Pastor's Blog

It is 3:00PM and the doctors have just told Miss Vivian’s family that he must do surgery now.  Cecil’s words were that the liquid in her lungs is “poison” and to not do surgery is certainly fatal.  It is estimated the surgery will begin around 5:00PM.  Pray!

The Lord blessed and we had a good Wednesday in our respective services.  Again, for me, it is always a good ending to the day to gather with our young adults for Bible study.  There were 34 of them present last night and we had a good time in the Word. 

I have to give a shout out to our student ministry too.  Bro. Chris & Bro. Dale are doing a good job and they had 94 students in attendance last night.  Great job students & leaders!  It is about souls and not numbers but each number represents a soul!  Praise the Lord!

Cecil was able to share some good news last night as the doctor told them that there had been a “slight” improvement in Miss Vivian’s situation.  She is still a very sick lady but any word of improvement is a good thing.  Their hope is to get her in for a scan this afternoon.  Pray that will happen.

Haley Walker remains hospitalized with pneumonia.  Pray for a speedy recovery.

Whitney Bryant goes for her full body scan today.  She will go back next Thursday for the results.  I am praying they will find nothing except freckles! 

Carla Kyser meets with her radiologist this morning.  Pray as he considers means of treatment. 

Pastor Abel Garcia did not have a nuclear stress test yesterday (my mistake) but will have it done today.  Pray for him!

Joyce Hacker continues to recover at home as does Gerald Poiroux.  Betty Neal was able to get out and about on her own yesterday.  Deanna Wetterer’s mother, Sue Carpenter, had knee replacement this past Monday and may go home today.  Donald Stork, Bobby’s brother, is scheduled for surgery next Tuesday.  George Douglas, Jr. (Dee Dee’s dad) cannot have surgery as his cancer has spread.  Betty Taylor was diagnosed with cancer and will have surgery on 9/21.  Pastor Max Lara did well through his surgery.  By the way, GRACE Ministries will take care of the expenses related to that surgery so a big thank you goes to everyone (individuals & churches) who financially support GRACE Ministries.  Mike Parker and family will travel to the States on 9/12 to spend a couple of months with his dad who is also battling cancer.  So, you and I have a lot of folks to pray for today.

We are still in need of scholarships for the pastors’ conference.  One of our evangelist friends made a contribution that arrived in the mail yesterday – what a gracious act.  We had another out of town supporter pick up five of the pastors.  We are grateful & blessed!

Friendship family – don’t forget the meal & service this Sunday, 9/6, at 5:00PM. 

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

I am entering this post a mere 10 hours or so since my last entry so I obviously don’t have much in the way of “new” news. 

I spoke to Cecil Guidry via the phone around 9:30PM last night.  They had allowed Miss Vivian to awaken some but her pain is great.  She is on the ventilator which means she can’t talk but she did respond by using her head to give yes & no responses.  The doctors continue to say that she is a very sick lady. 

I also spoke to Whitney Bryant via the phone and received an e-mail from Diane later.  Whitney had to take a pill yesterday in order for them to do the scan tomorrow.  She should get the test results on the following Thursday, 9/10. 

Today is a regular Wednesday for us schedule wise.  I encourage the members of the Friendship family to join us either this morning or tonight. 

Twenty-three years ago this morning, Lisa, Deidra, Daphne, & I were traveling home from a national church softball tournament in North Carolina.  I will never forget stopping somewhere north of Atlanta to call the church office to check in and learning that Lisa’s brother, Michael, had been taken from us in a car accident as he drove to his first day of classes in college.  That memory seems so fresh yet so distant.  Death hurts. (Three years later to the day Dub Ladnier would pass away after a battle with cancer)  I often think of those who have “gone before” and my only consolation is that they are with Jesus and that one day we will be reunited because of Jesus.  Because Jesus lives we can face today! 

Pray without ceasing!

I am typing this post at 6:00PM having just returned from the hospital.  Miss Vivian Ladnier is in an ICU and the doctors say that she is “very” sick.  She is on a ventilator and they have her sedated.  She went for a procedure yesterday morning and it has simply gone down hill from there with her being placed in the ICU early this morning.  Pray for her and her family.

I was told while at the hospital that Whitney Bryant did not have the scan done today but is now scheduled for Thursday. 

It is my understanding that one of the Walker girls (Amy’s daughter) is very sick and is possibly in the hospital.

Marisa Felps e-mailed me to say that Carla had gotten a positive report from her latest scan.  She will meet with another doctor on Thursday. 

Gerald Poiroux is not doing well and I am not sure why unless is simply taking his body some time to heal from his surgery.  Wanda Jordan told me today that Joyce Hacker is doing better day by day.  Betty Neal continues to recover at home also.  It was good to see Miss Joyce Bosarge in our service this past Sunday. 

