Pastor's Blog

Our GROW ministry takes place tonight beginning at 6:00PM.  Everyone invited.  Meet in the church office.

We will have our regular prayer time tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the auditorium.  Enter and exit through the West side door.  Several folks have asked about praying for/with Lisa.  So, tonight she will be in the auditorium from 6:30 – 7:00PM if anyone wants to come pray for/with her personally.  I figure if all thirteen of our blog readers show up then each one will have like two minutes with her.  However, I do not foresee all thirteen being able to come tonight.

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Proverbs 30-31; 2 Corinthians 11:1-15

Tuesday, September 19 Ecclesiastes 1-3; 2 Corinthians 11:16-33
Wednesday, September 20 Ecclesiastes 4-6; 2 Corinthians 12
Thursday, September 21 Ecclesiastes 7-9; 2 Corinthians 13
Friday, September 22 Ecclesiastes 10-12; Galatians 1
Saturday, September 23 Song of Solomon 1-3; Galatians 2
Sunday, September 24 Song of Solomon 4-5; Galatians 3

Good Monday morning!  Sorry for the tardiness of this entry but things are little “different” around here at this time.  It is all good and we are most thankful to God for His continued faithfulness.

Roseanne Baria and her family will be checking out several facilities today in order to find the best fit for Robert.  Pray for guidance on their behalf.

The memorial service for Art Elliott will take place this Wednesday, September 20, in our church auditorium.  The visitation with Debra and the family will be from 10:00 until the 11:00AM service time. Pray for Debra and the family as they walk through this valley.

I failed to confirm with Sonny Bates yesterday but I believe that he will begin radiation treatments today.  Pray for him as he will receive somewhere around forty treatments.

Sonny & Jeanette’s son, Wes, will be receiving a vote this coming Sunday, 9/24, to serve as pastor of a church where he has been serving as the interim.

Acton Bowen did a nice job in our morning services yesterday.  The Friendship family gave him a nice love offering for his mission work.  Thank you for praying, attending and giving.

Lisa wants me to reiterate her/our thankfulness for every kind deed/word that has been shared with us during these past two weeks.  We have been overwhelmed.  Please note that she cannot write “thank you” cards and that aggravates her.  We are very thankful!  (I am thankful for Daphne, Ann, Kim, Dana & Gina)  I am also thankful that Courtney Cavin has not tried to cook for us!  (BTW, I was eating chicken & dumplings at 2:30AM today – delicious!)

This is my wife – she was trying to put out the ingredients yesterday afternoon in order to make pound cakes for folks who have done things for us.  I quickly shut that down as she can barely use one hand a tiny bit.  She is a giver and does not like to be on the receiving side.  Lord willing she will go into her office today for a few hours.  She is blessed with a really good team in that office and for that she is grateful.

Bobby & the boys beat the Dodgers last night.  I have always been a Dodger fan but if it comes down to the Dodgers or Bobby and the boys then I have to go with Bobby – third base coach of the year!

I will try to catch on some of last week’s happenings in a later entry this week.  May not be able to do so.  Sorry for the lost week.

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Proverbs 27-29; II Corinthians 10

The blog is back!  A really huge thank you to Al!  Special thanks to Soy as he spent over a week working many hours to correct the multiple problems.  What were those problems?  Too many to list but suffice it to say that our files were badly infected i.e. we had been attacked!  Good to be back but with the week I had last week it was probably just as well that I did not take time to blog daily.

Regular schedule today.  Acton Bowen preaching in both of the morning services and, Lord willing, I will be preaching in the evening service.  (I have acute bronchitis which could prevent me from preaching but that is not the plan).

Art Elliott passed from this life yesterday morning and entered Heaven.  Arrangements are pending as I will be talking to Debra today.  Pray for Art’s family.

Jordon Zirlott’s nephew, Lane, was involved in a very serious accident this past week.  He is in critical condition.  Pray!

Robert Baria remains in the hospital.  I will get an update today.

Curtis & Brooke Whitehurst welcomed Tripp into this world on Tuesday morning, 9/12.  He checked in weighing eight pounds and one ounce.  Everyone is well and Lane & Lexie are happy siblings!

