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:  Numbers 23-25

Men’s breakfast this morning from 8:00 – 9:00AM.  All men are invited to attend.

The yard sale continues this morning and concludes with the auction tonight.  All in the CAB.

Eddie Hall’s mother remains in the hospital.  Keep praying.

Received word last night from Tina Wilkinson that her maternal aunt, Shirley, took a fall and is in an ICU due to a bleed.  They are prepared to take her into surgery, if needed.  Pray for Miss Shirley.

Joyce Hacker was discharged from the hospital yesterday.

I “thought” Friendship soccer was set to begin today but Larry, Curly & Moe had a different idea.  So, it begins next Saturday which is just great – supposed to be raining and we have a work day scheduled at the church!  Nice planning LC&M!  I probably could have coached even though I know absolutely nothing about soccer (I am not as well rounded as Dr. Rex) as I keep hearing about these coaching additions.  Heard personally from two of them Wednesday night and Soy told me of another one last night – are you serious!

“Put a top on it” is our emphasis during March.  This is designed for the Friendship family to give the necessary funds to put a new roof on the Christian Activities Building.  After almost thirty four years, it has run its course.  We will receive a “seed” love offering in tomorrow’s services, receive love offerings the following two Sundays and then, if needed, finish this on Easter Sunday, 3/27.  Are you the answer to prayer?

All Sunday School workers are asked to attend the evening service tomorrow, 3/6, and then stay for an important meeting which will take place in the auditorium.

SNBA tomorrow night.  Attend the evening service and then stay for basketball.  One of our guys suffered a gruesome injury to his upper arm last week but he played through it and will be back tomorrow night.  No, it was not Rusty!

The extended forecast calls for highs in the seventies and lows in the fifties and sixties (after tonight) for the next ten days.  Perfect weather!  It is so close to time to get the seeds in the ground!   Charles & I are negotiating a price now for breaking the ground.  He got a new tractor and wants to raise the rate – killing me!

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:  Numbers 21-22

Men’s breakfast in the fellowship hall tomorrow morning, 3/6, from 8:00 – 9:00AM.  All men are invited to attend.

Visited briefly with Eddie Hall in his mother’s hospital room yesterday.  She had made a slight improvement but still has areas needing improvement.  Keep praying.

Visited with Wanda Jordan’s mother-in-law and she was in hopes of being discharged if they determined that she did not have any blood clots in her legs.  She was waiting on the tests to be performed whenever I left so I am not sure of the test results.

Joyce Hacker has been admitted to the hospital.  I attempted to visit her but she was not in her room so I assume she was having a test performed.

Carla Kyser went to Birmingham and back yesterday.  She met with two oral surgeons with one of them being the head of the department.  Her options are limited but they will do a scan and then go from there.  Keep praying.

The yard sale continues today and tomorrow with the auction taking place tomorrow night.

The weather was not real good last night during our prayer time but we still had a decent number of folks show up to pray.  We now move to Monday nights for our prayer time.  The auditorium will be open from 5:00 – 7:00PM each Monday.  It will actually be open much earlier that 5:00PM but those are the hours that I try to be present.  A call to prayer.

It is 4:30AM and Lisa is already giving me orders about the Walmart run.  After years of experience, I have learned that going around this time is not optimal.  What is the optimal time?  Cannot divulge that information or then it will become too crowded!

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: Numbers 18-20

Received word through the night that Rolando Echeverría from Guatemala passed away.  He was diagnosed with cancer just a few weeks ago.  He & Tico Vargas are good friends.  Pray for his family.

Learned yesterday that Eddie Hall’s mother is in the hospital.  Learned last night that the reason she is hospitalized is because she suffered a stroke.  She is in an intensive care unit.  Pray for Miss Hall.

Also learned yesterday that Wanda Jordan’s mother-in-law is in the hospital.  She is battling pneumonia so pray for her too.

The yard sale begins today and continues through the auction on Saturday night.  It all takes place in the CAB.

