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)

Lisa and I visited with Mark & Courtney Hubbard late yesterday afternoon.  Courtney continues to decline physically.  Mark seems to be holding up well.  Keep praying.

Linda Green shared in yesterday morning’s service that Victoria Collier is back in CCU in a Birmingham hospital.  Pray for Victoria and her family.

Edd Gillespie remains in Houston.  He has today off but will have more tests and/or consultations tomorrow.

Our morning service was well attended yesterday.  We had a good attendance in our evening service.  I am always thankful for folks who are faithful to attend.

We are supposed to have rain today and tonight and then the cooler temperatures move in.  We should be cool all the way through next Wednesday night, 1/30.

The first team of 2018 to use the L.G. Camp, Jr Mission House in Guatemala will be returning home today and will be replaced by the second team of the year.  We have eleven consecutive teams before having an “off” week the week before Easter.  Praise God for what He is doing through that ministry.

Soy, Deidra and the girls have been gone since last Saturday.  They spoke in two churches this past Sunday and will do likewise in two other churches this Sunday.  Sure has been quiet around this house with just Lisa and me.  We miss Deidra and the girls.  Pray for them in their travels.

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)

Ginger Welch passed from this life yesterday afternoon.  Pray for Dan, the girls and the family as they walk through this difficult time.

Edd Gillespie continues to have tests, meetings, et cetera done the rest of this week.  Keep praying for Edd & Sandra.

Larry Whitehurst is working on getting everything needed done here before heading to the Mayo Clinic for his surgery next week. Pray that all goes as planned.

Regular schedule this morning and tonight.  I am praying the members of the Friendship family will be faithful to attend.

Jeff Holifield commented on yesterday’s entry and he too has boycotted the NFL this year.  Jeff played high school football and is an avid football fan so this is somewhat of a sacrifice on his part.  Thank you to Jeff and all others who are standing!

I was pretty pumped when I looked at the weather forecast this morning.  Beginning Friday night the forecasted lows for Grand Bay are 28, 24, 28, 32, & 28 through Tuesday night.  Is that great news or what!

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)

Ginger Welch is Julie McGath’s sister.  She suffered a heart attack this past Saturday night and has been unresponsive ever since that time.  She is in CCU and on a ventilator.  The doctors plan to move her to another floor tomorrow and then remove the ventilator.  Obviously, it is a bleak situation.  Pray for Ginger, her husband, Dan, and their family.

Daphne & I visited with Mark & Courtney yesterday.  Courtney has really declined physically over the past couple of days.  However, she is on minimal pain medications and seems to be resting well.  Courtney, Mark and the family certainly need our continued prayer support.

Larry Whitehurst called me early last night to tell me that there had been some going back and forth concerning his surgery date.  Amazingly, his surgery is now scheduled for next Wednesday, 1/17, in Jacksonville, Floria.  That is much earlier than the original plan.  Larry is good with it but he has a lot of stuff medical wise to get done in Mobile before he goes back to Jacksonville.  Pray for Larry.

I spoke to Edd Gillespie via the phone late last night.  He has meetings, consultations, tests, et cetera at M.D. Anderson over the next four days.  Pray for wisdom on behalf of the doctors.

I watched the game last night and basically gave up on Alabama in the second quarter.  Just felt like Georgia had it going and it was not meant to be for Alabama.  Lisa basically chewed me out (cannot repeat what she said)!  However, she did not change my opinion.  I was fairly confident that the kicker was going to miss the field goal at the end of regulation too.  (Coach Saban totally missed by not offering Daniel Carlson a scholarship.  Why can Alabama not get a reliable place kicker?).   Needless to say that I was wrong and I am very happy to have been wrong.   Loved Tua’s post game remarks as he kept referring to Jesus – sweet!  I only personally know four Georgia fans and they are all classy folks.

I am now sad as the college football season has ended.  Hurry up September!

I am also happy to report that I have not watched any of the NFL games this season.  Not going to either.  As a matter of fact, Lisa I were in a restaurant the other day that had a television showing a Saints game.  I asked her to sit facing the television so I would not be tempted to watch the game.  I value the American flag over football and it is not even close.

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 were blessed and saw our 2018 get off to a good start as far as Sundays are concerned.  We were blessed to have two additions by transfer of letter in our early service.  The attendance was good and we were blessed.

Speaking of attendance, the Friendship family did very well in attending the service at the Grand Bay Church of God last night.  Thank you!  The service was good.  I enjoyed the worship through singing and the message by Pastor Alton.  To God be the glory!

Edd & Sandra will be in Houston tomorrow at the M.D. Anderson Clinic in order for Edd to have a consultation with the medical professionals there.  Pray the doctors and Edd will have wisdom.

Keep praying for Courtney Hubbard.  I sent a message to Mark a little earlier and should get an update today.

There are a couple of other prayer needs but I need to get permission to share them before doing so.  Just pray.

Rainy Monday.  I had planned to drive over to Fairhope but may just wait until tomorrow when it is supposed to be drier.

