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 – Isaiah 44-48

Good morning from the oldest hotel in El Salvador based on what the owner said last night.  I believe him!

Barbara Hamilton is scheduled to have another surgery today.

Bill Goff did come home per the comment by Bobby Stork on yesterday’s entry.

Regular schedule this morning and tonight.  Our Royal Ambassadors and Girls in Action will present their awards during the 6:30PM service.  We are having the 7:30PM Bible study at the house.  Pizza is the fare!

Soy, Deidra and the girls are set to arrive home tonight!  It will be good to have Deidra and the girls home.  Rusty & Davy are excited about Soy coming home but they are the only two!  I can almost guarantee you that Soy will have a gift for each of them.  Just saying!

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 – Isaiah 40-43

Bill Goff’s heart went back into rhythm without any procedure.  He was thinking that he would be discharged from the hospital yesterday.  Not sure if that took place or not.

Tom Thornton’s surgery was delayed a little but when all was said and done he did well.  Plans call for him to have his other hip replaced in approximately three months.

Carla Kyser’s cancer markers had increased.  Therefore, the doctor has decided to not give her a chemo treatment tomorrow but to do scans instead.  That should help them chart the next course of action.

I failed to mention our prayer time in yesterday’s blog.  However, we had a really nice group show up to pray.  Good stuff!

I left home around 3:00AM today in order to drive to Pensacola, FL to catch a flight to Atlanta.  I am not waiting to board a flight heading to San Salvador.  I asked Rusty to drive me to PNS as I was physically tired.  He agreed thinking that Soy would be on the inbound flight.  Once he figured out that Soy was not going to be arriving he made up some excuse as to why he could not take me.  That Rusty is a good friend!

Daphne alerted me to the fact that we have a new blog reader.  I “think” that pushes our total to thirteen readers but that may me incorrect because I also think that Gena Davis and Sandra McElwee have abandoned the ship!  Pretty much just like a Baptist church!

I am thinking that a hotel room costing eighteen dollars is probably not going to have internet access.  I am in hopes it has a bed and hot water!  So, you may not hear from me again until I get to Guatemala tomorrow afternoon.

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 37-39; Psalms 76

Tuesday, July 26 – Isaiah 40-43
Wednesday, July 27 – Isaiah 44-48
Thursday, July 28 – 2 Kings 18:9-19:37; Psalms 46; 80; 135
Friday, July 29 – Isaiah 49-53
Saturday, July 30 – Isaiah 54-58
Sunday, July 31 – Isaiah 59-63

Bill Goff is in the hospital and is scheduled to have a procedure done on his heart today.

Tom Thornton, Sarah’s husband, is scheduled to have a surgical procedure done this morning.

Kelli Stork came home from the hospital yesterday afternoon.  She is not any better but without the medication she needs there was no reason to remain in the hospital.

I think Miss Helen Ruth Brinkman came home from the hospital over the weekend.

We were blessed with a really good day in our services yesterday.  The praise band did a very nice job of leading our musical worship in all three services.  I received numerous comments from folks about how much they enjoyed the musical worship.  Dale did a nice job of sharing the Word with us last night too.  We thank God for His blessings.

There were thirty one students in the service last night who then joined Josh and others for a time of fun and fellowship in the CAB following the service.  Good stuff!  This Sunday, 7/31, our students will be going to play lazer tag.  There is a cost involved and students need to contact Josh, if possible, beforehand.  A CDL bus driver is needed for this outing and it would help tremendously if one would step forward today so that matter can be settled.

The meeting yesterday afternoon went well.  The Trustees will be bringing a motion to the Friendship family to raze the West house.  This motion will come with the blessing of our Finance Committee too.  Our property insurance situation is an ongoing process.

Lord willing, I will be in Guatemala this Sunday, 7/31.  Evangelist Johnny Tucker will be filling our pulpit in my absence for all three services.  I pray that the members of the Friendship family will be found faithful in their attendance.  We will receive an offering for Bro. Johnny and his ministry.

I mentioned the situation in Elmore County yesterday regarding one of the public schools and their band playing “Amazing Grace” as a part of their halftime show for the football games.  The superintendent originally said they could no longer play that song but reversed course yesterday.  Betty Clair’s parents told me yesterday that they predicted he would take this action because of the type person he is and they were correct.  They were very complimentary of the superintendent.  Ross sent me a photo of the superintendent’s statement on the matter as he shared that he supports the playing of this song.

