Pastor's Blog

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Bro. Benny & our bus workers meet this morning at 8:30AM before going out into the community to invite folks to church.  Pray for this ministry.

Our exercise leagues begin play at 8:30AM today.  I think there are only four more times of exercise.  Prayers appreciated for this ministry.

Brenda Poiroux did well through her surgery.  Four bypasses.  I enjoyed spending time with Gerald & Brenda yesterday morning prior to her surgery.  Great couple!  Pray for Brenda as she now recovers.

I did not realize that Eddie Albritton’s dad was also in the same hospital for his surgical procedure.  He had three large kidney stones and they successfully removed two of them.  He will remain hospitalized for a day or two.  Pray for him.

Anna Carol Bosarge “might” have been discharged yesterday.  They are trying to get her medicines correct.  Pray for Anna Carol.

How did I know that Jerry Poiroux was in the hospital?  I have ESPN (though I seldom watch it any more).   Anyway, Jerry was in hopes that he would be discharged yesterday.  Not sure if that happened.  Pray for Jerry.

Joe Ladnier continues to devise an escape plan!  Keep praying for him!

I would have gone to the service for Shirley Johnson had the timing been different.  Shirley was a sweet lady and will be missed by so many.  Keep praying for Wilfred and family.

We probably should have had only one service tomorrow morning as I have had over one thousand folks tell me they are going to be out of town.  Folks who no longer have children in school take Spring break off – that confuses me!  I am glad that families/couples can get away.  I just hope that those of us who will remain in town will be faithful to attend especially the musical presentation by our adult choir beginning at 6:00PM.  Also, for those who will be out of town, remember that you can give online by going to our website.

Yesterday afternoon was productive for me.  Thanks to Logan Wainwright I was able to get eleven rows (eight corn and three snap beans) planted.  Might would have finished but my old Super A Farmall suffered a setback.  Logan will correct the problem and all will be well.  By the way, that tractor is either a 1956 or 1957 model.  I am glad to have it.

John Milton is way ahead of me in the garden race but I cannot complain.  He did everything in his power to put me out front.  Those plans, rats and people kept messing with me – LOL!

Alabama & Auburn both have their A Day games today.  I am not a fan of a glorified practice.  Can we just start the season now?

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Word came to me from Kirk Lightfield early yesterday morning that Miss Shirley Johnson suffered a heart attack and passed from this life.  Wilfred & Shirley are our neighbors on GRACE Mountain.  There was a visitation yesterday afternoon, a service last night and both will also take place again today.  Pray for Wilfred and the rest of the family during this time of difficulty.

Brenda Poiroux got good news in that her surgery was moved up from noon today to 7:30AM.  The waiting has been tough on Brenda.  Pray that all goes well today.  Pray for Gerald and the family as they wait – that can be tough.  Brenda is a sweetheart and she is going to do well.

Anna Carol Bosarge remains hospitalized.  Keep praying for Anna Carol.  Of course, she is very concerned about her sister’s surgery today.  Pray for the doctors to find an answer to Anna Carol’s problems.

In the “believe it or not” department, Jerry Poiroux, Gerald’s son, was admitted to the hospital last night.  Are you serious?  He came to visit Brenda and ended up becoming a patient.  Pray for Jerry, Sharon and the girls.

Kathy Ladnier tells me that the decision has been made to keep Joe until April 23.  Joe is not a happy camper!  Kathy is not going to drive the get away car for him so I suspect he will call Uber, Lyft, or something like that for his break out!  Pray for Joe.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday.  Adult choir musical Sunday night.  Friendship family, we need to support this service in record numbers.  Pray, attend, bring others with you.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Brenda Poiroux received word after noon yesterday that her open heart surgery is scheduled for tomorrow, 4/12, at noon.  The thought was that it would be today but the operating rooms are obviously booked or the surgeon is not available until then.  Regardless, Brenda is disappointed and I do not blame her.  However, she knows that God is in control and she continues to trust Him.  Keep praying for Brenda.

Brenda’s sister, Anna Carol Bosarge, was admitted to the hospital yesterday.  I jokingly told Anna Carol that I think she just did not want Brenda to receive all of the attention.  Anna Carol went to the doctor for some blood work and the called her very soon after she left the office and told her to go straight to the hospital as her sodium count was low.  Pray for Anna Carol.  What are we going to do with these Davis girls?

I did not see Joe Ladnier yesterday but plan on doing so today.  Keep praying for Joe.

The celebration of life service for Denise Tindle takes place this afternoon in Coker, Alabama.  I assume Andy & Betty Hamil are there as they were not in our service yesterday morning.  Pray for Pastor Tim and family.

Eddie Albritton’s dad is having a procedure done today and tomorrow.  He will be hospitalized overnight tonight.  Pray that all goes well.

Believe it or not, a woman in Taiwan went to the doctor because he left eye was bothering her.  The doctor found, and removed, four small sweat bees from her eye.  They were alive.  True story!