An all SEC football national championship tonight.  People say they want to see a good game.  Folks, when Alabama is playing then I define a “good” game as Alabama winning – LOL!  Wait pastor, are you not going to the game?  No.  I had tickets and then in a moment of weakness gave them to Deidra since she is in the greater ATL area.  What was I thinking?  Now I find out that she invited Soy to go with her – are you serious!  I may call the ticket office and tell them my tickets were stolen!  This may qualify as the greatest sacrifice a father has ever made for his daughter!

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)

Late entry.  Two words – Amy Huhn!

Simply wanted to ask the members of the Friendship adult choir to be at the Grand Bay Church of God tomorrow afternoon, 1/7, at 5:00PM for rehearsal with the COG choir.

Regular schedule in the morning.

Deacons meet at 4:00PM.  All ordained men and security committee meets at 5:00PM.

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)

I did not contact Mark Hubbard yesterday but do ask that you keep praying for Courtney and family.  I will make contact today.

I also did not contact Larry Whitehurst but I “assume” he and Judy are at home now.  Pray for Larry as he looks toward surgery in February.

Edd Gillespie has an appointment at the M.D. Anderson Clinic next week.  Pray for wisdom on behalf of the medical professionals there.

Regular schedule this Sunday morning.  Deacons meeting at 4:00PM.  Security Committee and all ordained men meeting at 5:00PM.  Joint worship service at the Grand Bay Church of God at 6:00PM.

Basketball leagues resume tomorrow beginning at 8:00AM.

Well they say this cold snap is about to end.  Tonight is our last night for the foreseeable future that will see us go below freezing.  Today’s high is fifty, tomorrow’s is fifty four, Sunday’s is sixty and then it tops out at sixty eight on Thursday.  Basically the night time lows will be in the fifties.  Guess it is time to break out the beach chairs!

We have had some “cold” temperatures for us but at least we have not had to deal with Grayson!  Wow, what a storm!

The good news is that the national championship game will be played on Monday night.  The bad news is that the college football season will then be over.  Seems like last Saturday that TJ Vice and I were standing on the steps of the Mercedes Benz Stadium waiting on the doors to open for the first game of this season.

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)

Larry Whitehurst will have surgery at some point in February – most likely toward the middle of the month.  Keep praying for Larry.

Deidra and I visited Courtney Hubbard and family yesterday afternoon.  Courtney has been placed on hospice care.  She is awake, alert, positive, et cetera but just does not feel well.  Keep praying for the Hubbard family.

While we did not have our morning service yesterday, we did have a really nice attendance in our evening service.  I appreciate folks being faithful.

Our basketball leagues resume play this Saturday, 1/6, at 8:00AM.

Our bus workers will have their regular meeting this Saturday, 1/6, beginning at 8:30AM.  New workers are always welcome!

Regular schedule this Sunday morning.  Joint service at the GBCOG on Sunday night beginning at 6:00PM.

Loving this weather.  I do feel sorry for those folks who have had problems with their heaters and for those who have had busted water lines.  The end is in sight as the forecast calls for our last below freezing temperature to be tomorrow night.  The high for Sunday is fifty three.  Will we see any more of these type temperatures this Winter?  Probably not but one can always hope!

Auburn has had some really nice players declare for the NFL draft over the past two or three days.  Alabama’s turn is coming next week.  I liked the days when guys played through their senior seasons but it is now big business and I somewhat understand why these guys make the jump to the NFL.

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)

No 10:00AM service today.  All evening activities will take place beginning at 6:30PM.

Larry Whitehurst is in meetings with the medical folks at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL this morning.  Pray that all goes well.

Plans call for me to visit with Courtney Hubbard later today.  Courtney continues to need our prayer support.

Randall and crew went to McKemie Place last night.  Fed forty two women and saw six professions of faith.  Amen!

Regular schedule this Sunday morning.  Joint service with the Church of God Sunday night.

Deacons meet this Sunday at 4:00PM.  All ordained men and the security committee are asked to meet with us at 5:00PM.  Folks attending this meeting must then attend the 6:00PM worship service.

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)

I failed to mention in yesterday’s post that Peggy Knighten had surgery last Friday that has sidelined her for a few days.  Pray for Peggy to recover quickly.

Larry Whitehurst meets the medical folks at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL tomorrow morning.  Pray for Larry.

Talked to Mark Hubbard via iMessage yesterday.  Courtney is still not feeling well.  She is now on hospice care and a nurse should be seeing her today.  Keep praying for Courtney.

No 10:00AM service tomorrow, 1/3.  Evening activities are on at the normal beginning time of 6:30PM.  Please pass the word.

Lisa and I had a good time in New Orleans.  (Actually, we are still in the Crescent City as I am typing this at 1:00AM)  It has been cold here too but the tough part has been the wind.

I have attended a few Alabama football games over the years and last night is the first time ever that I have gone to a Bama game and not seen at least one person I knew.  There were folks there that I know but Lisa and I saw not one of them.  Odd.

An all SEC national championship game.  Did not see that coming when the season began.  I still think it would be neat if it were our two major state teams playing in it.  Maybe one day.

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

We will not be having our 10:00AM service this Wednesday, January 3, 2018.  This applies to the morning service only as all evening activities will take place as normal beginning at 6:30PM.  Please pass the word!