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 31-34

I have to begin by saying a huge “thank you” to Teresa Ladnier for driving the bus for our student outing last night.  Teresa has such a sweet spirit and is always willing to help.  Josh and his mother, Sherry, served as the chaperones and twenty one of our students had a good time bowling (game rained out) and hanging out in the CAB.  A good evening of fellowship!

Speaking of bus drivers, Carl Ray Moulds has been “available” all Summer to drive some children from our community to various outings.  He also drove our students to their work site this past Monday.  So, a big “thank you” to Carl Ray as well.

One change in tomorrow’s plans – the 4:00PM meeting will take place in the open area of the CAB instead of the auditorium.  This will allow our praise band to use the auditorium to get ready for the evening service.  Otherwise, we are on a regular schedule tomorrow.

Nanette Fontenot sent me an e-mail last night (which is not unusual as she pretty much sends me one every night) to tell me that Kelli Stork is not better.  They were informed last night that the hospital does not have any more of the iv medicine she needs and will not have any until some point in August – are you kidding me?  That scenario plays out regularly in countries like Guatemala but in the USA?  Kelli is probably no better than she was when she was admitted on Wednesday.

Miss Helen Ruth Brinkman is in a Florida hospital but may be discharged today.  If so, she will go back to her son’s home.  The Brinkman family from Grand Bay went to visit her this past Wednesday and said she knew everyone and was doing ok.

After seeing Pastor Joe and the Danville crew off yesterday morning and once the rains stopped, I was able to spend the rest of the day working in the garden, mowing and eating weeds.  I literally worked until dark thirty.  Much more to do today.  BTW, Rusty “helped” me yesterday (riding mower only).  He then complained that I got grass on/in his car.  I have a solution to his problem – he can mow his own yard!  What a novel idea!

Lisa made me go to Walmart this morning and is now barking for me to get the yards finished – wow!

I pray that you will have a great Saturday 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 28-30

Urgent plea – we need a CDL bus driver for tonight as our students have plans to attend the Mobile Baybears baseball game.  They need to leave the church at 5:15PM.  I am not sure what time the game ends but it is my understanding they will come home as soon as it does.  If you can fill this need, please send me an e-mail or call my wife, Lisa, at 865 4517 this morning.

Mission of Hope service tonight at 7:00PM in the chapel on the mission’s campus.  Not sure if the bus is going to be available as the air conditioner is not working.  Carl Ray Moulds will be the one making that call.  He can be reached at 865 6104.

Hilda Gunter came home from the hospital late yesterday afternoon.

Tommy’s mother also came home from the hospital.

Kelli Stork remains hospitalized.

Randy Collins is in the hospital but was in hopes of being discharged today.

Regular schedule this Sunday morning and evening.

Pastor Joe David Bailey and his team will leave this morning heading for home.  It has been a good week.  Josh Schlehuber has done a nice job with our students.  Sherry Schlehuber has done a nice job of cooking for the team.  Our ladies did a nice job of providing cookies, cakes, et cetera.

As a matter of fact, here is the card Pastor Joe gave me last night – “Friendship family, wow!  What an outpouring of generosity & love.  We cannot thank you enough for the cakes, cookies and all other sweets you filled us with.  Thanks for being so hospitable in allowing us to stay in your facilities.  Thanks for allowing us to serve alongside you in your home town.  We are so grateful for the relationships we have formed over the past few years.  Thanks for putting up with us.  We hope to continue this bond & partnership in the Kingdom Work in the future.  Your church is one of the most giving churches I’ve ever encountered.  May God continue to bless y’all in your walk with Christ.”  

Have I mentioned that we need a CDL driver for tonight?

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 – Hosea 8-14

Hilda Gunter did well through her procedure yesterday.  Plans call for her to be discharged from the hospital today.

Tim Knighten had to have the kidney stone surgically removed because of the size and location.  It took them awhile to get him into the operating room but he did well and finally left the hospital around 6:00PM.

Tommy’s mother is in a room and wants to go home.  She was convinced that she was going home today but the doctors says it will be a few more days.

