Pastor's Blog

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)

Miss Dollie Trout remains in the hospital.  There is no major outward appearance change in Miss Dollie’s condition but she is not improving.  Miss Dollie is a sweetheart of a lady and continues to need our prayer support.  Lord willing, I will visit her in the early afternoon today.

Ethan & Brittney completed the arrangements yesterday afternoon.  Those have been posted on this site.  The Friendship family will have the privilege of ministering to the family by providing a meal following the celebration of life service on Friday.  We will have a sign up list in our services this morning and tonight.

Our students, 6th – 12th, were scheduled to have a movie night in the CAB tomorrow night, 2/27.  That has been cancelled due to the visitation with the Nelson family.  Ethan & Brittney were ok with it taking place but Bro. Abel has wisely cancelled it.

The forecasters are calling for a low of thirty six degrees tonight and then thirty four degrees tomorrow night.  I will take it.  Sadly, these may be the last two nights in the thirties for us this calendar year.

I am a University of Alabama sports fan.  I like Coach Nate Oats.  However, I am tired of reading about the basketball team’s chances of making the tournament.  They will not be in the tournament unless they win the SEC conference tournament and that is not happening this year.  It is what it is!

As I mentioned yesterday, Alabama lost a football coach to UGA.  Would it not be strange if that said coach continued to show up at UA for things that interested him even though he is now at UGA?  It would.

One of our daughters is leaving her four children with a new sitter today.  What kind of mother raises her daughter to be like twenty years old and yet the girl has never been a sitter previously, cannot cook, et cetera?  Just asking for a friend!

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

Charleigh Nicole Nelson, age 2, passed away on Wednesday, February 19, 2020. She is survived by her parents, Ethan and Brittney Nelson; brothers, Eli, Cade and Ian; maternal grandparents, Charles and Maria Wainwright; paternal grandparents, Marlene and Timmy Seaman; other relatives and many friends. Visitation will be held at Friendship Baptist Church on Thursday, February 27, 2020 from 5 pm until 8 pm. Church service will be held at the church on Friday, February 28, 2020 at 10 am. Interment will be in Grand Bay Cemetery.

The visitation with Charleigh’s family will take place on Thursday, February 27, in the auditorium of Friendship Baptist Church from 5:00PM until 8:00PM.

The celebration of life service for Charleigh will take place on Friday, February 28, beginning at 10:00AM and will also be in the church auditorium.

The interment will take place in the Grand Bay Cemetery.

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)

Visited with Miss Dollie Trout yesterday morning and will do the same today.  Her situation basically remains the same.  Bob & Laura are faithfully remaining by her side 24/7.  Keep praying.

Larry Whitehurst left yesterday traveling to Jacksonville for tests and consultations.  Pray for Larry to get good reports.

Ethan & Brittney will meet with the funeral directors today to make the arrangements for the visitation with the family and the celebration of life service for Charleigh.  Pray for them as they take this next step in this painful journey.  I should be able to post the completed arrangements at some point late this afternoon.

We have had Ellen Creal’s name on our prayer list for months.  She passed from this life last Friday.  There will be a visitation at Serenity Funeral Home tomorrow from 11:00AM until the noon service time.  Pray for the family.

Eddie Hall’s mother, Miss Jimmie Hall, passed from this life this past Sunday morning.  There will be a visitation/graveside service in the Grand Bay cemetery tomorrow from 3:00 – 4:00PM.  Pray for Eddie, Mary, Jamie, Jessica and the family.

Pastor Fred Wolfe’s wife, Anne, passed from this life last Friday.  There will be a visitation with the family this Friday and a service on Saturday.  Everything will take place at Luke 4:18 Fellowship.  Pray for Bro. Fred and family.

We are on a regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.

Bro. Abel, the youth group and some others went roller skating last night in Grand Bay.  I think they enjoyed themselves.

If the weather folks are correct, today should be a cloudy day, tomorrow a partly cloudy day and then we should have three almost picture perfect days of weather.  Beginning tomorrow night we should see lows of 36, 34, 39 & 43.  If you are like me and enjoy the cooler temperatures then you had better enjoy these because they may very well be the last cool ones this calendar year.  By cool I mean temperatures in the thirties.

If you plan on joining us for the December 1 – 8, 2020 GRACE Ministries mission trip to Guatemala then please send me an e-mail (pastor@friendshipfamily.net) soon.  This includes folks within the Friendship family and all others.  Pass the word.

Scott Cochran left the Alabama football team yesterday and is now with the Georgia football team.  He reportedly left without even addressing the Alabama team.  I have often wondered why men cannot be men in situations like this?  Man up!  Same applies in church life.  Kirby left Alabama and has been trying to raid their program ever since.  Not good.  Same applies in church life.  I just find it interesting.  I grew up in a day when men were men and a man’s word was his bond.  That day has apparently passed!

