Pastor's Blog

Talked to Tim & Peggy Knighten yesterday.  Tim has heard from M.D. Anderson and is waiting for them to set an appointment there for Tim.  Keep praying!

Steve Morris sent me a message that he will meet with an oncologist on Monday, April 25.  Pray for wisdom for the doctor along with Steve & Virginia.

Spoke to Jeanette Bates.  She is doing well and hopes to get rid of her walker this Wednesday.  Pray that will become a reality.

Miss Kittie Camp will have fluid drawn from her lung(s?) on Monday, 4/18.  Pray that all will go well.  I am in hopes that Miss Kittie will be able to join us for one of tomorrow’s services.

Larry Whitehurst told me yesterday that he is improving daily.  He plans to be in one of the services tomorrow.  Keep praying.

Larry & Judy’s son, Rodney, receiving his first two radiation treatments this week.  I was wrong (imagine that!) about his schedule.  He will receive a treatment every Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday for the next five weeks.  Pray for all to go well.

Edna Pearl just called to tell me that they have been on the proverbial roller coaster with Terry Brinkman.  He has now undergone another surgery.  He has a few issues and they are searching for answers.  Pray for Terry, the medical folks and Terry’s family during this time.

Brad Turrentine is one of my first cousins.  He just learned that he has two masses – one behind each kidney.  The doctor suspects a malignancy.  Brad contacted me on Thursday asking us to pray for him.  Please join me in praying for Brad.  He is a strong believer in Jesus and a great guy!

Just called my sister, Melissa.  She has passed seven kidney stones this week and still has stones in her kidneys.  The doctor has seen something on her liver and is concerned.  She will have a test(s) next week.  Please join me in praying for Melissa.

Our Easter Saturday was a huge success!  We had just under five hundred folks in attendance!  The CAB was filled!  Eggs were everywhere.  Thanks for Bro. Dylan and all who helped in any way.

Soccer seems to be going well today.  Soccer and well in the same sentence – oxymoron?  (Asking for a friend)

Worship services tomorrow at 6:00AM (Bro. Jerry Hovel preaching); 8:00AM (Bro. Abel Garcia preaching) and 10:30AM (not much in the way of a preacher).  No other services or classes tomorrow!

We will be continuing the sign up for our crawfish/shrimp boil which will take place on Sunday, May 8, beginning at 5:00PM.

Lisa and I had a good trip to Hartselle.  We left Thursday morning and got home last night.  It was good spending time with Mama and other family members.  Even went to a political rally – Tracie Turrentine for Superintendent of Education!  We are grateful to the Lord for a good, safe trip.  By the way, Lisa basically slept all the way home.  Once at home, I had to pick her up out of the car and carry her to bed – my aching back!  Just saying!

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

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  Our attendance was good and for that I am most thankful to the Lord and our people.

Tim Knighten has heard from the folks at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Texas.  They are now in the process of getting him an appointment.  Pray for Tim & Peggy as they await the details on this next step.

As far as I know, Steve & Virginia are still waiting on an appointment with an oncologist.  Waiting can be so difficult so pray for them!

I do not have an update on Rodney Whitehurst but am assuming his radiation treatment went as scheduled.  Keep praying.

Myrtle Bowden will begin her new regiment of treatments beginning this Monday, 4/18.  Pray for Myrtle.

Donnie Felps continues to need our prayer support.  He is at home.

Terry Brinkman remains in the ICU.  Pray without ceasing!

The initial sign up for our crawfish/shrimp boil went well.  Looking forward to a great time of fellowship.

Easter weekend ’22 is going to be great.  It begins with the egg hunt on Saturday morning from 9:15AM until 10:30AM.  Our three services on Sunday, 4/17, will begin at 6:00AM; 8:00AM and 10:30AM.  Please join us for at least one of these services.

Speaking of the sunrise service, I need some men to meet me at the church at 5:30AM in order to set up the seating for that service.  The more, the merrier!  Thank you in advance for your help.

Lisa and I are traveling today heading to Hartselle.  I need to get some more tumblers to take to Guatemala plus I am going to spend time this afternoon and tomorrow with Mama and other family members.  Lord willing, we will return home tomorrow night.  Pray for us to have safety while traveling.

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

FYI, there will be no blog entry tomorrow.  Focus on the cross of Jesus and His sacrifice for us.

