Pastor's Blog

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

Happy sixty third wedding anniversary to my parents!  This is definitely not the best of times for them but I am thankful they get to mark another anniversary.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.  I pray that the members of the Friendship family will be faithful to attend.  (We will have the heat on!)

The Friendship family is hospital free at the moment and for that we are most grateful.  No updates on those for whom we have been praying.  Just keep praying.

I am happy to tell you that Keith & Aninha Barrett are proud grandparents again as they welcomed another granddaughter into this world on Monday morning.  Congratulations!

Jonny & Stephanie Gaston’s newborn son, Gavin, is making progress daily.  He has been moved from the NICU to another unit.  Praise the Lord!

I am writing this entry just before midnight on Tuesday.  They are projecting we will see a consistent low of twenty nine degrees for about five hours beginning at 2:00AM.  The temperatures have been cool but the wind has been the major factor in this Arctic blast.  The wind chill has made the “feels like” temperature a bit on the cool side.  (And our Yankee readers think they are the only ones who have to deal with bitterly cold temperatures!)

Lisa landed safe and sound in Gulfport just after 10:00PM.  We were home around 11:15PM.  She had a good trip but she is one tired lady.

This blog prides itself on being a source of pertinent information.  It is not an advertisement mechanism.  However, folks tend to think it is so let me appease a couple of folks.  (LOL)  We need younger folks to cook for the senior adult Thanksgiving meal.  Contact Sherry at s.howell0530@gmail.com to sign up.

We need seventeen more sponsors for the angel tree.  You can buy the gifts or just give one hundred and fifty dollars and have them bought for you.  Jennifer Brinkman is the point person for this ministry.  She will have flyers available this Sunday.  (You did not hear this from me but rumor has it that Jennifer is buying personal Christmas while shopping for the angel tree thinking Martin will never figure it out.  Is that sly or what?)

Greer’s has two liter Sprites for ninety nine cents each plus ten percent plus tax.  (Taking this advertising thing to a whole new level)  Just saying!

Wow, what a game between South and Auburn last night.  Great crowd and great finish!  Nice win for Auburn and a tough loss for South.

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

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

The church office is open today from 8:00AM until noon and then 1:00PM until 4:30PM.  Ditto for tomorrow and Thursday.

Thank you to those who contacted Sherry Howell about helping with the cooking for the Thanksgiving meal for the senior adults of our community.  I do not know the numbers but I do know that we need more folks, age sixty four and under, to step up and help with this most worthwhile cause.  Call the church office or, better yet, contact Sherry at s.howell0530@gmail.com.  We need you to do that either today, tomorrow or Thursday, please.  The sooner, the better.

Miss Maxine Dupont was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  They will decide tomorrow the next step in her journey as far as the medical folks are concerned.  Pray for Miss Maxine.

Cecil sent me a message saying that Myrtle had a good night Sunday and a good morning yesterday.  Praise the Lord.  Keep praying for Myrtle.

Keep praying for Sarah Thornton as continues to recover from her knee replacement surgery.  Do the same for John Milton.

You can stop praying for Eddie Albritton’s recovery as I watched him at the Alabama game this past Saturday.  He was jumping up and down like an eight year old girl at a Front Street Boys concert!

At 1:00AM today it was seventy degrees here.  Four hours later it is forty six degrees.  It is to supposed to top forty seven degrees all day and then drop to twenty nine degrees tonight – hallelujah!  If only it would last for a few days but it will not.

Lisa is set to arrive home tonight.  That is a good news, bad news scenario.  Good news is she will be home.  Bad news is that I will have to clean the house.  Anyone have a bulldozer I can borrow for a couple of hours late this afternoon?

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)

Happy eighth birthday to our granddaughter, Lizzi!  Lizzi was born on 11/11/11.  I hope her day is awesome!  Lisa is there to help her celebrate and I think they have been celebrating all weekend!  We love you Lizzi!

Thank you veterans!  The service yesterday afternoon was good.  Thank you to each person who attended.  Thank you to Pastor Terry Ragsdale for planning/coordinating all of it.  Thank you veterans.

The church office is closed today in observance of Veterans Day.  However, I will be working and available today should a need arise.  I will be in and out of the office as I will be doing hospital visits and have an appointment out of the office as well.  The office will be open as regular for the remainder of the week.

Miss Maxine Dupont remains hospitalized.  They will be making some decisions this week regarding her care from this point forward.  Keep praying for Miss Maxine.

Cecil told me yesterday that Myrtle has hit a few bumps along the way in her treatment so just keep praying.  Remember, if you want to help by providing a meal for Sammy & Myrtle then contact Daphne Hutto and she can tell you how that works.

Speaking of cooking, we need our folks, sixty four years of age and under, to step up to the plate in a big way regarding the community Thanksgiving meal for senior adults.  We need people to cook turkeys (turkeys provided), sweet potato casseroles, cakes and to make fruit salads.  You can call the church office or you can send an e-mail to Sherry at s.howell0530@gmail.com. Folks, this really needs to done over the next three days, please.

