Pastor's Blog

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

We were really blessed by the Lord as the Labor Day holiday had very little negative impact on our services.  We had a really good Spirit and a strong attendance especially in the evening service.  What a blessing!

What about our bowling fellowship last night!  The attendance was amazing – by far our biggest crowd ever.  I appreciate our staff and deacons who attended and helped make the fellowship special.  As far as I know, James Mareno took home high honors in the singles competition with a 198 in his first game – way to go James!  As expected, Jason Husband and I remain undefeated in the doubles competition!

The church office is closed today due to the holiday.  It will reopen tomorrow, 9/5, at 8:00AM.

Big shout out to Martin Brinkman for painting the church nursery on Saturday.  I am told that he did an outstanding job!

Lord willing, I will be using vacation days tomorrow, Thursday, and next Tuesday, 9/12.  Not going anywhere so I will be around in the event of an emergency.  I will be preaching and visiting on Wednesday.

My wife is scheduled to arrive home late tonight.  I am thrilled she has had a good time being with our family in Guatemala but I will also be thrilled to have her back home.  Pray for safety in her travels today.

I have enjoyed the first weekend of the college football season.  Hope to catch some of the game tonight.  Two questions were most prevalent to me yesterday – what time did you get home from the game?  That answer is 3:40AM.  How was the next stadium?  Awesome.  However, it seems to me that the playing surface may be problematic?  There were at least three season ending injuries in that one game and a number of players seemed to slip down consistently.

Well, it is a little after 2:00AM and my body is saying, “dude, go to bed!”  So, I think I will listen to my body.

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

September 4 Psalms 143-145; 1 Corinthians 14:21-40
September 5 Psalms 146-147; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28
September 6 Psalms 148-150; 1 Corinthians 15:29-58
September 7 Proverbs 1-2; 1 Corinthians 16
September 8 Proverbs 3-5; 2 Corinthians 1
September 9 Proverbs 6-7; 2 Corinthians 2
September 10 Proverbs 8-9; 2 Corinthians 3
September 11 Proverbs 10-12; 2 Corinthians 4
September 12 Proverbs 13-15; 2 Corinthians 5
September 13 Proverbs 16-18; 2 Corinthians 6
September 14 Proverbs 19-21; 2 Corinthians 7
September 15 Proverbs 22-24; 2 Corinthians 8
September 16 Proverbs 25-26; 2 Corinthians 9
September 17 Proverbs 27-29; 2 Corinthians 10
September 18 Proverbs 30-31; 2 Corinthians 11:1-15
September 19 Ecclesiastes 1-3; 2 Corinthians 11:16-33
September 20 Ecclesiastes 4-6; 2 Corinthians 12
September 21 Ecclesiastes 7-9; 2 Corinthians 13
September 22 Ecclesiastes 10-12; Galatians 1
September 23 Song of Solomon 1-3; Galatians 2
September 24 Song of Solomon 4-5; Galatians 3
September 25 Song of Solomon 6-8; Galatians 4
September 26 Isaiah 1-2; Galatians 5
September 27 Isaiah 3-4; Galatians 6
September 28 Isaiah 5-6; Ephesians 1
September 29 Isaiah 7-8; Ephesians 2
September 30 Isaiah 9-10; Ephesians 3

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 137-139; 1 Corinthians 13

Robert Baria was moved to a rehab facility yesterday.  I appreciate Roseanne letting me know.  Keep praying for Robert.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning.  We will not have Discipleship Training tomorrow afternoon but we will have our evening service at 6:00PM.

Love offering for Pastor Abel Garcia’s sister and her family in our morning services tomorrow.  This family lost everything due to a tornado as a part of Hurricane Harvey.  Pray and give as the Lord leads.

Gena Davis gave an update on how they fared through the storm.  All is well.  They are trying to move to North Georgia.  Pray their place sells quickly and they can make the move.

Church wide bowling fellowship tomorrow tonight from 8:00 – 11:00PM at the Spanish Trail Lanes in Gautier, MS.  Cost is five dollars per bowler with a maximum of twenty dollars per family.  Asking all staff members, deacons and other church leaders to join us for this church wide event.  Church attendance is a must.

Congratulations to Coach Eric Collier and his Theodore Bobcats on the victory last night.  2-0.  The sledding gets tougher next Friday night as they host the Baker Hornets.

Bobby and the boys lost their second in a row last night.  The Dbacks are on fire right now.

Today is the day!  Lord willing, TJ Vice and I will drive to the Bama game and then drive back tonight.  I have every plan to be in the pulpit all three services tomorrow.  Ready for the college football season to commence full force!