The church office is closed today, Thursday, 4/14/22.  While I will be traveling, Bro. Jerry & Bro. Abel will be local in the event of an emergency.  Blessings!

The doctor was correct regarding Terry Brinkman’s situation.  The surgery yesterday morning revealed a problem from the initial surgery which they were able to correct yesterday.  Terry remains in ICU and in need of our prayer support.

Peggy Knighten sent me an update yesterday saying that there have been some issues getting Tim a referral to M.D. Anderson Hospital but those issues have supposedly been resolved and now they are waiting to hear from someone at M.D. Anderson.  Keep praying for Tim.

I will see Steve & Virginia this morning in our service and will get the latest on Steve’s situation.  Pray for Steve.

If I understand correctly, Rodney Whitehurst will have his first radiation treatment today followed by another on Friday.  Pray that these treatments are effective.

Larry Whitehurst continues to recover at home so just keep praying.

Keep praying for Myrtle Bowden.

Regular schedule on our campus today – morning and evening.

Egg hunt this Saturday morning from 9:15AM until 10:30AM.  Buses will run their regular routes.  Bro. Dylan could use some help beginning around 7:00AM.

Easter Sunday services are as follows:  sunrise at 6:00AM (Bro. Jerry preaching); worship at 8:00AM (Bro. Abel preaching); worship at 10:30AM (not much preaching – think Michael Mason & Spencer Bell rolled into one preacher).  Brad will lead the musical worship at 6:00AM & 8:00AM.  Ian Tagert will lead the musical worship at 10:30AM.

Our crawfish/shrimp boil on May 8 at 5:00PM is coming together nicely.  John Ladnier, Jeff Holifield and Joey Bosarge will be leading the charge.  John has arranged to get the crawfish from South Louisiana.  We are going to have a loose sign up and need your cooperation.

Our bbq fellowship on July 3 is also taking shape as Stacey Dyess will be leading that charge.  Joey & Bibbi Bosarge have promised to donate a pig (his name is “Rudy” and he is so cute!)  There will be cake auction that night too and, hopefully, some fireworks (not those that normally take place in a Baptist church – just saying!)  Save the date!

FYI, a dozen glazed doughnuts at Krispy Kreme (participating locations) are $4.14 this week beginning today.  For the next several weeks the price will match the cost of an average gallon of gas.  Limit is two dozen and only applies to glazed doughnuts.

I think our blog readership is now around eight as I have heard from six folks.  Again, one of those was not telling the truth as it does not count if you “catch up” like ten days later.

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

Terry Brinkman, brother of Eddie, Edna & Elaine, will be having surgery this morning at 9:00AM.  He had surgery last Tuesday and they are going back in to check some things.  Terry has been in ICU.  Pray for the surgery, for Terry and for his family, please.

Steve & Virginia Morris visited with me yesterday afternoon after leaving the doctor’s office.  Whenever the doctor begins the conversation with something like, “this is not good” then you know to brace yourself.  Steve has a malignant tumor either in or on his right kidney.  If that were the only problem then that kidney could be surgically removed.  The problem is that Steve’s left kidney is problematic for other reasons.  So, he will meet with an oncologist to get a plan of action.  Steve mowing days are over which is bad news for the church (back forty) and me personally as Steve has graciously helped me for the past four or five years.  Pray for Steve and Virginia.  Talk about a great couple!

No updates on anyone else for whom we have been praying.  Just keep praying.

Here is some good news – Jay Oakwood got another “all clear” report following his latest scan – praise the Lord!  If I could just get Jay to move over to the Tuscaloosa side then all would be well!  Just saying!

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

John Milton Ladnier, Joey Bosarge and Jeff Holifield all volunteered to bring their respective cookers and pots to lead our crawfish boil on Sunday afternoon, May 8, beginning at 5:00PM on the back forty!  I “think” we now have enough cookers/pots.  Plans are to boil shrimp too.  Details forthcoming on what the Friendship family needs to bring.  We are going to ask folks to sign up so we can have a general idea of how much food to bring.

I am not a fan of the transfer portal – in college sports or the Baptist church!

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

Welcome to the family, Hunter!  I had the glorious privilege of leading Hunter to the Lord last Monday evening.  He was in church Wednesday night, Sunday morning, Discipleship Training and then the evening service.  Praise the Lord!  God gives the increase!  Lee Fore was very involved in this young man’s salvation.  Great story!

Steve Morris has an appointment with his doctor this afternoon and should learn the results from the biopsy taken last Monday.  Pray that all goes well.

