Pastor's Blog

“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

Today’s Bible reading – 2 Samuel 12-13; Luke 16

Phil Sims was moved to another hospital yesterday.  Just talked to him via the phone and they are “thinking” he will have valve replacement surgery on Monday.  That could change but that is the supposed plan for now.  Phil has been up walking this morning and is feeling good.  Keep praying for him.

Bro. Jerry went and prayed with Elizabeth Sessions before her procedure yesterday.  I have not heard how that procedure went but am assuming “no news is good news!”   Pray for Elizabeth.

Spoke to Maria Wainwright via the phone this morning and her mother’s situation has not changed much at all.  Just keep praying for Mrs. Hamilton.

Friendship soccer resumes tomorrow morning at 8:00AM at the Grand Bay Middle School.  Jeff Long, Jonathan Jordan and Jeff Holifield are working on getting the field on our campus ready for next year.  We need Phil to hurry up and get back so he can run the dozer!

I did keep my promise late yesterday afternoon and then attended Titus’ game last night.  John Milton and I grew our gardens while the boys played ball.

Caught maybe thirty second of the Spurs vs Grizzlies game last night.  Want to be able to converse with Levi Seymour this Sunday!  The NBA is rigged!  How else can one explain the absence of the Lakers?  What a disgrace to Jerry West – simply the greatest player in the history of the NBA!

Well, the yard and garden are calling my name.  Lisa is punishing me today as she has told Soy that he has to “help” me today.  Just what I needed – a babysitting job while trying to mow, plow and eat weeds!  Please do not mention to Lisa that I have not made the WM run yet!  She is going to be furious!

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

Spent most the day at the hospital with Phil Sims.  They finally took him in for a heart cath.  Here are the results – his aortic valve will have to be surgically replaced which will involve open heart surgery.  He is also in afib which they plan to address while doing the valve replacement.  There were no blockages.  Phil is very, very grateful to God for His watch care over him.

In my first post today I wrote that Phil’s problem stemmed from a birth defect.  I was wrong!  (Let that sink in for a moment!).  This is not birth defect related.  I also said that Phil would be sent to Houston, Texas for surgery.  Again, I was wrong.  (Is it sinking in yet?).  He will be transported to a local hospital either this afternoon or tomorrow.  Surgery could take place on Monday, 4/24, but that has not been definitely decided at this point in time.

Let me say a few quick words about the military hospital where Phil has been a patient.  In my opinion, an excellent facility with excellent health professionals.  The nurses were great and the cardiologists were extremely informative and compassionate.  Obviously, I was impressed!

Tried to visit with Bill Goff this afternoon but he was not at home.

Got to go keep a promise and then attend a machine pitch baseball game today – I am so excited!  LOL!

“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

Today’s Bible reading –  2 Samuel 9-11; Luke 15:11-32

Phil Sims is scheduled to have a heart cath at some point today.  There is a problem with his heart that appears to be a birth defect and the doctor is talking about sending Phil to Houston, Texas to have it repaired.  Pray for Phil.  Lord willing, I will be visiting with Phil this morning.  He is in a military hospital and getting in can sometimes be a challenge.

Elizabeth Sessions is scheduled to have a kidney stone(s?) blasted today.  She has twenty and I think they intend on going after the largest one which is said to be the size of a quarter – ouch!  Pray for Elizabeth.

Caroline Ford’s tests revealed a bleeding ulcer and diverticulitis.  Not sure what the plan of action is from this point forward but at least they have something to work from now.

Talked to Maria Wainwright yesterday and, as of that time, there had been no significant change in her mother’s physical condition.  Just keep praying.

We had a good day in our services yesterday.  “Potluck with the pastor” went well.  My wife, Lisa, and Marisa Felps did an outstanding job of hosting that meal.  The roast was extremely good as were the side dishes and desserts.  I appreciate each person who participated in this fellowship.

Well, yesterday weather.com had us with an eighty percent chance of rain this Saturday morning.  They have now changed that to twenty percent.  According to their forecast, the next “good” possibility of rain for us is a sixty percent chance on Saturday, April 29.  You think they will change that forecast again before then?  Hour by hour it seems.  God knows and we have to trust Him.  Thank God for well water when it comes to watering the garden.

