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 – Zechariah 1-7

Winston Gulley will be undergoing heart surgery today.  I will go pray with him before surgery and then Bro. Jerry will sit with the family during the actual surgery as I will come back to Grand Bay for our morning service.

Carla Kyser will have fluid drained from her right lung this morning.  (I offered to do this for free as I have a water hose but she declined my offer!)

Miss Ica Walley spent part of Monday and all of yesterday in the hospital.  She was discharged last night.

Everyone that I visited in the convalescent home yesterday seemed to be doing well.  Miss Carmen & Miss Barbara were asleep so I did not get to visit with them.

Jeff Holifield has taken care of getting our tractor/mower to the shop, repaired and back to the church.  A few folks have mentioned that they will help keep the front part of the back forty mowed once the mower was available.  Well, it is not available so contact me if you are willing to help in this area.  I appreciate Jeff handling this detail.

We are on a regular schedule this morning and evening.  Pizza Hut pizza will be the fare for the 7:30PM Bible study.

Looking forward to another weekend of college football beginning tomorrow night.  I think Clemson handles GA Tech tomorrow night and that Utah will beat USC on Friday night.  The Arkansas vs Texas A&M game does not begin until 8:00PM on Saturday night – that is too late to start a game!  It will not end until 11:30PM or so.

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

Age 94, a resident of Grand Bay, AL passed away on Sunday, September 18, 2016. She was employed by the International Paper Company for many years in Moss Point, MS. She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Adams Bowden, parents and 7 siblings. She is survived by her children, Sammy (Myrtle) Bowden and Denny (Anna) Bowden, 6 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, 1 great great-grandchild, 4 siblings, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Visitation will be held at Midway United Methodist Church (Hwy 90 Orange Grove, MS) on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 from 5 pm until 8 pm. Funeral service will be held at the church on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at 10 am. Interment will be in Grand Bay Cemetery.

“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 – Haggai 1-2

The visitation with the Eunice Bowden family will take place tonight from 5:00 – 8:00PM at the Midway United Methodist Church in Orange Grove, MS.  The service will take place tomorrow morning at 10:00AM and will also take place at Midway.  Burial will be in the Grand Bay Cemetery.  Pray for Sammy, Denny, and the entire family.

Winston Gulley is still scheduled for surgery tomorrow.

Do not any updates on those folks we have been praying for who are battling cancer.  I do know that we need to keep praying for them.  Bernard should be really close to finishing his radiation treatments.

David Bosarge’s mother, Miss Maxine Rogers, began her chemo treatments yesterday.  On for five days and then off for three weeks.

Did the unthinkable  last night – went the Friendship soccer games!  The bad part is that folks actually saw me there!  That ministry has much potential as there were a lot of folks in attendance.  Larry, Curly & Mo are doing a nice job!

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 – Ezra 4-6; Psalms 137

Tuesday, September 20 – Haggai 1-2
Wednesday, September 21 – Zechariah 1-7
Thursday, September 22 – Zechariah 8-14
Friday, September 23 – Esther 1-5
Saturday, September 24 – Esther 6-10
Sunday, September 25 – Ezra 7-10

Miss Eunice Bowden, mother of Sammy & Denny, departed this life peacefully last night around 6:30PM.  She has been a resident in the local convalescent home for the past couple of years.  The arrangements are incomplete at the time of this writing.  Pray for the Bowden family.

Winston Gulley is scheduled to have heart surgery this Wednesday.  Pray that all goes well.

GROW visitation tonight beginning at 6:00PM.  Meet with Bro. Jerry Hovel in the church office.

Prayer time in the auditorium tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  Come and go or come and stay.  Use the West side door to enter/exit.

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our services yesterday.  The Riders did a nice job of sharing in song.  I am told they did a very good job in the women’s conference on Saturday as well.  I appreciate all of the ladies involved in putting the conference together.  Thank you to each person who gave to the love offering as well.

Lisa had taken care of the grass cutting and grocery shopping for me last night so I could have this past Saturday “off” relating to those things.  I did officiate a wedding in Bay Minette which meant that I missed seeing the first half of the Bama game.  (What was I thinking when I agreed to do that one?)  However, once we got back home I just sat back and watched football games until 11:00PM or so.  It was a good afternoon in that regard.

