Pastor's Blog

Today’s Bible reading – Obadiah 1:1-21 Revelation 4:1-11 Psalm 132:1-18 Proverbs 29:24-25

Gary Walton’s mother has passed from this life.  The visitation with the family will take place this morning, 12/13, from 8:00AM until the 10:00AM service time.  Everything will take place at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore.  Pray for Gary and his family during this time.

Bill Unrue passed from this life on Friday afternoon.  His daughter, Rita, will be meeting with the funeral directors later today to finalize the arrangements.  Pray for the family.

Cynthia Cumbie remains in the hospital and on a ventilator.

Eddie Whitmore received some encouraging news from the doctor this past week regarding his condition and treatments.

Those members of the GRACE team who traveled yesterday all arrived home safely.  Sixteen others will be traveling home today.  Pray for them as they travel.

Regular schedule today.  Lord willing, I will be in the pulpit both times this morning.  Children’s choir Christmas musical tonight at 6:00PM.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Amos 4:1-6:14 Revelation 2:18-3:6 Psalm 130:1-8 Proverbs 29:21-22

I do not have any updates on those for whom we have been praying.  I simply ask that you continue to pray for them.

The GRACE team had a good Thursday.  Another house was built, while more electrical work, plumbing and painting was done.

The children presented a program yesterday afternoon and did a very nice job.  Afterwards, each child was given their Christmas gifts.  They were excited!

Fifteen more families were hosted and fed a meal last night.  Several of the parents shared about the blessing GRACE Ministries has been to them.  It was a good night.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Amos 1:1-3:15 Revelation 2:1-17 Psalm 129:1-8 Proverbs 29:19-20

Sarah Thornton will be having heart surgery this morning.  It is my understanding they will be trying to get her heart out of afib plus doing some other things.

Caroline Ford’s daughter, Cynthia Cumbie, was placed back into ICU night before last.  Her condition is listed as very critical.  Caroline remains very sick herself but she did go to the hospital to visit Cynthia yesterday afternoon.

The GRACE team received sad news late yesterday afternoon.  Willard & Amy Garnett are on this team.  They are from Danville Baptist Church.  Amy’s father, Charles Randolph, passed away very unexpectedly from an apparent heart attack yesterday afternoon while working on his farm.  We have rescheduled Willard & Amy’s flight and they will be flying home today.  Pray for the family and for Willard & Amy as they travel today.

The GRACE team took all sixty of the children involved in our ministry here to the auto safari yesterday.  Those children had a blast!  All Phillip T could say when he got back was, “lions and tigers and bears oh my” or something like that.  (I have never seen the movie!)

Another fifteen families were hosted for a meal and received a gift basket last night.  Good evening of fellowship and ministry.

Tim Knighten pulled an all nighter working on the electrical in the new apartment on Tuesday night.  Bernard did not go on the field trip yesterday so he could continue working on the painting.  Larry is way ahead in the plumbing and he did not pull an all nighter or stay behind yesterday?  Four doors were installed yesterday.  So, it is all coming together.   God is good!

Tom Compagner is proudly wearing a Michigan State shirt daily!  Says he cannot wait until 12/31!  Also reminds me that State is presently undefeated in basketball and ranked #1.  I am just letting him ramble!

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

Monday, 12/7 – Hosea 6:1-9:17 3 John 1:1-15 Psalm 126:1-6 Proverbs 29:12-14

Tuesday, 12/8 – Hosea 10:1-14:9 Jude 1:1-25 Psalm 127:1-5 Proverbs 29:15-17

Today’s Bible reading – Joel 1:1-3:21 Revelation 1:1-20 Psalm 128:1-6 Proverbs 29:18

Thursday, 12/10 – Amos 1:1-3:15 Revelation 2:1-17 Psalm 129:1-8 Proverbs 29:19-20

Friday, 12/11 – Amos 4:1-6:14 Revelation 2:18-3:6 Psalm 130:1-8 Proverbs 29:21-22

Saturday, 12/12 – Amos 7:1-9:15 Revelation 3:7-22 Psalm 131:1-3 Proverbs 29:23

Sunday, 12/13 – Obadiah 1:1-21 Revelation 4:1-11 Psalm 132:1-18 Proverbs 29:24-25

It is my understanding that Jessica and the baby will be discharged from the hospital today.