So far I have managed to squeeze in “zero” seconds of watching the NBA playoffs.  I did read that the number one seeded Boston Celtics are 0 – 2 in their first round series.  Breaks my heart!

Alabama’s spring scrimmage is this Saturday, 4/22.  Will I attend?  No.  I would not attend if they were paying folks to do so.  May watch some of it on television but probably not.

Bobby and the Nationals are winning their division again.  They totally routed the Braves last night.  I miss Bobby being around here.

I pray that you will have a great Thursday 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

Today’s Bible reading –  2 Samuel 6-8; Luke 15:1-10

Obviously, Phil Sims remains in the hospital this morning.  There is a possibility of him being moved to another facility but that decision had not been made as of late yesterday afternoon.

Amy Huhn is having oral surgery this morning.  She asks for our prayers.

Spoke to Maria Wainwright via the phone late yesterday afternoon.  Maria was back in Grand Bay.  Her mother continues to be in much pain and that is especially true whenever anyone touches her.

Tried to reach Caroline Ford via the phone yesterday afternoon but no success.  Hopefully I will hear from her today relating to her tests.

Elizabeth Sessions is scheduled to have a surgical procedure done tomorrow.

My Aunt Alice in Michigan recently had a couple of procedures on her heart.  I am told they put a stent inside of a stent?  At any rate, she seems to be breathing easier now.  Prayers appreciated.

The funeral service for Mrs. Couch takes place today at 2:00PM from the Escatawpa Baptist Church.  It will be preceded by an hour of visitation with the family.

Regular schedule today/tonight – children’s choir, classes, Bible studies, et cetera.

“Potluck with the pastor” this morning immediately following our morning service.  Thanks to Bob Evans for setting up the tables and chairs.  Bob is a great help!  We have the meat (Arby’s has the meats) which is roast beef, the bread and the drinks.   You are asked to bring the sides and the desserts.  Come join us for this time of food and fellowship.

Guess what the fare is for tonight’s 7:30PM Bible study?  If you guessed roast beef with all of the trimmings then you win!

I need an IT person!

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

Phil Sims has been admitted to the hospital and is in CCU.  Obviously, there are some issues with his heart.  Pray that the medical folks can get to the cause and give Phil the proper treatment/procedure.

Rumor has it that Amy Huhn will be having oral surgery tomorrow.  Someone said, “that will not keep her from talking!”  I know who that person is but I am not going to throw him/her under the bus!  Pray for Amy!

“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

Today’s Bible reading –  2 Samuel 3-5; Luke 14:25-35

Caroline Ford was originally scheduled to have surgery today but her blood count remains so low that surgery is not an option at this time.  They will be doing a test today to try and understand why her blood count is staying low.

Elizabeth Sessions will be having a procedure on Thursday to begin the process of eliminating some of her kidney stones.  She has somewhere around twenty (20) stones with at least one being really large.  Those of you who have experience with kidney stones can certainly feel her pain!  (I thank God that I am not in that number!)

Maria Wainwright’s mother is at home in Louisiana.  Maria is there with her.  Not exactly sure what the latest update is but do know that Mrs. Hamilton continues to be physically low.  Keep praying.

“Potluck with the pastor” takes place tomorrow, 4/19, immediately following our 10:00AM service.  The meat (roast beef), bread and drinks will be provided.  You are asked to bring the sides and desserts.  Please bring enough for whoever is coming with you plus one or two more.  Pass the word!  Come join us for great food and even greater fellowship!

Lisa and I will be driving into a foreign country (Mississippi) today to visit with a pastor friend and his wife.  They are faced with a difficult challenge in their ministry and we are simply going to talk, pray and encourage them through this time.

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

Ok, let me share some things that I left out of my earlier entry this morning:

I failed to mention a very, very important group of folks who were involved in our three worship services yesterday – our nursery/extended session workers!  While I have no clue who they were I do know that those folks ministered in a place that does not get much credit.  I am very thankful to each one who served in this area.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I also failed to mention our audio/video guys.  All of them, minus one, did great!  I appreciate them!