Prayer time tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  After tonight, our prayer time moves to Monday nights.  Please note this!

We are having a Sunday School workers’ meeting immediately following the evening service this Sunday, 3/6.  Each teacher is asked to attend.  Obviously, attending the service is a must if you are going to attend the meeting.

Dr. Rex was immediate and spot on regarding TAGS.  The “big” video is now live on aglimpseofgrace.com.  Check it out!  Very professionally done by Anthony Gettig of Third Hour Media!  Thanks Tony!

How about this weather – wow!

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:  Numbers 16-17

Good morning from Grand Bay.  Lisa and I left Prattville at 2:20AM heading home and arrived home safely at 5:05AM.  I thoroughly enjoyed hearing four different messages yesterday morning and last night.  As usual, Dr. Ted Traylor was spot on!

Regular schedule this morning and tonight.  Not exactly sure what the menu will consist of for tonight’s 7:30PM Bible study.  Lisa and I have not come to a definite conclusion.  Hot dogs are near the front of the line for consideration.  Trying to do something easy for Lisa as she has a lot on her plate today/tonight.  Whatever it is you can rest assured it will be good!  The girl can cook!

It is big.  Really big!  (Dr. Rex, in which episode of TAGS did Barney say that?)  My cousin, Tony Gettig, posted something on FB (my favorite thing in the whole wide world) yesterday morning and by last night it had gotten 1,732 reaches and 11 shares (neither of those mean anything to me).  Tony says that he has never had anything get that type of a result in one day.  Folks, it is big!  Really big!

Here is what I do understand – the latest video about GRACE Ministries will go live on aglimpseofgrace.com at 2:00AM tomorrow morning, 3/3.  Why 2:00AM?  Folks, we are dealing with a Yankee so please do not ask me to explain!  Tony is doing an excellent job of making the aglimpseofgrace.com site recent and relevant!  Thank you Tony!

Lisa and I were able to visit with Decker Terry for a few minutes yesterday.  His wife, Martha, had a less than desirable night sleep wise on Monday night so she was resting.  What a delightful couple!  Such mighty prayer warriors!  We are blessed to know them and to call them friends in the ministry!

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:  Numbers 14-15; Psalm 90

Good morning from Prattville, Alabama.  Gena Davis commented on yesterday’s entry that her son, Chuck, is a leap year baby as he celebrated his “fourteenth” birthday yesterday which means he is fifty six years old.  Wow, I was thinking Gena was only in her late fifties!  It was good to hear from Gena!  Gene who?  LOL!

Grant Tillman was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  He was more than anxious to get out of that place!  Surgery went well.

IMPORTANT – our prayer time for this week has been moved to Thursday night, 3/3, from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  No prayer time in the auditorium tonight.

By the way, we are going to move our prayer time to Monday nights beginning next Monday, 3/7.  The time will be from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  This will allow folks leading/participating in GriefShare and/or GROW to also be involved in the prayer time without having to give up another night.  Ditto for those involved in prayer time wishing to be involved in either of the other two ministries mentioned.  Please note this change which really takes up back to the original night.  God is good!

Lisa and I were treated to supper at Jim & Nick’s last night by Josh & Mandi Fortner and it was great!  Evangelist Michael Mason was also able to join us.  (Dale, those biscuits were awesome!)  Really good food but even greater fellowship!  Thanks Josh & Mandi!

Can you believe that Lisa spoke to a lady yesterday who was taking down her 2015 Christmas trees?  I will not call her name.  Her husband, Edd, told her that she should just leave it up for this year since Christmas is just around the corner!  And then Lisa found another lady who still has her 2015 Christmas tree up.  Again, I will not call her name but will simply say that she works in Lisa’s office.  No, it is not Julie or Rita!

Looking forward to hearing some preaching today but really came to hear Dr. Ted Traylor preach tonight.  Lord willing, I will be in the service tomorrow morning.