We had SNBA last night and it was good.  Alex “Larry” Byrd was the star of the night.  Jonny the Baptist made his debut too.  Plans call for us to have SNBA this coming Sunday as well.

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 – Daniel 10-12

Good morning from Grand Bay!  It has been a good week in Guatemala but there is certainly no place like home!  Reminds me of a poem written by Henry Van Dyke that we had to memorize when in the eighth grade – “So it’s home again, and home again, America for me! My heart is turning home again, and there I long to be!”  (The poem was really written about traveling through Europe but you get the point!)  I had this really good looking lady waiting for me at the Mobile airport too!  Nice!

No soccer this morning!  Just got word that the games have been cancelled because of the rain.  Please pass the word.

Bro. Benny McGath and the bus workers will be meeting at 8:30AM this morning and then will be going into the community to invite folks to ride the buses to church tomorrow.  Pray for this ministry.

The women’s conference takes place today.  Pray for this conference!  The Riders will be leading this conference and will be in all three of our services tomorrow.

Regular schedule tomorrow – morning and evening.

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 – Daniel 7-9

Holly Lybarger’s test results came back negative.  (Reb had sent me an e-mail but it never made it to Guatemala)  Regardless, praise the Lord!

Steve Lewis was discharged from the hospital yesterday.

Keep praying for those folks battling cancer.  No new updates.  Bernard is getting close to the end of his radiation treatments.

The group of men and women who have spent this week working on Pastor Ben’s house left the mission house heading to the airport at 3:30AM.  The Mobile folks should land around 2:00PM and Ross will land in Grand Rapids around 4:30PM.  Pray for them to have safety in travel.  (I will be traveling a bit later today and get home late tonight)

I cannot say enough about this group and the work they accomplished this week!  Absolutely amazing!  They spent around fifty four hours (yes, 54) over the past four days working.  They never complained – not even once!  Caroline & Clara did a great job preparing the meals for the team.  These folks paid their own ways and several of them brought tools and supplies to be used on the job.  While they did not get “finished” the finish line is now easily in sight!  I am very grateful to each of them for their service to the Lord.  I am also thankful to Kirk Lightfield and John King for their assistance in this project.  Great week!

Pastor Doug Chappelle and his team arrived at the mission house last night.  It was good to see Pastor Doug, Pastor BJ, Michelle and the rest of the team.  (Pastor Doug hit me up for some money but what else is new?)

Received devastating news last night.  I thought we had thirteen faithful readers of the blog but that number is actually twelve.  Found out that my niece, Jamie Glenn, no longer reads the blog – wow!  It was a restless night for me!  (Just makes me appreciate Rex Looney all the more!)

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 –Daniel 4-6

Good morning from Guatemala.  Could not post yesterday as we did not have internet service before we left for the work site.  Sorry about that!

Steve Lewis had a heart cath and should come home from the hospital today.

As far as I know, Terrance McGaster came home from the hospital.

Holly Lybarger should have gotten her test results yesterday.

We had at least three ladies step up and provide transportation home from the church service for some of our students last night.  Thank you ladies!  The Lord knows who you are and will reward you!

Women’s conference weekend.  Ladies, please plan on attending.  The Riders will be in all of our services this Sunday.

This small team is incredible!  They left at 5:30AM on Tuesday and got back to the mission house after dark.  Yesterday, they left at 3:30AM and got back around 7:30PM.  This morning they are leaving at 5:30AM and will get home whenever.  Not a single complaint from any team member!  Much has been done in Pastor Ben’s house.  God is good!

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 – Joel 1-3

Good morning from Guatemala.  This will be short and hopefully sweet as the team is leaving at 5:30AM for the work site and will not get back to the mission house until dark thirty.

Terrance McGaster will possibly go home today.  He is doing well.  I appreciate Bro. Jerry checking on him.

I do not have an update on Randy Collins but will most likely receive one at some point today.

We are on a regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening with one exception – there will not be a 7:30PM Bible study.

The team here had a productive day.  These guys know how to work!  I joined them in the afternoon and we came back to mission house after dark.  Caroline Ford and Clara Broadus had a feast waiting for us – what a blessing!

