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 –   Jonah 1-4

Bro. Jerry and a team of twenty something folks will leave Mobile this morning heading to Guatemala for a GRACE Ministries mission trip.  Pray for them to enjoy safe travels and a productive trip.

I thought Sharon Jardee was heading to a rehab facility.  Not so fast my friend!  She was taken back into surgery yesterday.  I think that is four surgical procedures for her in the last two weeks.  Word came to me last night via Miss Kittie that the doctor is pleased with the results of this surgery.

Coley Johnson’s dad, Vic, was taken to the hospital yesterday morning.  He lost three and one half liters of blood yesterday.  Obviously, they had to give him blood.  His blood pressure kept going too low as well.  Katelyn sent me a message last night saying that he was stable and they plan on doing tests today to determine the cause of the blood loss.

Basically no change in Claire Belle’s mother.  She did pass a swallowing test yesterday.  This is a day by day thing.

Lisa did a very nice job of feeding the folks at the 7:30PM Bible study last night.  Our daughter, Deidra, entered college around eighteen years ago.  You say, “so?”  We started this “college Bible study” around that time.  Do you realize how many meals Lisa has cooked during that time?  How many folks she has fed?  She has never complained even one time – amazing!  What a great hostess!

Alan Aldridge taught the Bible study last night.  I appreciate him doing so.

Wow, the NBA is shaping up to be totally different next season.  Let me know when June 2017 comes so I can begin to watch.  BTW, Jerry West is still the greatest player of all time!  Just saying!

Speaking of basketball, TNBA returns tonight.  This is for guys who were either in one of our Sunday morning services this past Sunday or a service yesterday/last night.  We have moved to Thursdays in order to allow our students to have the CAB on Sunday nights following the service.

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

Aaron Rhett Akridge entered this world yesterday.  He checked in at seven pounds and five ounces and is twenty and three quarters inches long.  Congratulations to his parents, Aaron & Taylor.  Special congratulations to Kevin & Tina Sprinkle as they are the very proud grandparents!

“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 14; 2 Chronicles 25

Sharon Jardee was in hopes of being moved to a rehab facility yesterday.  Not sure if that happened as there was much to be done with the social worker, et cetera.

Claire Belle’s mother continues to remain hospitalized with no significant change.  Obviously, she is a very sick lady.

Carla Kyser’s blood work came back good.  The doctor tweaked some meds.  Carla was upbeat.  Personally, I think she has “mental” issues but that is beside the point – LOL!  (I really do not think that but do not tell her!)

Regular schedule today – morning and evening.  We will have the 7:30PM Bible study with burgers, dogs, and the trimmings – please spread the word and get folks here.

Mission committee members – please meet with me tonight at 6:00PM in the 30-39 Sunday School room.  Thanks!

Deacons – meeting this Sunday, 7/10, at 4:00PM in the 30-39 Sunday School room.

Finance committee members – meeting this Sunday, 7/10, at 5:00PM in the church office.

Gina made her connection in Atlanta yesterday morning and then Tico Vargas picked her up at the Guatemala City airport.  I appreciate Tico doing this for us.  So, Lisa and I are experiencing the “empty nest” syndrome.

BTW, Durant to the Warriors?  Are you serious?  They are either going to be really good or just so so.

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 12-13; 2 Chronicles 24

Greg Boutwell was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  I know he is glad to be home.

Sharon Jardee remains hospitalized.  I will be visiting her this morning.

Claire’s mother remains hospitalized too.  I will also be visiting her this morning.

Bernard Suthoff meets with his doctor this week.  I am not sure if his radiation treatments will begin this week or not.  Join me in praying for Bernard – what a good guy!

Carla Kyser will also see the doctor this week.  She was not feeling well Sunday which is why she was not in our services.  She did receive a full treatment last week.

I hope to make phone contact with Phil Sims today to get an update on his situation.  I know his Sunday School teacher, Jeff Holifield, has plans to visit with him.

