Pastor's Blog

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

We had a really blessed day in our services yesterday.  The proverbial “icing on the cake” was seeing four folks follow the Lord in believer’s baptism as a part of last night’s service.  God gives the increase and we give Him the glory!

It was certainly good to see Bro. Jerry Hovel in our 8:00AM service yesterday.  Obviously, he is doing well in his rehabilitation.  Keep praying for him!

“Love & The Outcome” will be our special guests this Sunday, 4/29.  They will minister through several songs in our 10:30AM service and will then have the entire 6:00PM service to minister.  Pray.  Attend.  Bring others with you.  (What if all thirteen readers brought at least one other person with them?)

Wendy Johnston has gone back to Kansas to be with her mother.  She will stay as long as needed.  Pray for Wendy’s mother and the family.

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

George Johnston was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon.  They did diagnose his problem but I do not know the name.  He is glad to be home.

Gerald Poiroux had surgery on his shoulder earlier this week.  From past experience with others who have had shoulder surgery it and the subsequent rehab are no walks in the park.  Pray for Gerald.

The Friendship soccer season begins league play in the morning.  I think the first games begin at 8:30AM.  Pray for this ministry and all involved.

Our bus workers meet in the morning at 8:30AM before going on visitation.  Pray for this ministry.

Regular schedule on Sunday morning and evening.  Baptism as a part of the evening service.

Missions Committee meets this Sunday afternoon at 4:30PM.

Love & The Outcome will be our guests on Sunday, 4/29, during our 10:30AM and 6:00PM services.  Make plans to join us!

I have been checking my e-mail regularly but have yet to find that e-ticket to LA for the game tonight.  Surely Bobby has my correct e-mail address!

It is Friday and Lisa has a list a mile long that she wants done today!  She made me do Walmart last night so I could get these “things” done today.  She is brutal!

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

The visitation with the Jerry Jones family takes place today from 1:00 until the 3:00PM celebration of life service.  Everything takes place at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore.  Pray for Nadine, her siblings and the rest of the family.

They “think” they have diagnosed George Johnston’s problem (other than being married to Wendy).  He was scheduled for some more tests yesterday afternoon.  Keep praying for George.

We had a good day in our services yesterday.  I appreciate James Mareno and Jeanette Bates being very flexible in last night’s service.

Our soccer season begins this Saturday.  Pray for this ministry.  Coley and I voted to have the games last Saturday but Amy vetoed that idea.  Coley & I knew the weather folks were off and tried to convince Amy but she said that her left knee was hurting which was a sure sign of the coming rain – can you believe that!  I feel better now that you know the rest of the story!

I will just say this – I have not had to go out and bring in outsiders in order to have a garden.  Neither has Bobby Broome.  By the way, Bobby has some absolutely beautiful looking corn plants.  He works his garden alone as do I with an assist from Charles.  Not true of some other folks around these parts.  Just saying!

Bobby and the boys are struggling a bit so far this season as they presently are 9 – 10.  They travel to LA for a series beginning tomorrow night.  One would think that Bobby would have invited his pastor to join him on this road trip knowing that his pastor is a lifelong fan of the Dodgers.  Just saying!  Of course the Dodgers are now his #2 team behind the Nationals.  I probably should check my e-mail as Bobby may have sent me an e-ticket.

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

Jerry Jones, life-long resident of Bayou la Batre, Alabama entered his heavenly home on April 14, 2018. He was born on April 24, 1932 to Mildred and Earl Jones. After graduating from Alba High School, Jerry served in the Marines aboard the USS Adirondack. Once back home he became a Liberty National Insurance agent. In later years, he had several business ventures. Jerry is survived by his children, Mark (Annette) Jones, Nadine (Jeff) Holifield, Brett (Dale) Jones, daughter-in-law Cathy Jones, his sisters Carol Jones Sowder and Jenna Jones, 13 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, David Jones, his father and mother. Friends will be received at Serenity Funeral Home from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on April 19, 2018 followed by a service at 3:00 p.m. with interment at Serenity Gardens.

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

The visitation with the Jerry Jones family takes place tomorrow beginning at 1:00PM until the 3:00PM service time.  Everything takes place at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore.  Pray for Nadine and the family.

