Pastor's Blog

“When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Here he is! God’s anointed!” But God told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.” Jesse then called up Abinadab and presented him to Samuel. Samuel said, “This man isn’t God’s choice either.” Next Jesse presented Shammah. Samuel said, “No, this man isn’t either.” Jesse presented his seven sons to Samuel. Samuel was blunt with Jesse, “God hasn’t chosen any of these.”  Then he asked Jesse, “Is this it? Are there no more sons?”  “Well, yes, there’s the runt. But he’s out tending the sheep.  Samuel ordered Jesse, “Go get him. We’re not moving from this spot until he’s here.”  Jesse sent for him. He was brought in, the very picture of health—bright-eyed, good-looking.  God said, “Up on your feet! Anoint him! This is the one.”  Samuel took his flask of oil and anointed him, with his brothers standing around watching. The Spirit of God entered David like a rush of wind, God vitally empowering him for the rest of his life.”  (I Samuel 16:6-13)

Bro. Jerry Hovel used these verses as part of his message this past Wednesday.  As I read them the Lord spoke to my heart.  By all rights, legal and otherwise, Eliab should have been anointed as the second king of Israel.  If not him then Abinadab.  Surely Shammah!  However, God said “no” even though it “had” to be one of the oldest seven sons of Jesse.  But God (I love those two words) had other plans and his name was David.

Some folks have questioned my choice of filling the pulpit in my absence during the month of July.  I prayed, thought, prayed and then prayed some more.  I felt the Lord speak to my heart confirming that Bro. Mack Morris, Bro. Jerry Hovel and Bro. Abel Garcia were the men to be used and He gave me the order.  That in no way, shape, form or fashion takes away from anyone else or any other rotation.  I felt God say, “I have already set the order!”  Upon hearing that I just did the best I could to obey Him.  (Bro. Jerry told us Wednesday night that “to obey is better than sacrifice!”.

My prayer is that the Friendship family will come to the services prayed up and expecting.  I am praying that God will empower Bro. Mack, Bro. Jerry & Bro. Abel in a way that only He can do.  May they all three be used by Him to powerfully preach the Word!

Remember, this Sunday, July 5, will see us have one worship service which will begin at 10:30AM.  No Sunday School classes.  No evening service.  If you are a member of the Friendship family and are in town this Sunday morning then I pray you will be in the worship service.

Keep praying for Belvin McDonald, Tim Knighten & Larry Crawley.

Our leadership will be meeting to discuss our service plans for last three Sundays in July.  This could be a fluid situation so please know things could change on very short notice.  I suspect we will continue in person worship, have a live stream for at least one service and have the radio feed available in all services for those who are not comfortable entering the buildings.  This will pretty much allow folks to be involved at whatever level they choose to be involved based on their individual situation.  Pray for wisdom on behalf of our leaders.

I pray that you will have a great Fourth of July!

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

Joe & Kathy Ladnier’s daughter, Shawna, had her gall bladder removed yesterday.  The surgery was a success and she came home yesterday afternoon.

Keep praying for Belvin McDonald, Tim Knighten & Larry Crawley.

Remember, one service on our campus this Sunday, 7/5, and that service begins at 10:30AM.  Hope you see many members of the Friendship family in attendance.

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)

We received the following from Josh & Kristi (Bradley) Nelson regarding the gift card shower this past Sunday: “Josh and I want to extend a thank you to the church family. We were overwhelmed at the generosity we received through cards and gifts Sunday! Thanks to each and every one of you. We read all of your kind words and advice, and we appreciate each person that said they were praying for us. We feel so blessed to have such support from our church family. Thank you so much for thinking of us!”

The church office is closed today in observance of the Fourth of July holiday.  The office is closed on Fridays thus the reason for today’s closing.  Bro. Jerry & Bro. Abel are both on call in the event of an emergency.  I would ask that you not contact them unless it is a bonafide emergency.

Larry Crawley received a shot yesterday and will be taking medication orally.  Per Larry, this is a long term preventive medicine to help slow the growth of the cancer.  He has another test this Tuesday, 7/7.  Keep praying for Larry.

Tim Knighten got home from the hospital on Tuesday evening around 6:30PM.  He did not sleep Tuesday night or at all yesterday.  So, pray for Tim to be able to get some rest and for his body to heal from the surgery.  Again, he is supposed to hear from the pathology report on Monday.