Spoke to Larry Whitehurst early yesterday morning.  He is recovering but is not jumping any fences.  Pray for Larry’s recovery.

Speaking of Larry, his and Judy’s oldest son, Rodney, has been diagnosed with a malignancy and will be receiving radiation treatment for the next six weeks.  He will go get fitted for the treatments today.

Tonie Lee spoke to me in the service yesterday morning and talked about her son’s diagnosis.  Andrew has a very rare disease – like six hundred cases total (not sure if that is in the world or just the states).  Pray for young Andrew.

As far as I know, Tim Knighten remains in a holding pattern.  Keep praying.

Andy & Betty Hamil missed a second consecutive Sunday yesterday due to Betty’s fall.  They never miss two consecutive Sundays.  Pray for Betty’s recovery.

Myrtle Bowden was in our services yesterday.  Not sure what the next step is for her but do ask you to pray.

A very close relative of three of our church members had a serious surgery last week and remains in ICU.  Pray!

Jeanette Bates will soon see the surgeon and will hopefully get rid of her walker.  She seems to be doing well.  Keep praying for a complete recovery.

Our ladies will be hosting a diaper giveaway tomorrow morning.  This is a monthly happening.  Pray for this ministry.

The egg hunt will take place this Saturday, April 16, beginning at 9:15AM.  Bro. Dylan needs folks to help as early as 7:00AM.  Contact him if you can help.

We are down to a precious few of the tumblers.  Like two or three tops.  Contact me if you want one as I will not be placing another order for here.  The next ones will go to Guatemala and will sell for twenty five dollars each.  Just FYI.

Ok, a member of the Friendship family called out Big Bob’s bar-b-que last week in an email to me.  I was highly offended!  So, we will be having a church fellowship on Sunday evening, July 3.  The main fare will be bar-b-que and this offending member will be the lead chef.  More details coming but please save the date!

Speaking of church fellowships, we are going to have a crawfish boil (probably shrimp too) on Sunday, May 8.  This will be a church wide event that will begin at 5:00PM.  Here is what I need – some men who know how to boil the crawfish to step up and take the lead.  Contact me via email at pastor@friendshipfamily.net.  The sooner, the better.  More details coming.

The church office is open today through Thursday this week.  Normal hours.

FYI, I had three blog readers respond to last Thursday’s post.  One of them was not even being truthful.  So, I think we are probably down to five regular readers.  Let’s go Dragnet – “just the facts, ma’am, just the facts!”

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

Good morning to all thirteen readers of the “blob!”  The weather forecasters are calling for us to enjoy three beautiful days here in South Mobile County.  I hope that you will enjoy them but not so much that you miss the church services on Sunday!  Just saying!

The memorial service for Kirk Crowder’s father takes place at Serenity this morning beginning at 10:00AM.  Help is needed to feed the family following the service.  Those helping need to have their food in the fellowship hall no later than 10:00AM.  Thank you in advance for helping and a very special thanks to Tina Wilkinson for coordinating this ministry.  Tina is awesome!

Nothing new as far as I know on those for whom we have been praying.  Steve Morris, any word?  Folks, keep praying!

Picture day tomorrow for our soccer teams.  I am sure those involved know the details.  Pray for this ministry.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, April 10.  There will be a meeting beginning at 4:00PM for those interested in discussing the proposed budget.  That budget will be voted on during our evening service.

Our focus this Sunday morning will be on the Cross and our evening service will see us observe the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper.  I pray that the members of the Friendship family will attend these services in strong numbers.

Our Easter Sunday schedule is as follows:  sunrise service at 6:00AM followed by worship services at 8:00AM and 10:30AM.

Our tumbler supply is dwindling pretty quickly.  We now have zero yellow tumblers.  We still have two orange ones, seven reds and eleven purples.  Email me if you want one or more.  Again, first come, first served.

Ok, let me be honest.  I had an ulterior motive for going to Hartselle on Wednesday.  Garnett’s Lawn Equipment has a nicely stocked supply of Gravely mowers especially the 660.  I was thinking that perhaps the “big boss” (Willard) would want to bless a pastor with one of those as a token of his appreciation for God’s blessings on his business.  What was I thinking?

