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 –  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.

“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 15:1-24; 2 Chronicles 13-16

David Bosarge’s mother, Miss Maxine, was admitted to the hospital yesterday.

Sharon Jardee remains hospitalized too.

Evangelist James Messer will be preaching in all three of our services tomorrow.  Pray for Bro. James.  If you are in town then I pray that you will be faithful to attend all of our services.

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 10-12

Sharon Jardee was admitted to the hospital yesterday afternoon.  She was having some pain and running an elevated temperature.

Evangelist James Messer will be our guest preacher this Sunday, 6/26, in all three of our services.  Obviously, there are a number of the Friendship family members away on a GRACE Ministries trip.  There are some others away on vacation.  My prayer is that those in town this Sunday will be faithful to attend the services.  We will be on a regular schedule morning and evening.

I do not have an update on the CAB roof repair.  I am still under the impression that everything will be finished this Monday, 6/27.  If so, we will return to a regular schedule/routine on Wednesday evening, 6/29.  By the way, there will be no 7:30PM Bible study this Wednesday night, 6/29.

If you have any interest in keeping up with the GRACE Ministries team, you can click on that blog and follow from there.

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 – 1 Kings 12-14

I have heard from folks in MOB, GPT, MSY & BHM this morning as we have a GRACE Ministries team leaving today.  Everyone arrived on time and they are now headed to ATL.  We have folks flying from MGM too but I have not heard from them.  Pray that connections are made in a timely fashion and that all will be well.   Forty eight people.  Six airports.  God’s favor is welcomed.

Do not have any updates from home.  Just ask that you keep praying for those on our prayer list.  Kerri’s sister, Kimberly, remains hospitalized so pray for her recovery.

I did hear that the CAB roof should be completely finished by Monday, 6/27.  That Les is driving them!  Good job!

Was able to go with Soy & Deidra yesterday morning to meet with Mike Parker of Clubhouse Guatemala.  He is a great friend and our two ministries are always able to work together.

Last night, Lisa, Dana and I spent the evening with our two Summer interns – Anna & Karoline.  They are delightful young ladies and are doing a very nice job.

Lisa and I have a meeting this morning and then we will help ready the mission house for the team’s arrival shortly after noon.

I have been dreaming ever since I have gotten here.  Have dreamed that I have seen Soy using a push mower, weed eater and hoe to work in the yard.  I will eventually wake up as I know it cannot be true.  We have lived beside him for twenty years and I have never seen any of this so it has to be a dream!

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 – Proverbs 30-31
Thursday, June 23 – 1 Kings 12-14
Friday, June 24 – 2 Chronicles 10-12
Saturday, June 25 – 1 Kings 15:1-24; 2 Chronicles 13-16
Sunday, June 26 – 1 Kings 15:25-16:34; 2 Chronicles 17

Good morning from Guatemala.  Lisa and I arrived in an uneventful way yesterday afternoon.  It was great seeing Deidra and the girls!  I was able to spend some time with Pastor Terry Rainey and Pastor Eddie Burdette along with their team last night.  I was also able to visit with Paul Leytham yesterday afternoon.

Regular schedule today/tonight with one exception – there will be no 7:30PM Bible study tonight or next Wednesday night, 6/29.  There is one major change as far as locations are concerned for tonight’s 6:30PM activities – the students will meet in the auditorium (Jim Chinners teaching) and the adults will meet in the youth building (Bro. Jerry Hovel teaching).  Please note this change as it applies only to the 6:30PM time slot.

Kerri Lastorka’s sister came through her surgery ok.  There found some things they were not totally expecting which “could” affect her down the road.  Pray for Kimberly Clark.

Keep praying for those battling cancer and that list includes Carla Kyser, Holly Lybarger, Becky Sellers, Jimmy Moates, Lisa Thompson, Claire’s mother (Robin) and Courtney Hubbard.

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 10-11; 2 Chronicles 9

I was unaware of the fact that Charles Wainwright’s mother was admitted to the hospital on Sunday.  Maria told me yesterday afternoon that Mrs. Wainwright “could” be discharged today.

Kerri Lastorka’s sister, Kimberly Clark, will have surgery this morning.  After many years of problems, they plan to amputate her right leg just below the knee.  Pray that all goes well.

