Pastor's Blog

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

The Lord blessed us with some really good services yesterday.  Obviously, the highlight was our 10:30AM service when we saw eight salvation decisions.  Praise the Lord!

Our evening service was blessed to have Pastor Terry Ragsdale (Grand Bay Community Church) join us.  Pastor Terry has such a sweet spirit.  We then saw multiple folks come forward during the invitation to volunteer to help in AWANA, student ministry and other educational ministries.  Thank you to those who responded.  By the way, sign up for our AWANA ministry is Sunday, 9/1, and the actual classes begin Sunday, 9/8.

The Friendship family will be sending three thousand dollars to Pastor Alex to help with the recent flooding in India.  That decision was made in our evening service.  I spoke to Pastor Alex on the phone yesterday afternoon and he was thankful for any help that could be given.  Pray for the ministry in India.

Mac McGriff will be having surgery this Friday morning.  Pray that all goes well.

Sonny Bates will find out today about his treatment for his cancer.  Pray that it will be favorable for him.

Keep praying for Carol Lucky!

We will ordain Grant Tillman as a deacon this Sunday, 8/25.  Ordination council will meet at 4:00PM.  Service begins at 6:00PM. (I am praying that Grant’s mother-in-law will get saved during that service!)

Dad is struggling some with being in rehab.  Lord willing, Daphne & I will leave late this afternoon and drive to Hartselle in order to visit dad tomorrow.  I then plan on going back on Friday and Saturday if all goes as planned.

Bobby and the boys lost a very tough one on Saturday night but then came back in a big way yesterday as they hit eight homers to beat the Brewers.  The Dodgers did them no favors as they were beaten by Les Hacker’s Braves two out of three.  So, the Nationals remain five and one half games behind the Braves but hold a one and a half game lead in the wild card race.  Max should be back on the mound this Thursday.

Lisa and I received a really great gift last night upon returning home from our evening service.  Daphne was waiting to give us a parking pass for the Alabama home football games.  Morris Bryant secured the pass and allowed them to purchase it from him.  (He only charged them double but that is not my concern)  One of the best gifts that could be given to me!  I am ready for the college football season to begin.

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)

Very late entry but wanted to remind our thirteen readers that we are on a regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.  It will Bro. Abel’s first day as our Minister to Students.  The men from the mission will be with us in our 10:30AM service.  Going to be a great day in the Lord!

My dad was moved to a rehab facility yesterday.  He can stay there for twenty one days and the hope is that he will stay for the duration in order to build his physical strength.  Thanks for your prayers.

Bobby and the boys continue to impress me!  They have won five in a row and eight of their last ten.  They are now only four and one half games behind the Braves in the NL East and have a two and one half game lead in the wild card race.  They are holding Max out a bit longer.  Could they be flirting with first place by the time I get there on 8/27?

The high school football season begins next Friday night, 8/23.  College football is right behind it!  I am ready!

Hope you have a great Saturday with Jesus.

Happy sixth birthday to our granddaughter, Nora!  I hope she will have a great day celebrating her special day.  Lisa and I love Nora Ann!

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

Carol Lucky continues to do dialysis three days a week.  Keep praying for her, Terry and the family.

Max Peacock has been having some physical problems lately and will see the doctor next week.  Pray for Max.

My dad kind of took a step backwards yesterday.  They removed his catheter on Wednesday afternoon but then had to put it back in early yesterday morning.  His bladder is not emptying properly without the catheter.  He is not a happy camper.  Up to this point, they cannot find a room in a rehab facility for him – maybe today.  Thanks for your prayers.

Today is moving day for Bro. Abel Garcia.  Pray for him as he journeys South today.  He will officially be on staff beginning this Sunday, 8/18.

The men from the Mission of Hope will be our guests in our 10:30AM service this Sunday.  It is always good to have them join us.

Larry & Chance did a really nice job of clearing the back forty.  I am very, very grateful to these men and their service.  Larry Whitehurst did a nice job of coordinating that effort and I am thankful.

Joey Switzer trimmed some of the hedges in front of the auditorium yesterday afternoon.  (Did you just read what you thought you read?  You did!).  It was really hot and he worked in the heat of the day.  Thank you Joey!

Bobby and the boys are setting five and one half games behind Les Hacker’s Braves in the NL East while also maintaining a one and half game lead in the wild card race.  Pastor Wes Bates’ beloved Cubbies are in a tie with the Cards for first place in the NL Central with the Brewers only a game off the pace.  The Dodgers are cruising in the NL West but the thing that aggravates me is that those Yankees are tied with them for the best record in baseball.  I “hate” the Yankees!  (Folks, it is just a game!). Did you see the walk off grand slam Bryce Harper hit last night?  Talk about crushing it!  Oh my!  Reminded me of Sammy Bowden back in the day!  I am looking forward to seeing Bobby in a few days.