Our greeters did a nice job too.  That is such a vital part of making our guests feel welcome.  Thank you to all who took part in that ministry.

Prayer time tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the auditorium.  Enter/exit the West side door.

GROW visitation tonight beginning at 6:00PM.  Meet in the church office, please.

We will be having our “potluck with the pastor” this Wednesday, 4/19, immediately following our morning service.  The meat will be roast beef.  It, along with the drinks and bread, will be provided.  You are asked to bring the sides and the desserts.  Please bring enough for you and whoever is coming with you plus one or two more.  Pass the word!

I am pretty sure that I have left some other things off.  If they are brought to my attention, I will list them.  Did I mention that our video man totally messed up the first song in our 10:30AM service?

“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

Today’s Bible reading – April 17 2 Samuel 1-2; Luke 14:1-24

Tuesday, April 18 – 2 Samuel 3-5; Luke 14:25-35
Wednesday, April 19 – 2 Samuel 6-8; Luke 15:1-10
Thursday, April 20 – 2 Samuel 9-11; Luke 15:11-32
Friday, April 21 – 2 Samuel 12-13; Luke 16
Saturday, April 22 – 2 Samuel 14-15; Luke 17:1-19
Sunday, April 23 – 2 Samuel 16-18; Luke 17:20-37

Well, Easter weekend 2017 was great!  We had two professions of faith which is obviously the highlight!  The adult choir, under the direction of Jeanette Bates, did an outstanding job of presenting the Gospel through song in our third morning worship service yesterday morning.  Our bus workers and Sunday School teachers received an “A” for their efforts on Saturday.  Ditto for Aaron Chinners and Deidra Taylor as they respectively led children’s church and preschool church on Saturday.  Some of our deacons and their wives did a great job of coming on Saturday morning to ready the auditorium for Sunday’s services.  Jeff Holifield and Rita Broome led our Spanish service at 9:30AM yesterday morning and did their usual great job.  Randall Broome, the praise team, the special singers, the instrumentalists and the praise band all did wonderful with our musical worship.  We are blessed!

So how many different folks were involved in our services Saturday/Sunday?  Somewhere between eight hundred and nine hundred wold be my best guesstimation.  We had around six hundred and fifty to seven hundred different folks on the campus yesterday morning.   We are very grateful to God for His giving the increase!  Thank you Friendship family for being faithful!

My Easter Sunday afternoon consisted of a really long nap which is way out of character for me.  It was good!  Lisa did not get that luxury as she was cooking and preparing to host our family for supper at 5:00PM.  She did a superb job.  Obviously, Ann, Deidra and Daphne cooked some things as well but Lisa is an awesome hostess.  Good looking one too!  I am thankful!

I will update those on our prayer list in tomorrow’s entry.  We are “hospital free” right now and that is a good thing.

I pray that you will have a great Monday 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

Today’s Bible reading – 1 Samuel 27-29; Luke 13:1-22

Good morning!  Big day/weekend in front of the Friendship family.  It all begins around 8:00AM this morning when our buses hit the road to bring folks to Sunday School and church.  Yes, we will have these two things for our preschoolers and children this morning.  Thank you in advance to our bus workers, teachers and all those involved in helping with this special day.

Of course tomorrow is a huge day for us and every other evangelical church in the world as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus!  He lives, He lives, He lives!  Hallelujah!  Someone said to me this week, “I hope you have a Happy Easter” and my thought process was “how can a follower of Jesus not have a Happy Easter?”  It then dawned on my some ways that such a person could not have a Happy Easter and one of those was to not gather with fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord to worship and celebrate on this most special day.  I realize some folks are providentially hindered (such as Sharon Jardee who would love to be in church with us tomorrow) but most of us have a choice as to whether or not we will join in corporate worship tomorrow.  So, I hope to see the house filled three times tomorrow morning with a special emphasis on the Easter musical at 10:30AM!

Spent all day Thursday in the yard with most of that time spent on the backside of a weed eater.  Soy had done much of the mowing which was a big help.  I stopped working in the yard in the late afternoon, grabbed a quick shower and headed to Lake City, Florida arriving there shortly before 1:00AM yesterday morning.

Yesterday morning I was able to attend the celebration of life service for Jim Chinners’ mother.  As you know, Jim preached that service and did a very nice job.  Justin Chinners, Ian Tagert and “Miss Deanna” Tagert shared a couple of messages in song.  It was a good service.  I was thankful the Lord allowed me to attend.

Arrived home around 5:00PM yesterday and went right back to the weed eater until dark thirty.  About to hit it again this morning before being at the church at 8:00AM.  Full day with the church activities this morning, yard work, a pre-marital counseling session and then a Sunday School class fellowship.  God is good!

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

Today’s Bible reading – 1 Samuel 22-24; Luke 12:1-31

Lisa’s father, Charles Clark, was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  I know he is happy to be home.

After yesterday morning’s service, I drove over to New Orleans to make two hospital visits.  First, I visited with Elaine Brown’s husband, Larry.  Yesterday morning, he had a stent placed in a vein going to his liver.  All went well and he “may” be discharged today.  Larry is one of Lillian Brinkman’s sons-in-law.

Also, I was able to visit with Maria Wainwright’s mother, Irma Hamilton, who is in the same hospital.  So I was able to not only visit with Mrs. Hamilton but also with Mr. Hamilton, Maria’s sister, other family members and Maria.  Mrs. Hamilton was doing much better and was most likely going to be moved from ICU back to a regular room.  Amazing!

I left the hospital shortly after 3:00PM and it took me to almost 4:00PM to get over the high rise bridge on I-10.  It was smooth sailing after that so I was happy to have gotten away when I did.

Our granddaughter, Sydney, will have her adenoids taken out today and tubes placed in her ears.  Simple procedure.

Logan Hatcher, seven years old, broke his arm last Friday.  His mother, Kayla, only took him to the doctor yesterday!  Poor child!  Actually, she made him leave on Saturday and go out of town for the weekend.  Really?  Kayla is not going to win “mother of the year!”  I think Logan gets a cast today.  His arm was in a sling last night at church.  (If only Kayla would listen to Ryan!).

The visitation with Jim Chinners and family takes place tonight in Lake City, Florida.  Service tomorrow morning.  Pray for Jim as he will preach that service.

Donald Butler was kind enough to post the obituary for Miss Couch as a comment on yesterday’s blog entry.  That service takes place next Wednesday, 4/19.  (Donald is such a nice guy!  Kind of makes me want to take back some of the bad I have spoken against the Pentecostals since he is one! J/K!  LOL!)

It is Spring break for the MCPSS and that probably affected our attendance some last night.  I never made it over to the CAB.  We had about an average number in Bible study both morning and evening.  I am thankful for faithful people!

I have much to do tomorrow so I am changing my off day this week to today.  Soy, yes Soy, did me a huge favor yesterday by mowing a lot of the fifteen acres on the hill.  Will make my job a good bit easier today.  However, there is probably still more to be done than I will be able to finish.  It is all good.

The good news is that I do not have to go to Walmart today as is normal for my off day!  Hooray, you say!  The bad news is that Lisa demanded that I make our weekly Walmart run last night!  Are you serious?  I had a long day with two church services and the trip to New Orleans.  She did not care!  So, I was blessed to leave home shortly after 9:00PM and get back before 11:00PM.  I keep trying to tell you guys that Lisa is a slave driver when it comes to me!  By the way, I discovered something last night.  It does not matter whether you go to Walmart early AM or late PM – they are only going to have one register open!

Christmas is good.  The birds seem happy.  In hopes of getting more this weekend.

Got to go as Lisa is hollering that the grass needs finishing and the garden needs watering.  Wow!

BTW, there will be no entry from me tomorrow, 4/14.  It will be Good Friday and I have a practice of not posting on that day.  Focus on His sacrifice for us.

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