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 135-136; 1 Corinthians 12

Visited with Robert Baria fairly early yesterday morning and, once again, he was sleeping soundly.  Just keep praying for Robert and his family.

Jimmy Moates is supposed to get the results of his latest PET scan today.  We are praying for another good report.

Today is the final day to take hurricane relief items by the State Farm office on Highway 90 in Grand Bay.  They are being taken to the Oak Park Church of God on Sollie Road in Mobile where they are being loaded in a container that will be taken to Texas.  Jennifer Brown has coordinated this ministry effort on the Grand Bay side with a “promise” that she would take the supplies from Grand Bay to Mobile.  Guess who has taken the supplies from Grand Bay to Oak Park for the past two days?  Guess who will be taking another load today?  On top of that, guess who called yesterday and wanted to ride along to take the supplies from Grand Bay to Oak Park?  (If you guessed Nanette Fontenot on that last one then you are a “winner, winner chicken dinner” person!  She says she remembers how we worked together following Frederic in ’79 and wanted to recapture that moment!  Are you serious?)  At any rate, if you want to donate goods to the hurricane relief project then do so today by 5:00PM.  Please note – no clothes, only supplies.

Also, we will be receiving a love offering this Sunday morning to help Pastor Abel Garcia’s sister and her family as their house was completely destroyed by a tornado as a result of the hurricane.  Pray and give as the Lord leads.

Sunday night is our church wide bowling fellowship at the Spanish Trail Lanes in Gautier, MS from 8:00 – 11:00PM.  I am asking our staff, deacons, and other church leaders to join us for this time of fellowship.  Cost is five dollars per bowler with a twenty dollars maximum per immediate family.  Attendance in our 6:00PM evening service is a must in order to attend the bowling.  Jason Husband and I are taking on all comers!  Can you believe that one of our female members has challenged us?  She was talking smack all day yesterday!  Jason and I are taking names!  We accept all challenges whether it be male or female – Jo Nell Barnes, Myrtle Bowden, whomever!  And what Jason and I do after bowling is really no one’s business – just saying!

The Bryant Hurricanes took it on the chin last night losing to Murphy.  They made a good showing when you consider they had eleven players suspended and three others injured.  All of the suspended players can play beginning next Friday night.

Tonight, Coach Collier and his Bobcats travel to Semmes to take on Zach Switzer and the MGM Vikings.  My sidekick, Titus, and I plan on being there for that one.  Coach Collier did us right last week by providing us with passes into the game.  Thanks Coach!  You would think that if your pastor was driving all the way to Semmes to see your son play and your were a mega successful businessman in Grand Bay that you would hook your pastor up with a couple of tickets for tonight’s game.  Just saying!

Oh my goodness!  Are you kidding me?  Rita Broome sent me a message late yesterday afternoon asking if I liked pupusas?  I replied “YES” and she sent me some from their Thursday night Hispanic Bible study that were made by Cari.  I was stuffed!  I really like bar-b-que and Dana had brought me pulled pork from Tay’s.  I put it in the refrigerator in anticipation of the pupusas.  They were awesome!

My father-in-law, Charles Clark, spent most of yesterday picking up pecan limbs.  I began doing likewise shortly after 5:00PM and that took me almost two hours.  Thank God for my good friend, Bobby Gene Evans, as he came and helped me or I would have never gotten finished before dark.  I was actually able to get some grass cut too.  Today will be a major grass cutting day for me.  Waiting on daybreak!

I have to give Charles his due as he has done a lot of the grass cutting on the hill this Summer.  We are most likely down to single digits now as far as the number of times the grass will need to be mowed weekly.  We are pulling the mowers with boats this week but we are getting it done!

The Dodgers are in a tailspin having been swept for the first time all season and now are the losers of five in a row.  The Nationals lost yesterday.  Life is not good right now for me as far as the MLB is concerned.  Come on Kershaw and come on Bobby!

One more day!  Can you believe it?

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 132-134; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Robert Baria has MRSA again.  Roseanne told me yesterday that she was told Robert is a carrier and will always have a staph infection which will manifest itself from time to time.  Robert had been having some good days but this has set him back somewhat.  The roller coaster ride continues for Robert and family.  Keep praying.

Tina Wilkinson was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon and was teaching her class at church last night!  She must be Linda’s daughter!  The really good news is that her blood oxygen levels were up so she did not come home on oxygen.  Praise the Lord!

Bryan Creps was transported via ambulance from Birmingham to home yesterday.  Again, praise the Lord!

Our morning attendance suffered some yesterday morning because of the rain but our evening attendance was pretty close to normal.  It was a joy to have James Nowell (Fishers of Men) and two Christian brothers from the Philippines join us in our 6:30PM service.  I am so very thankful for folks who are faithful in their attendance.