That was a costly rain we had yesterday afternoon.  Kept me from mowing so Lisa and I went to buy groceries instead!  I am off today and her to do list for me is rather long.  I told her that my body is still tired from all of the recent traveling and she just looked at me and said, “get over it and get to work!”

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)

Visited with Miss Cora yesterday afternoon.  She told me that she had already been discharged and was simply waiting to leave the hospital.  She is always in such good spirits.  Pray for Miss Cora.

Sonny Bates will travel to New Orleans today for tests.  Pray for traveling mercies and for the doctor to get a clear picture of what is going on in Sonny’s situation.

Matt Everett has been released from his doctor’s care and cleared to go back to work on light duty beginning Monday.  He has seemingly not missed a beat since his accident.  Pray for complete healing.

Markee Brinkman will see his doctor today.  The hope is that he will be able to remove the brace long enough to take a shower.  Keep praying for Markee.

The doctors say dad can be discharged maybe today or tomorrow.  I “think” he is willing to go to a rehab facility for twenty one days.  The one he wants to go to did not have a bed ready yesterday.  So, we shall see.  Thank you for your prayers and please keep praying.

We had a good attendance in our morning service yesterday and then a really strong attendance in our service last night.  Praise the Lord.  I appreciate folks who are faithful to attend our services.

The men from the Mission of Hope will be our guests in our 10:30AM service this Sunday, 8/18.  I pray that we will make them feel welcome and that God will speak to all of our hearts through the message in song and word.

Bobby and the boys literally clobbered the Reds yesterday.  They are six games behind the Braves in the NL East while holding a one game lead in the wild card race.  Max may be back in the rotation this weekend.  If so, what a huge plus for the Nationals.  Meanwhile, Pastor Wes’ beloved Cubbies have fallen one percentage point behind the Cardinals in the NL Central.  It is all over but the crying in the NL West as Kershaw pitched an absolute gem last night.

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

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

Happy birthday to my niece, Jamie!  I pray that her day is great and that she can squeeze in a nap!

Miss Cora Martin is back in the hospital.  Pray for her as Sherry tells me she is very weak physically.

Keep praying for Carol Lucky!

My dad remains in the step down unit in the hospital.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.  I am praying that the members of the Friendship family will put an emphasis on attending our Wednesday services.

I want to say a huge “thank you” to Pastor Joe David Bailey for being faithful to visit my dad in the hospital.  He even offered to take me to lunch yesterday but we were waiting on dad to have a test done so it did not work this time.

Lisa and I arrived home just before 1:00AM this morning.  Lisa gets a huge prop from me as she drove from Evergreen to home.  I was going to take a thirty minute break and next thing I knew we were on I-10.  My body was much more tired than I realized.

Dad’s test yesterday came back good.  His major hurdle right now is for his kidneys to function.  He did very well in his physical therapy yesterday morning and his occupational therapy yesterday afternoon.  Thank you for praying.

Bobby & the boys have won three games in a row to remain six games behind the Braves in the NL East while being one game up in the wildcard race.  Pastor Wes Bates’ beloved Cubbies are clinging to a one game lead in the NL Central as the Cards have gotten hot for the time being.  Those stinking Yankees have tied the Dodgers for the best record in the big leagues.  I am not a fan of the Yankees!  Just saying!

I “think” Alabama went through a football practice yesterday without any injuries – hooray!

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)

I would ask that you keep praying for Carol Lucky.  Unless her schedule has changed then she will have dialysis again today.  Probably still at least a week or two away from doing dialysis at home.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

My dad was moved from ICU to the step down unit around 6:00PM yesterday.  Being in a different room had him somewhat confused during the night.  He is scheduled for a procedure today to help make some decisions related to his situation.  He received physical therapy yesterday.  Dad has gotten physically weak when it comes to walking.  I “think” Lisa and I will be home at some point tonight but that could change.  Lord willing, I will be in my place teaching tomorrow morning and evening.  We shall see.

I have gotten lax in my updates on Bobby & the boys.  They won last night which is now two straight.  They are six games behind the Braves in the NL East and hold a one game lead in the wildcard chase.  I am looking forward to seeing Bobby in two weeks, Lord willing.

The Alabama football team sure seems to be injury prone year after year.  What is up with that?  Come on down college football!

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

We just had a consultation with the hospitalist and the news on dad is much better.  The doctor said dad is going in the “right direction” and that is great news to us.  Dad will be moved from ICU today to a step down unit.  The doctor did caution that dad is eighty three years old and things can change quickly.  However, I remain optimistic and continue to ask God to raise dad up.  That was my prayer with dad last night.