Remember, today is voting day in Alabama.  Contact Myrtle if you have any questions.

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:  no assignment (great time to catch up or get ahead)

Tuesday, March 1, Numbers 14-15; Psalm 90
Wednesday, March 2 Numbers 16-17
Thursday, March 3 Numbers 18-20
Friday, March 4 Numbers 21-22
Saturday, March 5 Numbers 23-25
Sunday, March 6 Numbers 26-27

If my memory serves me correctly, I have only personally known one person, Junior Taylor, who was born on February 29.  Junior is Sonny Bates’ cousin and he went to be with the Lord in January 2015.  (I knew our ten readers would be interested to know how many folks I have known who were born on 2/29 so now you know!)

Grant Tillman had emergency surgery yesterday morning.  Really?  If you do not want to attend Sunday School and/or church just say so!  He did well and will be discharged from the hospital this morning.  I plan on seeing him before he is discharged.  Grant has a sweetheart of a wife.  Hard for me to believe that she is Diane Brinkman’s daughter!  Just saying!

Maria Wainwright’s father is waiting to see if he will possibly need a stent(s) placed in his heart.

My mother-in-law, Ann Clark, is doing remarkably well in her recovery from knee replacement surgery.  She was at our house for lunch yesterday which is seemingly light years ahead of where she was following her first knee replacement.  (Meanwhile, Rusty continues to rehab his sprained knee eighteen months after minor surgery!  Rusty is 20.  Ann is 70.  Just saying!)

GriefShare tonight at 6:00PM.

Good day in our services yesterday.  We thank God for his blessings!  What a joy to see all of those folks at the front last night who have completed the evangelism training.  Jonny the Baptist did a good job too!  Also, what a blessing to see someone be the answer to their own prayer!  God is good!

Major announcement!  Perhaps you have already seen it on the scroll at the bottom of one of the major sports channels but just in case you missed it.  TNBA has now become SNBA which means we have officially switched to Sunday nights.  Dylan Westbrook suggested this change and the guys took to it very quickly.  Concept is real simple – attend the service on Sunday night and then stay for some major basketball action.

SNBA was good last night.  Special thanks to my wife, Lisa, and daughter, Gina, for the sports drink they provided.  Eddie Albritton won the MOP award following last night’s action.   Billy Teasley finished a close second.

Lisa and I are leaving this afternoon to attend the state evangelism conference in Montgomery.  Dr. Ted Traylor is the featured speaker tomorrow night which is my main motivation for attending.  Lord willing, we will be back for the Wednesday services.

Since I am not going to be here tomorrow night, we are once again moving our prayer time to this Thursday night, 3/3, from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  Honestly, there is a bit of a conflict with the voting process so this will help in that area too.  Please pass the word!   (We may make a move to Monday nights in the near future.  Details forthcoming so stay tuned)

A “pig in the garden” salad at Jim & Nick’s is calling my name for supper tonight!  Hallelujah!

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:  Numbers 11 – 13

Today is appreciation day for our Minister to Students, Bro. Chris Taylor.  We will receive a love offering in all three of our services as an expression of appreciation for him.  Members of the Friendship family are encouraged to send him a note/card of appreciation or encouragement.  By the way, he sent me a message yesterday afternoon saying that he was not feeling well and may not be in the services today.  Pray for him.

Missionary Jonny Gaston took his evangelism class members to a park in West Mobile yesterday.  They shared the Gospel and six folks prayed to receive Jesus as their personal Savior.  Hallelujah!  Tonight’s service will feature this evangelism class.  Do not miss it!

TNBA tonight following the evening service.  All participants must attend our evening service in order to join us for this time of serious hoops!  (Curry went for forty six points in last night’s game against the Thunder hitting twelve three pointers with the game winner coming about forty feet from the basket.  Dude now has 288 three pointers for the season which is a record and the Warriors at 53 – 5 have already clinched a spot in the playoffs.  Amazing!)

