra and others will be ministering this morning to a group staying in a shelter because of the eruption.  This is one of thirty six shelters presently operating.  Pray for the folks in Guatemala – those affected by the eruption and those ministering.

Heard from Gena Davis that the surgery helped her physically.  That is good news!

Regular schedule for the Friendship family this Sunday morning.  Note that our VBS family night service on Sunday begins at 5:00PM.

Bobby & the boys are North of the border this weekend.  Les Hacker’s Braves just keep on winning.

Had an electrical problem at the house yesterday.  One call to Bobby Gene and the problem was handled before you could say the word problem.  The man is a machine!  “It is a bird, a plane, no it is super Bobby Gene!”

I am not going to mention the word “retire” in this blog again.  If, and when, I reach that decision it will be strictly a personal one. I am not trying to get folks to contact me.  However, I have now heard from six of our thirteen readers so eighty four percent is not bad!  I appreciate each person who has contacted me.

In the meanwhile enjoy (can this blog be enjoyable?) the blog writings and 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)

Day four of VBS is always an important one as it provides the opportunity to share the Gospel in a group setting.  So pray this morning as Bro. Jerry will take a few extra minutes in the opening session to present the plan of salvation.

Our VBS family night takes place this Sunday, 6/17, beginning at 5:00PM.  Following that service our deacons will host a family picnic featuring burgers and dogs.  The meat and drinks will be provided.  We are asking the members of the Friendship family to bring chips and desserts.  This picnic will take place in the CAB.

A huge “thank you” to Tina Wilkinson, Lisa and everyone else who helped minister to the Pam Tillman family yesterday.  The family was very grateful for the food.  As pastor, I was very thankful to see you, once again, serving as God’s ministers.

Met with Coley Johnson to discuss a possible Fall soccer league.  Details TBA.

Met with a gentleman over supper last night who is basically married to a beast.  Wait did he say “beast” or “best?”  Really does not matter to me as he paid for my meal which was very nice.  It was odd not being in a church service last night.

We have a team of forty eight folks in the countdown mode for a GRACE Ministries trip that begins next Thursday, June 21.  This includes folks from the Friendship family, Ethelsville Baptist, Thelma Baptist and more.  Pray for these folks as they make their final preparations.

I was gone for a week and my yard and garden both got ahead of me.  Slowly but surely I am making up ground.  Lord willing, by the time I leave for Guatemala next Tuesday there will be nothing left in my garden except a row of okra.  Charles has given me a great assist in getting the corn stalks pulled up and hauled off.  As a matter of fact, Charles & Ann did a great job of harvesting the garden while we were away last week.  Brad & Daphne helped too.  Do you believe in miracles?

My goal for today is to finish removing the corn stalks and then to mow down the peas.  I can then turn my full attention to the yards i.e. eating weeds and mowing.

Yes, I am still considering “retiring” from the blog business.  Two ladies have contacted me asking me to continue.  However, just because those two are my Mama and my wife does not carry any extra weight with me!  Just saying!

Bobby and the boys remain one game behind Les Hacker’s Braves.  The Dodgers moved within two games of the Diamondbacks.

Free agency has been approved by the NCAA for college athletics.  Not sure how I feel about that one.  Need to chew on it for a while.

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)

There will be no regular activities i.e. prayer meeting, RA’s, GA’s, Mission Friends, et cetera this morning or evening.  The only exception is that Bro Jim has some of our students meeting in the auditorium at 6:30PM for some evangelism training.  Otherwise, no services or classes.

Two days of our 2018 VBS are in the books.  I am not sure of the numbers.  I did sit through the joint service yesterday and all seemed well.  Bob Evans was no behaving but you know Bob!

The Friendship family has an important ministry opportunity before them today.  We are going to feed the Pam Tillman family following Pam’s celebration of life service.  Tina Wilkinson is the point person for this ministry.  Contact her if you will help.  (She may have it all taken care of by now but it will not hurt to ask)  All food needs to be in the fellowship hall by noon.  (Let’s just hope the VBS children do not find it first!)  Thank you in advance to those who are helping.

Sandy Felps was discharged from the hospital on Monday afternoon.

Les Hacker’s Braves continue to stay in front of Bobby and the boys.  The Braves are whipping up on the Mets while the Nationals are tangling with the Yankees.  The Dodgers have won two in a row but the Dbacks continue to stay hot being the winners of three straight.

Could LeBron end up with the Lakers?

I am so ready for the college football season to begin.

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