Pastor's Blog

Quick update – Miss Kittie’s breathing numbers decreased yesterday.  Jeanette is doing a good job of keeping us updated.  Keep praying for Miss Kittie and her family.  Lord willing, Lisa and I will be visiting with Miss Kittie at some point this afternoon.

While my Mama remains in ICU and they still do not know the cause of her problems, the good news is that the MRI revealed that she did not have a stroke.  I visited with her yesterday morning and then again last night.  She is much improved!  I anticipate her being moved into a regular room today but that is just my guess.  Thank you to those who have prayed.  God is good!

The celebration of life service for Mark McElwee, in my opinion, went very well.  David, Sandra and Leigh Ann seemed pleased.  Bobby Henley did an outstanding job of sharing.  Keep praying for the McElwee family

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow – morning and evening.

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

I had the privilege of visiting with Miss Kittie Camp fairly late last night as we drove through Montgomery.  She was surrounded by  a good number of her family, was sitting in a chair in the living area of Jeff’s and Kathy’s home, recognized me and carried on a “small” conversation.  Her speech is soft and some words are a little difficult to understand.  She is obviously getting great care from her family and the hospice workers.  She is very grateful for the prayer support.  Keep praying.

The celebration of life service for Mark McElwee will take place beginning at 2:00PM today and will be preceded by an hour of visitation with Mark’s family.  Keep praying for the family, pray for Bobby Henley as he speaks and pray for me as I preach a message.

Lisa, Nora and I arrived in Hartselle just after 1:00AM today.  Mama was put in an ICU room and the doctors are still bewildered at the cause of her problems.  I am supposed to be allowed to visit with her at 8:00AM before heading to Gadsden.  Thank you to those who are praying.  Pray for us to have continued traveling mercies today as we will drive to Gadsden and then back to Hartselle.

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

It is a little after 4:00PM on 8/18 and I just spoke to Sonny Bates via the phone.  The medical folks have advised Jeff to call the family in as Miss Kittie Camp is very low.  So, the family members are headed to Montgomery to be with Miss Kittie.  Folks, pray fervently and without ceasing!  Pass the word to others who will join us in praying!

I spoke to Tim K as we were walking into the classes/services last night.  The plan is to go back to M.D. Anderson in December, have another scan and, depending on the scan results, do surgery to remove the tumor.  Tim’s situation is fluid.  I simply ask that you keep praying for Tim & Peggy.

Miss Kittie Camp continues to need our prayer support.  How many others has she prayed for over the years?  (Do not even try to count!)

Sammy & Myrtle Bowden’s son, Sambo, had surgery yesterday and all went well.  He should be discharged today.

Steve Morris is still battling a cough and is just not feeling well.  Pray for Steve.

Richard Bentley is recovering nicely.  Keep praying.

Anna Carol Bosarge had a therapy session yesterday as she continues to recover at home.  Pray for Anna Carol.

I received a call from my brother, Eddie, shortly after 1:00AM this morning.  They took our Mama to the hospital via ambulance.  It is now a little after 4:00AM and they are doing some tests/scans to try to figure out what is going on.  It “appears” to be a blood pressure problem but the doctor does not want to say until he has the test results in hand.

So, my plans could change meaning I would head North today instead of tomorrow.  I will definitely be in Gadsden for Mark’s celebration of life service tomorrow afternoon at 2:00PM.

We had a good day in our services yesterday morning and evening.  We were missing some regulars in our evening service but we still had a strong attendance.  Thank you to those who attended morning or evening.

Church fellowship at Presley’s Outing on Sunday, 9/25, from 4:00PM until 7:00PM.  Baptismal service during that fellowship.  More details coming!

Now is the time for members of the Friendship family to sign up for our June 2023 and our July 2023 GRACE Ministries trips to Guatemala.  June dates are 15 – 22 and July dates are 20 – 27.  These are both going to be at capacity plus so you need to sign up soon(er).  Email me (pastor@friendshipfamily.net) for more information or to sign up.

Remember, I am not in the office today but it is open and we have men ready to serve you.  I will either be on a mower or on the interstate.  I prefer the mower!

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

It is my understanding that Tim & Peggy began the drive home late yesterday.  Tim’s case is complicated and the scan did not show what we were in hopes it would.  The medical folks want to take a “wait and see” approach but, as of right now, Tim is leaning toward having surgery to remove the tumor in December.  Pray for Tim to have wisdom and peace!

Miss Kittie continues to not do well.  She is with Jeff in Montgomery.  Please join me in continuing to pray for Miss Kittie.  What a godly lady!

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening with the exception of one major change!  Our students, sixth through twelfth, will meet beginning at 6:00PM.  The high schoolers will begin with Bible study in the youth building while the middle schoolers will be in the CAB for a time of fellowship.  They will flip at 6:45PM and everyone will be dismissed at 7:30PM.  Bro. Dylan will teach both Bible studies.  We have used this model in years gone by and it worked well.