If you have a child wanting to sign up for the Friendship soccer league then you must contact one of the big three (Soy, Rusty, Phillip) today, 2/28.  Uniforms will be ordered tomorrow.  It is imperative that you cannot one of these guys today!

Regular schedule today/tonight.  May the members of the Friendship family be found faithful!

I got to do one of my favorite things yesterday – mow the yard!  Also got to do some weed eating and even pulled some weeds from the flower bed.  I enjoyed two of those three things!  (We have a landscape guy who promised to handle the flower beds but he reneged!  Just saying!)

I pray that you will have a great Sunday with Jesus.  Go to church!

We have set aside tomorrow, 2/28, as a day to recognize Bro. Chris Taylor on his seventh anniversary as our Student Pastor.  A love offering will be received in all three services as a token of our appreciation.

Bro. Chris is married to Nicole and they are the  parents of two boys, Truett and Tag.

You are encouraged to make this a matter of prayer and then give as the Lord leads.  Pass the word!

“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: Numbers 8 – 10

This morning will be the monthly prayer time with our bus workers.  This will take place beginning at 8:30AM in the fellowship hall.  Everyone is invited to come and pray.  A call to prayer!

Those folks who have been involved in the evangelism class taught by Jonny Gaston will to to a local park today and put their learning into practice.  Several of them have asked me to pray for them to have boldness to share the Gospel.  I am praying.  Will you join me in that prayer?

By the way, this same group will be recognized in our evening service tomorrow.  Do not miss that service.

TNBA tomorrow night following the evening service.  Anyone participating in this TNBA has to attend the evening service.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.  I am about to post another entry detailing something special that will be taking place so please read it too.

Did you know that you can financially support Soy & Deidra (SLAM) and Dale & Karla (Axiom Ministries) directly?  Meaning these two ministries can give you a receipt for tax purposes.  IMO, good ministries to consider supporting.

Speaking of ministry, there are no more Friendship soccer evaluations.  Not today or Monday.  If you have a child wanting to sign up then you must contact one of the “big three” before this Monday, 2/29, as the uniforms will be ordered on Monday.  So, contact Soy, Rusty or Phillip either today or tomorrow.

Also, the actual soccer games will take place at Grand Bay Middle School.  That Rusty has some pull!

A good day for me yesterday.  Bought some tickets for a mission trip, sent some e-mails out regarding mission trip stuff, went to Walmart and then made a Sam’s run.  Was able to take Titus to t-ball evaluations last night.  Wow, what a bunch of boys and girls!

Titus came home with me and we had another “boys only” night!

I pray that you will have a great Saturday with Jesus.  Check out the next blog entry!

“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: Numbers 7

Wow, four more lives taken in an apparently random shooting in Kansas.  Pray for those families along with the fourteen or so others who were injured.  Insane!  Absolutely insane!

In my opinion, the Friendship family was well represented at the visitation and service for Faron yesterday.  Again, thank you to each person who ministered to the family in any way especially those who helped with the meals.

Pattie Suthoff’s nephew passed away and I believe that I am correct is saying that service takes place tonight in Saraland.  Pray for the family.

Mission of Hope tonight at 7:00PM.  Bus leaves the church at 6:15PM.  Service will take place in the chapel at the mission.  Jerry Whitmore will be bringing the message.  Everyone invited.

The wedding shower for Jacqueline Crawley & Brandon Davis takes place this Sunday, 2/28, from 2:00 – 3:30PM in the fellowship hall. Registered at Target, Dillards, Rand’s Quick Stop and Grand Bay Auto Supply (was not aware of the GBAS when I posted on Monday).  All ladies of the Friendship family are invited to attend.

Our prayer time was well attended last night.  Special thanks to Bernard Suthoff for closing up for me.  Thanks to each person who attended.  May you be blessed!

TNBA last night was good.  The number was down a tad but the games were good.  I will not get into which team basically dominated!

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