Pastor's Blog

I learned while at the visitation with the Pam Tillman family that no one is providing a meal following the service tomorrow.  So, I told them that we would take care of it.  Tina Wilkinson has gladly stepped up to the plate to coordinate this ministry.  If you will help then please contact Tina.  The food will need to be in our fellowship hall no later than noon.  We have the meat covered.  Thank you in advance for helping minister to the Tillman family.

I just spoke to a very proud mother – Glenda Chinners.  Jim & Glenda’s oldest son, Aaron, has been accepted into medical school at the University of South Alabama!  Folks, this is nothing short of a miracle.  To God be the glory!  I am very proud of Aaron and very grateful for this happening in his life!  Congratulations Aaron!

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

Wow, I have gotten really lax in my blogging.  I was “off” last week and there was a six to seven hours time difference so those things really caused me to not be in the blogging mode.  So, how about this past Sunday and yesterday?  Well, as a general rule I do not blog on Sundays and yesterday morning saw me in the garden at day’s break.  If I do not blog reasonably early then I am inclined to not blog at all.  Honestly, I am even pondering “retiring” from the blog or at least taking a “sabbatical” for an extended period of time.  I have been doing this since February of 2011 and I am not sure it is effective any longer.  Maybe I should move to tweets or wait on the next greatest means of social media connection.  But, for now, here we are!

We had a good first day of VBS.  I am not sure what the numbers were but I do know that VBS is not given the priority it once enjoyed.  I appreciate those who are working and hope our week goes well.

Pam Tillman passed from this life early this past Sunday morning.  The visitation with her family takes place tonight at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  The service will take place tomorrow, 6/13, at noon from the chapel of Serenity Funeral Home.  Interment will be in the Cedar Grove Baptist Church Cemetery which is located on Old Pascagoula Road.  Pray for Randy and the family during this time.

Sandy Felps is in the hospital.  The medical folks are not absolute on the cause of her problems.  Pray for Sandy.

We will have a VBS family night “picnic” this Sunday night immediately following the service which begins at 5:00PM.  This “picnic” will be led by our deacons as they will grill burgers and dogs.  You are asked to bring chips and desserts.  We are going to make it easy so we will not do any other sides.  We hope to fellowship with some of the families who do not normally attend our services.  Pass the word and make plans to attend.

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)

Good morning from London!  (It is almost 1:00AM here on Thursday morning, 6/7)  Lisa, Eddie, Sue and I left Spain late yesterday afternoon and arrived back in a London hotel between 10:30 & 11:00PM.  We have been keeping a whirlwind pace ever since we got to Europe!

Here is the obit for Jimmy Moates:

“James Henry Moates, age 75, a resident of Grand Bay, Alabama, born on September 14, 1942 in Mobile, Alabama, departed this life Tuesday, June 5, 2018. He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Ila Moates, a sister, Louise Akridge, and a grandson, Michael Levi Westbrook. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mariam Moates, three daughters, Lisa (Brian) Bellknap, Teresa (John) Ladnier, Melinda (Jason) Westbrook, two sisters, Norma (James) Rogers, Susan (Charles) White, eight grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren.

James received Jesus as his Lord and Saviour at the age of 12 years old. He had a great respect for the Lord and his word. James had great love for his wife, three daughters, and two generations of grandchildren, and he took joy in caring for them throughout their lives.

James accomplished many notable things throughout his professional career. He took great joy and satisfaction in his work. He was a heavy equipment operator and worked in the state of Alabama on numerous projects, including placing the steeple at Dauphin Way Baptist Church, had an intrical role in the construction of Hank Aaron Stadium, Providence Hospital’s lake and waterfall, and renovating Ladd Peebles stadium. James was loved by his family, friends, and all who knew him.”

The visitation with the Moates family will take place today, Thursday, June 7, from 1:00PM until the 2:00PM service time.  Visitation and service will take place at Friendship Baptist Church.  Interment will be in the Serenity Memorial Gardens in Theodore.