Speaking of flipping, I will flip my Thursday and Friday in order to be in Gadsden for Mark McElwee’s celebration of life service on Friday.  So, I plan to be in the yard all day Thursday and then in Gadsden Friday.  Lisa and I will drive to Hartselle late Friday in order to visit my Mama.  I also have an important meeting Saturday morning.

The church office will be open tomorrow with Bro. Jerry, Bro. Dylan and Bro. Abel ready to serve/minister in my absence.

It felt like Summer yesterday.  Why?  Because it IS Summer in South Mobile County!  If you know me at all then you know that I am a cooler weather person so I always enjoy Fall, Winter and Spring over the hot Summers.  However, God is God and I am not.  He has this!  I simply trust Him and do not complain about the weather.

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

Happy ninth birthday to our granddaughter, Nora.  I hope she will have a great day and I am sure her parents will make sure that happens.  We love Nora and are thankful to have her as our granddaughter.

Anna Carol Bosarge’s surgery was successful.  She had two tears.  She came home and will now be receiving physical therapy.  Keep praying for Anna Carol.  By the way, she has a excellent caregiver in her husband, Junior.  Junior is an awesome guy – one of the best men you will ever meet!

Peggy sent me a fairly long email on Tim’s results.  Bottom line is that the tumor is still present and it has grown ever so slightly.  They are working through the “what is next” scenario.  Keep praying for Tim and Peggy.

Edd Gillespie suffered two heart attacks last week while on a cruise.  He and Sandy got home Saturday night.  I hope to get an update today but do pray for Edd.

Jamie Jordan has an uncle in Arkansas who is not going well physically as he was just diagnosed with a malignancy.  His name is Buddy and prayers are appreciated.

Richard Bentley and Karen McGriff both had surgery last Wednesday and are recovering at their respective homes.  Keep praying for them.

Continue to pray for David & Sandra McElwee.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

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

This entry is late.  I apologize.  I left early to visit and pray with Anna Carol Bosarge before her surgery.  Did not get to see her but spent some time with Junior and then Charlotte came to sit with him.  Surgery began on time and is expected to take between two and a half and three hours.  Pray that all goes well.

I have heard from Peggy Knighten this morning.  At the time of her writing, they had not gotten any scan results and were meeting with the doctor beginning at 8:30AM.  Pray!

Good day in our services yesterday.  Other than the pastor messing up royally, all went well.  We had two professions of faith in the 10:30AM service.  Good response to the altar call during the evening service.

The celebration of life service for Mark McElwee is scheduled to take place this Friday, 8/19, beginning at 2:00PM in Gadsden, Alabama.  It will be preceded by an hour of visitation with the family.  Pray for David & Sandra.

Keep praying for Myrtle Bowden.

Pray for Miss Kittie.

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

Tonight, Sunday, August 14, Dani Jordan, daughter of Jonathan & Jamie Jordan came on the platform during the invitation to share with me that she has asked Jesus into her heart as her personal Savior.  Great news!  However, I failed to introduce her to those in attendance.  Total mistake on my part.  No excuses.  I am sorry for his huge error.

I spoke to Jamie via the phone and she was so gracious and very Christlike.  I am grateful.

This Sunday, 8/21, I will present Dani at the beginning of our 10:30AM service, Lord willing.

Folks, you cannot fix stupid – I am living proof!  Again, my apologies to Dani and her parents.

Tim Knighten will have blood work at noon today followed by his scan at 12:55PM.  Join me in praying for Tim.  And Peggy!

Anna Carol Bosarge is scheduled for surgery tomorrow.  Pray for Anna Carol.

Regular schedule on our campus today – morning and evening.

Hope all eleven of our blog readers will be in church today!

Tim & Peggy Knighten are in Houston in order for Tim to have his scan in the morning!  Pray for great results!

Bibbi Bosarge is some better and actually had to go to work for a few hours yesterday.  It just seems that no one else can head those shrimp like she can!  Keep praying for Bibbi!

Great news – Coley & Katelyn Johnson will go on Tuesday, August 23, to adopt!  They have prayed and waited for what seems like forever!  I am so happy for this family!

Once again, John Milton Ladnier has supplied us with garden produce.  This time it was okra!  Thank you John Milton for being so generous.

Not to be outdone, Bill Kendrick gave us a bag full of bell peppers this week.  (They must have been on sale at Sessions!)  Thank you Bill for remembering us!

Joey & Bibbi Bosarge blessed us with shrimp yesterday!  So nice!  Thank you Joey & Bibbi.

Evan Cramer heads to Troy University today to begin his college career.  Others from the Friendship family may be doing likewise.  Join me in praying for these young adults.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  Study in Romans begins at 4:45PM; Bible baseball from 5:00 – 6:00PM and children’s choir from 6:00 – 7:00PM.  Sunday School begins at 9:15AM.  Worship services at 8:00AM, 10:30AM and 6:00PM.  Join us!

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