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 – Ezekiel 46-48
Tuesday, September 13 – Joel 1-3
Wednesday, September 14 – Daniel 1-3
Thursday, September 15 – Daniel 4-6
Friday, September 16 – Daniel 7-9
Saturday, September 17 – Daniel 10-12
Sunday, September 18 – Ezra 1-3

Terrance McGaster remained in CCU as of last night.  He is doing good.  It seems that they simply do not have a regular room available for him.

Randy Collins is scheduled to have another surgery today.  Hopefully this will correct his problems.

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our services yesterday. The evening service was very meaningful.  I am very grateful to each person who had a part in any of our services.  We continue to give God the thanks for His blessings.

Our GROW ministry takes place tonight beginning at 6:00PM.  Folks participating need to meet Bro. Jerry in the church office.

We will not have our prayer time tonight but will resume it next Monday, 9/19.  Please note this and let others know.

Also, we will not have the 7:30PM Bible study this Wednesday night, 9/14.  It too will resume next week.

The women’s conference is set for this Saturday, 9/17.  All women who have not done so yet are encouraged to get their tickets for this brunch gathering.  Contact Betty Creech if you need more information or want to purchase a ticket.

We had eight members of the Friendship family travel to Guatemala over the past two days.  Those traveling yesterday were joined by Ross Genzink from Michigan.  These folks will be continuing to work on the renovation of Pastor Ben Labriel’s house.  Pray for this team as they minister this week.  Actually, Randall & Rita ministered in song in a church yesterday morning.

Enjoyed the college football weekend although I actually only saw one game.  Crazy how the Oklahoma State game ended.  Will give credit to Coach Mike Gundy in his handling of that situation afterwards.  Personally, I do not understand why they cannot simply reverse the decision and award the Cowboys the victory?

I am on vacation this week as I am traveling to Guatemala today to join the others in working on Pastor Ben’s house.  Did not want to miss yesterday’s services so waited until today to fly out.  Lord willing, I will arrive home on Friday night.  Have a wedding in Baldwin County on Saturday.

Bro. Jerry is in the office if needed.  Our deacons are ready and available to minister in any way needed.

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 – Ezekiel 40-41

Terrance McGaster came through his surgery very well.  I appreciate Bro. Jerry Hovel going to pray with Terrance before the surgery and being with the family during the operation.

Just found out that Randy Collins has been admitted to the hospital – again!  Wow, Randy has really been through it.

The breakfast with our senior adults went well too.  Sherry Schlehuber did a nice job of cooking with an assist from Cecil Guidry.  Bob Evans graciously helped with the clean up.  A decision was made to move the next two of these gatherings to Wednesdays since our folks are at church on Wednesday mornings for the service.  So, the next senior adults breakfast will take place on Wednesday, October 12, at 9:00AM in the fellowship hall.  Folks who attend the breakfast will be expected to remain for the service at 10:00AM.  In November we will either do another breakfast or may do a “potluck with the pastor” following the morning service – TBD.

Our TNBA went well last night.  Our next gathering will be on Sunday night, 9/18.

We are on a regular schedule this Sunday morning and evening.  Our evening service will be a special prayer service for our nation featuring prayers for our local officials, state officials and national officials.  The choir will be singing two specials and we will have a special guest to sing “The Star Spangled Banner” too.  My hope is that many members of the Friendship family will attend this special service.  Josh has a fellowship planned for our students following that service.

Pastor Jack Bailey does a daily blog at brotherjack.org.  He posted an article yesterday written by a Wesleyan pastor from San Diego.  The article concerns the upcoming presidential election.  In my opinion it is a good read.  It is the very last thing on Pastor Jack’s blog for Thursday, 9/8, if you are interested.  Or, I can send it to you as an attachment if you let me know you would like to receive it.

I did not watch the first game of the NFL season last night but read that the Broncos won which surprised me a bit.  Like him or love him, Cam Newton is a player!  The guy is good!  I have much more interest in the college games this weekend as opposed to the start of the NFL season.

The yard is calling my name.  I pray that you will have a great Friday with Jesus.