Pastor's Blog

Today’s Bible reading – Job 31:1-33:33 2 Corinthians 3:1-18 Psalm 43:1-5 Proverbs 22:8-9

We have temporarily suspended our Celebration service on Saturday nights so there will be no service tomorrow night.  The next one will be held on October 4.  Pass the word and pray for this ministry.

We are on a regular schedule this Sunday, 8/31.  We will observe baptism as a part of our evening service.  Candidates should come prepared and meet with me in the foyer at 5:30PM.  Lord willing, I will be preaching in all three of our services.

Edd & Sandy Gillespie are grandparents.  I do not have the details but I know they are thrilled.  Congratulations to Braxton & Angie on the birth of their first child.

Sam Schjott’s grandmother passed away yesterday on her 94th birthday.  Pray for Sam and his family as they go through this time.

The church office will be closed on Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

Did A&M beat USC or what!  Wow!  I thought the University of Mississippi was going to lose to Boise State but they righted the ship just in time.  Vandy disappointed me as they let the SEC (or as Rusty Suthoff says, “the SEC conference) down.  I can only hope Bama does not follow suit.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Job 28:1-30:31 2 Corinthians 2:12-17 Psalm 42:1-11 Proverbs 22:7

Really strong day attendance wise in our services yesterday – morning and evening.  We had one profession of faith following the service last night.  To God be the glory!

We are in the process of reorganizing some things related to our Saturday night services.  Therefore, we will not have that service again until October 4.  Please help us pass the word.  Thanks!

We have added a GRACE Ministries trip to this year’s calendar.  The dates of Saturday, December 6, through Saturday, December 13, will see a team travel to Guatemala in order to do ministry with the families involved in our ministry (feeding) center and the folks who work in the El Tejar dump.  This trip, by design, will not be as work intensive but will focus on building relationships, helping start a church, and celebrating Christmas with these families.  This would be a great trip for those who sponsor a child in the center.  As it presently stands, we have about twelve folks planning on taking part in this trip.  Interested persons should contact me for more information.

Bro. Chris and I will travel today to visit a potential location for next Summer’s student ministry camp.  We are trying to work out something so that Wade Morris can be the speaker.  Pray for God’s will to be done.

I am so ready for college football to begin that I watched “some” of the Abilene Christian University vs Georgia State game last night.  The big boys take the field tonight!

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

Today’s Bible reading – Job 23:1-27:23 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11 Psalm 41:1-13 Proverbs 22:5-6

Drew & Andrea Timberlake went to a specialist yesterday because one doctor suspected a heart problem with the baby in Andrea’s womb.  The test proved his heart beat rhythm was normal.  Another test was performed and they will get those results late next week.

Miss Willie Roberts will be having a MRI today.

Pastor James Messer and I had a blessed day attending the Bible conference in Laurel, MS yesterday.  Because I was “trapped” in the vehicle with him for about five hours, I now know everything you ever wanted to know about the Ole Miss football team!  (And I did not even want to know anything!)

I was wrong!  (Let that sink it for a minute!)  There are openings on the Monday, 11/17, through Monday, 11/24, GRACE trip to Guatemala.  Interested?  Contact me.  However, we are looking at offering an optional trip that would take place Saturday, 12/6, through Saturday, 12/13.  The focus of that trip would be celebrating Christmas with the families involved in our ministry (feeding) center and those families working in the dump.  Contact me for the details.

Regular schedule this morning/tonight.  We will resume our college/young adult Bible study next Wednesday night, 9/3.

I am ready for the college football season to begin as I enjoy watching the games.  My family and I enjoy attending the Bama games as it is good family fellowship for us.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Job 20:1-22:30 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 Psalm 40:11-17 Proverbs 22:2-4

Ben Vickers and Drew Timberlake both had outpatient surgery yesterday morning.  Bro. Kerry covered those and, as far as I know, both did well.

Herbert Benefield had a niece who was to have a heart cath at some point yesterday.  She has had previous heart surgeries.  I do not know the outcome of the cath.

Edna Glover gets an epidural shot today.  Hopefully, this will give her some relief!

Lisa Thompson got the results of her latest scans yesterday.  No new spots.  They will continue the present course of action and are adding something new to it.

Carla Kyser got her latest test results last week.  No major changes so she continues basically status quo for the next three months.

Kevin Sprinkle’s brother, Archie, remains in Houston.

Daphne’s numbers remained above 200.  The doctor began her on an eight day treatment regiment yesterday with a chemo shot.  Today she takes a pill.  She will rotate between a shot/pill until the eight days are finished.

