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)

Bro. Jerry Hovel remains hospitalized.  I am thinking that he will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow.  Keep praying for him in his recovery/rehab.

Our soccer leagues are scheduled to begin this Saturday, 4/14.  As it stands right now, the forecasters are calling for a one hundred percent chance of rain.  I would imagine that Amy & Coley will make a call about those games by some point on Friday afternoon.  I will post an entry here once a final decision has been made.  (It is more than just about the rain – lightning and not tearing up the property also are very heavy factors)

Some really big news for the Friendship family – the contemporary musical duet known as “Love & The Outcome” will be at Friendship on Sunday morning, 4/29, in our 10:30AM service and then will minister for the entirety of our 6:00PM service.  More details to come but I ask that you put this date on your calendar, pray, make plans to attend and bring others with you.  As Barney would say, “this is big!”

I said the other day in a message that there are always two sides to a story.  That remains true.  I say that folks just pray.

Lisa and I have enjoyed our time at the conference.  We have been fed spiritually and refreshed physically.  Lord willing, we will be home at some point late tonight or early in the morning.

I pray that you will have a great Thursday 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 The Cove in Asheville, NC.  Lisa and I are waiting on the first morning session with Pastor Cymbala to begin.  Actually, Lisa is eating breakfast but made me come get a “good” seat.  Go figure!  LOL!

Obviously, Bro. Jerry Hovel remains hospitalized.  Pray for him as he begins the recovery/rehab phase.

We are on a regular schedule this morning and evening as far as the activities on our campus are concerned.  Jonny Gaston will be preaching both services in the auditorium.  Deacon Bill Kendrick will do the morning prayer list and Deacon Carl Ray Moulds will do the evening prayer list.  I appreciate these men doing this in my absence.  Folks, we have good men ministering as our deacons.

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)

This entry is way late – you think?  I have just gotten online for the first time today as Lisa and I have had a full day and have a full evening in front of us.  So, I apologize and thank you for understanding.

Bro. Jerry Hovel’s knee replacement surgery was deemed a success by the surgeon.  I appreciate deacon Larry Whitehurst being there with him and the family in my absence.  (Bro. Jerry knew when his surgery was scheduled that I would be attending this conference and was good with it)  I am sure others were there as well and I appreciate them too.  Pray for Bro. Jerry to have a speedy recovery.

The member of the Friendship family who was hospitalized but wanted it to remain silent was discharged from the hospital today.  Things have obviously improved.  Keep praying.

Another member of the Friendship family had a heart cath today.  Not sure if they want their name publicized or not so I am not saying who it was.  One stent was placed and they will be in the hospital overnight.

I am probably forgetting someone so I will go ahead and apologize now.

Lisa and I drove four hours round trip today to visit the Billy Graham library.  We did not have a lot of time to spend there because of this conference but we thoroughly enjoyed the visit.  What a neat place.  As Andy Hamil says, “if you get near Charlotte, NC then make sure to visit the Billy Graham library!”  I concur with Andy.

Lisa and I enjoyed the afternoon session of the conference with Pastor Cymbala.  We are waiting on supper now and will then go into the evening session which lasts for two hours or so.  We are grateful for this opportunity.

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

P.S. – Not sure about entries while I am here.  Will play it by ear.

“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 as Lisa and I are traveling to North Carolina via South Carolina.  Long story.  Will share a bit more in a minute.

The Lord blessed us with a really good day in our services yesterday.  I was encouraged.  We give Him the glory!

Max Peacock spent a couple of days in the hospital (Friday – Sunday) but was released at 12:30PM yesterday.  Pray for Max!

We have another member of the Friendship family presently in the hospital but that person wants their situation to remain silent for the time being.  I respect that.  However, a family member asked that we pray fervently as it could be a delicate situation.  So, please pray.  God knows.