Belvin McDonald remains in ICU.  As of last night, he was doing better per his daughter, Karen.  Of course, she is getting her information via the phone from one of the nurses since Karen cannot be in the hospital with her dad.  Keep praying for Belvin.

Lisa and I attended the service last night.  Bro. Jerry taught us from I Samuel 16.  I appreciate those who attended the service and I appreciate the message.  By the way, Lisa and I were on time unlike Bibbi Bosarge!

The weather folks are calling for South Mobile County to have highs ranging in the upper eighties to the low nineties for the next ten days.  Yes, Summer weather for South Alabama.  We are going to have those scattered thunderstorms too.

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)

Regular schedule on our campus this morning at 10:00AM and tonight at 6:30PM.  I pray that the members of the Friendship family will be faithful to attend.  Bro. Jerry will be leading/teaching the two services in the auditorium.

The church office will be closed tomorrow, July 2, in observance of the Fourth of July holiday.  It will reopen on Monday, July 6, at 8:00AM.  (Please note that the office is open today, 7/1)

Keep praying for Tim Knighten, Larry Crawley, Belvin McDonald and Andy Hamil.

Colegio JET in Guatemala is going outside during the month of July.  The teachers will be volunteering to teach classes remotely to students who will also be attending voluntarily.  The students will also be receiving meals.  Pray for this to be a productive time for all involved.

Remember, this Sunday, July 5, there will be one service on our campus and that service will begin at 10:30AM.  Please pass the word!

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

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

Happy 13th wedding anniversary to Brad & Daphne Hutto!  I pray their special day will be blessed!

The initial pathology report from Tim Knighten’s surgery showed the margins were clear which leads the doctor to believe they got all of the tumor.  Peggy finally heard from Tim late yesterday and he was not a happy camper due to the care, or lack thereof, he was receiving in the hospital.  Keep praying for Tim.  He will get the official pathology report on Monday.

Larry Crawley will have a scan done today (I think I am right in saying that).  He will then have a test next Tuesday, 7/7.  Keep praying for Larry!

Belvin McDonald was admitted to the hospital Sunday.  I “think” he remains in ICU.  Pray for Belvin.  As far as I know, he is also not allowed to have anyone i.e. family members with him.

Andy Hamil meets with the medical folks next Tuesday, 7/7, to set his radiation schedule.  Pray for Andy.

I cannot begin to tell you how much positive communication I received Sunday night and yesterday regarding me being off in July and Pastor Mack Morris being our messenger on Sunday mornings during July.  I am equally grateful that Bro. Jerry & Bro. Abel will be filling in for me on Wednesdays and Sunday evenings respectively.  I am thankful that they will be handling the day to day pastoral duties as well.  One thing that I know for absolute certain is that God put all of this together and it is His will for us at this time.  When God moves then the forces of hell do all they can to stop Him.  However, greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world!  Hallelujah!  Church, pray for a mighty move of God in our midst during these days.

I am not sure what this blog is going to look like during the month of July.  It is very possible that it will lie silent.  Still mulling that one over.  Just so you know.

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

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

I ask that you join me this morning in praying for Tim Knighten as he undergoes the surgery to remove the tumor in one of his kidneys.  Pray that all goes well.  Unfortunately, no one can be with him during this time which makes it tough on Peggy and the family.  Tim is a man of faith and he is trusting God to see him through this ordeal.  Pray!

Larry Crawley will have a scan this week and a test next week.  Keep praying for Larry!

I very much appreciate the deacons, Bro. Jerry, Bro. Abel and the members of the Friendship family who voted last night to allow me to be off for the month of July.  I realize that there were those who did not vote in favor of this move but I feel it is going to be best for me and ultimately for the church family.  I love the Friendship family and am available to minister to everyone regardless of their position.  I appreciate your prayer support.

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

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

The visitation with Jonny Gaston and family will take place today from 10:00AM until noon at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.  A memorial service will begin at noon.  Pray for Jonny as he shares at his brother’s service.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow.

Deacons meet at 4:00PM tomorrow.

Finance Committee meets at 5:00PM tomorrow.

“Gift card” wedding shower for Josh & Kristi tomorrow in all three services.