Gary Walton’s mother is in the hospital.

As far as I know, Jimmy Tagert’s mother also remains hospitalized.

Sarah Thornton’s surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning.

Upward basketball league play begins this Saturday, 12/12, at 8:00AM.

Regular schedule in our services today/tonight.

The GRACE team in Guatemala had a good and productive day yesterday.  The main focus was two fold – work on the apartment being constructed and to host fifteen families for a Christmas meal last night.  Much was done in the way of the electrical, the plumbing and the painting in the apartment while a team also went and built another house.

Last night, eighty nine folks gathered for a wonderful meal.  I am not sure of who all was involved in the cooking of the meal but it looked great.  Our team members served and cleaned up.  Jonny Gaston presented the Gospel.  Each family received a special gift basket that John & Laurie King put together – really nice baskets!  Good day!  We thank God for His blessings.

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

Good morning from Guatemala.  Sorry for not posting an entry yesterday.  Was in Guatemala but no real excuse.

I do not have any updates on those folks for whom we have been praying.  I do know that Sarah Thornton is scheduled for surgery this Thursday morning.

Our GRACE team arrived in Guatemala in three waves on Saturday.  They had a restful Sunday.  Yesterday, some went fishing, some worked on wrapping Christmas gifts, some bought Christmas gifts, and others went and built/finished two houses.

Last night, the team was joined by the North American staff from Casa Alleluya for a meal.  Good time of fellowship.

Today, the team will begin working i.e. electrical (Tim Knighten), plumbing (Larry Crawley) and painting (Bernard Suthoff) on the apartment being built for the Lazaro Suruy family.  They will also build two more houses.  Some will be cooking for tonight’s meal.

Tonight, the team will host fifteen families which are involved in our Dream Center ministry.  They will be given a meal and then presented with a huge basket of food stuff along with other gifts.

Have I mentioned our Christmas Eve service from 5:00 – 6:00PM?  Please plan on joining us for that special worship service.

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

Happy birthday to my father-in-law, Charles Clark.  Today marks his 80th birthday!

Today’s Bible reading – Hosea 4:1-5:15 2 John 1:1-13 Psalm 125:1-5 Proverbs 29:9-11

Regular December schedule this morning and evening.  Missionary Neal Seaborn will be our speaker in both of the services this morning.  Lisa and I have enjoyed spending some time with Neal & Jana since Friday afternoon.  What a great couple!

As far as I know, all of our team arrived safe and sound in Guatemala yesterday/last night.  Pray that they will have a productive week of ministry as they are set to return home this Saturday and next Sunday.

No new updates on those folks for whom we have been praying.  Just keep praying.

Lisa & Kim hosted a birthday party for Charles yesterday.  It took place at our house and was basically like a family reunion.  Blessed day!

I hope to see many members of the Friendship family present in our services today.

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

Today’s Bible reading –  Hosea 1:1-3:5 1 John 5:1-21 Psalm 124:1-8 Proverbs 29:5-8

Men’s breakfast this morning at 8:00AM.  All men invited.  Fellowship hall.

Grandma Brenda Poiroux welcomed her newest granddaughter, Emma Grace, into the world yesterday as Jessica gave birth to her at 9:24AM.  She checked in weighing five pounds and fourteen ounces.  Mother and daughter are doing fine.

Reb put a comment on yesterday’s blog saying that their daughter, Holly, continues to have difficulties receiving her chemotherapy treatments.  Keep praying for Holly.

