Pastor's Blog

Today’s Bible reading – Esther 1:1-3:15 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 Psalm 35:17-28 Proverbs 21:19-20

Today is Soy’s birthday!  He is so excited!  He wants to have a Ninja Turtles party!  At any rate, happy birthday Soy!

Unbelievable!  I typed an entire entry earlier this morning only to find out that, for some reason unknown to me, it did not publish and it did not save!  Somehow it logged me out while I was typing the entry.  So, I apologize for the lateness of this entry.

Miss Exie Woods was doing better when I visited her yesterday.  She is such a sweetheart!

Carla Kyser received the results of her MRI yesterday.  They wanted to make sure that the compression fractures are not affecting her spinal cord and they are not.  The MRI also showed her lungs to be clear.  She will meet with a neurosurgeon to discuss a plan of action.

Amy Huhn’s procedure takes place tomorrow morning.

The Lord blessed us with a really good service last night.  Meaningful decisions were made at the altar.  The message delivered by Wade was spot on.   The attendance was very good.  My prayer is that tonight we will have to use the choir loft to accommodate the crowd.

Friendship family – pray, attend and bring someone with you to tonight’s service!

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

Today’s Bible reading – Nehemiah 12:27-13:31 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 Psalm 35:1-16 Proverbs 21:17-18

Tuesday, 8/18 – Esther 1:1-3:15 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 Psalm 35:17-28 Proverbs 21:19-20

Wednesday, 8/19 – Esther 4:1-7:10 1 Corinthians 12:1-26 Psalm 36:1-12 Proverbs 21:21-22

Thursday, 8/20 – Esther 8:1-10:3 1 Corinthians 12:27- 13:13 Psalm 37:1-11 Proverbs 21:23-24

Friday, 8/21 – Job 1:1-3:26 1 Corinthians 14:1-17 Psalm 37:12-29 Proverbs 21:25-26

Saturday, 8/22 – Job 4:1-7:21 1 Corinthians 14:18-40 Psalm 37:30-40 Proverbs 21:27

Sunday, 8/23 – Job 8:1-11:20 1 Corinthians 15:1-28 Psalm 38:1-22 Proverbs 21:28-29

Brianne Seymour told me at church last night that her great grandmother, Miss Exie Woods, is not doing well physically.  I will visit her today and will update her condition either later today or in tomorrow’s entry.

Wow, what great services we had yesterday!  To God be the glory!  We had five salvation decisions, one baptism and numerous other decisions at the altar.  The Lord really used Wade to speak to us.  The music was great as well and it was good to see such a good number in the choir.

Tonight is Sunday School night.  The 40 – 49 year old class taught by Sonny Bates led the way numerically in Sunday School yesterday.  Congratulations!  We hope that each of our adult classes will sit together in the service tonight.  The 20 – 29 year olds plan to be front and center as they were last night.

Remember, the service begins at 6:30PM tonight.  If you cannot arrive by then, just come when you can.   Our plan is to have Wade in the pulpit by 6:45PM.  Spend today praying and inviting others to join you for tonight’s service.

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

Our fifth grandchild, Nora, celebrates her second birthday today!  Happy birthday, Nora!

Today’s Bible reading – Nehemiah 11:1-12:26 1 Corinthians 10:14-33 Psalm 34:11-22 Proverbs 21;14-16

Max Peacock only checked into the hospital to get a cup of coffee.  I decided to call yesterday morning before driving to Mobile and Max had been discharged Friday afternoon.  I spoke to him via the phone and he was doing well.

It is a little after midnight as I write this entry.  Bro. Chris and crew left Danville at 9:00PM.  I expect they should arrive in Grand Bay around 3:00AM.  If you happen to be awake over the next three hours or so, join me in praying for them to have a safe trip home.

Danville’s Block Party had to deal with rain yesterday but it did not rain during the actual party.  They had over 1,100 folks come through the gate and, with the workers added, had around 1,300 in attendance.  Dr. Jack said Bryan Drake did great!  He was also very complimentary of our folks who helped.

Bro. Wade was supposed to arrive around 11:00PM last night.  I can only assume he did.  He knows what time our services begin so I expect him to be present.  Will you?  I am praying for a packed house.

I heard from Dale yesterday.  They spent the week in Texas where they saw 38 salvation decisions, 35 rededications and 3 answer the call to ministry.  That does not include any decisions made last night in Danville at the Block Party.  Praise the Lord!

Members of the Friendship family have until August 31, 2015 to sign up for next Summer’s GRACE trips.  The two that I will lead will be at capacity plus on 9/1.  That is already guaranteed.  I do not assume that anyone is going.  The only way to sign up for the two trips I lead is to send me an e-mail.  Telling me at church does not count!  Going on the trip led by Bro. Jerry?  Send him an e-mail.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Nehemiah 9:22-10:39 1 Corinthians 9:19-10:13 Psalm 34:1-10 Proverbs 21:13

I did not visit with Max Peacock yesterday but plan on doing so today.

Carla’s back pain was the result of two compression fractures.  They did a MRI last night but did not give her the results.  She is thinking that the doctor “may” call her today with the results.