As I examine the landscape, I am afraid our blog readership has perhaps fallen into the single digits.  My use of “thirteen” in the opening of this entry is probably an exaggeration.  How do I know this?  Folks who claim to be readers send me emails, messages, et cetera asking questions or making statements about things that were clearly mentioned in the blog earlier which means they did not read the blog.  That hurts!  So, is it worth spending time, energy and space on the web for seven or eight readers?  (Asking for a friend!)  I had high hopes of being like Pastor Jack Bailey and his blog readership numbers but that simply is not feasible.

I pray that you will have a great Friday with Jesus.  Enjoy this beautiful day that the Lord has made!

Sorry this entry is late.  No excuses.

Friendship family, we need some immediate help.  Kirk Crowder’s dad recently passed from this life.  There will be a memorial service for him tomorrow (Friday) morning.  We are going to feed the family (twenty to thirty folks) following the service and this is an eleventh hour request for help with the food.  Tina Wilkinson has graciously agreed to coordinate this ministry.  Please contact the church office today (Thursday) or contact Tina directly.  All food must be in the fellowship hall by 10:00AM tomorrow.  Thank you in advance for your help.  Pray for Kirk and his family.

Visited Larry Whitehurst yesterday morning and the plan was to discharge him from the hospital today if all goes well.  Keep praying for Larry.

Keep praying for Myrtle as the doctor leads her through this next process.  Again, Myrtle has a strong faith.

Tim Knighten is basically in a holding pattern for the time being.  Peggy wrote, “more waiting but even more trusting!”  So, we with and pray with them.

The doctors have diagnosed Tonie Lee’s son, Andrew.  He has a most rare condition that is too much for me to repeat.  The family is grateful to at least have a diagnosis.  Pray for Andrew.

The memorial service for Dale Gaulden was well attended by family members and friends.  Keep praying for Grace and the family.

Several more orders came in for the GRACE Ministries tumblers yesterday.  Here is where our inventory stands as of this writing:  purple (11); red (7); yellow (3); orange (2).   Again, first come, first served.  Email me to pre-order your tumbler(s).

Miss Vinnie Brewer will be happy to know that I left Dale’s service and drove to Hartselle to visit my Mama and others.  Spent about three plus hours with Mama and even had the privilege of sitting beside her during church.  Pastor Joe David Bailey preached one of the best messages on tithing that I have ever heard.  I saw a good number of friends in the service and then enjoyed supper at Big Bob’s following the service.  I enjoyed spending time with Mama.  Need to do it more often.  Thank you for allowing me to be away and thanks to Bro. Jerry for teaching in my absence.

Here is what will not make Miss Vinnie a happy camper.  I left Mama’s around 9:00PM and headed back home.  Let’s just say that I made it safe and sound thanks to the Lord’s blessings.  The problem I faced was not being able to fall asleep once I got home.  Also, I did not let Lisa know I was driving back home so as to not worry her.  Plus, I did not want her spending time finding my life insurance policy.  I did get to see Willard Garnett which is reason enough to drive almost eight hundred miles in fifteen hours.

So, I am home but will not be out and about much today.  Will use time to study for this Sunday.

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

Regular schedule on our campus today – morning and evening.

Larry Whitehurst’s surgery went well yesterday.  He remains in the hospital.  Pray for Larry to recover quickly.

Word came to me yesterday that Myrtle Bowden’s latest scan results did not produce the desired results.  Therefore, she has been taken off the treatment she was receiving and will go back to the previous treatment regiment.  Myrtle has a very strong faith and is believing God to work in her life again.  Pray for Myrtle, the medical personnel and Myrtle’s family.

Tim Knighten had a phone consult with his urologist yesterday.  The scan showed no abnormal activity in Tim’s brain – praise the Lord.  The doctor wants to refer Tim to M.D. Anderson and the possibility of taking a different route regarding his situation.  So, keep praying as Tim & Peggy wait, pray and trust God.  Tim & Peggy are grateful for the prayer support from their church family and others.

The memorial service for Dale Gaulden takes place today in Baldwin County.  Pray for Dale’s family.

The GRACE Ministries tumblers are being pre-ordered at a pretty good clip.  A few orders came in yesterday.  Hopefully, we will have the tumblers in hand this Sunday, 4/10.  We have eleven purple, eight red, six yellow, and two orange left.  Twenty dollars cash per tumbler.  First come, first served.  Email me at pastor@friendshipfamily.net to place your order.

By the way, we have some fresh coffee from Guatemala that Daphne brought back.  Ten dollars per pound.  Very limited supply.

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