I am very thankful to each person who attended our services and Sunday School this past Sunday!  We had a nice attendance!  Thank you for being faithful!

Today marks the forty eighth birthday of Lisa’s only brother, Michael.  Of course, he passed from this life and entered Heaven almost thirty years ago.  Cannot help but wonder “what if” in regards to if he were still living on this earth.

I trust and pray that you had a good Fourth of July.  Lisa, Dana, Gina & I did.  We met family at Big Bob Gibson’s bar-b-que in Decatur on Sunday night.  Good food and even greater fellowship.  Spent some time with my parents yesterday morning, went to the Johnson Chapel cemetery, and then had a family gathering at noon.  We left Dana in Danville for the next couple of weeks.  Lisa, Gina and I left Hartselle in the afternoon arriving home last night.  Good day!

Took Gina to the Mobile airport this morning in order for her to head to Guatemala.  She is flying solo but is very confident in her ability to navigate the airport in Atlanta, customs in Guatemala City, et cetera.  I have confidence that she will do well.

We are back on a regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening which includes the 7:30PM Bible study.

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 –  2 Kings 5-8

Regular schedule this morning – 8:00AM service; 9:15AM Sunday School & 10:30AM service.  I know it is a major holiday weekend but my prayer is that the members of the Friendship family in town will be faithful!

Visited Charles Suthoff in the convalescent facility yesterday afternoon.  He said that he is doing good but he really is not doing so well.  He has a great attitude though.  Not sure how much he is comprehending right now but his attitude is positive.

Visited Sharon Jardee in the hospital.  She was also in good spirits.  She was pretty confident that she will be moved to a rehab facility on Monday.  She has a pretty long road in front of her but she is aware of that and is prepared to travel it.

Visited Greg Boutwell in the hospital.  He too was very positive.  Understands his situation.  He “thinks” he will be discharged tomorrow.

Visited Claire Belle’s mother in the hospital.  She has not been sleeping well so she slept basically all day yesterday.

Greg told me that Phil Sims is having some physical challenges.  We need to pray for Phil.  He is such an integral part of the Friendship family and is greatly missed when he is not present.

The church office will be closed tomorrow as we celebrate the Fourth.

I have to give Charles credit.  He did much more than his share of mowing this weekend.  Rusty?  (Did you seriously ask that question?) Rusty lasted two weeks which was one week longer than I expected.  He is now tied with Soy for the Summer.  Each of them are content to allow the other to win this one!

As I wrote yesterday, Lisa, Dana, Gina and I have plans to travel to Rocky Ford, Alabama this afternoon.  Dana will stay there for a week or so while Lisa, Gina & I will return to Grand Bay at some point tomorrow.  Gina is scheduled to fly to Guatemala early Tuesday morning and will be there until August 4.

I seriously doubt that I will post an entry tomorrow.  I pray that you will have a great Sunday with Jesus and a wonderful Fourth of July!

“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)

Yesterday’s Bible reading – Obadiah; Psalms 82-83

Today’s Bible reading –  2 Kings 1-4

Sunday, July 3 – 2 Kings 5-8
Monday, July 4 – 2 Kings 9-11
Tuesday, July 5 – 2 Kings 12-13; 2 Chronicles 24
Wednesday, July 6 – 2 Kings 14; 2 Chronicles 25
Thursday, July 7 – Jonah 1-4
Friday, July 8 – 2 Kings 15; 2 Chronicles 26
Saturday, July 9 – Isaiah 1-4
Sunday, July 10 – Isaiah 5-8

Obviously, there was no blog entry by me yesterday, 7/1.  I left GRACE mountain around 9:00PM on Thursday night and did not get online during my entire time of traveling home.  My yesterday was full with the service for Michael Cumbie and when I got home getting online was not a priority.  So, I apologize for not posting yesterday.

