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)

I failed to mention in yesterday’s post that Peggy Knighten had surgery last Friday that has sidelined her for a few days.  Pray for Peggy to recover quickly.

Larry Whitehurst meets the medical folks at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL tomorrow morning.  Pray for Larry.

Talked to Mark Hubbard via iMessage yesterday.  Courtney is still not feeling well.  She is now on hospice care and a nurse should be seeing her today.  Keep praying for Courtney.

No 10:00AM service tomorrow, 1/3.  Evening activities are on at the normal beginning time of 6:30PM.  Please pass the word.

Lisa and I had a good time in New Orleans.  (Actually, we are still in the Crescent City as I am typing this at 1:00AM)  It has been cold here too but the tough part has been the wind.

I have attended a few Alabama football games over the years and last night is the first time ever that I have gone to a Bama game and not seen at least one person I knew.  There were folks there that I know but Lisa and I saw not one of them.  Odd.

An all SEC national championship game.  Did not see that coming when the season began.  I still think it would be neat if it were our two major state teams playing in it.  Maybe one day.

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

We will not be having our 10:00AM service this Wednesday, January 3, 2018.  This applies to the morning service only as all evening activities will take place as normal beginning at 6:30PM.  Please pass the word!

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

Happy New Year! I pray that 2018 will be a great year for you and your family!

Good morning from New Orleans.  While I was in Guatemala in early December, Lisa surprised me by purchasing tickets to the Sugar Bowl.  My brother, Eddie, graciously provided us a hotel room in downtown New Orleans for tonight, 1/1, because the game starts fairly late.  At basically the very last minute Lisa and I decided to drive to New Orleans yesterday afternoon.  So, we will spend today with thousands of other crimson clad fans as we mingle with thousands of other orange clad fans waiting for tonight’s game.  I am in hopes of a good game i.e. meaning a Bama victory.

We were blessed with a good day in our only service yesterday.  Decisions at the altar.  Good attendance.  We give God the glory.

Major announcement for the Friendship family – there will be no 10:00AM service this Wednesday, 1/3.  They are calling for a low of twenty two degrees on Tuesday and a high of forty five degrees on Wednesday.  Most of our Wednesday morning crowd are senior adults and I do not want them to get out in those temperatures which are cold for South Mobile County.  Please pass the word.

Also, please note that we will have a regular schedule on Wednesday night, 1/3.  Everything begins at 6:30PM.

Larry Whitehurst will meet with doctors, surgeons, et cetera at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL this Wednesday to discuss his case.  Pray that all goes well.

Lisa communicated with Courtney Hubbard via iMessage yesterday afternoon and she was not having a good day.  Keep praying for Courtney.

Edd Gillespie travels to Houston next week.

I did not ask Randall yesterday but I assume our folks will host the service at McKemie Place tomorrow night, 1/2.  (If not, I will correct it in tomorrow’s entry)

Our deacons will have their regular meeting this Sunday, 1/7, at 4:00PM.  We are then asking all ordained men and our security committee to meet from 5:00 – 5:40PM.

Our evening service this Sunday, 1/7, will be a joint service with the Grand Bay Church of God on their campus beginning at 6:00PM.

Yes, we are experiencing a “cold” that we have not had in a number of years.  As I have stated before, I like it!  Would not like it as much if I had to work outside in it every day but it is nice.  It is called Winter!

I pray that you will have a great New Year’s day with Jesus.

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Talked to Coach Hubbard via iMessage last night.  Courtney continues to have her struggles physically as some of her counts are not where they need to be.  Just keep praying for Courtney, Mark and their family.

I am grateful that Bro. Benny and our bus workers are getting an entire weekend off beginning with no meeting this morning.  As you know, our buses will not be running their routes tomorrow morning.  I am very thankful for our bus workers and their ministry.

Remember, one service at Friendship tomorrow and that begins at 10:30AM.  I pray that the members of the Friendship family will be faithful to attend that service.  Yes, there is a chance of what is being called a “light drizzle” throughout the day but it should not be enough to keep folks away from the church service unless they are hardcore Baptist.

A weather website and a local television station are basically forecasting the same thing for next week beginning tomorrow night with lows being 26, 19, 23, 24, 25 & 29 through next Friday night! Is that sweet or what!

It is now a little after 7:00AM and, so far, Lisa has not given me any “demands” for the day.  It is an after Christmas miracle!  I do need to do some preparation for the below freezing temperatures we are supposed to have next week.

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

The person who had the test/procedure done in the hospital yesterday did well and was discharged in the afternoon.  I visited and they were still in the hospital somewhere but I never could find the family after being sent on a couple of wild goose chases.  (For the record, I have never actually chased a goose – wild or tame so I really do not know what that is like)  Glad all is well with the patient.

I visited with Ted Ezell yesterday afternoon and was encouraged.  He now has a sitter with him each day, was sitting in a chair and was able to communicate verbally.  He is very, very soft spoken but is mentally alert.