We are on a regular schedule this Wednesday morning and evening.

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)

Good morning from Grand Bay!  I had a fairly long day yesterday but arrived home safe and sound last night.  I am grateful to the Lord for traveling mercies as the roadways were pretty packed.  The line of cars getting off at Exit #37 on I-65 was crazy long!  You would think it is a holiday weekend!

Miss Maxine Dupont has been diagnosed with arachnoiditis.  From WebMD – “Arachnoiditis is a pain disorder caused by the inflammation of the arachnoid, one of the membranes that surrounds and protects the nerves of the spinal cord.”  Not sure the exact plan of action but do ask that you pray for Maxine.

John Milton continues to recover from his heart surgery.  He is doing well.  Keep praying.

Myrtle is in the beginning stages of her chemo treatments.  Keep praying for her too.  There is a list online where you can sign up to provide a meal for Sammy & Myrtle on a specific date.  You can ask Daphne Hutto for the details.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  Finance Committee meets at 5:00PM.

Special community Veteran’s Day service in the Grand Bay Community Church parking lot tomorrow beginning at 3:00PM.  I hope you will attend this special service.

Well, our family received the news that we were basically expecting regarding dad’s health.  It was not good.  Dad now has “diffuse large B-cell lymphoma” which is totally different from the lymphoma he has had for years.  The oncologist called it a “beast” and a “killer.”  Says it is super aggressive.  Dad had a PET scan in June and this cancer was not present.  The oncologist says dad has less than six months to live if this cancer is not treated.  It is a curable cancer but it will take a strong effort on dad’s part and on the part of the oncologist.  I believe it will take fervent prayer on behalf of the church.

So, a PET scan will be done next Friday, 11/15, and then dad will meet with the oncologist on Monday, 11/18.  At this point, dad is ready to take the treatments.  However, his final decision will most likely be made once he meets with the doctor on 11/18 and learns the results of the scan.  Home health care begins this Monday at dad’s request which is amazing in, and of, itself.  Thank you to those who have been so kind as to contact me to offer your prayers and support.  I am grateful.

Congratulations to Faith, Mobile Christian & UMS for their playoff wins last night.  Coach Collier and the Bobcats lost a heart breaker in double overtime.  They had a great season and Coach Collier does a great job of preparing his team for life.

Lord willing, I will be traveling to Tuscaloosa early this morning for the football game and then will be back for all four services tomorrow.

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)

Good morning from Rocky Ford, Alabama.  What?  Where?  More on that later.

I failed to post an entry yesterday morning and did not even realize it until very late in the day.  My apologies.  No need for me to fill in the blanks.  So, let me say what a great job Pastor Wes Bates did sharing the Gospel during the afternoon session on Wednesday at the conference.  He poured his heart into the message and I was very proud of him.  Evangelist Michael Mason did a very nice job in the evening session too.  I am very thankful to these two men along with Keith, Abel, Dawn & Lisa.  It was a good conference and plans are already being made for the tenth anniversary conference set to take place next year.

Maxine Dupont was admitted to the hospital yesterday.  She simply has not gotten better.  Pray for the doctors to discover the cause of her problems.  Pray for Maxine.

Bro. Robbie & Miss Peggy’s daughter, Lynne, passed from this life earlier this week.  There will be a memorial service for her in our auditorium tomorrow morning, 11/19, beginning at 11:00AM.  Pray for the family as they walk through this valley.

Myrtle continues with her treatments.  Keep praying.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.

The community Veteran’s Day service takes place beginning at 3:00PM in the parking lot of the Grand Bay Community Church.  I am told that sixty or so veterans will be in attendance.  Pray for this service.  Attend this service.

I have heard there is going to be a football game in Tuscaloosa tomorrow.  There is certainly a lot of hype so I sure there is a game!

Ok, so how did I end up in Rocky Ford?  I have basically known all week that dad has been having some physical issues.  My older brother, Eddie, and my sister, Melissa, have been very involved in getting him to doctor’s visits, et cetera.  A pathology report has come back and the oncologist yesterday decided to see dad first thing this morning.  Dad definitely has cancer in a new area of his body.  So, I deplaned in Atlanta last night, rented a car and headed this way in order to be with dad for this visit.

Also, my ninety three year old uncle continues to decline physically and I will visit with him today too.

Lord willing, I will drive to Grand Bay later this afternoon and then head to Tuscaloosa early in the morning.  Yes, I am a bit crazy but it is ok as I have papers.  I appreciate Bro. Abel & Pastor Wes getting my vehicle home from the Gulfport airport last night.  By the way, Lisa took a bus from El Salvador to Guatemala yesterday morning so she is there for a few days.