Wendy Johnston’s husband, George, was admitted to the hospital yesterday afternoon.  They are not sure the cause of his problems but will continue to test and evaluate today.  Pray for George.

Wendy’s mother is about the same.  Once Wendy makes sure all is good with George then she will be heading back to Kansas to be with her mother.

Marie Brooks met with an oncologist and he is basically clueless as to what is wrong with her.  A needle biopsy is scheduled for April 30.  Pray for Marie.

The Friendship family is on a regular schedule today and tonight.

Love & The Outcome will be with us on Sunday, April 29.  Please pass the word!  They will sing in the 10:30AM service and then will have the entire 6:00PM service.  Pray.  Attend.  Bring others!

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

The arrangements for Nadine Holifield’s father have been set.  The visitation with the family will take place this Thursday, 4/19, from 1:00PM until the 3:00PM service time.  The visitation and the service will take place at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore. Keep praying for Nadine and family.

Laurie King is scheduled to leave Canada tomorrow morning and fly back to Guatemala.  Her mother is “confused” which makes it difficult as far as rehab.  It is also emotionally on Laurie and the family.  John’s mother is basically in the same situation as Laurie’s mother.  Pray for these two ladies and for their families.

Kirk & Michelle’s grandson will go back to the doctor on Thursday to check his blood count, to see how his body handled the second round of chemotherapy and hopefully schedule the third round of treatment.  Keep pray for Brayden and his parents.

Lisa, Dana, Jayden and I had two wonderful visits yesterday – one in Birmingham and one in Montgomery.  Mr. & Mrs. Dendy are long time friends from the Alabama home football games.  He is ninety five years old and she is ninety two years old.  Their health has begun to decline but they are a delightful couple.

We then stopped on our way home to visit with Decker & Martha Terry in Montgomery.  Folks, if you want to meet a couple who loves the Lord, ministry and missions then you need to meet this sweet couple.  They are prayer warriors!  They are givers!  They love Jesus unashamedly!  My heart is blessed each time I get to visit with them.  Martha is homebound but she is given to the ministry of prayer.  Decker has the gift of encouragement among many others.  I always walk away from their home feeling blessed!  Thank God for Decker & Martha!

We are on a regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.  Lord willing, I will be in the pulpit both services.

Love & The Outcome on Sunday, April 29.  Pray.  Attend.  Bring others!

We will “bless Tess” on Sunday, May 13.  Pray about giving to this special offering.

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Good morning from Birmingham, Alabama.  More about that later in this entry.

Nadine Holifield’s father, Mr. Jerry Jones, passed from this life on Saturday morning.  The family is scheduled to meet with the funeral directors this afternoon to make the arrangements for his celebration of life service as well as the visitation with the family.  Pray for Nadine and her siblings as they walk through this valley.

Bro. Jerry Hovel continues his recovery/rehab.  Keep praying.

Kirk & Michelle Lightfield’s grandson was discharged from the hospital around 7:00AM yesterday.  Keep praying for him as he will now possibly deal with some of the side effects of the chemotherapy treatment.

No update on either John King’s mother or Laurie King’s mother.  Keep praying.

What a blessing to see Miss Lillian Brinkman in our 8:00AM worship service yesterday.  The lady is amazing! Just amazing!  Again, what a blessing!

The Lord blessed our morning services yesterday.  I felt a spirit of suppression or oppression early on but it lifted after our season of prayer.  I appreciate James Mareno and his flexibility in always be willing and ready to do whatever I ask him – even at the last minute.

I think #11 is a keeper!  Good stuff!

I was invited a couple of months ago by Pastor Joe David to share with the Danville Baptist family about the work of GRACE Ministries.  The date was set for last night.  So, I literally left our second morning service, drove home, and got out of my vehicle and into Lisa’s vehicle to begin our drive to Danville which would mean about three hundred and fifty miles or so.  Traffic was heavy between Mobile and Birmingham so I ended up driving the entire time since we were on a schedule and Lisa does not like the heavy traffic.  We arrived at Danville Baptist right around 5:30PM.  I think the service was good.