There will be a wedding shower for Justin Chinners and his bride to be, Morgan, this Sunday, 4/15, in our fellowship hall.  I think the time is from 2:00 – 3:30PM.  Registered at Bed, Bath & Beyond, Target and St. Elmo Feed & Seed.  Ladies, take note, please.

Lisa and I have been gifted the opportunity to attend a conference at The Cove in North Carolina featuring the teaching ministry of Pastor Jim Cymbala from the Brooklyn Tabernacle.  What an awesome gift!  I am excited!  Do you think?  It is now 4:00AM and we are leaving heading to South Carolina where we will meet with Pastor Terry Rainey and some of his members to talk about the Pastor’s Conference in Guatemala this October.  We will then drive on to Asheville, NC.

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)

The celebration of life service for Jeanette Strahan will take place this morning at 10:00AM.  All those attending are asked to gather at the mausoleum at 9:45AM in order to go in procession to the graveside for the service.  Pray for Arnold, Chuck, Scott and the entire family.

Miss Lillian Brinkman remains hospitalized.  She so wants to go home.  She is having some issues with her heart and still needs to do better with her swallowing.  I do know this – she is ready to go home like yesterday!

Regular schedule for the Friendship family this Sunday.

Bobby and the boys have now lost three in a row.  Hopefully they will get the ship righted in the next game.

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

Age 77, a resident of Grand Bay, AL passed away on Tuesday, April 3, 2018. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Arnold Ross Strahan, children, Chuck Strahan and Scott Strahan, grandchildren, Alex, Ashley-Kate, Amelia and Aaron, great grandson, Daniel, brother, Charles Ernest (Elizabeth) Rockwell, other relatives and many friends. A graveside service will be held at Serenity Memorial Gardens on Friday, April 6, 2018 at 10 am.

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

Miss Lillian Brinkman “may” be discharged from the hospital today.  If that happens, just listen for the shout from her and you will know she is headed home.  She does not like being in the hospital.

The celebration of life service for Miss Jeanette Strahan will take place tomorrow morning, April 6, beginning at 10:00AM at Serenity Memorial Gardens.  This will be a graveside service and everyone is invited to attend.  Those attending are asked to meet at the mausoleum at 9:45AM and then go in procession to the graveside.  Keep praying for Arnold, Chuck, Scott and the entire family.

Regular schedule this Sunday, 4/8, for the Friendship family.

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

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

Yesterday, right around the noon hour, Jeanette Strahan passed from this life.  She was at home surrounded by her husband, Arnold, and their sons, Chuck & Scott, when she peacefully passed into Heaven.  The tentative plans call for a graveside service at some point this Friday, 4/6.  Once the arrangements have been finalized then I will post them here.  Pray for Arnold, Chuck, Scott and the entire family as they walk through this valley.

Lillian Brinkman had another test yesterday morning.  I do not know the results of that test but I do believe she is supposed to have yet another test today.  Miss Lillian is in good spirits and is ready to be discharged from the hospital.

Tyler Peters was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  Pray for him as he recovers at home.

I failed to mention in yesterday’s entry that Anna Carol Bosarge was discharged from the hospital.  That is the good news.  The bad news is that she cannot work for five days which means there are some senior ladies who will not be happy campers this week because their beautician is not available.  Nothing Anna Carol can do about that.  Pray for Anna Carol.

The celebration of life service for William “Smidge” Freeman takes place today at 11:30AM in Richton, MS.  It will be preceded by two hours of visitation.  Lisa and I will travel to the visitation and service with Charles & Ann.  Pray for the Freeman family today.

The new port placed in Kirk & Michelle’s grandson worked great.  He was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  Goes back tomorrow to be checked regarding his first chemo treatment and will receive his second treatment next week.  Keep praying.

Regular schedule this morning and evening for the Friendship family.  Bro. Jerry will be teaching in the 10:00AM & 6:30PM services.

Bobby and the boys are not going to go 162 – 0 this season as the Braves handed them their first defeat last night.  Oh, well they were only 158 games away from perfection.