Bibbi is upset with me as she did not want folks to know that she is older than Joey.  Really?  Like we could not tell!  Just saying!

Have you ever seen the BYU Cougars football field in Provo, Utah?  Nice setting.

Someone else has a meeting with their employer today to seriously discuss their retirement.  I wish them well regardless of their decision.

Yes, I am totally aware of the situation within the Southern Baptist Convention as it relates to the ERCL.  Keeping a close eye on it and am thankful to Pastor Joe David Bailey for his insights and information.

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

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)

Miss Dollie Trout remains hospitalized.  Keep praying!

Ethan, Brittney and the boys arrived in Grand Bay just before 1:00PM yesterday.  They are doing “good” all things considered.  They will get more information today as to how to proceed with the arrangements.  Keep praying for the Ethan Nelson family.

I love the music ministry of our church!  The Lord blessed and we had a baker’s dozen folks join the adult choir yesterday during our 10:30AM service invitation.   I thank Charles Grant for leading the way!  These folks made a seven weeks commitment and will be part of the Easter musical at 10:30AM on Easter Sunday which is April 12.  My hope is that even more folks will join the choir and that we will have a packed choir loft that morning.

By the way, our Easter schedule will be Sunrise service, worship at 9:00AM and worship at 10:30AM featuring the choir musical. We will not have an evening service that day.

I want to say “thank you” to my wife, Lisa, daughters, Dana & Gina, and their friend, Steve, for taking care of feeding the men from the Mission of Hope yesterday.  There were around fifty men present and they were served in about five minutes.  Their meals consisted of burgers & fries from McDonald’s, a canned soft drink, and a slice of Lisa’s homemade pound cake.  The men seemed genuinely thankful.

Let me say a good word about the McDonald’s in Grand Bay.  I went and talked to the manager, Barbara, on Saturday about a “deal” on the meals and then called later and placed the order with a young lady named Jessica.  They both were very accommodating.  When Lisa went to get the food yesterday morning she said that the employees there could not have been any nicer or more helpful.  It was a most pleasant experience for Lisa.  So, “thank you” Grand Bay McDonald’s!  Ray Kroc would be proud!

Thank you to Bro. Abel and the workers who took the students late night bowling last night.  I am sure they had a good time.

We were blessed with a good day in our services even though we were missing a good number of our regular attenders.  Obviously, having the men from the Mission present was a big help.  I appreciate Becky, Jeanette, Kim, Levi & Randall being flexible in the morning services.  I felt the Lord blessed.  To God be the glory.

Found out last night that Joey Bosarge is retiring.  This is his last week on the job.  I was surprised as I did not think Joey was that old.  I knew that Bibbi was getting on up there in age. . .  Congratulations Joey!

The forecast calls for rain today and in the morning.  That will be followed by six days of really nice weather i.e. mild temperatures and low humidity.  Maybe I can get some seeds in the ground this weekend?

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

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)

I did not get the chance to visit Miss Dollie Trout yesterday but do ask that you keep praying for her.  Pray for Bob & Laura too.

Ethan, Brittney & the boys are scheduled to arrive at the Mobile airport just before noon today.  I have been asked many times as to what the arrangements are and the answer remains the same – arrangements are pending.  There are several factors involved but I think it is safe to say the celebration of life service will not take place before the latter part of this week.  Just keep praying for the Nelson family.

The following businesses have made donations to help Ethan, Brittney & the boys:  D’Michaels, Foosackly’s, Kitchen by the Sea, Little Monkey Toes, Rock & Roll Sushi, Sam’s Super Burgers, Southern Shells & Zaxby’s.  What a blessing!

We are on a regular schedule this morning and evening.  The morning message will be “I Love. . .”  I imagine we will have a number of folks out of pocket today because of the public schools being out this week.  So, I implore those of us in town to be faithful to attend the services.  If you are out town, remember that we have online giving – just FYI!

I mowed our lawn on the afternoon of January 27.  Yesterday afternoon I was blessed with the opportunity to mow it again.  As a matter of fact, it had to be mowed as it was looking very shabby.  Lisa put her proverbial foot down yesterday morning and said, “I am going shopping and I when I return this yard had better be mowed and looking good!”  Folks, you really should not have to mow in January and February!  Just saying!

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

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)

Visited with Miss Dollie Trout yesterday morning.  The doctor just wants her to rest so there is on continual pricking, sticking, et cetera.  Her children, Bob & Laura, are faithfully staying beside their mother 24/7 as she has now been hospitalized for around three weeks.  Keep praying for Miss Dollie.