I was blessed to have a good number of my family members in attendance for the service including my parents.  Afterwards, we gathered at Adam & Jamie Glenn’s home for a family gathering which include Southern Hickory Bar-b-que – good stuff!  Great time of family fellowship!  Lisa, Dana, Jayden and I then drove to Birmingham.  Today, we plan on making two visits before heading home.

Bro. Benny McGath preached at Friendship in my absence.  Word has it that he did a good job of which I have no doubt.  Thank you Bro. Benny!

I am writing this just after midnight and I am tired.  Was afraid that I might not get it out early enough if I waited until morning.  I am probably leaving something out.  If so, I apologize.

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Wow, was I ever wrong!  Imagine that – me being wrong!  I advised Coley & Amy to postpone yesterday’s soccer games because of the impending rain.  Wrong call!  I accept full responsibility for this error as it is all on me.  You live, you learn and you move forward.  I apologize for any inconvenience to anyone because of this call.

Received a message from Bro. Jerry Hovel last night saying that he is in a lot of pain but is fighting through it.  Keep praying for him.

As I type this entry it is around 3:00AM.  Kirk & Michelle’s grandson, Brayden, will finish his second round of chemotherapy in about thirty minutes.  This will have been a forty eight hour process of receiving the treatment.  He “should” be discharged from the hospital later today.  Keep praying and please do not post any of this on any social media.

John & Laurie King live in Guatemala and partner with GRACE Ministries in doing ministry.  They are from Canada.  On Monday, April 2, John’s ninety nine year old mother fell and broke her hip.  On Friday, April 6, Laurie’s ninety four year old mother fell and has a spiral fracture of her left femur.  Laurie has flown to Canada to be with her mother.  John’s siblings are giving care to his mother.  Pray for both of these situations.

Regular schedule for the Friendship family today and tonight.  The weather folks say the rain has passed and we are supposed to have a beautiful day weather wise.  I am thankful!

Love & The Outcome will be our very special guests on Sunday, April 29.  Pass the word!

Senior Adults Day on Sunday, May 6.  Pastor Randy Johnson will be preaching.  Meal catered by The Heritage House.  Pass the word!

Parent/child dedication on Sunday, May 13.  Deadline to sign up is Sunday, April 29.  Call the church office.

Recognition of the 2018 high school graduates on Sunday, May 20, in the 10:30AM service.  Deadline to sign up is Sunday, May 6.  Call the church office.

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

Amy Reynolds and Coley Johnson are heading up our soccer ministry this year.  They have jointly made the decision to postpone the games scheduled for tomorrow because of the expected rain and storms.  I full support their decision as it is better to be safe than sorry.  They will announce a make up schedule soon.  Please pass the word about this postponement.  Thank you.

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Good morning from Grand Bay, Alabama.  There is no place like home!

Bro. Jerry Hovel was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  That is good news.  Now we pray for him as he begins his physical therapy.

I heard from Wendy Johnston yesterday.  Her mother continues to decline physically.  Wendy will be traveling to Kansas at some point in the near future to be with her mother during what will most likely be her last days on earth.  Pray for Wendy’s mother, Wendy and the family.

Kirk & Michelle Lightfield’s grandson went to a hospital in Guatemala City yesterday to begin his second round of chemotherapy.  They did some things to get him ready and it is my understanding the actual treatment will begin at some point today and will then take forty eight hours to administer.  Pray for young Brayden and his parents.

I know of other situations needing our prayer support but I do not know if I am at liberty to share those so I simply ask that you just pray.  God knows.

Just learned early today that Derrick & Jodie are headed back to their assignment today.  Pray for them and their children as they travel and then get back to the task at hand.

Amy Reynolds and Coley Johnson will make the call at some point today regarding tomorrow’s soccer games.  I am leaving that call entirely up to them and I will fully support whatever decision they make.  I will post their decision on this site once it has been made.

Lisa and I made the fairly long drive home yesterday.  I came in a bit tired and looked forward to calling it a day.  Not so fast my friend!  Lisa said, “we have no groceries and you are going to Walmart now!”  My reply, “are you serious?”  Let’s just say that I will not have to go to Walmart today!  Talk about a slave driver!

My today is slammed because of the anticipated rain coming tomorrow.  I have more to do then I will be able to get done.  Translated – the yards and the garden are screaming for attention.  This will be a sun up to sun down day for me.

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