Heading to Danville High School to listen to my great nephew, Grayson, share a devotional with the football team.  Good luck to all of the teams involved in the playoffs which begin tonight.

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)

Myrtle Bowden began her chemotherapy treatments yesterday which was almost a week earlier than originally planned.  I appreciate Cecil letting me know and she even sent me a picture of Myrtle.  Keep praying for Myrtle as she begins this journey.

Sherry Howell asked me to share with the Friendship family that there is a list in the foyer of our auditorium where folks can sign up to help with the community Senior Adult Thanksgiving meal on 11/21.  This help needs to come from folks under the age of 65.  This is another “all hands on deck” call for help!

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and tonight.

The morning, afternoon, and evening sessions of the conference went very well.  Bro. Abel did an excellent job of sharing the opening message yesterday morning.  He, Pastor Wes, Pastor Keith, Evangelist Michael, Dawn & Lisa all led workshops throughout the day and did well.  Today, Pastor Keith, Pastor Wes, and Evangelist Michael will be preaching the main sessions.  Prayers appreciated!

Loving this weather here and looking forward to some nice weather at home upon our return.

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)

Good morning from La Palma, Chalatenango, El Salvador.  This is in the very Northern part of El Salvador and only a few miles from the Honduran border.  When we arrived in San Salvador yesterday afternoon it was ninety degrees.  However, it is nice and cool here in the mountains.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  Bro. Jerry Hovel and our deacons stand ready to minister in any situation so please feel free to contact them.

Miss Maxine Dupont was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  All others for whom we have been praying remain the same as far as I know.  Just keep praying.

Pray for the conference this morning, afternoon and evening.  Bro. Abel will be preaching this morning and I will be preaching tonight.  All of the others will be leading seminars during the day.

I am way tired of all of the hype concerning the LSU vs Alabama game this week.  Just play the game!

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

I failed to mention the basketball sign up in my earlier entry today.  Well, Rachel Hatcher has since blasted me!  I cannot repeat what she said but suffice it to say that I am now typing a second entry just to cover the basketball sign up.

Sign up has gone pretty well outside of the Friendship family but not so well inside the Friendship family.  One female who wrote me earlier today (I will leave her nameless) says it is because the pastor has not promoted the basketball ministry very well up to this point!  (She did not use those exact words but you get the point)

So, if you have children, 1st graders – 6th graders, and you want them to participate in these leagues then you need to sign them up this week.  The sooner, the better.  League play will begin in December and end either late January or early February.  There will be eight games with most being played on Saturdays.  Teams practice for one hour, one day per week.  I think the cost is seventy five dollars per player.

Your child does not have to be a good basketball player in order to play in these leagues.  Brice Brinkman plays!

marcushatcher1986@yahoo.com;  ea66chevyii@hotmail.com

#RHrh (Rachel Hatcher red hot)

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

Good morning from the Gulfport, MS airport.  Pastor Wes Bates, Pastor Abel Garcia, Lisa and I are heading to El Salvador for the annual pastors’ conference.  We will be joined in Atlanta by Pastor Keith Martin, Evangelist Michael Mason and his wife, Dawn.  Today and Thursday are travel days and the conference will take place tomorrow and Wednesday.  Pray for this conference, please.

We were blessed with good services yesterday.  It is not every Sunday that you have a ninety three year old person join your church family but that was the case for the Friendship family yesterday.  Good stuff.

Our AWANA ministry did a wonderful job of sharing in our service last night.  Those children know those verses and it shows.  I appreciate Dylan & Elizabeth Westbrook and all of our workers as they are doing a great job on Sunday evenings.  Honestly, if Dylan had not backed away from the challenge then our deacons could have taken them last night.  Just saying!

Our Trail of Truth & Treats was awesome!  Many thanks to TJ & Lindsey, Bro. Abel and each person who helped in any way.  We had around six hundred and fifty folks pass through the trail.  The weather was perfect!  The Gospel was presented numerous times.  Thank God for a very good day!

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)

Late, short & sweet this morning!

Trail of Truth & Treats today from 3:00 – 6:00PM.  All workers need to be in the auditorium by 2:15PM.  Emphasis is on ALL!

Time change tonight – fall back one hour.  If you go to bed at 10:00PM then set your timepieces back to 9:00PM.  Gain an hour or so they say!

Deacons meet with the pastor tomorrow at 4:00PM.

Meeting tomorrow at 4:30PM in Preschool Building for all under sixty five years of age willing to help with the community Thanksgiving meal on Thursday, 11/21, from 10:00AM until noon.  Contact Katelyn or Sherry for more information.

Our veterans need to sign up tomorrow if they are going to attend the community service next Sunday, 11/10, at 3:00PM.

John Milton is home.  Sonny is finished with his radiation treatments.  The baby is doing well.  Myrtle is also doing well.  Keep praying!

This weather is delightful!  Enjoy it!

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