I spoke briefly to the men installing the CAB roof yesterday.  They tell me that all should be done in two weeks.  Remember, the CAB is closed this week.

Our students will meet in the auditorium this Wednesday night at 6:30PM while the adults will meet in the youth building for that service only.

There will be no 7:30PM Bible study at our house for the next two Wednesdays.  Please note this and pass the word to others who are normally involved.

Josh Schlehuber has hit the ground running as our student ministry intern.  He sent me a list of a number of activities for our students to be involved in this Summer. Details forthcoming.

Lisa and I are in the Mobile airport awaiting our flight to Guatemala City.  Yesterday was a really long day of trying to get ready to leave which included pulling our corn.  I pulled and shucked.  Lisa, Ann, Gina, Alan, Brad & Daphne removed the silks.  Lisa and Ann put it in the freezer.  The Lord blessed our corn crop and He also blessed by letting it come in before we left for Guatemala.

Special thanks to Rusty for bringing us to the airport today.  He is a much better driver than grass cutter – just saying!

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

Today’s Bible reading – Ecclesiastes 7-12

Tuesday, June 21 – 1 Kings 10-11; 2 Chronicles 9
Wednesday, June 22 – Proverbs 30-31
Thursday, June 23 – 1 Kings 12-14
Friday, June 24 – 2 Chronicles 10-12
Saturday, June 25 – 1 Kings 15:1-24; 2 Chronicles 13-16
Sunday, June 26 – 1 Kings 15:25-16:34; 2 Chronicles 17
Monday, June 27 – 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

What a blessed day we had in our services yesterday.  Four public professions of faith and four baptisms.  God is good (He is a good, good Father!)  God is faithful!  We praise Him!

It was good to see Carla Kyser, Becky Sellers and Lisa Thompson in our services yesterday.  Pray for these ladies.

The Friendship family has called Josh Schlehuber as an intern to lead activities for our student ministry this Summer.  He began his duties last night and has plans for an activity this Sunday, 6/26.  Pray for Josh as he takes on this responsibility.

Bobby Broome, John Ladnier and Larry Whitehurst have been elected to serve as deacons for three years beginning August 1, 2016.

The folks will begin the process of replacing the CAB roof today.  Therefore, the CAB will be closed all week.  The lock will be changed today.  Please note that on Wednesday evening the students will use the auditorium at 6:30PM and the adults will use the youth building.

Prayer time tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the auditorium.  After tonight, our next prayer time will be Monday, 7/11.

The Cavs won!  The naysayers can now send me their “you were right pastor” e-mails!  To quote Dub Ladnier, “if I tell you that a chicken dips, check under her wing for a can of snuff!”  Folks, in my opinion there was no way the NBA was not going to let LeBron lead the Cavs to a championship.  Someone seemingly got to Draymond at halftime and when have you seen Curry completely miss the rim on a shot as he did very late in last night’s game?  Just saying!  Do I have proof?  Nope.  Just an opinion.

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 – Proverbs 25-26

Visited Miss Ica Walley in the hospital yesterday.  She seemed to be feeling well and was discharged yesterday afternoon.  I really appreciate Betty letting me know that her mother had come home.  Miss Walley is a treasure!

Visited the folks in the convalescent home yesterday morning.  The folks from Youth Works were there.  Everyone seemed to be doing well.  Carol was doing Miss Carmen’s hair.  Had a really nice conversation with Miss Jimmie Hall.  Harold Dueitt told me that he is going home today.  One of the residents has been admitted to the hospital so I visited with them late yesterday afternoon.

Drove to Waynesboro, MS and attended the celebration of life service for Rick Bradley’s Aunt, Sue Mills.  I am fully aware that folks always say “good” things about a person when they have passed and sometimes you wonder if they are close to true.  However, I believe that the two men who spoke at the service yesterday were speaking the truth when they shared about Miss Sue.  Good, godly lady!

Tim Knighten sent me a message yesterday saying that Peggy has pneumonia.  He still is not feeling well either.  Tim recently turned fifty years old and it has been all downhill since then!  Must be tough getting old – LOL!  Pray for Tim & Peggy.

Per Kenny Lingle, the men from the mission are supposed to be with us in our 10:30AM service this Sunday, 6/19.  If so, they will be singing two songs.

