From Gulf Shores, Alabama

I'm blogging tonight from Gulf Shores, Alabama. Margaret, John Robert, and I have come to the Alabama Coast to share the story of what is happening in Pascagoula and to thank some people who have helped to make it possible. This Sunday morning I'll be speaking at the Pleasure Island Church of Christ at 9:00 and 10:00. This church was among the first responders to Pascagoula. I remember a group walking through my house with a video camera to show to the congregation. I met minister Mark Jamieson and (I believe) his mother. I talked with his brother on the telephone. Elder John Ash made a visit to Pascagoula, along with his lovely wife. Buster Herron came over and worked not long before he became an elder of the Gulf Shores church. There were others who came, as well, and I will likely recognize their faces long before I will remember their names. It is impossible to mention the wonderful support we received from this congregation without thinking about J. V. Lamar and the crew he brought over. Brother Lamar did an incredible amount of work for many people. His son Brian also did a lot of heavy work. Brian is now a deacon at PICoC. J. V. In cooperation with F. L. Crane and Sons from Fulton, MS, J. V. led the effort to restore six homes. Brother Lamar has since moved his efforts to the helpless community of Bayou LaBatre, Alabama and has made a significant impact in that area. Bayou LaBatre is a fishing village that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The church of Christ had closed its doors some time before Katrina made landfall. (How long? I do not know.) Through his efforts, the church has started meeting again and dozens have been baptized. Hundreds of workers from around the country have worked in that small community. The Pleasure Island Church of Christ - a church that felt the wrath of Hurricane Ivan - was able to sympathize with our plight - and were moved into action. As a matter of prayer, Marvin Phillips was scheduled to speak at Central this Sunday. His doctors have ordered him to cancel this trip due to a blocked artery. He will have surgery Monday and has great prospects of recovery. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. One of our members, Ron Webb, will speak this Sunday at Central. For years Ron has blessed almost every church in our area with messages from the Word of God. I will share more about this brother in an upcoming post. A few sites to check out ... Klay Hall has a blog that's been going since March. He's hoping to come to the Coast and lend a helping hand when he can. Brennan Manning's "The Ragamuffin Gospel" is one of the books that will truly lead you to a turning point in your life if you will read it. He has come out with a "visual edition", which I bought today. You can learn more about it HERE.