Did you know that literally thousands of Amazon workers listen to the recordings on Alexa?  They can even hear background chatter when Alexa is left on.  Just saying!

Bobby and the boys won big last night.  The Dodgers are on a three game losing streak.  Les Hacker’s Braves are surging and have pulled into a first place tie in the NL East.

When does the college football season begin?  I am ready!

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

That “plans, rats & people” thing came into play again yesterday.  How about that?

Brenda Poiroux sent me an e-mail Monday morning saying that she was scheduled to have a heart cath Wednesday afternoon.  As I was leaving the office yesterday morning for a meeting of the Grand Bay pastors, Edna told me Brenda had been admitted to the hospital and would be having a heart cath in the afternoon.  Well, afternoon kinda sorta turned into evening as she did not get taken if for her procedure until just before 6:00PM.  The test results?  Open heart surgery requiring four bypasses.  That surgery will take place either today or tomorrow.  Pray for Brenda, Gerald and the family during this time.

Had a really nice visit with Joe & Kathy Ladnier yesterday.  He is doing well.  Do not be surprised if you read these headlines in the local paper – “man breaks out of hospital” as Joe is ready to go home.  He has been dismissed from speech therapy as he passed all of their tests.  The man is determined!  Keep praying for Joe.

I do not do FB.  Have never read a FB post or even seen a picture.  Just not me.  So, how was I to know that Sandra McElwee was involved in an automobile accident in late March.  She will not be having knee replacement surgery on April 15 due to her injuries but will be having both knees replaced at some point in the future.

Keep praying for Gena Davis.  I do not have an update but I know she needs our prayer support.  (Being married to Gene is plenty of reason to need prayers – just saying!)

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.

The weather folks are saying it will reach eighty six degrees here today – ouch!  The good thing is that the humidity is supposed to be lower than normal.

Lord willing, I have plans to get some planting done this Friday.  We shall see.  We have a Sunday School fellowship on the hill Saturday afternoon and Lisa has already laid down the law regarding what has to be done in the yard prior to that event.

Bobby & the boys pulled back to five hundred last night.  The Dodgers have lost two in a row.  I am pulling for a Nationals vs Dodgers World Series.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

You know about the best laid plans of rats and people, right?  Well, I had plans yesterday but only after a couple of hours in the office those plans changed drastically.  Ended up using a vacation day which means I did not get to visit with Joe Ladnier in the hospital.

However, as usual, Kathy updated on Joe.  He had a good Monday and is working really hard in his rehab.  They had his bed and chair fixed so that if he got out of either the alarm would sound.  No problem for Joe as he figured out a way to simply bypass the alarms – LOL!  Keep praying for Joe!

The celebration of life service for Denise Tindle will take place this Thursday, 4/11, at 2:00PM from the Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Coker, Alabama.  Pray for Pastor Tim and family.

If nothing has changed, Sandra McElwee will have knee replacement surgery this coming Monday.  Pray that all goes well.

Yancey Hall told me this past Sunday that he will have knee replacement surgery on May 15.

The Friendship family gave graciously to Evangelist Michael Mason so we are all set for Resurrection Sunday.  We will receive our regular offering in both services that day but no special offering.

Miss Jeanette and the choir will present their Easter musical this Sunday, 4/14, beginning at 6:00PM.  Pray for that service.  Attend.  Bring others.

Well, my heart won as UVA took home the trophy last night.  Good game.  I like the UVA coach.  (Maybe because he looks so much like Will Reynolds?)  Seems to be a really nice guy.  Texas Tech played a really good game and had a great season.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Kathy Ladnier has done an excellent job of keeping me updated on Joe’s situation.  He is making progress and striving to be discharged later this month.  Lord willing, I will visit with Joe later today.  Keep praying.

Edna Glover’s brother-in-law, Calvin Heptinstall, passed from this life last Thursday.  The visitation with the family takes place today beginning at 1:00PM  and lasting until the 2:00PM service.  Everything is at the First Baptist Church of Sharon, Mississippi.  Pray for the Heptinstall family.

Andy Hamil called last night to share that Denise Tindle passed from this life.  Her husband, Tim, is a pastor in the Tuscaloosa area.  Andy & Betty attend church there when they are in Tuscaloosa during the football seasons.  Pray for Pastor Tim and his family during this most difficult time.

We were blessed with some really good services yesterday.  I appreciate those who have communicated with me about what the services meant to them personally.  It is all about God!

The Friendship family has voted to call Zach Huhn to serve as our interim minister to students during June & July.  Dale is doing a good job right now but his schedule picks up in June so this is a really good move for our student ministry.  Pray for Dale, Zach and our students.

Ok, I had picked Auburn and MSU to win the semifinal games in the tourney.  So much for my prognosticating skills!  My heart is going with Coach Will Reynolds and UVA tonight but my gut says TTU will win it because of their defense.  An 8:20PM tip – are you kidding me?  That is 9:20PM Eastern time.  Ridiculous!

