Pastor's Blog

Thanks to the electrical workers we now have electricity in all of the buildings on our campus.  Therefore, we are on a regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.  Pass the word, please.

8:00AM – buses running their routes

8:00AM – worship service (masks required on lower level)

9:15 – Sunday School

10:30AM – worship service

5:00PM – AWANA ministry

6:00PM – children’s choir

6:00PM – worship service

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Karen’s mother did well through her procedure and the amount of fluid removed was much less than anticipated.  On to doctor’s visits next week.  Keep praying.

It is shorty after 2:30AM as I write this entry and we are still without electricity on the hill.  The same is true for the buildings on our church campus.  I heard of more folks getting their electricity reconnected yesterday – hooray for them!  Who will be next?Which area of South Mobile County?  Only time will tell.

So, what about our church schedule for tomorrow?  Great question!  I am not ready to make an “official” announcement yet but I have been praying and mulling over several options.  My hope is to make a decision by noon today.  Check the blog later today as that will be my means for making the announcement.

I drove over to Orange Beach yesterday afternoon to survey the damage to Eddie & Sue’s house.  The house did fine minus the one downstairs room.  However, their backyard looks like a bomb went off in it.  The folks in Baldwin County took a major hit from Hurricane Sally.  We need to pray for them.

The good news is that Buc-ee’s was open and going full steam ahead.  Every gas pump was occupied with folks waiting in line.  Keep in mind that they have over one hundred gas pumps.  Buc-ee’s is a destination!

Coach Collier and his Theodore Bobcats won again last night to push their record to 4 – 1 on the season.  Congratulations Coach Collier and team.  Offense sells tickets but defense wins championships!

I do not know all who were involved but I do know that Joey, Amy, Seth & Zach Switzer cleaned up around the church on Wednesday.  An assist was given by Rusty Seaman.  Others may have been involved but I am not aware of who those folks were.  I do know that Bobby Broome did additional clean up yesterday as he did the mowing.  Thank you to each person who has helped in any way!

Dylan & Elizabeth Westbrook win the “worker of the day” award for yesterday.  They worked for hours in a dark, hot gym packing things for the container.  Amy & Riley Reynolds came in a close second as they shopped until they dropped buying more toys for the children in Guatemala.  There will be a group working today to try and finish this portion of this project before loading the actual container next Saturday, 9/26.  I am very grateful to each person who has given, worked, et cetera up to this point.  Yes, Deidra is barking orders from twenty five hundred miles away – did you expect any different?  Pastor Mike Parker of Clubhouse Guatemala  has been a huge help to us in getting this container ready to ship.  Thank you, Pastor Parker!

Speaking of Saturday, 9/26, SEC football is set to begin the 2020 season on that date.  I am beyond ready!  Honestly, I have watched very little college football up to this point as I want to see the SEC conference teams play!  It is almost game week!

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Once again, I am writing this entry the night before as I do not know if I will have access to the internet in the morning.  It is spotty at best tonight.

Karen McGriff’s mother will have fluid removed today.  Pray for all to go well.

As far as I know, Larry Whitehurst is going to have eye surgery today.  Pray for Larry.

Sonny Hanson’s wife, Jane, passed from this life yesterday.  The visitation and service will take place next Wednesday, 9/23.  Pray for Sonny & his family.

Tracy Prater in North Alabama is actually doing better and is seemingly getting stronger.  Keep praying.

I am happy to report that some members of the Friendship family have now gotten their electricity restored.  I know of three or four who are in that number.  Believe me when I say that I am very happy for them.  We still do not have electricity on the hill but I have zero complaints!  I have way more than I deserve.

The biggest question for me tonight is whether or not we will have electricity in our church buildings on Sunday?  If so, normal schedule.  If not, 8:00AM service only.  I will have to make that call at some point Saturday afternoon and then stick with it if the electricity is not on by that time.

Deidra told me that she went outside today to do some flower gardening.  Said it was too cold so she went back inside!  Are you kidding me?

Charles recently had a generator installed that runs his entire house plus his barn.  Great!  That means we can enjoy air conditioning, hot showers, et cetera?  Not so fast my friend!  The entire hill, minus one, has enjoyed those amenities.  Guess who that one is?  Exactly!

Word has it that the Big Ten is going to play football this season.  That would be a first as they have never played previously!  Yes, they have field teams but have never actually played football.  Just a personal observation!

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Happy forty fourth wedding anniversary to my brother, Eddie, and his wife, Sue.  I hope they have a great day!

This entry is being written on Wednesday night, 9/16, while I have the opportunity.  It will be short and sweet.

Due to the church buildings not having electricity, the church office will be closed today, 9/17.  Really cannot control this one.  All of the ministerial staff members are “on call” if needed.

No soccer practices today or tomorrow.