My wife has a broken left hand and a broken right wrist meaning she has a cast on each arm.  If things remain as they are then she will have a cast on the left arm for three months and one of the right arm for six weeks.  So many members of the Friendship family have been so very kind to us since her episode on Wednesday morning.  Jennifer Davis has also been a great source of help.  Suffice it to say that the WOW Gym will soon be “T&T Fitness Center” with the help of my lawyer – Alexander!

I am fully expecting a big offering today as our family has paid Ross Hatcher and the Grand Bay Pharmacy big bucks this past week!

Congratulations to Bobby & the boys for clinching their division this past week.  If the season ended today, they would face the Cubbies in the first round of the playoffs (I think that is right).  Dr. Jack Bailey needs to just worry about “his” Indians and leave the Dodgers out his blog entries!  Just saying!

Did State really beat LSU that badly or did I just read that wrong – wow!  I am impressed with Clemson as I figured Louisville would get them this time around.  Dabo has it going!  Did Florida really beat UT on the last play of the game – wow!

I heard from nine of our thirteen readers of the blog once the site went down.  Fifty percent.  I am impressed.

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Proverbs 3-5; II Corinthians 1

You may have had to jump through a hoop or two in order to get to this blog.  If so, I apologize.  Some folks have been having some difficulties accessing our website.  I called Al and he very plainly told me that the only way to properly correct the problem was to take the website down.  He said, “do you want to use a band aid and simply cover the problem or do surgery and correct it?”  I replied, “Al, you are the one who invented this whole internet thing so we will do whatever you say needs to be done!”  So, now you know!

Men’s breakfast in the morning, 9/9, beginning at 8:00AM.  All men invited.

Betty Evans’ mother passed from this life yesterday.  Arrangements pending.  Pray for the family.

Yes, there was a major earthquake in Mexico during the night near the coast of Guatemala.  It is being reported as an 8.1.  It lasted long enough that Soy & Deidra were able to get up and get the girls out of the apartment while it was still taking place.  Folks, that is a strong and long shake!  As far as I know, all is well in Guatemala.  Pray for those who lost loved ones because of last night’s quake.

Also, we have been praying for those affected by Hurricane Harvey.  Now, Hurricane Irma is apparently taking aim at Florida.  This once could do major damage in Florida if it stays on the projected path and maintains close to the current wind speeds.  So, we need to pray for those who will be in Irma’s path.

I used a vacation day yesterday so I do not have an update on Robert Baria.  However, I can say with a certain degree of assurance that there has been no significant change in Robert’s condition.  Just keep praying.

I do know that Tommy Watson has been admitted to a rehab facility.  Pray that he does well.

Ready for another weekend of college football.  Lord willing, we will be traveling to Tuscaloosa for tomorrow afternoon’s game.  Going to get to spend time with my cousin Rachel and her family.  Looking forward to it.  Auburn travels to Clemson and that is a big game!  Should be a good one.

Bryant has their homecoming game tonight.  Coach Collier and the boys go for three in a row tonight as the Baker Hornets come to Theodore.  JT Lastorka and the #1 MC Leopards travel to Excel.  We wish all of these teams the best!

The Dodgers are in trouble as their lead has decreased to ten games.  The snakes are on fire!  How can you go from being far and away the best team in the league to losers of seven in a row.  Meanwhile, Bobby has the boys playing well as they continue to coast to the playoffs.

Lisa just walked through and asked why I am not outside mowing.  I said it is dark!  Her reply, “you could be out there ready to go as soon as light comes!”  Wow!

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Proverbs 1-2; I Corinthians 16

Attempted to visit with Robert Baria yesterday but he was sleeping.  Roseanne said last night in our service that he is getting better little by little.  Keep praying.

The visitation with the Myrtie Jones family takes place today beginning at 1:00PM and continuing until the 3:00PM service.  Everything will take place at the First Baptist Church of Bayou La Batre.  Keep praying for the Jones family.

We enjoyed a good day in our services yesterday.  Attendance seemed to be pretty good.  Thank you to those who are faithful to attend.

A big shout out to Martin Brinkman for painting the church nursery this past weekend.  I took a look at it yesterday morning – nice job!

Also, Witney Edwards has been doing some deep cleaning in the preschool building for the past two days.  Thanks Witney!  What a blessing to have these two and others who serve very unselfishly!