Kelli Fontenot Stork is in the hospital battling headaches again.  This is a constant battle for her.  Pray for relief.

Jo Nell Barnes has a granddaughter in a Birmingham hospital and she is in really serious condition.

I do not have an update on Rita & Diane’s niece in the Georgia hospital.

Today is the final work day for the Danville & Friendship student groups.  Pray for it to be a good day of ministry.

Have not heard from Jonny but do know he is ministering in Baton Rouge.  Pray for him!

Service at the Mission of Hope tomorrow night (Friday) beginning at 7:00PM.  Bus leaves the church at 6:15PM.  Pray for this service.

Josh has plans to take our students to a Mobile Baybears game tomorrow night.  We need someone with a CDL to drive the bus.  It would be sweet if someone would volunteer today.

Regular schedule this 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 – Hosea 1-7

Hilda Gunter will have a heart ablation today.  Pray that all goes well and that this will correct the problems she has had over the past several months.

Tim Knighten is having a bout with another kidney stone.  It is five millimeters in size so they are going to do a  lithotripsy today at noon.  Pray that goes well too!  (Peggy, which hospital?)

Tommy Johnson’s mother remains in the hospital.

Rita Boutwell & Dianne Trotti have a niece in a hospital in Georgia.  She is not doing well and they ask for prayer support.

Becky Sellers has been very really poorly as a result of her chemo treatments.  Pray that she can get over these side effects!

Carla Kyser was unable to receive a chemo treatment this past Monday as her numbers were not right.  They will try again next Wednesday.

Pastor Joe David and team along with Josh and team had a good day yesterday.  It was not a work heavy day but they did some good ministry.  They will go out again today working in yards in Jackson County, MS.  It has been really good seeing these two groups coming together as one to minister and fellowship in the Name of Jesus.

Regular schedule this morning and evening.  The fare for tonight’s 7:30PM Bible study is lasagna with the trimmings.

Saw Jonny Gaston yesterday afternoon.  He leaves for Baton Rouge, LA this morning and will stay until Friday.  Pray for him!

Lisa was basically up all night Sunday as she was flying home from Guatemala.  That is not her proverbial cup of tea.  She went to work Monday afternoon but maybe was not on her “A” game because of sleep deprivation.  Why am I telling you this?  Because she called me yesterday around noon to tell me that I had a gift in her office and she had forgotten to tell me.  She knew that I would be excited because it was a cheesecake from Hope’s Cheesecake in Gulf Shores, AL!  Hallelujah!  She was right!  So, that was breakfast for me today!  Who was so kind to me?  Believe it or not, it was Carla Kyser!  Is that sweet or what!  I am going to be nice to her until I finish this cake which is absolutely delicious.  Hope’s cheesecake is totally awesome!  Thank you Carla!  (Truth of the matter is that it was probably Marisa who got it for me and Carla is just taking the credit but all that really matters is that I got a cheesecake from Hope’s!)

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 18:1-8; 2 Chronicles 29-31; Psalms 48

Visited with Miss Willa Dean’s family in the CCU waiting room yesterday.  They told me she was resting so I did not want to disturb her.  Her heart rate was a little low for their liking but otherwise no significant change.  Keep praying.

Sharon Jardee was moved to a rehab facility in Mobile.

Hilda Gunter is scheduled to have a heart ablation tomorrow.  Pray that goes well.

Pastor Bryce Evans is also scheduled to have surgery on his back tomorrow.  Pray this will bring him relief from the pain and discomfort.

Joe David and team worked in three yards in Pascagoula/Moss Point yesterday.  Said they did some major tree work in one of those yards.  Carl Ray Moulds drove our students over there yesterday morning on a moment’s notice.  I appreciate him doing so.  I was a little late picking them up but not one word of complaint was heard.  They tell me that Sherry’s supper was fabulous!  Lord willing, I will be spending a good portion of today with the team before heading to visit hospitals and such.

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 23-27
Tuesday, July 19 – 2 Kings 18:1-8; 2 Chronicles 29-31; Psalms 48
Wednesday, July 20 – Hosea 1-7
Thursday, July 21 – Hosea 8-14
Friday, July 22 – Isaiah 28-30
Saturday, July 23 – Isaiah 31-34
Sunday, July 24 – Isaiah 35-36

Miss Willa Dean Johnson is doing remarkably well – praise the Lord!  She is still in CCU but is no longer on life support.  What a God thing!