I am going to Laurel, MS with Pastor James Messer today to attend a conference.  Honestly, I do not know who needs prayers the most – James or me but I am leaning toward me!

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

Today’s Bible reading – Job 16:1-19:29 1 Corinthians 16:1-24 Psalm 40:1-10 Proverbs 22:1

Tuesday, 8/26 – Job 20:1-22:30 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 Psalm 40:11-17 Proverbs 22:2-4

Wednesday, 8/27 – Job 23:1-27:23 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11 Psalm 41:1-13 Proverbs 22:5-6

Thursday, 8/28 – Job 28:1-30:31 2 Corinthians 2:12-17 Psalm 42:1-11 Proverbs 22:7

Friday, 8/29 – Job 31:1-33:33 2 Corinthians 3:1-18 Psalm 43:1-5 Proverbs 22:8-9

Saturday, 8/30 – Job 34:1-36:33 2 Corinthians 4:1-12 Psalm 44:1-8 Proverbs 22:10-12

Sunday, 8/31 – Job 37:1-39:30 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:10 Psalm 44:9-26 Proverbs 22:13

What a blessed day we had in our services yesterday.  Of course the highlights were two more professions of faith in our 10:30AM service and eight baptisms in the evening service.  God gives the increase and we give Him the glory!

Our attendance was good as well.  Actually, we had a couple of more in the  morning services than we had last Sunday morning.  We came close to matching the evening service total as well.  Again, a God thing!  Thank you for being faithful!

I was able to attend the visitation with Bernard’s family and then Sharlynn’s family yesterday afternoon.  Both visitations went well.

Our next guest messenger will be Dr. Mike Clark on Sunday, 9/14, during the AM services.  He is coming to preach.  Normally, he comes to share about the work at Casa Aleluya but I have asked him to come “preach” to us.  He readily accepted.

On Sunday, 9/21, we will participate in the national “back to church” day.  Begin praying now about those you can invite to join you for those services.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Job 12:1-15:35 1 Corinthians 15:29-58 Psalm 39:1-13 Proverbs 21:30-31

Can someone help me find out where the month of August has gone?  Wow!

I want to begin by saying “thank you” to the folks who live north of the bridge that was out on Grand Bay/Wilmer Road.  The detour cost you a lot in time and gas yet I cannot think of one member of the Friendship family who was less faithful during the time it was being replaced.  That speaks very well of each of you!  Thank God it has been replaced!  (Dana & Gina will now save time when driving to/from school)

Pray for the two funerals this afternoon – Bernard’s Aunt and Sharlynn’s Aunt.

Regular schedule today – morning and evening.  Baptism & Lord’s Supper in the evening service.  The deacons need to come prepared to serve the Lord’s Supper.

We have Dr. Mike Clark scheduled to preach for us on the morning of Sunday, September 14.  The following Sunday, 9/21, is “back to church” Sunday.

I tried to watch some of the first college football game yesterday afternoon but I just could not take the red field – too much!  The real season begins this Saturday, 8/30, at 2:30PM in the Georgia Dome.  There will be a “high school” scrimmage in the dome on Thursday night!

We will have a guest speaker in the morning or at least it feels that way!  I will be delighted to be back in the pulpit!

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

Today’s Bible reading – Job 8:1-11:20 1 Corinthians 15:1-28 Psalm 38:1-22 Proverbs 21:28-29

The funeral service for Charles Wainwright’s sister was well done.  Charles’ brother preached and did a good job.  Keep praying for the family.

Learned yesterday that Miss Jackie Goff was in the hospital from Sunday through Thursday.  She is so intent on not being a bother to anyone that she would not let her family call because we were in revival services.  I visited her and Bro. Bill at home yesterday afternoon.  She is “better” but still has a long way to go.

Bernard Suthoff’s Aunt passed away.  The visitation will take place tomorrow from 1:30 until the 2:30PM service time.  Visitation and service will be at the Coalville United Methodist Church in Woolmarket, Mississippi.  Pray for the family.

Sharlynn Theobold also had an Aunt to pass away.  The visitation will be tomorrow from 1:00 until the 3:00PM service time.  Visitation and service will be at Holder Wells Funeral Home in Moss Point, Mississippi.  Pray for the family.

Deidra had a really good day yesterday.  She felt so good that she is itching to do something while Soy and I are screaming “no!”  Pray that she will not be hard headed in this area!

Daphne’s CT scan went well.  Not sure if they got the results.  We did get good news – the labs showed her blood count had decreased which surprised the doctor.  So much so that he decided to draw blood again on Monday to see if it continues to drop.  It was at 293 yesterday and we are praying for 200 or less Monday.  God can!