If you are helping with the feeding of the Moates family following the service today then please have your food in the fellowship hall no later than 2:00PM.

Jennifer Brinkman e-mailed me to say that their son, Bryce, was suffered second degree burns over five percent of his body last night.  Been a tough few hours for him and his parents.  Pray for them!

My dad did well through his rough chemo treatment Tuesday.  He received another one yesterday and gets yet another today if I understand correctly.  Thank you for praying.

As we traveled to Spain to visit with Mario, Amuy and family I had said repeatedly they were one of the best couples I have ever known.  I left Spain feeling that way plus more!  Their faithfulness and commitment to the call of God on their lives is amazing!  I will probably share more from the pulpit.

We are now going into “tourist” mode for the next two days.  Should be fun!  May stop by and visit the Queen!

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

Lisa and I just arrived at our hotel in Spain which allowed me to have access to the internet.  I had a couple of messages telling me that Jimmy Moates passed from this life around 5:30AM today.  So, please pray for Mariam, Lisa, Teresa, Melinda and their families as they walk through this valley.  Arrangements pending.

“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 being written shortly after 2:00AM on Tuesday morning in London which means it is shortly after 8:00PM on Monday night in Alabama.  We are leaving the hotel at 4:30AM heading to the airport in order to catch a flight to Spain.  More about that a bit later.

Rita Broome had surgery Monday morning and did well.  She is one tough cookie!  Pray that her recovery goes well and that she does not over do it!  Translated – no McKemie Place for her tonight!

Let me ask for a personal prayer request.  My dad met with his oncologist yesterday morning and the news was not real good.  Dad has cancer, and lots of it, in both of his lungs.  He received a chemo treatment yesterday but is going to get one that is “as bad as it gets” today (Tuesday).  Would you pray that his body can tolerate it?  Thank you.

Today was a good Monday for us.  We basically did nothing in the morning and then made our way over to the wedding of Nicolle Matheu and Mikey Carter at 2:00PM.  Nicolle is Guatemalan so everything started late.  It was a beautiful wedding in a beautiful location.  We missed the reception meal as we had to catch the last direct train back to London.  The meal started way. . .late!  LOL!

I am excited about heading to Spain tomorrow and visiting with Pastor Mario, Amuy and their children.  We are scheduled to come back to London on Wednesday night late.

I trust that all is well there.  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)

Good morning from Cheltenham, England.  These past two days have been a bit of a whirlwind for us.  I had “plans” as far as making connection while on the flight from New York to London as the airline boasted of free WiFi for the duration of the trip.  However, we never had a connection for even one second.  We then literally hit the ground running as we wanted to make a worship service at Hillsong Church in London before boarding a train heading to Cheltenham which is where the wedding takes place later today.

I did get a quick word that Pastor Alex did a nice job in our services yesterday.  I knew that would be the case.  I thank him for his service to the Lord.

I am aware of the volcano eruption in Guatemala.  GRACE Mountain has received a fair share of the ash but outside of that all is well.  The most important thing is that everyone is well on the mountain including the team being led by Bro. Johnny & Miss Judy Tucker.

Deidra has shared that someone in Pastor Max Lara’s family is missing because of the volcano.  I will not speculate but do ask that you pray for that situation.  The village of El Rodeo was one of the places affected by the lava flow.  Pastor Max is very involved in that village and pastors a church located there too.  The bodies of the deceased, which now totals twenty five, have been taken to Alotenango.  GRACE teams have built many houses in that town over the years.  So, pray for all involved.

Not sure what the plans are for blogging from this point forward.  I do pray that you will have a great Monday/week with Jesus.

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

Gena Davis left a comment on Wednesday’s entry sharing her continued need for our prayer support as she is having several physical problems.  So please take a moment and say a prayer for Gena.