Pastor Travis Northcutt e-mailed today to say that his maternal grandmother, Merle Phillips, has been diagnosed with cancer.  Please pray for her and all of the needs listed. 

My trip to Guatemala was quick!  However, the Lord blessed with on time flights and safety in the air and on the highways.  I was able to see/meet with Mike Clark, Jack Ciak, Paul & Cristy Leytham, Wilfred & Shirley Johnson, Louise Mason, Tico Vargas, John & Laurie King & their grandson, Josh.  I felt that is was a productive trip!  I dropped Samuel off at this house and I guess he ran to Reyna’s house b/c I never saw or heard from him again – LOL!

Tico assures me that we are going to have 250 folks at the pastors’ conference.  We need scholarships.  Each pastor attending will be given a book mirroring the conference theme which is “Resist The Devil” (James 4:7).  These are costing a “pretty penny” but we are getting them in Guatemala.  I appreciate all those who have helped and those who will help financially. 

My dog is calling my name so I better check on him.  Thanks for taking the time to read this entry.

The Lord blessed and we had a good Sunday.  Bro. Robbie did a very nice job of sharing his personal testimony of how God saved him.  It was a joy to baptize two more during the evening service.  God is good! 

Our Spanish service saw 12 adults in attendance.  God is blessing and we are seeing an increase weekly.  We are going to begin to incorporate some members of the Friendship family into the service this Sunday.  Interested?  Contact me. 

Joyce Hacker, Betty Neal, & Gerald Poiroux all did well during their respective surgeries last week and are at home recovering.  I am not sure if Miss Kathleen Henderson remains hospitalized or not.  Carla Kyser had a scan done last week and should get the results this week.  Whitney Bryant has her full body scan tomorrow.  Pray for these folks!

Samuel Acan goes home today.  As a matter of fact, it is a little before 3:00AM and we are about to leave for the airport.  I will fly down with him today and return tomorrow morning.  Thanks to each person who has helped make his trip so memorable. 

Believe it or not, I am not taking my computer with me so there will be no entry in the morning.  I may post tomorrow afternoon but it may very well be Wednesday morning.  In the meanwhile, just read Pastor Jack’s blog – I think it is at www.iamademocratlover.com. 

By the way, my wife is some better but she was unable to get out of the bed yesterday.  Since I will be gone today, she will go to her office.  Again, if her back were only as hard as her head!  Thanks for asking and thanks for praying! 

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

P.S. – Where did August ’09 go?

Gerald Poiroux’s surgery went very well and he came home shortly after noon with no pain!  I stopped by for a quick visit yesterday afternoon and he was jumping fences!  Praise the Lord!

Joyce Hacker’s surgery went well also and she may come home today – remarkable! 

Rita Vice tried to call me late yesterday to give me an update on Betty Neal’s surgery but I didn’t get the call.  I will update later on her.

Miss Kathleen Henderson remains hospitalized but is in good spirits.  Linda Jackson had cataract surgery on Wednesday and is doing fine.  Lisa is still struggling with her back pain!  (If her back were as hard as her head, she would be fine!)  Pray for all of these folks as well as the ones battling other sicknesses especially cancer.  Also, pray for Diane Vickers and her family as well as the Brown family following yesterday’s funeral services. 

BTW, Melissa Brown had a remarkable cure as she was only sick from 7:00 – 8:00PM Wednesday night!  LOL!  Speaking of Wednesday night, our student ministry attendance either busted a dollar or got really close!  (That means they reached 100)

Karla Cooper was so kind to my family last night as she cooked supper and delivered it to us b/c of Lisa’s back pain.  We appreciate this gracious act of kindness and the food was great!  (I anticipate Lisa being down for another two or three months so we maybe should get a rotation set up for these meals! J/K!) 

Soy & Deidra stopped by around 9:30PM last night after having been out to eat (Ruth Chris?).  I was mowing our grass.  Soy said, “I love to cut grass at night” so I extended an invitation for him to come join me.  I cut until around midnight – where’s Soy?  Deidra stated that Soy was so “strong” as he is so consistent in pushing their mower at the same speed.  I didn’t have the heart to tell her he uses a “self propelled” mower!  Love is blind (or gullible)!   (It remains true that folks don’t stop and talk to you when you cut your grass at night!)

Daphne, Samuel, & I are making a really quick run to North Alabama this afternoon and then back home tomorrow afternoon.  Soy & Deidra come tomorrow as they are having a baby shower for our nephew, Josh, and his wife, Tracy, who are expecting twins in early November.  (Hence the part about Lisa’s “hard head” as she thinks she is going!)  I am going largely in part b/c I need to visit with my parents.  I haven’t seen them in months.  Pray for us as we travel. 

Don’t forget that Pastor Robbie Howard will be preaching in our morning services this Sunday, 8/30.  I will be in attendance, Lord willing, and I hope you will join me. 

