Pastor's Blog

I knew I was forgetting something when I posted the first entry today.  Pam Baker’s father, Claude Landry, has a detached retina and they are doing surgery today to reattach it.  The prayer is that he will regain a good portion of his sight in that eye.  Pray for Claude.  He is a really great guy!

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

Jennifer Brinkman’s father had a much better day yesterday.  As a matter of fact, Jennifer told me last night that one of his surgeons has said he can be discharged if the other doctors agree.  Pray that this can become a reality as his father’s service takes place on Friday.

Scott, Jennifer and family are looking toward a time of visitation this Saturday beginning at 4:00PM followed by a 5:00PM memorial service.  All of this will take place in our auditorium.  Our auditorium Sunday School class will be feeding the family following the service.  These arrangements are not set in stone but are pretty well set barring some unforeseen happening.  Keep praying for Craig’s family.

Bro. Jerry is a happy camper now that he is at home.  He is well on the way to a complete recovery and healing.  Praise the Lord!

Regular schedule this morning and tonight on our campus.  I pray that the members of the Friendship family will be faithful to attend.

Remember, no preschool or children’s choirs now until after school begins in August.

College Bible study tonight at 8:00PM.  Led by Dale Bosarge.

Church wide bowling fellowship this Sunday evening following our worship service.  Open to all ages.  Gutter guards will be open for our novice bowlers like Jack Lastorka.  Just saying!

I was able to give away some squash yesterday.  (Yes, some of the squash that John Milton Ladnier gave me Monday afternoon)  Did I tell the recipients that I grew the squash in my garden?  Well, if they said something like, “you planted squash?” then I just said “yes” and let it go.  (Never mind that my squash seeds did not come up until a few days ago and that the plants are now like one inch high)  The main thing is that they are getting free squash!  LOL!

I have now had three people tell me that they are no longer getting an e-mail notice whenever I post an entry.  Others tell me they are receiving the notices just fine.  Being the tech savvy person that I am, I will check into it.

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)

Just received word that Craig Kirschenman has passed from this life.  The electronic message came to me around 12:30AM.  I visited with Craig yesterday afternoon and it was obvious his time on life was very limited.  He is now with Jesus.  Pray for the family as they walk through this valley.

Bro. Jerry Hovel was discharged from the hospital late yesterday afternoon – praise the Lord!  He is doing very well and it seems they have corrected his problem.

Jennifer Brinkman’s father remains hospitalized and it appears he will remain there for at least a few more days.  It also appears that he will miss his father’s funeral service this Friday.  Pray for him and for the Kirk family.

Church wide bowling fellowship this Sunday evening, 5/26, immediately following our worship service.  Church attendance and five dollars required.  Y’all come!

Worked early yesterday morning making my garden a Santa Claus garden – hoe, hoe, hoe and more to go.  Yesterday afternoon saw me use the tiller to plow the entire garden.  Therapy for me.

John Milton Ladnier brought us like one ton of squash yesterday afternoon.  John Milton is perhaps the most generous person I know when it comes to giving away produce.  He plants like acre after acre and then gives ninety percent of it away!  He was telling me yesterday what else he has recently planted and I just said, “you never know when to stop!”  Amazing!  What a wonderful example of generosity!

Can anyone stop the Warriors?  Levi Seymour would be the guy to answer that question as he is our NBA expert in residence.  Wow, what a team!

Bobby and the boys were beaten by the Mets last night.  I hope they can soon go on a winning streak.

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)

Visited with Bro. Jerry yesterday afternoon and he was doing well.  He went to a regular diet yesterday and all was well.  It appears that he will be discharged either today or tomorrow.  He is in hopes it is today.  Thank you for praying.

The thought process was that Jennifer Brinkman’s father would be discharged from the hospital today.  She told me after the service last night that was not going to happen.  Keep praying.

The visitation and service for Jennifer’s paternal grandfather will take place this Friday, 5/24.  Visitation from 10:00AM until the noon service time.

Our preschool and children’s choirs did nice jobs last night in our service.  I appreciate the job our workers did and now they will get about a two month break which will allow them to join us in our prayer services.  That will be nice for them and us.  I encourage you to get your children involved in the music program.

Parker Vice did a very nice job on the piano and with his solo last night.  TJ has worked really hard with him and it showed!