They will call Amy Huhn on Monday to schedule a biopsy.  The spot they found is very, very small.

Keep praying for Becky Sellers, Lisa Thompson & Eddie Whitmore.  We have numerous others on our prayer list who are battling a malignancy and they certainly are deserving of our prayer support too.

Bro. Chris and crew arrived in Danville around 11:30PM last night.  Pray for them as they minister today getting ready for the Block Party and then as they drive home tonight.  Pray for Danville Baptist’s BP and for Dale Bosarge as he shares the Word.

Our Spanish ministry will be celebrating their sixth anniversary tomorrow.  They will have a meal following the 10:30AM service.  Thank you to Rita Broome, Chad Blakeney, Jim Chinners for leading this ministry and for all others involved.

Revive us O Lord!  Evangelist Wade Morris will be with us in the  morning, Lord willing.  Pray!  And then pray some more!  Attend!  Bring someone with you.  We are on a regular schedule tomorrow.  The Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday services will begin at 6:30PM.  Lord, send a revival.

The final team of the Summer arrived home from Guatemala yesterday.  With the exception of three days, we have had a team in the mission house every day since April 6 – wow!  John King has gone to Canada for a very well deserved break.  The process begins again on September 24.  From that date until December 13 there will only be six days when a team is not in the L.G. Camp, Jr. Mission House.    Amazing!

Some of the members of the 30-39 Sunday School class seem to be jealous of the 20-29 class?  Just saying!  (They know who they are!)

Soy & Charles did a ton of mowing yesterday which allowed me to focus on eating weeds (nice of them to ride while I eat weeds).  I have not decided if I want to eat more weeds or not today.

I do know this – I am ready for tomorrow!  Hope to be joined by many members of the Friendship family for the services.

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

Amy Huhn has been having some physical problems.  She meets with a doctor today.  Up to this point, she has opted to keep things more or less private but sent me an e-mail this morning asking for the Friendship family and others to pray for her.  Will you join me in that prayer?

Speaking of seeing doctors today, I believe Carla Kyser and Eddie Whitmore both do the same today.  Pray for them!

Today’s Bible reading – Nehemiah 7:73-9:21 1 Corinthians 9:1-18 Psalm 33:12-22 Proverbs 21:11-12

Max Peacock was admitted to the hospital yesterday.  Not sure what is going on but do ask that you pray for him.

Bro. Chris and a group of about fourteen others will leave today heading to Danville, Alabama in order to help Dr. Jack Bailey and the fine folks of the Danville Baptist Church family with their Block Party tomorrow night.  Pray for their safety in travel today and tomorrow night.  Bryan Drake will be ministering at the Block Party tomorrow night and then sharing in Danville’s Sunday morning service.  Pray for him and these opportunities.

Lord, send a revival.  Evangelist Wade Morris is set to join us this Sunday, 8/16, at 8:00AM, 10:30AM and 6:00PM.  He is then scheduled to be with us Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 6:30PM.  Pray for Bro. Wade.  Pray for the services.

We were blessed with two good revival prayer opportunities last night.  First, a good number of folks came to the auditorium from 6:00 – 7:00PM and then our ladies met at 6:30PM and it is my understanding that they had a meaningful time of praying for revival.  Thank you to each person who prayed.

Our Sunday School class (20 – 29) had a group gather at the house last night to discuss our strengths, our weaknesses, and our ministry opportunities as a class.  Productive meeting.  We are committed to having a team at GROW visitation each Monday night beginning August 24.  We plan to host the service for the men from the Mission of Hope on 8/28, host the services for McKemie Place the first Tuesday of each month for the rest of 2015, and to financially support the dump ministry in El Tejar.  We encourage each class in our adult department to be involved in doing outreach/inreach, ministry and missions too.

Well, Bobby Broome has bailed me out the past two weeks as far as the grass cutting is concerned.  I kept thinking he would show up this week but that prayer has not been answered.  (BTW, Bobby is as good as they come when it comes to mowing.  You need to hire someone to mow your yard?  Give Bobby a call.  I do not think you will be disappointed!)  So, the weed eater, push mower and zero turn are calling my name today and probably tomorrow.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Nehemiah 5:14-7:73 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Psalm 33:1-11 Proverbs 21:8-10

Leslie Messer is scheduled to have surgery today.  Pray that all goes well.

Eddie Whitmore is on a different type and rotation of chemo.  He started receiving this particular treatment on Tuesday and should end it today.  It is one that he brings home with him via a pump.  He sees the doctor tomorrow.

Carla Kyser has been really tired from her latest round of chemotherapy and has been having some pain issues.  She sees the doctor tomorrow.

Lord, send a revival.  The Friendship family has done fairly well in gathering to pray for revival.  Tonight, the auditorium will be open from 6:00 – 7:00PM for those willing to come and pray.  As usual, the West side door will the point of entrance and exit.

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our services yesterday morning and last night.  Our young adult Bible study has really increased numerically with the promotion of the high school class of 2015.  We had around twenty five to thirty folks present last night.  Good group!  Lots of potential!