Celebration service tonight at 6:00PM.  Bro. Chris will be preaching.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.  Baptism and the Lord’s Supper in the evening service.

The “ice bucket” thing has been the recent craze.  Folks, you need to find out exactly what your donations are funding.  ALS is a terrible affliction and I do hope they can find a cure.  However, not by using embryonic stem cells.  Dale Bosarge shared with me that you can go to lifenews.com for giving options while still supporting ALS research.

The weed eater is calling my name.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Job 4:1-7:21 1 Corinthians 14:18-40 Psalm 37:30-40 Proverbs 21:27

Linda Jackson’s son, Bobby, did well through his surgery and should be discharged from the hospital this morning.

The funeral service for Charles Wainwright’s sister takes place this morning at 11:00AM from the Independent Church of God on Padgett Switch Road.  Pray for the family.

The Friendship family will host the service at the Mission of Hope tonight beginning at 7:00PM.  Anyone wishing to ride the bus from the church needs to know it will leave at 6:00PM due to the detour.  Pray for that service.

We will have our Celebration service beginning tomorrow night, 8/23, at 6:00PM.

Regular schedule on Sunday morning and evening.  We will observe the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper and the ordinance of baptism in our 6:00PM service.

Daphne’s schedule has changed.  She had her MRI yesterday, will have a CT scan today along with her blood work.  The doctor will view the scan and labs today.  He will then decide on the treatment plan.  He does not believe her count will be at 200 or lower but we are praying toward that end.  The dye from the MRI caused some problems and the side effects from the CT scan are supposed to be worse.  Thanks to the many who have contacted us assuring us of their prayer support.  We are grateful!

It is 3:15AM and Lisa laid down the law about groceries being in the house before daylight.  I was able to get a large portion of the grass mowed from 5:45PM until dark thirty yesterday afternoon and can hopefully finish early this morning as the rain is expected later today.

I am told that I received an ice bucket or something via social media.  Problem is that I do not have social media.  Plus, we do not need an ice bucket.  Nice thought though!

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

Today’s Bible reading – Job 1:1-3:26 1 Corinthians 14:1-17 Psalm 37:12-29 Proverbs 21:25-26

To God be the glory!  What else can one say?  The service last night was amazing!  Packed house, great Spirit, great message, salvation decisions, other decisions, folks still hanging around almost an hour after the service had ended, best offering in the history of the Friendship family – wow!  Yes, we definitely give God the glory!

I want to say “thank you” to each member of the Friendship family who helped in any way with the services.  Thank you for being faithful to pray – those forty days of prayer made a difference!  Thank you for being faithful to attend!  Thank you for allowing me to serve as your pastor – I am blessed!

The funeral service for Caitlin Trehern’s great-grandmother takes place today at 3:00PM from the chapel of the Holder-Wells Funeral Home in Moss Point, MS.  There will be two hours of visitation preceding the service.

The visitation with Charles Wainwright’s sister’s family takes place today beginning at 5:000PM from the Independent Church of God on Padgett Switch Road in Bayou La Batre.  The service is tomorrow at 11:00AM also from the church.

Linda Jackson’s son, Pastor Bobby Tucker, will have surgery this morning.  It is spine related and they will go through the front of his neck.

Our daughter, Daphne, will have a MRI today, a cat scan tomorrow, blood work on Monday and a treatment on Tuesday.  Lisa and I are praying for a blood count of 200 or less.  Will you join us in that prayer?  Thank you!

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

Today’s Bible reading – 8/20 – Esther 8:1-10:3 1 Corinthians 12:27- 13:13 Psalm 37:1-11 Proverbs 21:23-24

No 10:00AM service today.

Bernard Suthoff had an Aunt to pass away yesterday.  Arrangements pending.  Pray for Charles Wainwright’s family and Caitlin Trehern’s family as they go through times of bereavement as well.

Went with Daphne to the oncologist yesterday morning.  If her count is above 200 on Monday, a new treatment plan takes over.  If the count is under 200, they stay the course.  Our human desire is for the count to be at 200 or lower.  Otherwise, this is going to be a much longer treatment regiment.

I could write a really long paragraph about the need for members of the Friendship family to attend the service tonight.  However, I am simply going to ask you to be faithful by attending.  Same is true in the area of giving to the love offering for Evangelist Wade Morris.  I am praying for a miracle offering in tonight’s service.

Above all, I am praying for a mighty move of the Holy Spirit in tonight’s service.  Will you pray to that end?

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.  Pray for revival!  Attend tonight’s service!