In the event that we do not have electricity in our church buildings this Sunday, 9/20, we will only have one worship service and that will begin at 8:00AM.  However, I am believing that we will have electricity and we will be on a regular schedule.

Larry Whitehurst is scheduled to have eye surgery tomorrow.  Pray that all goes well.

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

Just a quick update from the effects of Hurricane Sally in Southwest Mobile County.  Lisa & I drove around Grand Bay at daybreak and did not see much in the way of damage.  A downed tree or two, lots of pecan tree limbs down, some awnings missing but all in all it is all good.  Our church campus seemingly had no damage.

So, I think if folks like Eddie Turrentine, Ross Genzink and Tom Compagner would send money then we will survive.  Cash works best!  Just saying!

There are one million, three hundred thousand, nine hundred and twelve pecan tree limbs down on this hill!  Lisa is already screaming at me to get out and get them on the burn pile.  So, gotta go!

Be safe and have a great Wednesday with Jesus.

*No activities or services on our campus today.  No soccer practices any day this week.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

I am writing this entry shortly after 9:30PM on Tuesday, 9/15.  Why?  Because as of right now we still have electricity and internet service.  Not sure how long this will remain true.  Of course, most of our thirteen readers live in South Mobile County so they may not get to read this until Thursday, Friday, or whenever.

No services or activities on our campus today or tonight.  No soccer practices any day this week.

What about Sunday services in the event there is no electricity on our church campus?  I do not think this will be the case but, if it is, we will have one service at 8:00AM.  Please pass the word.

There have been several folks helping with the packing of the items for the container.  I appreciate their efforts.  Remember, we are going to need all hands on deck on Saturday, 9/26, for the loading of the actual container.  Time TBA.

Karen McGriff’s mother will have fluid drained on Friday.  She will then see a doctor next week.  Keep praying for Karen’s mother and for Karen as she helps her through this time.

This is a fluid situation but it now appears Hurricane Sally will make landfall between the Alabama/Florida state line and Pensacola around noon tomorrow.  Pray for all who are being affected by this storm.

Stay safe and have a great Wednesday with Jesus.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Hurricane Sally is now expected to make landfall basically on the Mississippi/Alabama state line late tonight or early Wednesday morning.  This entry is being written just after 4:00AM and the sustained winds have decreased to ninety miles per hour.  Pray for all of us who will be affected by this hurricane.

The church office is closed today and tomorrow.  If we have electricity then it will be open on Thursday.  No services or activities on our campus tomorrow.  No soccer practice any day this week.

If you are a widow or senior adult and need help because of the storm today then please contact Bro. Jerry, Bro. Abel or me as soon as possible this morning.

Miss Kittie is at home and Jeanette said the medicine appears to be helping.  Keep praying.

Larry & Judy got home yesterday afternoon and he received some good news from the doctor.  The tumor has decreased some in size and has changed appearance which is a good thing.  The doctor told Larry that he would not need another MRI for a year.  Praise the Lord!

Larry Crawley was by the house late yesterday afternoon so he continues to work.  Keep praying for Larry!

Tracy Prater in North Alabama seems to have made some improvement but is still in need of a miracle that only God can provide.

Thank you to First Baptist Reeltown and Danville Baptist for their donations of items to be placed on the container.  I drove to Prattville, AL yesterday to get these donations.

Obviously, whether or not I get to blog tomorrow, Thursday, et cetera depends on the availability of electricity, internet access, et cetera.  Pray for one another as we to through these next twenty four to thirty six hours.

Today is Independence Day in Guatemala.

Speaking of Guatemala, I am going to try and put together a team for October or November and then one for December which could be the week following Christmas Day.  If you are interested in being on either of these teams, send me an e-mail so I can begin to think more seriously about who would be available.

Be safe today and have a good Tuesday with Jesus.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

First, let me explain the absence of a blog entry for the past three mornings.  Something went wrong with the blog site and our website.  This happened at some point on Thursday.  Soy was traveling.  (I could have corrected the problem but Soy likes for this to be his “thing” and I did not want to steal his proverbial thunder)  When Soy got back to GRACE Mountain there was no electricity until late Friday.  Took him most of the day on Saturday to locate and then correct the problem.  I was not going to do an entry on Sunday regardless.  So, now you know.  Thanks to Soy for getting us up and running again.

Let me share some thoughts regarding Tropical Storm Sally.  The church office will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, 9/15, and Wednesday, 9/16.  (The ministerial staff will remain in town and will be on call during the entire time of this storm)  There will be NO services or activities, morning or evening, on our campus this Wednesday, 9/16.  There will be NO soccer practices any day this week due to the excessive amount of rain that is expected.  Thursday & Friday should be good weather days but the ground is going to need some time to dry and this also keeps all teams on an even number of practices schedule.  (I am making this call so do not get upset with Bro. Abel)  Sally is expected to become a hurricane by tomorrow and the path is still not one hundred percent guaranteed i.e. it still could shift more to the East before making landfall.