Gotta go finish cutting a little grass here, make the FA run, buy groceries and then cut grass at the in laws (the will thing) before leaving. 

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

P.S. – Rusty Suthoff & Caryn Hyatt are next in line to make the “big” announcement regarding marriage!  Josh Woods, what’s up with that! 

P.S.S. – Think I just heard Lisa waking up so I have to give her another “pain” pill.  She hasn’t been awake since Wednesday morning as I have done really good in keeping her medicated – LOL!

The text message on my phone last night simply read: “Edna & Allen engaged today.  Details later!!!”  I called to confirm it with Allen Glover and he shared that it is true as he and one of our church secretary’s, Edna Holifield, will be getting married in the near future.  Wow!  Congratulations to two fine folks!  I guess the “details” will come later!

Short & sweet this morning as I am playing Mr. Mom and have three surgeries and one funeral today.  Gerald Poiroux, Joyce Hacker, & Betty Carol Neal (in that order) will be having surgery today (in three different hospitals).  Diane Vickers’ grandmother’s funeral will take place at noon in Bay Springs, MS (Bro. Jerry & Bro. Kerry will attend) and Nell Brown’s funeral will take place from Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore at 2:00PM.  Pray for these folks and families. 

Vera Bosarge’s brother, David Vesper, is hospitalized in North Carolina.  His condition was a little better than originally thought.  Dale Bosarge is in B’ham for some training (good luck with that!) but has been sick all week.  It seems a ton of folks are sick at home.  Kathleen Henderson is still hospitalized (I think).  Of course, we still have folks battling cancer – I mentioned Mike Parker’s dad last night.  So, your prayer list should be full.

Lisa & I spent yesterday morning in the doctor’s office as she is having back problems (muscular or ligament).  She is in pretty tough shape hence the Mr. Mom thing.  Where’s Soy?  Thanks to Bro. Jerry for taking care of the 10:00AM service yesterday and Bro. Chris for doing the 8:00PM service although I did get there around 9:00PM. 

Bro. Robbie Howard will bring the message in our 8:00 & 10:30AM services this Sunday.  I pray that you will come hear the Lord speak through him. 

T. Garrett, why do you want to side with Pastor Jack based on your comment attached to yesterday’s post? 

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

Diane Vickers’ grandmother passed away yesterday.  She was in her 90’s.  The visitation & funeral service will take place tomorrow in Bay Springs, Mississippi.  Pray for Diane’s mother and the entire family.

Nell Brown’s visitation & funeral service will also take place tomorrow from Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore.  The visitation is from noon until the 2:00PM service time.  Pray for this family too.

Joyce Hacker will have surgery tomorrow at noon.  Miss Kathleen Henderson remains hospitalized.  We have several within the Friendship family who are battling the H1N1 flu (would have said “swine” flu but didn’t want to upset my politically correct friends like Pastor Jack Bailey), and pnuemonia.  Whitney Bryant will have a full body scan next Tuesday as one of her counts is much too high.  Pray for all of these needs as well as those who are battling cancer. 

Today is a regular Wednesday schedule wise.  I hope the members of the Friendship family will be in their rightful place! 

Al was right!  Therefore, Pastor Jack owes him an apology!  It was reported by a study committee yesterday that the major cities in the USA are getting warmer as the average temperature (in those cities) has risen by two degrees over the last five decades!  Folks, facts are facts!  PJ hasn’t felt the “warming” because he never gets out of Danville except to go home to Rocky Ford – neither of those places land in the “major” city category! 

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

P.S. – The 8:00PM meal is “looking good” so our young adults probably don’t want to miss tonight’s service!

Deanna Wetterer e-mailed last night to say that Nell Brown passed away around 6:00PM.  Pray for the family as they go today to make funeral arrangements. 

I reported that Joyce Hacker was going to have surgery this Thursday but that is now not for certain.  I spoke to Tony last night and Joyce has to have some tests done today to determine if she can have surgery at this time. 

I visited Miss Kathleen Henderson in the hospital yesterday.  She was in good spirits but doesn’t like being in the hospital.

I haven’t heard an update on Gerald Poiroux.  Keep praying for him as well as Marie Schjott, Brian Whitmore, and all those battling cancer.  I could write an entire blog about the “unspoken” requests I am dealing with right now.  Pray fervently! 

It was a good thing to see 20 folks gather for our visitation effort last night and 20 folks gather as a student ministry committee to discuss how to help our students grow spiritually.  I thank God for the Friendship family!

It happens all the time – I preached on the “oppression” of hell this past Sunday and yesterday the demons had a field day with me as they attacked my mind and accused me of my mistakes.  I hate the devil!  I hate demons too!  I could use an extra prayer or two today! 

We received a couple of out of town donations for scholarships yesterday and we are thankful for those along with those that have been given by members of the Friendship family.  We have about 35 of the 250 pastors covered at this point.  Pray and give as the Lord leads!  Thank you!

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