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)

The wedding “gift card” shower for Josh & Kristi (Bradley) Nelson takes place this Sunday, 6/28.  A basket will be placed in the foyer to receive the cards.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.

The deacons will bring a motion to the Friendship family as a part of our evening service this Sunday, 6/28, as it relates to me.  I will be preaching a message titled “Up On The Mountain” Sunday morning and then one titled “Down In The Valley” on Sunday evening.  I encourage each member of the Friendship family to be present in our services this Sunday.

I am excited about what God is going to do in the midst of the Friendship family in the coming days/weeks/months.  Folks, God does not need me or you to do what He is going to do.  However, how refreshing to know He uses us!

I read last night where a guy in Canada (I think) set the world record for being the oldest heli-skier in the world.  He was just short of his 95th birthday when he did this.  Are you serious!  I am thinking that Scott Fontenot will break that record in about forty years.  Just my thoughts!

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)

Friendship family, please remember the “gift card” wedding shower for Josh & Kristi (Bradley) Nelson that will take place this Sunday, June 28.  A basket will be placed in the foyer of the auditorium and you simply place your gift card in that basket.  You can do this Sunday morning or Sunday evening.  This is a fine young couple and they are worthy of our support!

Please keep praying for Larry Crawley as he determines the best course of action for him in his battle against this malignancy.  Pray for wisdom for Larry and those who will be making treatment decisions.

Tim Knighten’s surgery is scheduled to take place this Monday, 6/29.  Pray for Tim as he prepares for this procedure and pray that all goes well.

Andy Hamil will begin his radiation treatments in July.  Pray for Andy.

Please go read Deidra’s latest blog entry for a very special prayer request.  It will break your heart.

The Friendship family has approved the following folks to serve on the Personnel Committee:  Marisa Felps, Andy Hamil, Jeff Holifield, Wendy Johnston & Joey Switzer.  These folks will serve until the end of the calendar year of their respective term.

The Friendship family has approved the following folks to serve on the Finance Committee:  Eddie Albritton, Joey Bosarge, Beth Bradley, Bill Kendrick, Brenda Poiroux, Grant Tillman & Larry Whitehurst.  Heidi Butler & TJ Vice are ex officio members.  These folks will also serve until the end of the calendar year of their respective term.

Our deacons are Sonny Bates, Rick Bradley, Jeff Holifield, Brad Hutto, Carl Ray Moulds, Jimmy Tagert, Grant Tillman, TJ Vice, & Raymond Wilkinson.  These men will present a motion to the Friendship family as a part of our evening service this Sunday, 6/28.  This motion will relate to the pastor and his present situation.  I encourage the Friendship family to attend this service.  I encourage you to pray.

Let me say again how much I appreciate the support being given to me by our nine deacons.  A pastor could not ask for better support.  I am humbled and blessed beyond measure.  The deacons presented me with a letter of support last night following our service that was signed by all nine deacons.

My wife has also been most supportive of me during this time.  I have been tough on her at times but she remains strong in her love and support.

I am very thankful for friends too – “there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother”  (Proverbs 18:24)  So thank you to each person who has contacted me with words of encouragement and prayer.  I am grateful.

Clinton Stringfellow planted pea eye purple hull peas this year.  He gave us some Tuesday.  Ok?  His sister, Rita Boutwell, brought them to us already shelled, washed and ready to eat.  How nice is that!  Thank you Clinton & Rita!

Stan Hatcher & John Milton Ladnier both gave us tomatoes over the weekend.  I gave most of them to my brother and his wife and they put up tomato juice.  Thank you Stan & John!

The combination of the humidity and the rain showers is making our grass grow rather rapidly.  Charles has done more than his fair share of the mowing for the past month.  I appreciate it.  Just think, after this month we only have five more months of grass cutting before we get a six week break before the 2021 season begins.  Just saying!

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

Josh Nelson & Kristi Bradley were recently married.  They did the legal stuff at the courthouse and then had a private religious service.  Congratulations to Josh & Kristi.

This Sunday, June 28, there will be a “gift card” shower for this couple.  The gift cards can basically be to the store of the giver’s choosing – Walmart, Lowes, a restaurant, et cetera.  A basket will be in auditorium foyer for these cards.

Friendship family, please respond and bless this couple.  Thank you.