Miss Kittie Camp was admitted to the hospital on Friday and discharged yesterday.  She has some fluid around her lungs.  Pray for a complete healing.  Miss Kittie is our “church mother” and is a sweetheart!

Larry Whitehurst is at the Mayo Clinic this morning for several appointments.  Pray for all to go well and then for Larry & Judy to have safe travels returning home.

Larry Crawley was in our second morning service yesterday.  He looks well but definitely needs our continued prayer support.

We had two buses run their routes yesterday morning – hallelujah!  Thank you to Dylan Westbrook for coordinating this.  Thank you to Cecil Guidry and Carl Ray Moulds for driving the buses.  I am told that we had around forty riders which is not bad considering our buses have not been on the road since early March.

The reports coming out of children’s church are very positive!  The numbers are up and the excitement has continued.  Again, thank you to Dylan & Elizabeth along with the other workers.

Lindsey Vice messaged me last night to say that we had thirty three children present for our AWANA ministry last night – that is awesome.  Her words to me were, “we are stoked and ready for next Sunday!”  (Dr. Rex, I thought about Mark Mast & Pollo Campero upon hearing the word “stoked!”  LOL!  Mark, you remember that?)

Bro. Abel’s brother, Miguel Garcia, did a very nice job of leading our musical worship in the morning services yesterday.  I am still mad at Bro. Abel’s brother-in-law, Andre, for not letting me know he was going to be in attendance!

The word I kept hearing coming out of our services yesterday was, “there was a sweet spirit present!”  I like hearing that!

What can I say about the men who attended last night’s service and then helped with the container unloading?  We had a huge number and were finished in like twenty minutes – amazing!  The Friendship family is blessed!

I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.  Make the proper preparations for the storm.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our services yesterday.  The past two Wednesdays have seen our morning attendance get back to “normal” more or less.  We still have regulars missing on Wednesday nights.  I just hope they know they are missed!

Larry Crawley sent me a message saying that he is doing good and will see his doctor the first week of October.  He is still working and going strong.  Keep praying for Larry.

JoNell Barnes had surgery on Tuesday.  She was having a few issues yesterday.  If those are not better this morning then she will go back to the doctor.  Pray for JoNell.

Vinnie Brewer’s son, Buddy, has been meeting with doctors and undergoing tests for the past couple of days.  Pray for Buddy.

Karen McGriff’s mother was taken to the hospital yesterday.  Karen will be driving to be with her today so pray for Karen’s mother and traveling mercies.

Larry & Judy Whitehurst will soon be traveling to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville for various appointments.  Pray for traveling mercies, the appointments and good news.  Larry will be having two eye surgeries (local) in the coming weeks as well.

Clara Broadus has a couple of family members in need of our prayer support.

Tracy Prater in North Alabama has now had two days of radiation.  She is already weak so these treatments make her tired easily. Keep praying for Tracy, please.

I announced yesterday that for the first time in over forty years we will not be hosting the Thanksgiving meal for the senior adults our our community and local area.  This decision was not made lightly.

We will load the container on Saturday, September 26.  Help will be needed.  Working for a morning loading time.

Can UAB upset Miami tonight?  I hope so.  Hope to watch at least some of the game.

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

A very bittersweet day on the hill.  Early this morning we saw part of our family leave.  Bitter because we have enjoyed their presence for an extended period of time this Summer.  Swimming, watermelons, road trips, GA’s, church services, Sunday meals, Sunday School fellowships and the list goes on.  One of the girls said last night, “this is the hardest part!”  The tears flowed freely last night then again this morning.

Sweet because we know they are returning to the place where God has called them to serve.  In other words, they are being obedient to God.  “To obey is better than sacrifice!”  We have to keep in mind that the eternal picture is what really matters.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning at 10:00AM and this evening at 6:30PM.  I am praying for the members of the Friendship family to be found faithful.

We have had n0 takers on the use of an covered trailer.  It appears we are going to have to rent one and it also appears that Jonathan Jordan is going to get us the best deal.

There is one major change as it relates to the container – the loading date has been changed to Saturday, September 26.  I hope they will allow us to begin the process fairly early.  We shall see.

Speaking of the container, we need all toys and PPE brought to the church by this Sunday, 9/13.  You can leave them in the foyer of the auditorium.

Joey & Bibbi Bosarge gave us fresh shrimp for supper last night.  Jason & Dana Taylor gave us some really nice crab claws.  Jay & Angie Oakwood provided us with fresh red snapper.  We had a feast!  Lisa did an excellent job of cooking all of it.  Ann cooked a pear cobbler.  The food was great but the family time was greater!

Joey & Bibbi also gave us stone ground yellow grits from South Carolina.  Let’s just say that you cannot cook those grits in five minutes or less.  Lesson learned!  Hey, we are not from the bayou!  Just saying!

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