Spoke to Brittney yesterday morning and Ethan yesterday afternoon.  Their plans changed and they will now be flying home tomorrow.  The opportunity was presented to them to fly instead of drive and their boys have always wanted to fly so that is what they will be doing tomorrow.  Charles & Maria drove one vehicle home and Ethan’s cousins drove the other one home.  Arrangements are still pending as far as the celebration of life service is concerned.  Keep praying!

Eventually, I am going to list the businesses that have reached out to Ethan & Brittney and have shown extreme kindnesses to them and their family.  It is a very good thing!  The Friendship family has done well up to this point too.

Want to hear something that was music to this pastor’s ears?  I was told not once, but twice, yesterday of two different occasions where someone said, “we do not know this family but once we heard they were members of Friendship Baptist then we knew they would be loved, ministered to, and taken care of!”  One of these came from a person who lives in Grand Bay and the other came from someone who lives outside of Grand Bay.  I am very thankful to God for these comments!  May all the Friendship family does in this situation, and all other situations, be done to the glory of God.  Folks, it is truly all about Him.  Praise Him!

The men from the Mission of Hope are scheduled to be our guests in our 10:30AM service tomorrow.  Let’s welcome these men with open arms and encourage them!

Word came to me that Gideon Garcia showed out last night in the Faith Academy soccer game.  He had five goals! Way to go Gideon!

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  The morning message will be “I Love. . .!”

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

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)

It is a little after 4:00AM and I am sitting in the Corpus Christi airport waiting on my flight to Houston and then one on to Mobile.

The Lord blessed me with favor and traveling mercies yesterday.  I spent about four hours or so with Ethan & Brittney which allowed us to go to a local funeral home to take care of some necessary arrangements.  They were physically tired and needed rest more than they needed me to hang around.  Charles & Maria arrived yesterday morning as did Ethan’s mother & sister.  There were at least two more of Ethan’s family coming in around 7:00PM last night.  It was good for them to have family there as a support system.  They are also thankful for the many others who have contacted them expressing their support.

How are Ethan & Brittney doing?  Hurting deeply.  Not knowing what to do.  Extremely sorrowful.  In other words, doing exactly as anyone would be doing in their situation.  Please continue to pray for them as they go through this grieving process.

Ethan & Brittney “may” begin the journey home today.  They “may” not travel all of the way today.  There will be an autopsy performed today as ordered by the local justice of the peace.  Nothing has been settled regarding the arrangements outside of the fact that little Charleigh will be buried in the Grand Bay Cemetery.  Pray without ceasing.

I want to say “thank you” to those folks who have reached out and ministered to Logan during this time of loss.  He was not able to travel to Texas and there have been a number of folks who have ministered to him which is a huge blessing.

Keep praying for Miss Dollie Trout.

Keep praying for Myrtle Bowden.

I have a maternal Aunt in Michigan who will be having some pretty serious surgery today.  Prayers appreciated.

Bus workers’ meet in the morning at 8:30AM before going out on visitation.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.  The men from the Mission of Hope are scheduled to join us in our 10:30AM service.  It is always good to have those men with us.

The forecasters say no rain today with a low of thirty two tonight.  Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny with a low of thirty nine.  Good stuff.

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

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)

It is shortly before 3:30AM as I write this entry and I am basically numb.  I cannot begin to imagine how Ethan & Brittney feel.  I ask that you continue to pray for them as they deal with this unthinkable event that has taken place in their lives.

Charles & Maria Wainwright will board a plane this morning heading to Corpus Christi in order to be with Brittney, Ethan and the boys.  Pray for their safety in travel.

I will also board a plane (different airline) this morning and travel to Corpus Christi.  I was able to find a flight this morning and then a return flight in the morning.  As Ethan & Brittney’s pastor, I just sense the need to go be with them even though I have no answers, no words, et cetera but I can just be there.

Miss Dollie Trout was to be moved to a different floor in the hospital yesterday afternoon.  I assume that took place.  Miss Dollie needs our prayer support.

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.  Pray for Ethan & Brittney.

Just before we were going to begin our evening service tonight word came that little Charleigh Nicole Nelson, daughter of Ethan & Brittney Nelson had fallen in a manhole in the Corpus Christi, Texas area.  Within a few minutes, Lindsey Hatcher received a message that little two year old Charleigh had passed from this life.

Ethan, Brittney, the boys and the family are obviously devastated.  I have spoken to Ethan & Brittney and feel helpless as they are ten hours away.  Bro. Abel contacted Associate Pastor Jeff Linningham from First Baptist Rockport, Texas and they are ready, willing and able to help them in any way needed.

Brittney and the children were with Ethan as he works out of town.

Friendship family, join Lisa and me in covering this family in prayer.  May the God of all comfort be their comfort during this most tragic time.