Dale Bosarge did a nice job of preaching in our two services yesterday morning.  Congratulations to the eight high school seniors who attended the second service and were recognized.  I think this week will wrap up the graduation ceremonies.  Those graduates and all others are invited to attend the college Bible study at our house on Wednesday nights beginning at 8:00PM.  Dale leads those studies.

Zach Huhn will come on board the first of June.  He is presently in the New England area.  Pray for Zach and for our student ministry.

Our morning services were attended fairly well yesterday morning.  However, there were a good number of our “regular” attenders who were missing and some of them have gotten “regular” in this practice.  I get confused how one can be a leader today and missing in action tomorrow?  Is it a case of teaching/saying one thing and then living another?  Can you say “red truck?”  I hope to see many of our “regulars” in attendance this coming Sunday.

We are going to have a church wide bowling fellowship this Sunday evening, 5/26, beginning at 8:00PM.  Obviously, attending the evening service is a must in order to attend the fellowship.  The cost is five dollars per person with a twenty dollars cap per immediate family.  This is for the entire family.  Come join us!

I watched the Nationals game last night in order to catch glimpses of Coach Bobby.  The Nats lost but it was a good game.

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)

Happy birthday to our son-in-law, Brad Hutto.  I hope he has a great day!

The visitation and service for Jennifer Brinkman’s grandfather will take place next Friday, 5/24.  Pray for the family in the meanwhile.

Jennifer’s father had fluid drawn from his body yesterday.  He needs our prayer support.

Keep praying for Bro. Jerry and do likewise for Yancey Hall.

The wedding shower for Johnny & Lacey takes place today from 2:00 – 4:00PM in our fellowship hall.  Registered at Belk, Target, and Bed Bath & Beyond.  All ladies of the church are invited to attend.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

Lisa and Deidra cooked a feast for the twenty five men involved in the construction of the school.  The men were happy campers.  The building is progressing nicely.

Lord willing, Lisa and I will board a plane headed for home early today and will be in Grand Bay before nightfall if all goes as planned.

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

Ladies, please take note of the bridal shower for Lacey, bride elect of Johnny Ladnier, that takes place tomorrow afternoon in the fellowship hall.  If someone reading this will send me the times, registry locations, et cetera then I will post it tomorrow morning.

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

Yancey Hall was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  They are truly moving toward knee replacement surgery being done as outpatient surgery.  Pray for Yancey in his therapy and recovery.  Thanks to Deacon Carl Ray Moulds for checking on Yancey and keeping me updated.

Deacons John Milton Ladnier and Larry Whitehurst have visited with Bro. Jerry Hovel in the hospital.  I appreciate them making that visit (other deacons have probably done the same).  Bro. Jerry continues to need our prayer support as he recovers from his most recent surgery.

Jennifer Brinkman’s father may have a test done today as he is having some issues.  Pray for him.

It appears that the funeral service for Jennifer’s grandfather will take place one week from today.  Those arrangements may be finalized today.  Keep praying for the family.

We are on a regular schedule this Sunday morning and evening.  We will recognize our high school graduates in our 10:30AM service and then our children’s choir will present their Spring musical in our 6:00PM service.

Wow, what a Thursday on GRACE Mountain.  Thank God for Ross Genzink!  There has a plumbing problem (drainage) in the most recently build apartment ever since it has been built.  Ross brought a camera with him and literally looked all morning trying to locate the problem.  Just before lunch the problem was located and it then took until 5:00PM to repair it.  That involved taking up paving stones on the outside and then removing a section of the tile inside the feeding center.  Folks, it was not pretty!  However, all is well that ends well and the problem has been solved – praise the Lord and thank God for Ross and his camera!

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)

Jennifer Brinkman’s paternal grandfather, Walter Kirk, Jr, passed from this life yesterday afternoon.  This was especially tough on Jennifer’s father, Walter Kirk, III, as he could not be with his father during his last days on earth.  Pray for Jennifer and her family as they walk through this valley.

Jennifer’s father was moved from CCU to a regular room yesterday.  Continue to pray for him as he recovers from his open heart surgery.