Jonny Gaston has moved his evangelism classes from Tuesday nights to Sunday afternoons at 5:00PM in the youth building.  This is good for several reasons.  You are encouraged to take part in these classes.

BTW, the Frontlines Mobile banquet takes place next Friday night, 6/24, in our fellowship hall beginning at 6:30PM.  Tickets are $15/$6 and can be gotten from Elizabeth Westbrook or Ethan Nelson.

We are going to have a brief meeting in the auditorium this Sunday, 6/19, at 4:30PM to discuss and/or answer questions regarding having Josh Schlehuber serve as our student ministry intern in charge of activities for the next two/three months.  We will then have the students and others meet with Josh in the CAB during the 5:00PM hour.  I look forward to our students having activities this Summer.  Pray for our student ministry.

Stayed up too late watching the NBA game last night.  On Sunday night, June 5, one of our men sent me an e-mail that simply said, “Cavs?  Really???????”  You will remember that the Cavs got hammered that night by like one hundred points.  My simple reply to him on that night was “In 7!”  My position has not changed.  I will explain myself after this Sunday night if the Cavs do win.  BTW, Curry probably did not foul on the sixth one last night but the fifth one was like having Levi Seymour, Phillip Turner and James Mareno guarding you – it is called fouling with the body!  As I say, they would have arrested him in Bayou La Batre for doing that!

This entry is late.  I apologize.  I sent it to Dr. Rex Looney for him to proof read and he got it back to me late.

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 – 1 Kings 9; 2 Chronicles 8

Good morning from Grand Bay!  The Lord blessed and I arrived home safe and sound around 11:30PM last night.  Flight from Atlanta was a little delayed but nothing major.  I thank God for traveling mercies.  He is faithful!

The celebration of life service for Rick Bradley’s Aunt, Sue Mills, takes place today at 2:00PM in Waynesboro, MS.  Pray for the Mills family.

Tim Knighten did well through his procedure.  He is not wanting any more kidney stones.  Tina Wilkinson shared her sympathies with Tim & Yancey as she also recently had kidney stones.  Do not shake hands with Tina, Yancey or Tim just to be safe!  LOL!

Miss Ica Walley is in the hospital.  They are running tests.

Ted Traylor preached a wonderful message yesterday morning from Psalm 133.  It was on unity.  He said unity is released, refreshing and rewarding.

Steve Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist in Memphis, is the new president of the SBC.  The other candidate in the runoff, JD Greear, humbly and graciously withdrew his name from consideration.

Day has broken and Lisa is telling me to get in the garden for an hour or so before getting my day started.  She is tough on me!

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 – Psalms 134; 146-150

Tim Knighten is having a surgical procedure done early (6:30AM) this morning to blast some kidney stones.  He told me that the pain has been intense.  Pray for Tim!  (I think I saw Tim shaking hands with Yancey Hall this past Sunday.  Yancey had kidney stones blasted last Friday.  Contagious?  Just saying!)

Rick Bradley’s maternal Aunt, Sue Mills, passed from this life and entered Heaven late Monday night.  The visitation with the family takes place tonight from 5:00 – 9:00PM in Waynesboro, MS and the celebration of life service takes place tomorrow afternoon, 6/16, at 2:00PM also from Waynesboro.  Pray for the family.  Rick’s mother has been battling a case of the shingles so keep her in your prayers as well.

Heard from Carla Kyser last night.  She has made some small steps of improvement this week.  She says the “warden” aka Marisa still has her on a pretty tight leash but she is thankful for each improvement.  Keep praying for Carla.

Regular schedule today/tonight at Friendship.  Ice cream sundaes for the students beginning at 6:00PM.  All of the students will be together for the musical worship and then go to their respective Bible studies.

Uneventful flights and taxi ride to the hotel yesterday.  Basically went directly to the convention hall upon my arrival.  The call to prayer last night was a good service.  Looking forward to hearing Pastor Ted Traylor preach this morning.  Lord willing, I will fly out late this afternoon and will arrive home around midnight.

The SBC does not have a new president yet even though there was a run off between two men.  Neither man got the required fifty percent plus one.  Complicated situation.  Even TJ Vice, who is good with numbers, will have a hard time figuring that one out.  There will be another vote this morning.  I have never heard of anything like it.

It is hot in St. Louis.

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