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Kathy Ladnier sent me a message last night saying that Joe had a tough day.  He is battling some sickness and they are putting him through the proverbial “ringer” with therapy.  However, they have given him a possible “get out of here” date and that will motivate Joe because he does not like being in the hospital.  Pray for Joe!

Anna Carol Bosarge continues to need our prayer support.  She is home, is trusting God, has great support but still needs our prayers.

Bro. Jerry Hovel saw two doctors yesterday and will have a test today.  Pray that can find the root of his problems.

Regular schedule this Sunday morning and evening.  Deacons meet at 4:00PM, Finance Committee meets at 5:00PM, Lord’s Supper and baptism as a part of our evening service.

Love offering for Evangelist Michael Mason in all three of our services this Sunday, 4/7.  Pray and give as the Lord leads.

Bobby and the boys have now won two in a row to pull up to five hundred.  Go Nats!

Are you ready for some awesome news?  The ice maker is working!  Is that great or what!  Does it get any more exciting!  Hip, hip hooray!

Folks have been asking me for directions to the Byrd “nest” for the AU watch party tomorrow night.  I am not getting involved in all of that so you will have to contact Chris personally for the details and directions.  Rumor has it that steaks are on the menu but you know how rumors get started!

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Kathy Ladnier sent me a message yesterday morning saying that Joe is now in rehab and he will be having really full days of therapy.  Visitation times are limited but I hope to catch him at lunch today.  Keep praying for Joe.

Dale Bosarge will be leading a college Bible study tonight beginning at 8:00PM at our house.  I have told Lisa that she cannot provide a meal but she will have something food wise because that is just who she is and what she does.  She definitely has a servant’s heart.  This Bible study is for all persons who are college age regardless of whether or not they are presently in college.  It  is for those who are already in the work force too.  Pass the word!

Regular schedule this morning and tonight on our campus.

We will be receiving a love offering for Evangelist Michael Mason in our three services this Sunday, 4/7.  Pray and give.  Remember, online giving is available 24/7.

Resumes are being accepted for the position of minister to students.  Ideally, we would like to have all resumes in hand by the end of April.  Pass the word.

I see where they are having a Final Four watch party in the Auburn arena this Saturday night.  “Word” has it that Chris Byrd is hosting a watch party at his house here in Grand Bay.  In Auburn they are selling concessions.  At the Byrd “nest” they are providing a meal and snacks complimentary.  Plus, they are allowing folks to spend the night in the Byrd “nest” if they so desire – all free!  I encourage all Auburn fans to join Chris and family for this celebration!

Bobby Henley and the boys have not gotten off to a great start this season.  The Phils appear to be the team to beat in the NL East.  I would ask that you join me in praying for Bobby that he will continue to be a strong witness for Jesus.  I really hope to get to DC for a game or two this season just to support Bobby.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Joe Ladnier was moved into a regular hospital room last Saturday.  When I visited with him yesterday the thought process was that he was going to be moved to a rehab facility possibly in the afternoon.  I do not know if that happened yesterday but do know he is heading that way soon.  He is better but still needs our prayer support.

Today is supposed to be one of those absolutely great weather days.  I have plans to plant some things this weekend but now it all depends on the rain.  We shall see.

Who is going to win the NCAA men’s basketball tourney?  I can see any of the four teams losing their first game or winning it all.  My gut tells me that Texas Tech is the sleeper of the four.  No one, and I mean probably no one, picked TT to win it all before the tourney began.  They did not even have them in the final four.  So, it should be a good Saturday and Monday night of basketball.  For the record, I am in hopes that Auburn wins it all.  I have family members, church family members and many friends who are Auburn fans and I would love to see Auburn win for them.  Would they feel the same way if the scenario was reversed?  Probably not but I am ok with that.  My second choice is Michigan State as I have tons of MSU fans who are friends.  My third choice would be UVA just because their coach looks just like Will Reynolds.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  Our attendance was good but we had a ton of regular folks missing.  If they had all been present then we would have been really good.  Those folks were missed!  The messages were really hard for me to preach.

Lisa, Dana & Jayden were at the house when I got home last night.  Very good to see them!  Thank the Lord for His traveling mercies upon them.  Thanks for Ross Hatcher for helping Jayden have some nice flights!

The Personnel Committee is accepting resumes for the position of minister to students.  Have them sent to the church or contact Rick Bradley about sending them to him via e-mail.

How about that Auburn basketball team!  Congratulations!  I am of the belief that if the tourney were rigged then there is no way Zion is not in the Final Four.  This will probably be a low rated Final Four viewing wise because there are no blue bloods playing.  Two first time teams along with a team that has not been there since 1980 something.  MSU is a constant but I do not know if they have a national appeal.  However, it should be a great three games.

Enjoy these cooler temperatures as they will probably be our last until next February.  Just saying!

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