Yancey Hall did well through his knee replacement surgery.  Deacon Carl Ray Moulds kept me updated through the process and even into the night last night as he called Yancey to get an update.  Pray for Yancey to do well in his recovery.  I do remember Yancey telling me a month or so ago that following his surgery he wanted a cake or pie (cannot remember which he said) every day for so many days following his surgery – LOL!  Someone take poor Yancey some food!

As far as I know, Bro. Jerry remains hospitalized.  I just ask that you keep praying for him as he recovers from his most recent surgery.

I appreciate Jonny Gaston filling in for me yesterday morning and last night.  I also appreciate Sonny Bates and Carl Ray Moulds leading the prayer times.

Larry Whitehurst is the deacon on call today.

Deidra, Kirk Lightfield (translator) and I spent six hours yesterday interviewing twelve potential workers for the school.  Most of these were potential teachers but they also included some in administration.  Pray for wisdom.  I know it was only six hours but my brain was fried by the time those interviews were over.

Ross Genzink arrived on the mountain yesterday afternoon and has not solved a single problem up to this point!  Just saying!

The internet service was non existent for a good period of time yesterday afternoon and then spotty last night.  Why does that happen?   I have no clue.

Lisa remained on the mountain all day yesterday and cooked supper for all of us – delicious!  She also had Audrey all day and trust me when I say that Audrey never stops talking and I mean never!

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)

Good Wednesday morning from GRACE Mountain in Guatemala.  We are on a regular schedule this morning and tonight on our campus.  Carl Ray Moulds is our deacon on call today.  The church office is open as Rita Boutwell and maybe Debbie Adkinson are filling in for Miss Kittie.

Miss Kittie’s surgical procedure went well yesterday.  They were delayed in getting started but all is well that ends well in situations like this.  We thank God for blessing Miss Kittie in this way.  Keep praying.

Bro. Jerry Hovel had another surgery yesterday.  The doctors believe they have now rectified his problem.  I guess time will tell.  Obviously, Bro. Jerry remains in the hospital.  Keep praying!

Jennifer Brinkman’s father continues to be in the hospital recovering from his heart surgery.  He needs our prayer support.

Yancey Hall will have knee replacement surgery today.  Pray that all goes well.

We need to hear from all of our high seniors who plan on attending the 10:30AM service this Sunday, May 19.  Please call the church office no later than tomorrow, 5/16.

Ross Genzink is scheduled to arrive in Guatemala today in order to handle some plumbing issues on GRACE Mountain.  Ross is the man!  Pray that he will have safe travels and that he can resolve the issues.  Yes, he will probably lean on me a great deal but that is why I am here!  Will not be the first time!

What did I do yesterday?  Had the privilege of driving Lizzi & Sydney to school.  Deidra and I then went down and toured the school construction.  I went and spent time with Paul Leytham.  He looks really good.  We then met Kirk & Michelle Lightfield for lunch and time of meeting.  I went to get a haircut but my barber was not in – I was majorly disappointed.  I will try again this morning as I so need a haircut and shave!  We then took Deidra and the girls down to mall for supper and time in the arcade.  I visited with the team that is in the mission house.  This team is led by Dr. Steve Fineberg and includes one of Phillip Turner’s aunts.  Also includes a guy by the name of Kip who worked with Morris Bryant for years.  The team left GRACE Mountain this morning at 3:00AM as their flight is at 6:30AM.   They had a good week.

Today will see Deidra and me conducting potential teacher interviews for six or so hours.  Pray for godly wisdom.  This is phase one of our three part process.

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

(This entry was written on Tuesday night, 5/14, due to the fact that Guatemala is one hour behind Grand Bay and I like to publish early whenever possible)

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

This entry is late.  I apologize.  Good morning from GRACE Mountain in Guatemala.  The Lord blessed Lisa and me with traveling mercies yesterday.  We are grateful.

Jennifer Brinkman’s father did well through his heart surgery.  They had some difficulties but all ended well.  Pray for his complete healing.

Miss Kittie Camp will be having a pacemaker implanted today.  Pray that all goes well and that this will be a huge health blessing to Miss Kittie.  Deacon Sonny Bates is on call and he is obviously going to be with her.

Tena sent a text to Lisa this morning saying Bro. Jerry had more tests yesterday and they are awaiting the results.  So he did not go home from the hospital yesterday.  Keep praying.

Yancey Hall is scheduled to have a knee replaced tomorrow.

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