I really did not know exactly why the Lord gave me the message He did yesterday.  However, after both services I was approached by folks who expressed appreciation for it.  The Lord does move in mysterious ways.

Jennifer Brown is the one who coordinated using the State Farm office as a drop off location for the relief supplies for the hurricane victims.  Told me that she will take everything to Mobile on Saturday morning.  I stopped by the SF office on my way to the hospital yesterday afternoon and Jennifer says, “well it looks like you could take a load of this stuff to Mobile since you are going that way!”  So, Rita (yes the pregnant one) and I load the vehicle (Jennifer had to answer the phone) and I made a stop at the church on my way to the hospital.  Jennifer knows that I will be visiting Robert again today so she sends me an e-mail last night to let me know that more supplies came in yesterday afternoon after I left for Mobile – hint, hint!

Have I mentioned the church wide bowling fellowship being hosted by Jason H and me this Sunday night, 9/3?  Spanish Trail Lanes from 8:00 – 11:00PM.  Five dollars per bowler with a twenty dollars maximum per immediate family.  Designed for fellowship and I am asking all of the church staff, deacons and other church leaders to take part.  It is designed for fellowship but Jason and I are going to take names when it comes to the bowling competition!  We have never been beaten in doubles competition.

Four in a row for Bobby & the boys!  The Dodgers are going in the opposite direction as they have lost four in a row.  I am happy for Bobby and the boys but not happy for the Dodgers at the moment.  Kershaw comes back tomorrow night so maybe that will help right the ship.

Two days!

I am not concerned about where August has gone.  I am concerned about where the first eight months of this year have gone?  Wow!  Jingle bells, jingle bells. . . .

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 129-131; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

Tina Wilkinson’s condition continues to baffle the medical folks.  She is basically having to stay on oxygen in order to keep her levels at an acceptable level.  There has been “some” talk of her possibly going home with a portable oxygen tank.  Pray for Tina.

Robert Baria was sleeping soundly when I visited yesterday.  I tried to awaken him but he did not budge.  I will get a report from Terry & Carol in our service this morning.

Bryan Creps is supposed to be discharged from the hospital in Birmingham today.  He will be transported home via ambulance.  His discharge at this point is good news as they expected him to be in the hospital for two weeks.

Regular schedule this morning and tonight.  I am giving our “more seasoned” folks a pass this morning if it is raining too hard around 10:00AM or if they do not feel safe driving on these water saturated roads.  I will give anyone a pass regardless of the service if safety is an issue.  Pizza will be the fare for our 7:30PM Bible study.

One of the weather sites says Grand Bay got three inches of rain yesterday and Bayou La Batre got almost six inches.  Well, here on this hill I think we must have gotten six inches or better.   I need Bobby Stork or Bobby Broome to give me an update from their rain gauges.

Items are still being received at the State Farm office on Highway 90 to help the folks in Texas affected by the hurricane.  You can drop those items there at any point during regular business hours from now until Friday, 9/1, at 5:00PM.  Pray for the folks in Texas!

Church wide bowling fellowship this Sunday night from 8:00 – 11:00PM.  I am in hopes that we will pack the place and enjoy good fellowship.  Jason Husband and I will dominate the doubles competition regardless of who Jack Lastorka gets as his partner!

Bobby and the boys have won three in a row.  Send ’em home Bobby!

Three more days!  So close!

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 126-128; 1 Corinthians 10:19-33

Visited with Tina Wilkinson yesterday morning and they were planning on doing more tests.  As I understand it, Tina’s blood oxygen levels simply will not stay up to where they need to be.  She is on oxygen a good bit of the time.  Not sure the cause of this but she does have pneumonia which obviously does not help.

Visited with Robert & Roseanne yesterday morning too.  Robert seemed to be doing even better.  He was very alert and communicated as best he could.

Kortni Creps Gill updated me on her dad’s situation.  Bryan is doing very well.  So much so that he may be discharged either Thursday or Friday – pretty amazing!

The folks in Texas certainly need our prayer support as they continue to battle the effects of Hurricane Harvey.  The Oak Park Church of God in Mobile is loading a semi with supplies to take to Texas.  Here is their announcement:  TEXAS RELIEF: Oak Park Church at 3321 Sollie Road, Mobile, Al is collecting items to send to Texas. They need bottled water, cleaning supplies, bleach, mops, baby diapers, baby wipes, baby formula, baby food, baby cereal, paper towels and toilet tissue. 

The State Farm office on Highway 90 in Grand Bay is a designated drop off point for these items.  So, if you want to help then take items to Oak Park or to the State Farm office no later than Friday noon.  Jennifer Brown will get the items left in Grand Bay to Oak Park.