Stella Brinkman was seemingly doing better yesterday morning when I visited.  She was thinking that she would be moved to a regular room at some point during the day yesterday.  I do not know if that happened as her granddaughter, Katie T, failed me again!  Killing me!

Deanna Crawley was moved back into a regular room.  Word has it that she will remain in the hospital over the weekend.

Fourteen folks flew out of Mobile this morning heading to Guatemala on a GRACE trip.  They will be joined by eleven others from Mobile, Huntsville and Grand Rapids as the day progresses.  Pray for them to have a great trip.

Dr. Neal & Jana Seaborn arrived safe and sound yesterday afternoon.  Looking forward to the day tomorrow.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.  I pray that the members of the Friendship family will be faithful to attend.

College football picks – take USM over WKU, MSU over Iowa, Clemson over UNC, USC over Stanford and take Bama over UF in a closer game than most folks expect.

I pray that you will have a great Saturday with Jesus.  Who can you bless today?

Today’s Bible reading – Daniel 11:36-12:13 1 John 4:1-21 Psalm 123:1-4 Proverbs 29:2-4

Jessica McClinton is scheduled to have a c-section this morning.  Pray that all goes well.

Stella Brinkman is in CCU.  She was not feeling well whenever I visited her yesterday afternoon.  Katie T tells me that she is in stable condition.  Lord willing, I will visit again this morning.

Deanna Crawley was moved into ICU yesterday.  Her oxygen level decreased significantly.  When I visited yesterday, her father, Michael, had just gotten to the hospital and really did not have much information from the doctors at that point.  Her mother, Alisia, was scheduled to arrive in from out of town yesterday afternoon.

As far as I know, Cynthia Cumbie was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon.

Caroline Ford went to the doctor yesterday afternoon but I do not know the results of that visit.

Sarah Thornton will be having a heart procedure done next Thursday, 12/10.  Her heart is in afib and she has a couple of valves leaking. I am told that Sarah is at peace with her situation and is trusting the Lord Jesus.

Martez Richerson will be having surgery on Tuesday, 12/15.  I am hearing that it will be a pretty tough surgery.   I can go ahead and tell you that there will be one hundred ninety seven folks in that waiting room.

I really do not have any new updates on those battling cancer but do ask that you keep praying.

Pastor Dr. Jack Bailey continues to battle back problems.  Do you think he will ever realize that he is not twenty six any longer?  Just saying!

My maternal aunt, Alice Gettig, remains in a Kalamazoo, MI hospital.  Now has a blood clot in one of her legs.

The twenty seven dolls were delivered yesterday.  I am very appreciative of the family who provided these blessings.

We have a team of twenty five folks leaving for our December GRACE trip tomorrow.  Pray for them.

Neal & Jana should arrive here this afternoon.  Pray for traveling mercies.

Our Christmas Eve service takes place from 5:00 – 6:00PM.  Please make plans to join us.  We may even reserve one of our short pews for our nine blog readers?

The score was 20 – 0 and I decided to not watch any more of the Packers vs the Lions game last night as the game was over, right?  Wrong!  Sixty one yard touchdown pass on the final play of the game saw the Pack win.  Unreal!  (It was an untimed play too)

I pray that you will have a great Friday with Jesus.  Be a blessing to someone today!

Happy birthday to our daughter, Daphne.  How old?  Old enough!  I hope your day is great!  Love you!  (Still cannot believe AU beat Bama on that day!)

Daniel 11:2-35 1 John 3:7-24 Psalm 122:1-9 Proverbs 29:1

Stella Brinkmann’s procedure went well yesterday.  She had to wait a significant time before she was actually taken in for the procedure.   She had fluid behind her heart.  They placed a drain and she will be in the hospital until there is no more drainage.

Cynthia Cumbie was set to be discharged from the hospital yesterday.  There was a possible hiccup that happened so I am not sure if she actually was discharged or not.