How about this weather?  Yesterday was a great day weather wise for me!  I am pretty excited about the long range forecast as one website is calling for South Mobile County to have six consecutive nights (beginning Sunday night) with lows in the twenties and the seventh night the low being thirty two.  The high during those days will be forty nine!  I think that I am correct in saying that, if true, this will be the first time in years since we were that cold for such an extended period of time.  I am not praying for it to be true but I sure am not praying that it will not be true.  I like it!

Recently, when I returned home from Guatemala I was offended before I ever reached our house.  As we passed by Arby’s in Grand Bay their sign read, “pork belly is back!”  My first thought was, “who told them I was coming home today?”  So, I decided to watch my calorie intake.  This morning I stepped on the scales and I had lost over one hundred pounds – nice!  I was excited!  Lisa did not share my excitement as she said, “go look in the mirror!”  She then informed me that the scales were weighing in kilograms instead of pounds.  Yep, leave it to the proverbial “Debbie Downer” to ruin my excitement!

Gina arrived home safe and sound yesterday afternoon around 4:00PM.   Soy, Deidra and the girls drove from Fort Worth, TX to the Memphis, TN area yesterday afternoon/evening and arrived there safe and sound too.  Which is worse – being in Texas or being in Tennessee?  That is a great question!  I am thankful our family had traveling mercies yesterday.

Titus spent the night with us last night.  Lisa is making me wake him up early in order for him to go with me to buy groceries.  I explained that he likes to sleep late because school is out and she just gave me that look!  Guys, you know THAT look!  So, Titus and I will brave the elements in order to keep Lisa happy!

Remember, one service at Friendship this Sunday – 10:30AM only!  Pass the word.

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Well, we had at least one person who showed up for our morning service yesterday.  And I am not sure why folks automatically assumed the “K” I mentioned in yesterday’s entry was Kayla?  Did I say that?  Lots of other names start with a K – Kristie, Katie, Kourtney, Katrina, Kathryn, et cetera.  Folks should not jump to conclusions!  LOL!

We have someone in the hospital having a test done today.  I would simply ask you to pray that all goes well.  I visited with them yesterday and they were in very good spirits.

Courtney Hubbard was unable to receive a planned treatment yesterday due to low counts.  They will try again next week.  Keep praying for Courtney.

Our schedule for this Sunday, 12/31, calls for us to have only one worship service and that will begin at 10:30AM.  Nothing else will be happening on our campus this Sunday.

Thanks to Ross Hatcher for his kindness in helping us with a benevolent medical need this week.  He and the others at Grand Bay Pharmacy are very kind.  (Ok, so Stephanie is not so kind to me but I am not going to mention that!)

I am pretty excited about this weather – nice!  (Please note that I do not have to work outside in it which would make a huge difference in how I view it)

Well, the SEC conference did not get off to a good start in the bowl season as Texas handled Missouri last night.  Missouri simply turned the ball over too many times.  I hope that is not a preview of things to come for the conference.  May try to watch some of the Michigan State vs Washington State game tonight.

Chris & Courtney are sick over their beloved Golden Eagles getting beat yesterday.  Not sure what happened but it was never close.  I pulled for the Golden Eagles so I fully expect C&C will be doing likewise for the Tide on Monday night.

I can verify that Pattie took Bernard out to supper last night.  Brad, Daphne & crew along with Lisa, Dana and me were in CB.  I was basically trapped in my seat so I did not get to speak to Bernard.  However, I was in line when Pattie paid for the meal.

Gina Bug will drive home today.  Praying for safety.

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

We are having no services, classes, Bible studies or activities on our campus this morning or tonight.  You may be thinking, “we already knew that!”  Yesterday, a very faithful member said to me, “pastor I will see you in church tomorrow!”  I said, “K, we are not having any services tomorrow!”  So, please note that nothing is happening on our campus today.

The church office is open today and tomorrow from 8:00AM until noon and from 1:00PM until 5:00PM.

Well Chris & Courtney Cavin are having an open house today beginning at noon as they will be hosting a bowl party as their beloved USM Golden Eagles play the FSU Seminoles in football.  Everyone is invited.  They are providing a steak dinner, dessert, everything!  Come one, come all!  Personally, I will be pulling for their Golden Eagles in this one.

Missouri plays Texas at 8:00PM tonight and will be pulling for the Tigers.  It is all about the SEC Conference!

I think the boys from UCF are in for a rude awakening come Monday!  They have been talking smack and now allegedly have a billboard that is written in Chick-fil-a style that reads, “Eat Mor Tiger” being painted by a Knight.  It is my belief that when the Auburn Tigers finish with them they will not be wanting any more Tiger for some time.  Again, it is all about the SEC Conference!

Have you seen the weather forecast for South Mobile County?  High today of forty six with rain – perfect!  The forecast is for a low of twenty two on Monday night and twenty seven on Tuesday night.  I love it!  Folks, it is called Winter.

Dr. Rex, it was not a good Tuesday as your boy took my daughter to Jim n Nick’s for lunch and then had the audacity to boast about to me.  If he takes her to Big Bob’s today then it is over!  Just saying!

Have I mentioned that we are not having any services, classes, et cetera on our campus today or tonight?  Will someone tell K?