Thank you to each person who attended the service for Michael and a special thanks to each person who helped with the feeding of the family after the service.  Carol Lucky coordinated that ministry and I am grateful.

Sharon Jardee had her replacement knee removed yesterday and a plastic one put in as a temporary fix.  This is due to an infection.  She will be in rehab before eventually receiving another metal knee.

Greg Boutwell was admitted to the hospital.

Claire Belle Turner’s mother is in the hospital too.

We are on a regular schedule tomorrow morning, 7/3.  However, there will be no services/activities tomorrow evening.  My prayer is that the members of the Friendship family will be faithful to attend tomorrow’s services and Sunday School.  (Note, we will be on a regular schedule on Wednesday, 7/6)

My plate is full today with the yard, garden, hospital visits and getting ready for tomorrow.  God is good!

Lord willing, Lisa, Dana, Gina and I will travel to Rocky Ford, Alabama on Sunday afternoon in order to spend the 4th with family.  We have to return on the 4th as Gina will leave for Guatemala early on 7/5.

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 –  2 Chronicles 19-23

It is my understanding that David Bosarge’s mother and Sharon Jardee both remain hospitalized.  Sharon had to undergo another surgery.  Pray for these ladies.

The arrangements for Michael Cumbie are as follows:  visitation with the family from 12:00PM until 2:00PM on Friday, July 1, from Serenity Funeral Home.  The celebration of life service will then begin at 2:00PM in the chapel.  Burial will be in the Mobile Memorial Gardens.  Pray for Caroline and her family as they walk through this valley.

We will be on a regular schedule this Sunday morning, July 3, with our two morning worship services and Sunday School.  Our buses will run their regular routes.

We will not have any evening activities or services this Sunday, July 3.  However, there will be a community service at the Festival Park with Pastor Wade Ivey preaching.  I “think” that service begins at 6:00PM.

Obviously, the church office will be closed on Monday, July 4.  We will open on Tuesday, July 5, at 8:00AM.

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 – 1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18

Regular schedule today and tonight.  As far as I know, the CAB is good to go.  If not, there will be a sign on the door.

Carla Kyser was able to receive a full chemo treatment this week.  That is a positive.  We give God thanks!

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 – 1 Kings 17-19

Tuesday, June 28 – 1 Kings 20-21
Wednesday, June 29 – 1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18
Thursday, June 30 – 2 Chronicles 19-23

This entry is delayed as the internet connection here has been spotty.  Have a call in to Al’s office.

Heard from Evangelist James Messer.  He said that he enjoyed the day in our services yesterday.  Other than that, I have not heard from anyone except that our 30 – 39 year olds Sunday School class had a good day numerically.  Way to go guys!  (Take Soy out of the equation and the class grows?  Just saying!)

Caroline Ford and her family continue to be on my mind.  I tried to call Caroline yesterday but was not able to make connection.  Keep praying for them as Caroline will be going today to make the arrangements.

I am thinking that the CAB roof work should be finished today?  I will touch base with Les Hacker this afternoon/evening to confirm.  If so, our Wednesday schedule/locations will be normal.  No 7:30PM Bible study.

No prayer time tonight, 6/27 or next Monday night, 7/4.

Griefshare tonight at 6:00PM.

GROW tonight at 6:30PM.

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 –  1 Kings 15:25-16:34; 2 Chronicles 17

I apologize for the lateness of this entry.  I wrote one this morning, hit publish and then was told that I had been knocked off line and lost the entire entry.  It included information about Evangelist James Messer preaching in all three of our services today/tonight.  Pray for him.  Friendship family, be faithful to attend.

Caroline Ford’s son, Michael, passed from this life early yesterday morning.  This comes basically six months after her daughter, Cynthia, passed from this life.  Pray for Caroline and her family.  Arrangements pending.

Also, one of the young ladies on our GRACE Ministries team received word this morning that her maternal grandfather passed from this life early this morning.  Pray for her and her family.

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