The prayers being offered by God’s people are greatly appreciated.  Please continue to pray.  Lisa and I will stay here through today and I plan on staying in the hospital with dad tonight.  We will then just play it by ear.

I will update if there are any significant changes.  Again, thank you for praying.

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

We were blessed with a really good day in our two morning services.  I praise the Lord for his many blessings.  Thank you to the members of the Friendship family who were faithful to attend.  Looking forward to next Sunday, 8/18, as it will be Bro. Abel’s first Sunday with us as our Minister to Students.  That is going to be a good day!

As I write this entry it is around 12:45AM and I am sitting in the ICU waiting room of the Decatur Morgan Hospital in Decatur, Alabama.  Lisa, Daphne and I got home from Decatur Saturday night and I fully believed that my dad was improved physically.  Talked to my brother, Eddie, early Sunday morning and there was nothing to indicate otherwise.  However, Eddie contacted Daphne just before our first service began to share that the hospitalist had a much different opinion.  He said dad was a very sick man and told Eddie that, in his opinion, he should not travel back to Ohio for work.

So, I decided to preach our two morning services and then head North.  I was good with traveling alone but Lisa would not hear of such.  We got to the hospital at 8:00PM and were allowed to see dad around 8:15PM or so.  How is dad?  He seems weaker to me but I remaining optimistic that God is going to raise him up.  I have had the opportunity to encourage him and to pray with/for him.  Hopefully, we will get to meet with the doctor first thing this morning.

I appreciate Randall leading last night’s service.  I understand it went well.  I also appreciate the season of prayer for my dad.  Very grateful to Grant, Katie and family for being so understanding regarding the postponement of the ordination service.  That service is now scheduled for 8/25 at 6:00PM.

Have no idea how long Lisa and I will be here.  We are taking it hour by hour.  Thank you for your prayers.  Keep praying, please.

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

I am getting too many texts and messages to reply to each individually.  However, I am very grateful to each person who has prayed and to those who have contacted me to express that support.  I am grateful to Pastor Joe David Bailey and his wife, Lori, for their visit last night.  Also thankful to Dr. Rex Looney for coming by the hospital this morning.  (He actually was in the area and came by to see if I wanted to take him to Cracker Barrel for breakfast – is that crazy or what!)

In my opinion, dad has improved.  He remains in ICU and that should be true throughout today/tonight.  He no longer has C. Diff which is great for numerous reasons.  His most pressing issue right now is that he is still receiving medication to keep his blood pressure up.  The goal for today is to try and get him off this medication and his blood pressure stay at an acceptable level.

Lisa, Daphne and I still plan on heading South at some point today/tonight.  Lord willing, I will be in the pulpit for all three services tomorrow.

I am counting on our thirteen blog readers to help get this update out.  Thank you.

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

This entry is being written a little after 11:00PM on Friday night, 8/9, and is coming from the ICU of the Decatur Morgan Hospital in Decatur, Alabama.  Let me explain.

I was having a typical Friday as I spent some time in the garden, washed a vehicle and had begun mowing the yard.  My brother, Eddie, called to tell me that dad was having some pain in his left side and the doctor suspected a kidney stone that had gotten lodged.  When Eddie got to dad’s house to put him in the car that was not possible so he had to call for an ambulance.  Dad was not coherent and this temperature was one hundred and six degrees.

Once at the hospital they packed dad in ice and began running tests.  It was determined that he had C. Diff, sepsis and a blockage in one of his kidneys due to the lodged stone.  They prepped him for surgery in order to remove the blockage.  The doctor in the ER and the surgeon both described dad’s condition as critical and said that will be true for twenty four hours.

The ICU nurses are graciously allowing me to sit with dad through the night as they allow one person per patient.  I am of the opinion that dad is much improved with his major problem being low blood pressure following the surgery.  They are giving him “pressers” to keep the blood flowing to his brain and vital organs.  They cannot give him pain medicines due to the low blood pressure.  Dad is awake and alert but remembers nothing from today.

Lisa, Daphne and I left Grand Bay at 3:30PM and arrived at the hospital at 8:30PM.  Daphne has the medical knowledge to be a great help during times like this.  My plan is to stay until some point tomorrow afternoon/evening and then head South in order to be in the pulpit Sunday morning.  However, I am playing it by ear and will adjust as needed.

Our Sunday schedule will remain the same regardless of whether or not I am there meaning that the ordination of Grant Tillman will take place in our evening service.  The ordination council will meet at 4:00PM in the auditorium.

Our Finance Committee will meet at 5:00PM.

Special thanks to Steve Morris as he is mowing my grass in the morning.  Likewise, I am grateful to Bob Evans as he is taking care of my chickens.

Pray for my dad.  I pray that you will have a great Saturday with Jesus.