Our Finance Committee has discussed moving to receiving online financial gifts for several years.  Thanks to a lot of diligent work by Soy Taylor that is now a reality.  You can simply click on the “giving” tab on our website and then follow the simple instructions to give.  I have done it twice now – once with a credit card and once with a debit card.  It was seamless both times.  You can also give to GRACE Ministries online as well.  So, if you are accustomed to paying bills, et cetera online then perhaps you will be interested in giving online as well.  If so, check it out.

Les Hacker’s Braves handled Bobby & the boys last night to move back into first place in the NL East.  The Dodgers allowed the Phillies to score a run that should not have counted and got beat by that one run.  They remain four games out in the NL West.

Lisa and I are set to leave early in the morning heading to London.  Pray for us.  We will be on a regular schedule on the Friendship campus this Sunday.  I pray many members of the Friendship family will attend.

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)

Happy birthday to my wife, Lisa!  She is an absolute jewel and I hope her day is the very best it can be.  She is an excellent pastor’s wife in my opinion but you must know that I am very biased!  Happy birthday Lisa!  (How old?  Older than Jason Husband but younger than me!)

Infant Micah Woods was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon – hooray!  We praise the Lord and thank you for praying.

As a church family, we remain hospital free which is a blessing from God.

Regular schedule for the Friendship family this morning and evening.  I hope to be joined by many in our services.

I go to Joey’s gym (WOW) from time to time.  I see some folks in there who really work hard.  Last night I stopped by and saw two girls in there who were . . . well let’s just say that if talking and laughing while standing on a treadmill helps one lose weight then they should have lost a ton last night!  And their husbands are paying for that?  Just saying!

Les Hacker’s Braves had a huge win last night rallying from four down to win with a walk off homer in the ninth.  Bobby & the boys continue to apply the pressure as they won their fifth straight and remain only a half of a game behind the Braves in the East.  The Nationals are coming to Atlanta for a weekend series which should be a good early season match up.

The Dodgers lost last night so they are now four and one half games out in the West.  Come on Dodgers!

What about the NBA Finals?  I am really not interested but would like to see LeBron and the Cavs defeat the Warriors.  LeBron has now been to eight consecutive Finals – that is crazy!  He just puts his team on his back and carries them!

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!  My day has already had a hiccup and it is not even 6:00AM yet.  I was scheduled to meet with someone earlier this morning and I totally forgot it.  With yesterday being an off day. . . .   (Well one excuse is as good as the next one!  You cannot fix stupid!)

Infant Micah Woods did not get released from the hospital on Sunday.  There was no setback or anything.  The doctor just decided to keep him in the hospital longer.  The family was disappointed.  Just keep praying.

Memorial Day 2018 was a good day for my family and me.  We basically just stayed around the house.  Lisa had that “list” of things for me to get done.  We had a family meal in the late afternoon and were joined by Mac & Jane Clark from Pascagoula.  It was nice having their company.

We are on a regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.  I hope many members of the Friendship family will be faithful.

Speaking of that, we were blessed with a good attendance in our services this past Sunday on a holiday weekend.  That was especially true in our evening service.  I am very thankful for a people who are faithful!

Bobby and the boys have won four in a row and are only one half of a game behind the Braves in the East.  The Dodgers had a nice comeback win over the Phillies last night and remain three and one half games back in the West.  I have not enjoyed the NBA games the past two nights – just saying!

Lisa and I are in the countdown mode for our trip to London & Spain.  We leave this Saturday, June 2, and return the following Saturday, June 9.  It is going to be a quick trip.  This is week one of the two weeks given to me by the deacons upon my twenty fifth anniversary as the pastor of the Friendship family.  I am blessed to be attending the wedding of Nicole Matheu (Paul Leytham’s granddaughter) in London, seeing Andrea Rambert (owner of Las Antorchas restaurant in Guatemala – his daughter) who lives in London and visiting for a couple of days with Mario & Amuy Monroy in Spain.  Our VBS offering this year will go to help the Monroy’s in their ministry.

In the meanwhile, lots to do on the home front.  I pray that you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus.