Pastor's Blog

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Word came to me that things are going well at youth camp.  That is good to hear.  (I have not heard from any of the leadership but I do have sources!).

Our 2018 VBS concludes today!  It has been a good week.  Family picnic this Sunday night.  Service begins at 5:00PM and the picnic follows.  Please bring chips and desserts.

Received some disturbing news yesterday about someone’s physical condition.  Privacy is requested right now so I cannot share the details.  However, I can tell you that it affected my entire day.  Would you join me in praying for this person?  God knows.

Per Dr. Mike Clark’s latest journal entry there have been one hundred and ten confirmed deaths in Guatemala as a result of the volcano’s eruption.  The government has announced that nine hundred and ninety six families will be relocated.  I do know that Soy, Deidra and others will be ministering this morning to a group staying in a shelter because of the eruption.  This is one of thirty six shelters presently operating.  Pray for the folks in Guatemala – those affected by the eruption and those ministering.

Heard from Gena Davis that the surgery helped her physically.  That is good news!

Regular schedule for the Friendship family this Sunday morning.  Note that our VBS family night service on Sunday begins at 5:00PM.

Bobby & the boys are North of the border this weekend.  Les Hacker’s Braves just keep on winning.

Had an electrical problem at the house yesterday.  One call to Bobby Gene and the problem was handled before you could say the word problem.  The man is a machine!  “It is a bird, a plane, no it is super Bobby Gene!”

I am not going to mention the word “retire” in this blog again.  If, and when, I reach that decision it will be strictly a personal one. I am not trying to get folks to contact me.  However, I have now heard from six of our thirteen readers so eighty four percent is not bad!  I appreciate each person who has contacted me.

In the meanwhile enjoy (can this blog be enjoyable?) the blog writings and I pray that you will have a great Friday with Jesus.

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Day four of VBS is always an important one as it provides the opportunity to share the Gospel in a group setting.  So pray this morning as Bro. Jerry will take a few extra minutes in the opening session to present the plan of salvation.

Our VBS family night takes place this Sunday, 6/17, beginning at 5:00PM.  Following that service our deacons will host a family picnic featuring burgers and dogs.  The meat and drinks will be provided.  We are asking the members of the Friendship family to bring chips and desserts.  This picnic will take place in the CAB.

A huge “thank you” to Tina Wilkinson, Lisa and everyone else who helped minister to the Pam Tillman family yesterday.  The family was very grateful for the food.  As pastor, I was very thankful to see you, once again, serving as God’s ministers.

Met with Coley Johnson to discuss a possible Fall soccer league.  Details TBA.

Met with a gentleman over supper last night who is basically married to a beast.  Wait did he say “beast” or “best?”  Really does not matter to me as he paid for my meal which was very nice.  It was odd not being in a church service last night.

We have a team of forty eight folks in the countdown mode for a GRACE Ministries trip that begins next Thursday, June 21.  This includes folks from the Friendship family, Ethelsville Baptist, Thelma Baptist and more.  Pray for these folks as they make their final preparations.

I was gone for a week and my yard and garden both got ahead of me.  Slowly but surely I am making up ground.  Lord willing, by the time I leave for Guatemala next Tuesday there will be nothing left in my garden except a row of okra.  Charles has given me a great assist in getting the corn stalks pulled up and hauled off.  As a matter of fact, Charles & Ann did a great job of harvesting the garden while we were away last week.  Brad & Daphne helped too.  Do you believe in miracles?

My goal for today is to finish removing the corn stalks and then to mow down the peas.  I can then turn my full attention to the yards i.e. eating weeds and mowing.

Yes, I am still considering “retiring” from the blog business.  Two ladies have contacted me asking me to continue.  However, just because those two are my Mama and my wife does not carry any extra weight with me!  Just saying!

Bobby and the boys remain one game behind Les Hacker’s Braves.  The Dodgers moved within two games of the Diamondbacks.

Free agency has been approved by the NCAA for college athletics.  Not sure how I feel about that one.  Need to chew on it for a while.

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

There will be no regular activities i.e. prayer meeting, RA’s, GA’s, Mission Friends, et cetera this morning or evening.  The only exception is that Bro Jim has some of our students meeting in the auditorium at 6:30PM for some evangelism training.  Otherwise, no services or classes.

Two days of our 2018 VBS are in the books.  I am not sure of the numbers.  I did sit through the joint service yesterday and all seemed well.  Bob Evans was no behaving but you know Bob!

The Friendship family has an important ministry opportunity before them today.  We are going to feed the Pam Tillman family following Pam’s celebration of life service.  Tina Wilkinson is the point person for this ministry.  Contact her if you will help.  (She may have it all taken care of by now but it will not hurt to ask)  All food needs to be in the fellowship hall by noon.  (Let’s just hope the VBS children do not find it first!)  Thank you in advance to those who are helping.

Sandy Felps was discharged from the hospital on Monday afternoon.

Les Hacker’s Braves continue to stay in front of Bobby and the boys.  The Braves are whipping up on the Mets while the Nationals are tangling with the Yankees.  The Dodgers have won two in a row but the Dbacks continue to stay hot being the winners of three straight.

Could LeBron end up with the Lakers?

I am so ready for the college football season to begin.

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

I learned while at the visitation with the Pam Tillman family that no one is providing a meal following the service tomorrow.  So, I told them that we would take care of it.  Tina Wilkinson has gladly stepped up to the plate to coordinate this ministry.  If you will help then please contact Tina.  The food will need to be in our fellowship hall no later than noon.  We have the meat covered.  Thank you in advance for helping minister to the Tillman family.

I just spoke to a very proud mother – Glenda Chinners.  Jim & Glenda’s oldest son, Aaron, has been accepted into medical school at the University of South Alabama!  Folks, this is nothing short of a miracle.  To God be the glory!  I am very proud of Aaron and very grateful for this happening in his life!  Congratulations Aaron!

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Wow, I have gotten really lax in my blogging.  I was “off” last week and there was a six to seven hours time difference so those things really caused me to not be in the blogging mode.  So, how about this past Sunday and yesterday?  Well, as a general rule I do not blog on Sundays and yesterday morning saw me in the garden at day’s break.  If I do not blog reasonably early then I am inclined to not blog at all.  Honestly, I am even pondering “retiring” from the blog or at least taking a “sabbatical” for an extended period of time.  I have been doing this since February of 2011 and I am not sure it is effective any longer.  Maybe I should move to tweets or wait on the next greatest means of social media connection.  But, for now, here we are!

We had a good first day of VBS.  I am not sure what the numbers were but I do know that VBS is not given the priority it once enjoyed.  I appreciate those who are working and hope our week goes well.

Pam Tillman passed from this life early this past Sunday morning.  The visitation with her family takes place tonight at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  The service will take place tomorrow, 6/13, at noon from the chapel of Serenity Funeral Home.  Interment will be in the Cedar Grove Baptist Church Cemetery which is located on Old Pascagoula Road.  Pray for Randy and the family during this time.

Sandy Felps is in the hospital.  The medical folks are not absolute on the cause of her problems.  Pray for Sandy.

We will have a VBS family night “picnic” this Sunday night immediately following the service which begins at 5:00PM.  This “picnic” will be led by our deacons as they will grill burgers and dogs.  You are asked to bring chips and desserts.  We are going to make it easy so we will not do any other sides.  We hope to fellowship with some of the families who do not normally attend our services.  Pass the word and make plans to attend.

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Good morning from London!  (It is almost 1:00AM here on Thursday morning, 6/7)  Lisa, Eddie, Sue and I left Spain late yesterday afternoon and arrived back in a London hotel between 10:30 & 11:00PM.  We have been keeping a whirlwind pace ever since we got to Europe!

Here is the obit for Jimmy Moates:

“James Henry Moates, age 75, a resident of Grand Bay, Alabama, born on September 14, 1942 in Mobile, Alabama, departed this life Tuesday, June 5, 2018. He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Ila Moates, a sister, Louise Akridge, and a grandson, Michael Levi Westbrook. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mariam Moates, three daughters, Lisa (Brian) Bellknap, Teresa (John) Ladnier, Melinda (Jason) Westbrook, two sisters, Norma (James) Rogers, Susan (Charles) White, eight grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren.

James received Jesus as his Lord and Saviour at the age of 12 years old. He had a great respect for the Lord and his word. James had great love for his wife, three daughters, and two generations of grandchildren, and he took joy in caring for them throughout their lives.

James accomplished many notable things throughout his professional career. He took great joy and satisfaction in his work. He was a heavy equipment operator and worked in the state of Alabama on numerous projects, including placing the steeple at Dauphin Way Baptist Church, had an intrical role in the construction of Hank Aaron Stadium, Providence Hospital’s lake and waterfall, and renovating Ladd Peebles stadium. James was loved by his family, friends, and all who knew him.”

The visitation with the Moates family will take place today, Thursday, June 7, from 1:00PM until the 2:00PM service time.  Visitation and service will take place at Friendship Baptist Church.  Interment will be in the Serenity Memorial Gardens in Theodore.

If you are helping with the feeding of the Moates family following the service today then please have your food in the fellowship hall no later than 2:00PM.

Jennifer Brinkman e-mailed me to say that their son, Bryce, was suffered second degree burns over five percent of his body last night.  Been a tough few hours for him and his parents.  Pray for them!

My dad did well through his rough chemo treatment Tuesday.  He received another one yesterday and gets yet another today if I understand correctly.  Thank you for praying.

As we traveled to Spain to visit with Mario, Amuy and family I had said repeatedly they were one of the best couples I have ever known.  I left Spain feeling that way plus more!  Their faithfulness and commitment to the call of God on their lives is amazing!  I will probably share more from the pulpit.

We are now going into “tourist” mode for the next two days.  Should be fun!  May stop by and visit the Queen!

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

Lisa and I just arrived at our hotel in Spain which allowed me to have access to the internet.  I had a couple of messages telling me that Jimmy Moates passed from this life around 5:30AM today.  So, please pray for Mariam, Lisa, Teresa, Melinda and their families as they walk through this valley.  Arrangements pending.

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

This entry is being written shortly after 2:00AM on Tuesday morning in London which means it is shortly after 8:00PM on Monday night in Alabama.  We are leaving the hotel at 4:30AM heading to the airport in order to catch a flight to Spain.  More about that a bit later.

Rita Broome had surgery Monday morning and did well.  She is one tough cookie!  Pray that her recovery goes well and that she does not over do it!  Translated – no McKemie Place for her tonight!

Let me ask for a personal prayer request.  My dad met with his oncologist yesterday morning and the news was not real good.  Dad has cancer, and lots of it, in both of his lungs.  He received a chemo treatment yesterday but is going to get one that is “as bad as it gets” today (Tuesday).  Would you pray that his body can tolerate it?  Thank you.

Today was a good Monday for us.  We basically did nothing in the morning and then made our way over to the wedding of Nicolle Matheu and Mikey Carter at 2:00PM.  Nicolle is Guatemalan so everything started late.  It was a beautiful wedding in a beautiful location.  We missed the reception meal as we had to catch the last direct train back to London.  The meal started way. . .late!  LOL!

I am excited about heading to Spain tomorrow and visiting with Pastor Mario, Amuy and their children.  We are scheduled to come back to London on Wednesday night late.

I trust that all is well there.  I pray that you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus.

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Good morning from Cheltenham, England.  These past two days have been a bit of a whirlwind for us.  I had “plans” as far as making connection while on the flight from New York to London as the airline boasted of free WiFi for the duration of the trip.  However, we never had a connection for even one second.  We then literally hit the ground running as we wanted to make a worship service at Hillsong Church in London before boarding a train heading to Cheltenham which is where the wedding takes place later today.

I did get a quick word that Pastor Alex did a nice job in our services yesterday.  I knew that would be the case.  I thank him for his service to the Lord.

I am aware of the volcano eruption in Guatemala.  GRACE Mountain has received a fair share of the ash but outside of that all is well.  The most important thing is that everyone is well on the mountain including the team being led by Bro. Johnny & Miss Judy Tucker.

Deidra has shared that someone in Pastor Max Lara’s family is missing because of the volcano.  I will not speculate but do ask that you pray for that situation.  The village of El Rodeo was one of the places affected by the lava flow.  Pastor Max is very involved in that village and pastors a church located there too.  The bodies of the deceased, which now totals twenty five, have been taken to Alotenango.  GRACE teams have built many houses in that town over the years.  So, pray for all involved.

Not sure what the plans are for blogging from this point forward.  I do pray that you will have a great Monday/week with Jesus.