Well, it will soon be time to head toward Richton for the day.  Charles will want to stop for breakfast.  Guess who will be expected to pick up the tab?  Does that surprise you?

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)

Edna Pearl called Lisa last night to say that her mother, Miss Lillian, will be in the hospital for at least three days.  The stroke affected her ability to swallow properly.  So, she will have therapy for that and hopefully it will correct itself soon.  Pray for Miss Lillian.

Tyler Peters could possibly be discharged from the hospital today.

The visitation for the William Freeman family takes place tomorrow in Richton, MS.  It will be from 9:30AM until the 11:30AM service time.  Pray for Sue and the family.

Many of you already know about Kirk & Michelle’s grandson’s situation.  I ask that you not copy or paste what I am about to write and that you post nothing on any social media regarding this.  Thank you for understanding and cooperating.

Brayden’s first port did not work so they had to give him chemo through his IV.  Yesterday they took out the initial port and put another in its’ place.  If all goes well then he will go home today, back on Thursday for a check up and then back next week for his second round of chemo.  Pray for Sergio, Amanda & Brayden.  May they find His grace sufficient.

Regular schedule for the Friendship family tomorrow morning and evening.

Villanova was simply the class of men’s college basketball this season.  They certainly deserve consideration as one of the best teams ever.  Michigan played well in the beginning but Villanova just has too many horses.  I do congratulate my Michigan friends who are UM fans.  Great year for the Wolverines.

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

Miss Lillian Brinkman suffered a stroke this morning and has been admitted to the hospital.  She was alert and talking when I visited her around 10:00AM.  Pray that she will fully recover.

Anna Carol Bosarge was admitted to the hospital yesterday afternoon with chest pains.  A heart cath was done this morning and showed one blockage that the doctor says can be treated with medication.  Pray for Anna Carol.

Tyler Peters, thirteen year old grandson of Mark & Brenda Timberlake, was attacked by a dog late Saturday night.  He has some pretty extensive damage to his face/neck areas.  Surgery took place yesterday morning.  He “may” be discharged from the hospital tomorrow.

William “Smidge” Freeman, brother-in-law of Bobby Broome & Ann Clark and first cousin of Betty Creech passed from this life yesterday morning around 9:00AM.  The visitation with the family takes place this Wednesday, 4/4, from 9:30AM until the 11:30AM service time.  Visitation and service will be at the Jones Funeral Home in Richton, Mississippi.  Pray Smidge’s wife, Sue, and the family during this difficult time.

Easter Sunday 2018 was a huge blessing!  The first ever sunrise service on the campus of Friendship Baptist was very good.  The temperature was a bit cool for us but the attendance was good and the spirit was excellent.

Our 8:00AM service was well attended.  Our 10:30AM service was our best attended service of the day.  It was also the service that produced a salvation decision during the invitation.

I just cannot adequately express my appreciation to each person who helped with the three services.  Guys came on Saturday night to get things ready for the sunrise service, folks came at 5:30AM on Sunday to do likewise, people moved chairs, bleachers, et cetera and basically folks did whatever it took to make the day a success.  God blessed in a special way and we give Him the glory.

I do want to say a very special “thank you” to each person who was present for all three services yesterday.  I am fearful of missing someone so I am not listing names.  However, those folks know who they are and they also know that I am very thankful pastor!

Lisa and I drove to Millbrook, AL and back yesterday afternoon/evening.  We had a delightful time visiting with Josh, Mandi & Ruby Fortner along with Ken & Katherine Huff.

Ok, I am all in for “Go Blue” tonight.  I have many, many “Go Blue” fans as friends.  Do I think UM will win tonight?  No.  However, upsets can, and do, happen!  Can you believe a 9:24PM Eastern time tip for the game?  That is crazy!

Watched the last four minutes of the MSU vs ND championship game last night.  Cannot believe that MSU lost in the finals again. I like their coach.

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