Deanna Crawley remains in the hospital but could come home either today or tomorrow.

Jimmy Taggert’s mother remains in the hospital and it is my understanding that she will be there for a significant time before moving to a rehab facility.  I misunderstood that when I wrote yesterday.

Sad situation in California yesterday.  Pray for those affected.

Someone read the blog yesterday morning and graciously stepped forward and bought the twenty seven dolls needed for the girls in the feeding center.  Is that awesome or what!  Thank you to that family and thank you to Jesus!

Men’s breakfast this Saturday morning, 12/5, at 8:00AM.  All men invited.

If the reports are true, congratulations to Coach Mark Richt on becoming the head football coach at Miami.  He is a good man!

Spending the morning with Diane Brinkman Howard was a trying time for me!  Wow!  She had read about Herbert getting supper money from me a couple of weeks ago so I had to “loan” her fifteen dollars for lunch.  (I am thinking sweet Katie may not be her daughter!)  I had to come home and take a pill!

Have I mentioned our Christmas Eve service?  5:00 – 6:00PM in the auditorium.  Courtney Cavin asked me last night, “what date” is that on?  Wow!

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.  Be a blessing to someone today (like the family who purchased the dolls yesterday!)

Today’s Bible reading – Daniel 9:1-11:1 1 John 2:18-3:6 Psalm 121:1-8 Proverbs 28:27-28

Stella Brinkman is scheduled to have a surgical procedure done on her heart this morning.  Under normal circumstances this procedure would not seemingly be a big deal but Stella’s situation is not normal.  Pray that all goes well.

Cynthia Cumbie was much improved when I visited with her yesterday morning.  Very alert and talkative.  She was thinking that she would be moved out of ICU later in the day.  Did that happen?  Not sure.  Pretty remarkable the improvement she has made.

Caroline Ford did go to an Urgent Care yesterday but I do not think they did her much good.  I told her which one to go to but she, as usual, ignored me.  She is so hardheaded!

Gunnar Howell was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon.  Happy camper.

Jimmy Tagert’s mother seemingly has a long road in front of her as far as her recovery is concerned.  She will eventually be moved to a rehab facility for possibly up to six months.

Deanna Crawley, daughter of Michael & Alisia, was admitted to the hospital on Monday night.  She has an infection and they did a surgical procedure yesterday to try to rid her body of it.

The procedure on Tom Compagner did not work.  His heart went back into rhythm but only stayed that way for five minutes.  Not sure what the next step will be.

One of my maternal Aunts, Alice Gettig, had a heart attack yesterday morning.  She received three stents and will be in a Kalamazoo hospital for a couple of days.  I appreciate her son, Tony, for keeping me in the loop.  (Not only do I have Yankee friends, I have Yankee family!)

Dr. Pastor Jack Bailey is having back problems.  Limited mobility.  Pray for him.

Regular schedule this morning and evening.  Pizza is on the menu for tonight’s 7:30PM Bible study.

The weather forecasters are now calling for a low of thirty eight degrees for tomorrow night – hallelujah!

Congratulations to Coach Kirby Smart (not sure if he is a blog reader or not?) on his new job at UGA.  I am a big Mark Richt fan and hated to see him lose that job.  However, someone was going to fill the opening and I am happy Coach Smart is the guy.  Rusty Suthoff is upset that Coach Scott Cochran will leaving Bama too.  He wanted Cochran to be LSWho’s head coach if they had replaced Coach Miles.  Rusty loves him so Coach Cochran!  Has his Fathead on his bedroom wall!

I am hearing that Coach Eric Collier is denying the rumors that he will become Alabama’s new defensive coordinator?  Where there is smoke?  Just saying!

Have I mentioned our Christmas Eve service from 5:00 – 6:00PM?

I need twenty seven baby dolls that are not too expensive, not too big and will pack for travel easily – any ideas?  Contact me via e-mail.

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.  Who can you bless today? It is Christmas!