Pastor's Blog

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Jeremiah 7-9

Visited with Miss Willa Dean yesterday morning and she was sitting in a chair for the first time since her surgery.  They repaired her broken hip/leg instead of replacing the hip.  She is having to make a decision about in patient rehab or in home rehab.

David Bosarge’s mother, Miss Maxine, was discharged from the hospital on Sunday evening.

Bernard continues to receive his radiation each week day.

We had a nice number of folks come and pray last night.  I am grateful to those who come each week to spend some time in this ministry.

I joined Rusty Suthoff last night in going out for Sunday School/church visitation.  We were only able to find one family at home out of the three we visited but that is ok.  We left cards at the others and we will go again.  I encourage each Sunday School class to be involved in outreach.

I have watched some of the Olympics for the past two nights.  I am impressed at how fast those folks can swim.

Confession time (this is really hard for me) – Soy did weed eat around the wooden fence on the South and East sides of our property while I was in Guatemala.  I have to give credit where credit is due.  (However, Rusty did absolutely nothing!  Just saying!)

The outcry was great!  I did not blog for three mornings and my laptop got blown up by folks telling me they missed the blog!  Ok, so it was only three folks but when you consider we only have thirteen readers that is a decent percentage.

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Jeremiah 4-6

Tuesday, August 9 – Jeremiah 7-9
Wednesday, August 10 – Jeremiah 10-13
Thursday, August 11 – Jeremiah 14-17
Friday, August 12 – Jeremiah 18-22
Saturday, August 13 – Jeremiah 23-25
Sunday, August 14 – Jeremiah 26-29

I apologize for the lack of entries the past three days.  I was in Guatemala Friday morning and had a full schedule so I decided I would blog on Saturday morning as I would have several hours layover in Atlanta on my way home.  Not so fast my friend!  Our 12:25AM flight left Guatemala City at 4:30AM which meant we sat on the plane for three hours due to mechanical problems before they decided to do something different i.e. put us on another plane.  Obviously, I missed my original connection so the airline automatically booked me on the 1:25PM flight out of Atlanta into Pensacola.  Lisa called the airline and got me on the 10:53AM flight which meant I literally had to run from Concourse F to Concourse B once I cleared customs.  I was operating on zero sleep and then got to drive home from Pensacola.  The traffic was horrendous.  Took me about forty five minutes just to come across the bay.  So, needless to say there was no blog on Saturday and I just did not do one yesterday morning as I was focused on preaching.  My hope is that all thirteen readers of this blog will find in in their hearts to forgive me!

Tommy Johnson’s mother, Miss Willa Dean, remains in the hospital.  I have plans to visit her today.

Not sure if Linda Green’s sister, Shirley, is still in the hospital but will find out today.  If so, I will visit her too.

Pattie Suthoff’s great nephew was discharged from the hospital.  Folks, this is nothing short of a miracle.

Carla Kyser had a liver biopsy done on Friday morning.  The results have been sent to M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas in hopes they can match her with a treatment.  I spoke to her at church yesterday morning and it will possibly take up to two weeks for the results to be known.  Pray for a match!

Speaking of prayer, we will have our prayer time tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the auditorium.  Enter/exit through the side door.  Come and go or come and stay but please pray!

On Monday, 8/15, we will have a meeting relating to our special prayer service for the United States of America.  That service will take place on Sunday evening, 9/11, beginning at 6:00PM in our auditorium.

GROW visitation tonight beginning at 6:30PM in the church office.

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our services yesterday.  We saw one public profession of faith in our second morning worship service which was a direct result of the lazer tag outing the Sunday night before.  Soy, Deidra and Anna all did a nice job of sharing in our evening service.  We give God the glory for all He did in our midst.

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Nahum 1-3

Phil Sims’ sister, Kaye, passed away last weekend.  A memorial service will be set at a later time.  Pray for Phil and his family.

The arrangements have been set for Brenda Moss’ service.  The visitation with the family will take place from 9:00AM until the 11:00AM service time on Saturday, 8/6, at First Baptist of Grand Bay.  The Friendship family has been asked to help with the food for the family i.e. casseroles, side dishes and/or desserts.  Carol Lucky is coordinating this as far as the Friendship family is concerned.  All food should be taken directly to 1st Baptist.  Pray for Larry and the family.

Shirley Watts did have her surgery and did well through it.

Tommy Johnson’s mother, Miss Willa Dean, took a fall and broke her hip.  She will be undergoing surgery today.  Pray that all goes well.

David Bosarge’s mother, Miss Maxine, is in the hospital.

I am thinking that Kerri Lastorka’s sister, Kim, may be discharged from the hospital today.

There will be a meet and greet with the Palmer family tonight beginning at 7:00PM at Rob & Reb Nevin’s house.  RSVP.  This family has been in our budget for a few years as they have been serving in Morocco.

Randall Broome sent me a message to say that there were fifty one women present for the service at the McKemie Place this past Tuesday night.  Jeff Holyfield brought the message and nine women prayed to receive Jesus as their personal Savior.  Amen!

Josh is leading a small group of our high school students on a spiritual retreat today, tomorrow and Saturday.  They are at the beach.  Pray for this to be a spiritual high for all involved.  Thanks to Terry Lucky for driving them!

Regular schedule on Sunday morning and evening.

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – 2 Chronicles 32-33

Kerri Lastorka’s sister, Kim, did well through her surgery and the doctors are optimistic that no more surgery will be needed.  She should be discharged from the hospital on Friday.

Bernard is receiving his radiation treatments early each morning.