Dr. Tico Vargas arrived at the house around 9:30PM last night.  He and I will spend a good part of the day together and he will then head toward Tennessee.  (I am not sure what he did wrong to be sent to Tennessee but it must have been bad!)

The college football season is just around the corner.  I enjoy that time of the year especially when the “football weather” arrives.  Each team is undefeated as of right now and looking to win that national championship trophy.  All except one team will be disappointed in the end.  Which team will win it all?  I have no idea.  You will need to check with Joe David Bailey for that answer.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Nehemiah 3:15-5:13 1 Corinthians 7:25-40 Psalm 32:1-11 Proverbs 21:5-7

Sarah Horne did well through her surgery yesterday.  As far as I know, she came home yesterday afternoon.

Eddie Whitmore has begun a new regiment of chemotherapy.  He started that yesterday and will see the doctor again this Friday.

Numerically, last night we had our best night ever in our Tuesday night prayer meeting.  Forty seven folks came to pray.  That means that fifty one different folks have come to the auditorium to pray over the past two nights.  Thank you and praise the Lord!

Tonight, we should have a really good number from 5:30 – 6:30PM.  Those who teach and/or attend choir practice can come early and spend time in the auditorium praying.

Regular schedule this morning and evening.  The fare for the 7:30PM Bible study is lasagna with caesar salad and dessert.  We are going to pray for revival during all of our gatherings today/tonight.

I apologize for this entry being late.  If I told you why, you would say “no way!”  So, I will not tell you.

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

Today’s Bible reading –  Nehemiah 1:1-3:14 1 Corinthians 7:1-24 Psalm 31:19-24 Proverbs 21:4

Christy Wynn’s daughter, Sarah, will have surgery today.  It is scheduled for early afternoon.  Pray that all goes well.

The funeral service for Pastor Johnny Howard was indeed a celebration of life.  Large attendance and all those involved did very well.  Thank you to those who helped with the meal.  Thank you to those who attended the visitation and/or service.

Bill Unrue has been diagnosed with lung cancer.  It is my understanding that he will not be receiving any treatments.  Pray for Bill.

Twenty folks showed up last night to pray for revival.  I thank God for each of them.  Tonight, the auditorium will be open from 5:00 – 7:00PM for our regularly scheduled prayer time.  Actually, the auditorium will be open earlier than 5:00PM if anyone needs to stop by before the 5:00PM hour.

Remember, the auditorium will be open tomorrow night, 8/12, from 5:30 – 6:30PM and then on Thursday night, 8/13, from 6:00 – 7:00PM.  Will you join us in praying for revival?

I will go ahead and let you know that our focus in the morning and evening services tomorrow, 8/12, will be to pray for revival.  Probably will not have any teaching/Bible study at all but just a time of prayer.  Just so you know!

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

Today’s Bible reading – Ezra 10:1-44 1 Corinthians 6:1-20 Psalm 31:9-18 Proverbs 21:3

Tuesday, 8/11 – Nehemiah 1:1-3:14 1 Corinthians 7:1-24 Psalm 31:19-24 Proverbs 21:4

Wednesday, 8/12 – Nehemiah 3:15-5:13 1 Corinthians 7:25-40 Psalm 32:1-11 Proverbs 21:5-7

Thursday, 8/13 – Nehemiah 5:14-7:73 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Psalm 33:1-11 Proverbs 21:8-10

Friday, 8/14 – Nehemiah 7:73-9:21 1 Corinthians 9:1-18 Psalm 33:12-22 Proverbs 21:11-12

Saturday, 8/15 – Nehemiah 9:22-10:39 1 Corinthians 9:19-10:13 Psalm 34:1-10 Proverbs 21;13

Sunday, 8/16 – Nehemiah 11:1-12:26 1 Corinthians 10:14-33 Psalm 34:11-22 Proverbs 21;14-16

The celebration of life service for Pastor Johnny Howard takes place this afternoon at 2:00PM from the chapel at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore.  The visitation with the family takes place from 11:00AM until the service time.  Those helping with the meal need to have the food in the fellowship hall no later than 10:30AM today.

We were blessed with a really good day in our services yesterday.  The Lord blessed as we saw two public professions of faith.  The Spirit was excellent.  The attendance was strong.  We are seeing some really good numbers in our Discipleship Training.  Our adults have, for the most part, moved to their proper classes age wise in Sunday School.  I appreciate Soy putting together the video for last night’s service.  We give God the glory for all He did for us in yesterday’s services!

Yesterday was a tough day for me emotionally as it marked the one year anniversary of Cristy Leytham’s passing and the ninth year anniversary of Bruce Gill’s passing.  Death stings!

Brian Amonett had the vent tube removed over the weekend and is making progress.  The move to New Orleans seems to be working in his favor.

The church auditorium will be open the following times this week for anyone wishing to come and pray for revival:  Monday, 8/10, from 6:00 – 7:00PM; Tuesday, 8/11, from 5:00 – 7:00PM; Wednesday, 8/12, from 5:30 – 6:30PM and Thursday, 8/13, from 6:00 – 7:00PM.  Folks, we must pray!

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