One person from North Alabama and one from Texas claim they are having problems accessing our website.  Anyone else?  Can you say Soy?  Just saying!

Bobby and the boys basically have the East wrapped up.  They have won three in a row.  Magic number to clinch is six.  Meanwhile the Dbacks are rolling and the Dodgers are reeling!  Come on Blue!

I am taking another day of vacation today.  Much to do around here.  Lisa is back home and the whip is cracking!

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

Age 83, passed away on Monday, September 4, 2017. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Bayou La Batre for 64 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers and 4 sisters. She is survived by her children, Mark (Annette) Jones, David (Cathy) Jones, Nadine (Jeff) Holifield and Brett (Dale) Jones, 13 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, siblings, Harry Radcliff, Judy Hart and Jake (Carol) Radcliff, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church on Thursday, September 7, 2017 at 3 pm with visitation from 1 pm until service time. Interment will be in Serenity Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to First Baptist Church of Bayou La Batre’s Nicaragua, Mission.

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 148-150; I Corinthians 15:29-58

Bro. Jerry Hovel visited Robert Baria in the hospital yesterday.  He is anxious.  Doing some therapy in the bed.  Keep praying.

The visitation with the Myrtie Jones family will take place tomorrow, 9/7, from 1:00 until the 3:00PM service at the First Baptist Church of Bayou La Batre.  Pray for Nadine and family.

Regular schedule this morning and tonight.  Fare for the 7:30PM service will most likely be tube steaks.

Hey folks, if you do not keep your subscription current then you will not receive these entries!  Just saying!

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 146-147; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28

As I posted yesterday, Nadine Holifield’s mother passed from this life early Monday morning.  Arrangements pending.  Pray for the family.

I did not make any hospital visits yesterday so I cannot give an update on Robert Baria.  Will have one in tomorrow’s post, Lord willing.

I am taking some vacation days over the next few days.  I will be in Grand Bay.  Lord willing, I will be in the pulpit tomorrow morning and evening.

Today, I will be traveling to Jackson, MS with Daphne & Emmy as Emmy has a doctor’s appointment.

We are going to have our prayer time in the auditorium today from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  (This is in place of yesterday’s prayer time). Enter and exit through the West side door.

Our church will host a service at McKemie Place tonight beginning at 6:00PM.  All members of the Friendship family are invited to attend.  Contact Randall or Rita Broome if you need more information.  Pray for this ministry.

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

Jeff Holifield sent me an e-mail this morning to share that at 1:45AM today Nadine’s mother, Myrtis Jones, departed this life and entered Heaven.  She has battled against cancer for some time now.  To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.  Pray for the Jones family as they walk through this time of sorrow.

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

We were really blessed by the Lord as the Labor Day holiday had very little negative impact on our services.  We had a really good Spirit and a strong attendance especially in the evening service.  What a blessing!

What about our bowling fellowship last night!  The attendance was amazing – by far our biggest crowd ever.  I appreciate our staff and deacons who attended and helped make the fellowship special.  As far as I know, James Mareno took home high honors in the singles competition with a 198 in his first game – way to go James!  As expected, Jason Husband and I remain undefeated in the doubles competition!

The church office is closed today due to the holiday.  It will reopen tomorrow, 9/5, at 8:00AM.

Big shout out to Martin Brinkman for painting the church nursery on Saturday.  I am told that he did an outstanding job!

Lord willing, I will be using vacation days tomorrow, Thursday, and next Tuesday, 9/12.  Not going anywhere so I will be around in the event of an emergency.  I will be preaching and visiting on Wednesday.

My wife is scheduled to arrive home late tonight.  I am thrilled she has had a good time being with our family in Guatemala but I will also be thrilled to have her back home.  Pray for safety in her travels today.

I have enjoyed the first weekend of the college football season.  Hope to catch some of the game tonight.  Two questions were most prevalent to me yesterday – what time did you get home from the game?  That answer is 3:40AM.  How was the next stadium?  Awesome.  However, it seems to me that the playing surface may be problematic?  There were at least three season ending injuries in that one game and a number of players seemed to slip down consistently.

Well, it is a little after 2:00AM and my body is saying, “dude, go to bed!”  So, I think I will listen to my body.

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