Received word yesterday morning that Brenda Moss passed from this life.  Pray for her family as they walk through this valley.  I have not received any word as to the arrangements.

Pattie Suthoff has a great-nephew who is in a Brimingham hospital.  It was thought yesterday morning that he would not survive but the word was more positive last night.  He is twenty four years old.  Pray for him.

Regular schedule today and tonight.  Fare for tonight’s 7:30PM Bible study is ham, macaroni & cheese, green beans, bread, drink and strawberry shortcake.

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – 2 Kings 20-21

Linda Green’s sister, Shirley, will not be having surgery today as scheduled.

Kerri Lastorka’s sister, Kimberly, will be having surgery this morning as they will remove a little more of her leg due to possible infection.  The hope is to stay below the knee long term.  Pray that all goes well and the infection stays away.

I failed to mention in yesterday’s entry our prayer time last night.  Had made arrangements for it before I left home last week but have not gotten a report on it.  We are definitely on for next Monday, 8/8.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Isaiah 64-66
Tuesday, August 2 – 2 Kings 20-21
Wednesday, August 3 – 2 Chronicles 32-33
Thursday, August 4 – Nahum 1-3
Friday, August 5 – 2 Kings 22-23; 2 Chronicles 34-35
Saturday, August 6 – Zephaniah 1-3
Sunday, August 7 – Jeremiah 1-3

I learned from Rhea that Linda Green’s sister, Shirley, is scheduled to have surgery on her broken hip tomorrow.  Pray that can take place and that all will go well.

I heard that our services were “good” yesterday.  Not exactly sure all that involves but am thankful that things went well.

I did hear from Josh that we had forty students go play lazer tag last night.  That is great.  However, the greater news is that one young girl prayed to receive Jesus as her personal Savior as they were involved in the lazer tag game.  Now that is good stuff!  To God be the glory!  By the way, special thanks to Morris Bryant for driving the bus to this outing.  I am grateful!

Yesterday marked the end of our 2015-16 church year which means that today marks the beginning of our 2016-17 church year.  What a blessing it would be if we could make this the greatest church ever for the Friendship family to the glory of God!  It is possible!

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Isaiah 59-63

Evangelist Johnny Tucker will be our guest preacher in all three services today.  Pray and attend, please!

The students will go play lazer tag after tonight’s service.  We have a CDL driver and for that I am very thankful!

Linda Green’s sister, Shirley, took another fall and broke her hip.  Surgery is needed but her cardiologist must give the approval.  Pray for Miss Shirley.

Keep praying for those folks battling cancer.

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

Joy Stringfellow Hall, niece of Rita Boutwell & Diane Trotti passed away this week.  Here is her obituary:

Joy Marie Stringfellow-Hall

4/30/75-7/27/16

41 yrs old

She passed in Georgia surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday July 27, 2016. She was a native of Grand Bay, but a resident of Georgia. Joy was a loving and caring person. She worked in the medical field, sharing her warm smile and love of helping others. Joy was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. The joy of making people happy was always a mission in life for her. Joy was the life of the party and always lit up every room she was in. She was a great listener and always had time to help anyone with any problem, big or small. Joy will truly be missed and will never be replaced. Her love of life will live on through us all, she has touched us all in someway.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents Leo and Mildred Stringfellow, Faye and Will Chapman, her mother Mickey Faye Owens, and her brother Brian Stringfellow. She is survived by her husband Rusty Hall of Georgia, her son Drew Hall (Alexis Martin) and grandson Brantley Hall of Mobile, her father Charles Stringfellow (Jo-Ann Stringfellow) of Grand Bay, and many other close relatives and friends.

The visitation services will begin on Sunday July 31, 2016 at 12:30 until 2:00 pm, the funeral will begin at 2:00 pm at Serenity Funeral Home.

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Isaiah 49-53

Tom Thornton was discharged from the hospital yesterday.

Carla Kyser did not get a favorable report from her latest scans.  She is meeting with some medical professionals this morning to discuss a possible plan.  Folks, we really need to intercede for Carla.  Would you stop right now and offer up a prayer on her behalf?

Sanna sent me an e-mail saying her mother, Miss Barbara, is doing good following her surgical procedure.

Our friend had his aortic valve replaced and a triple by pass yesterday.  It is my understanding that he is doing good.

Still need a CDL driver to transport the students to lazer tag this Sunday night, 7/31, following the evening service.

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

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – 2 Kings 18:9-19:37; Psalms 46; 80; 135

Good morning from GRACE Mountain.  Sorry this entry is late.  Really do not have any updates other than to say that we have a friend who is having surgery this morning so pray for him.  Carla Kyser had scans done yesterday.  I am assuming those results will be available next week.  As far as I know, Miss Barbara did well through her surgery.

Our GRACE team is traveling today.  Around sixty percent of them are doing so this morning and the rest this afternoon.  Pray for traveling mercies.

Remember, Evangelist Johnny Tucker will be our preacher this Sunday, 7/31, in all three services.  Pray for him.  A love offering will be received.

The Taylor family arrived home safe and sound last night.  I imagine Soy is already up and running that weed eater!

Yesterday was a long day of traveling for me as Pastor Carlos Potillo and I left the hotel at 4:00AM arriving at the bus station at 6:00AM.  The bus then left El Salvador at 7:00AM and we were able to cram a four hours trip into six hours.  I then took one of our Summer interns to the airport in Guatemala City last night leaving GRACE Mountain at 9:00PM and getting back around 11:00PM.   So, I had my share of traveling yesterday but it is all good!

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