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Christmas Day 2017 has come and gone.  Can you believe it?  The year 2017 will soon be a memory as well as we count down these final six days.  I so vividly remember thinking as a very young boy that if I could just live to the year 2000 then I would die an ancient man.  I also remember very well all of the hoopla surrounding the arrival of 2000 with computers locking up, electric grids going down, et cetera and now we are almost eighteen years removed from that major calendar event.

We enjoyed a good day as a family.  Gina, much to her mother’s anxiety, hit the road yesterday morning headed to Huntsville to spend a few days.  She arrived safe and sound around 3:15PM and we are thankful for traveling mercies.  The rest of the family gathered around the table once more for a great Christmas Day meal featuring ham, turkey and Ann’s dressing which is just as good as it comes!

Soy, Deidra, Lizzie, Sydney & Audrey left at 5:00AM this morning headed to Texas to visit Soy’s paternal grandfather who is celebrating his 80th birthday today.  They will also see Soy’s parents, his brother and other family members.  We will miss Deidra and the girls!

The Friendship family is free of anyone being a patient in the hospital at this moment.  We are grateful!

This is designed to be a quiet week for the Friendship family.  Yes, the church office will be open today through Thursday from 8:00AM until noon and then 1:00 – 5:00PM.  I will be in and out of the office but am available 24/7.  However, there will be no activities on our campus tomorrow morning or evening.

Each year we have an abbreviated schedule on the last Sunday of the year.  We do this largely in part to give our bus workers a weekend off.  So, we will only have one worship service this Sunday, 12/31, and that will begin at 10:30AM.  It will be a regular worship service and we should be dismissed around 11:30 – 11:45AM.  Pass the word and make plans to attend.

If you plan on giving to the Lord through the church in 2017 and want to receive tax credit then you have to do that by this Sunday, 12/31.  You can mail a check (do not mail cash) as long as the check is dated no later than 12/31/17 and the envelope is postmarked in 2017.  You can also bring your offering to the church office today, tomorrow or Thursday during regular office hours.

Dr. Rex, check on our daughter!

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Merry Christmas!  What an awesome day!  Thank you Jesus for coming to be one of us!

Christmas Eve was a special day for the Friendship family.  It began with a really strong attendance in our first worship service.  Sunday School was good.  Our 10:30AM worship service was well attended too.  We give God the glory!  I am thankful to the members of the Friendship family who were faithful to attend.

Our annual Christmas Eve service was perhaps the best one ever!  Strong attendance even though it was not SRO.  The music was great – thanks to all who were involved!  Our deacons did an excellent job of serving the Lord’s Supper.  The ladies who prepared the bread/drink did an excellent job too.   The proverbial “icing on the cake” came when six folks came forward on the last song to publicly profess Jesus as their Savior!  Did you hear that?  Six folks came forward to publicly profess Jesus as their personal Savior!  Amazing!  To God be the glory!

Glenda Chinners and crew did an awesome job with the Angel Tree ministry.  I just kind of watched as they “ministered” to fifty something children – a real blessing.  Thank you to Glenda and each person who helped in any way with this ministry.

I saw Christmas at least twice yesterday.  First, when Devon was able to walk in during Sunday School from his duty with the Coast Guard – great moment.  To hear Kaydenz say “pastor Teddy, Daddy’s home was sweet!”  Second, when Sharon Jardee walked into the auditorium for our Christmas Eve service – what a huge blessing!

Seven tornadoes hit our house around 7:30PM last night.  You can figure that one out without me spelling it out!  Family time at Christmas is so special.

The church office is closed today but will be open tomorrow morning at 8:00AM.  Bro. Jerry Hovel is on vacation this week so please respect his time away.  I will be working and I am on call 24/7.

I have to say that I got pretty excited Saturday night when one of our thirteen readers told me that she had enlisted another reader which pushes our total readership to fourteen.  That ties our highest mark ever!  However, the excitement was short lived as I then found out the “reader” lives in Mississippi – we have no pictures on this blog!  Oh well, at least they can “look” at the words!  (I guess we will officially call it thirteen and a half readers.  If we can now get one reader from Arkansas then we can call it fourteen)

I pray that you will have an awesome Christmas Day with Jesus!

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Basically, all is calm in South Mobile County this morning.  As far as I know, Stan Hatcher was discharged from the hospital.  Deidra and I visited relatively early yesterday morning and that was the plan.  (Thanks Kayla for keeping me in the loop!)

Rita and the baby did come home yesterday afternoon.

I imagine a large number of folks will be scurrying around today trying to get those last minute Christmas things done.  Why do folks wait until the last minute to shop?  Wait, why do people shop in the first place?

Regular schedule in the morning meaning 8:00 & 10:30AM worship along with 9:15AM Sunday School.  Buses will run.

Christmas Eve service at 5:00PM.

Church office closed Monday.  Regular hours on Tuesday.  Bro. Jerry will be on vacation next week so please do not contact him for any reason.  I will be working and on call 24/7.

If I blog over the next two days then they will be very short and sweet.  Lord willing, an entry will be up early on Tuesday morning.

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