God blessed us with some really good services yesterday!  We give Him the glory!  Sheriff Mike Ezell did a very nice job of sharing with us from the Word and from his heart in the evening service.  I was grateful to have Justin Joyner, Tony Tripp & Freddie Turrentine in attendance as active law enforcement officers.  It was a like blessing to have Chaplain King from Pascagoula along with Herbert & Bubba Benefield from the sheriff’s flotilla.  What a nice crowd too!  Thank you!

Pastor Joe David Bailey did a very nice job of sharing the Word with us in both of our morning services.  He is certainly going to make a good preacher/pastor when his time comes.

Our praise band did well in all three services.  I am biased but I do not think I have ever heard Brad sing better than he did in last night’s service on their final song.  Really worshipped with Adriana on “Man of Sorrows” too.  Good stuff!

Josh Schlehuber had a bowling outing planned for our students and the Danville folks.  I am guessing something like seventy five to eighty folks attended.  Yours truly got to drive the bus.  As I was doing so, I was reminded why God has called me to pastor and not to be a middle school youth director!  Jack Lastorka took the “bowler of the night” award – dude is good!

Hey, how about a Friendship family night bowling outing one Sunday night before school begins in August?  Senior adults, adults, students, children, the entire family.  Interested?  Let me know.  Thanks!

The budget meeting yesterday afternoon went extremely well.  What a sweet Spirit!  The church family adopted the proposed budget last night so it is now our operating budget effective August 1, 2017.  Thank you to the Finance Committee – Jo Nell Barnes, Randall Broome, Tyrone Crawley, Kim French,  John Ladnier, Gerald Porioux, & TJ Vice – for a job well done.  John Milton did a very nice job serving as the chairman of this committee.

The Danville group and some of our students will begin doing ministry today.  Sherry Schlehuber now moves into the chief cook and bottle washer role.  She will do a nice job!  I appreciate her going to get the pizzas last night for the student fellowship.  Carol Lucky is coordinating those who will be bringing cookies/cakes/et cetera for the team.

We may need to (actually we do) borrow some tools/equipment.  If you are a willing lender, please let me know this morning!  Thanks!

Prayer time in the auditorium tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  Enter/exit the West side door.  Come and go.  Come and stay.  Just pray!

GROW visitation tonight beginning at 6:30PM.

Dr. Rex, found an electric guitar.  You will never guess what it needs!  Can you handle that too?

My wife is scheduled to arrive home this morning!  I will be a happy camper whenever I see her smiling face come out of that terminal!

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 13-17

Tommy Johnson’s mother was placed in ICU yesterday.  She is battling double pneumonia and is on a ventilator.  Pneumonia is a constant battle for her.  I have plans to visit her at some point today.  Pray for Miss Johnson.

Keep praying for Sharon Jardee too.  I do not have an update but will get one today.

Pastor Joe David and group arrived safely yesterday afternoon.  The CAB will be their home for the next week.  They will be with us in our services tomorrow and on Wednesday night.  Sure is good to have Dana home.

Please pray for tomorrow night’s service and make plans to join us as we show support for our law enforcement officials.  Sheriff Mike Ezell will be the keynote speaker.

I worked in the yard yesterday morning eating weeds and trimming limbs.  I then had to leave in order to attend a funeral service.  When I got back home my front yard was being mowed by Bobby Broome – what a pleasant surprise!  He mowed everything between our house and Rusty’s house.  I am pretty finicky about my yard but Bobby Broome is as good as they come when mowing grass!  He has a grass cutting business and I would recommend him in a heartbeat as he can flat out make a yard look good!  I am very grateful to Bobby for this very kind and unselfish act!

On the other hand, took my car to get the oil changed on Thursday.  Always use Joey Switzer’s place.  He was not there – imagine that!  However, he has trained Scott well.  Scott made the “executive” decision that I needed a new air filter (they do this each time I get my oil changed) and a new set of tires.  My oil change went from $19.95 to several hundred dollars – wow!

Looking forward to the services tomorrow.  I ask those teachers in the CAB to be kind and understanding as their rooms are doubling as sleeping quarters for the DBC folks this week.

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