We had another good number take part in our prayer time last night.  Encouraging!  Just a note – we will not have our prayer time next Monday, 9/4, as it will be Labor Day.

Our church wide bowling fellowship takes place this Sunday night, 9/3, from 8:00 – 11:00PM at the Spanish Trail Lanes in Gautier, MS.  I am asking all of our paid staff, our deacons, and all church leaders to take part in this fellowship.  It is not just about the bowling but more about the fellowship.  Of course, Jason H & I will be defending our doubles championship as we have never lost a doubles game.  Jack who?

The Nationals won again last night.  That Bobby is doing an amazing job!  Third base coach of the year!  Hands down!

Four days!  It will be here before you know and then over before you know it too!

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 123-125; 1 Corinthians 10:1-18
Tuesday, August 29 – Psalms 126-128; 1 Corinthians 10:19-33
Wednesday, August 30 – Psalms 129-131; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16
Thursday, August 31 – Psalms 132-134; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Friday, September 1 – Psalms 135-136; 1 Corinthians 12
Saturday, September 2 – Psalms 137-139; 1 Corinthians 13
Sunday, September 3 – Psalms 140-142; 1 Corinthians 14:1-20

Robert Baria is making some progress.  He is now on a smaller trach tube and a smaller vent machine.  I will visit with him this morning.  Keep praying for his healing.

Tina “Complicated” Wilkinson remains in the hospital.  I will also visit her this morning.

Bryan Creps remains in a Birmingham hospital.  He is recovering according to plan as far as I know.

Amy Huhn’s father was released from the hospital yesterday because he is now on oral antibiotics.

Certainly want to keep praying for all those affected by Hurricane Harvey.  Our own, Luke Green, is there with the Coast Guard.

GROW visitation tonight beginning at 6:00PM.

Prayer time tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the auditorium.  Enter and exit through the West side door.

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  The Spirit was good and we had a strong attendance in all of our services.  What a blessing to have folks who are faithful!

If you have an interest in Soy & Deidra’s ministry then you can check out their blog this morning.  She blogs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  (Well, she is not as consistent as me but she does try to blog those days).

Bobby and the boys lost one and then won one yesterday.  Still hold a very comfortable lead in their division.

It is game week.  I am ready!

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 120-122; 1 Corinthians 9

I saw Raymond Wilkinson late yesterday afternoon and he gave me an update on Tina.  She remains hospitalized and they continue to run tests.  (I am thinking Tina is not studying enough for these tests!).  Pray for Tina.

No update on Robert Baria so I assume no real change or I would have heard from either Roseanne or Carol.  Keep praying for Robert to be healed!

Kendall told me yesterday that Amy Huhn’s dad will most likely remain in the hospital for another week or so.  (Kendall and Amy are related but Kendall would rather folks not know that fact!).  Pray for Mr. Morrison.

I saw Becky Hatcher at Wally’s Filling Station yesterday afternoon and she told me that Helen Hatcher has the flu.  Pray for Helen!

I walked away from yesterday’s work day blessed and impressed.  We had about seventeen or so men plus one lady show up (counting the guy who showed up Friday morning and did an awesome job) to help.  We had one child and one young adult take part, a couple of middle age adults and the rest of the crew was above sixty years of age with the oldest being around eighty years old.  I think I am right in saying that three of these men have had open heart surgeries in years past.  At least two have undergone radiation treatments in years gone by and one is facing radiation.  It became obvious to me that these guys have never read the OHSA handbook on safety (I will leave it at that).  The attitudes and the work ethic of these folks was impressive!  Just a blessing to see folks respond!  Much was accomplished in just a few hours.  To God be the glory!

Regular schedule this morning and tonight.  I hope to be joined by many members of the Friendship family and guests today.

Yes, I am ready for college football.  I watched some of the JSU game last night.  Did not watch the fight (not paying one hundred dollars for PPV like TJ Vice is prone to do) but did you really think a non boxer could beat an undefeated world champion?

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 119:89-176; 1 Corinthians 8

Work day this morning beginning at 7:00AM.  Biscuits and drinks will be provided.  Y’all come!

Bus workers’ meeting today at 8:30AM.  Today is the day when others are invited to join these workers for a season of prayer before they go visiting their routes.  Everyone invited.

No updates on the folks in the hospital as I did not make any visits yesterday.

Was able to attend the Theodore Bobcats game last night.  Congratulations to Coach Eric Collier and his team for their victory.

Bobby and the boys were handed a defeat by the Mets last night.  They will get them today.

One week from today!  Ready!

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