Pastor's Blog

Did anyone happen to notice where April went?  Wow! 

The Lord blessed and we had a good day in our services yesterday.  He continues to faithfully bless us as we had another profession of faith and one to join by tranfer of letter.  We thank God for the increase! 

It was a special joy to host Louise Mason in our services yesterday.  She is such an important part of GRACE Ministries and it was good for her to see where we are, to renew friendships, and to make new friendships. 

Brandon & Pam (Landry) Baker, Michael & Deidra Taylor, & Alisha Vice will be spending their summer ministering through GRACE Ministries in Guatemala.  Pray for these five young adults as they give up their summer at home to be involved in this ministry. 

Betty Neal got an excellent report from her biposy as it was not cancer!  The next step is to determine what to do with her heart and that decision should come in the next day or so.  Bobby Stork’s brother, Donald, remains hospitalized.  Mike Moreland’s brother, Chuck, was involved in a fall and suffered mutliple breaks and other problems.  He is in an intensive care unit in a hospital in Pennsylvania.  Bea Unrue’s sister suffered a stroke last week.  Pastor Travis Northcutt did well through his surgery and even posted a comment on Friday’s post. 

Anyone interested in the ongoing renovation projects here are asked to meet with us this Wednesday at 6:00PM.  We will meet in the adult Sunday School building. 

The refs cheated and those Celtics won the final game and the series against da Bulls!  Go Magic! 

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

Miss JoNell Barnes’ surgery was a success and she was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon.  Betty Neal had a biopsy done yesterday afternoon and the results should be known in a couple of days.  Donald Stork remains hospitalized.  Miss Mary McNorton is a resident in the Grand Bay Convalescent Home as is her husband.  She is presently in a local hospital with pneumonia and congestive heart failure.  Pray for these folks! 

Pastor Travis Northcutt is having surgery this morning.  It was scheduled to begin at 7:00AM eastern time so take a moment and pray for him now. 

Louise Mason from Guatemala will fly in this afternoon and be with us for the weekend.  This will be her first trip to Grand Bay and we are looking forward to hosting her.  She will be in our services on Sunday.

I had a good night last night as I watched those Celtics lose once again to da Bulls!  The Celtics may win game seven Saturday but they have been battled! 

I fully expected to hear from some of our TN followers after yesterday’s post but I did not!  However, I then realized that most of them can’t read!  Come on Bret, defend your state!  (Jack Ciak threw you guys under the bus with his comment!) 

I have received “countless” e-mails from folks amazed that I could be in line to become a grandfather because of my young looks.  I may add some gray to my hair just to make me look a little older!  Thanks to all who have sent messages of congratulations! 

Our focus this weekend is on our senior adults – what a great group!  I hope the members of the Friendship family will join us for our Bible studies and worship services. 

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

Our daughter, Daphne, and her husband, Brad, are expecting their first child around the middle of December.  I realize that I am really young looking to even be considered a grandparent but it is what it is!  Lisa and I are excited for Brad, Daphne, & the baby. 

Betty Neal’s heart cath revealed some things that will have to be addressed in the near future.  Donald Stork remains in the ICU and is on a ventilator.  His lungs are in tough shape.  Dawn Autin continues to battle the infection in her body.  As far as I know, Shea had her last treatment yesterday.  Larsyn sees the doctor again this morning.  Pray for each of these needs as well as for those folks battling cancer. 

Bro. Jerry attended the funeral service for Danny Lewis’ brother yesterday.  I haven’t gotten a report from that service but know Danny & Pam appreciate your prayers.

Pray for Betty Creech as word just leaked that Samuel Acan is getting married and it is not to Betty!  I haven’t spoken to her but I know that she is just devastated!  My day will probably be spent counseling Betty.  Yes, Samuel has confirmed that he is getting married to a lady he met in Rios de Agua Viva Church.  Congratulations to Samuel and his bride to be!  Condolences to Betty! 

Congratulations to Korie Fontenot as she finished her regular season career of high school softball yesterday on senior day.  The team enters the playoffs this Friday and then it is off to UM for Korie as she received a scholarship to play softball.  Nanette insisted that I be at the game yesterday so I went.  Nanette so lives in the land of yesterday! 

We are on a regular schedule today.  I pray that many members of the Friendship family will join us for the respective Bible studies this morning and tonight. 

Those “Tennessee” Celtics were able to pull out a win in overtime last night thanks to the officials!  Aaarrrrghh!

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

The funeral service for Danny Lewis’ brother will take place today at 2:00PM from the First Baptist Church in Robertsdale.  Pray for Danny & his family as they go through this time of sorrow. 

Shea Childress should receive her final chemo treatment today.  Pray that will happen and that all will go well.  Betty Neal will have a heart cath done today.  Dawn Autin remains hospitalized and is still showing visible results of the infection.   Bobby Stork’s brother, Donald, has been diagnosed with cancer and had surgery last night.  He is in an ICU and definitely needs our prayer support.  Larsyn Kyser will see the doctor again tomorrow.  Sharon Jardee came home from the hospital yesterday morning.  Max Peacock will perhaps begin his radiation treatment next week.  Pray for all of these various needs as well as the others who are battling cancer. 

Bro. Kerry is leading the musical worship in revival services at First Baptist Chickasaw this week so pray for him too. 

Yesterday was a good day as God manifested Himself to me in several ways.  I am not at liberty to share those at this time but we do serve an awesome God!  He always shows up on time! 

Life is good!  The Lakers closed out the series with the Jazz last night.  It will only get better if the Bulls can close out the Celtics!  IMHO (that’s for Deidra, Lindsey, Nicole & Mark Mast) Boston should be located in Tennessee! 

Life can throw you a change up!  I basically rushed to get Hien to the driver’s license office yesterday afternoon in order for her to take her permit test.  Closed!  What?  Confederate Memorial Day!  I had spoken to Tom Compagner earlier yesterday and he didn’t even mention it!  LOL! 

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

The Lord blessed and we had a good day in our services yesterday.  The attendance in our morning services was up although there remains room for improvement.  We had a very nice crowd in the evening service.  Thanks for Bro. Jerry for leading our musical worship yesterday morning and for the student ministry praise team for leading it last night.  God is good! 

Our weekend got started with a real blessing as fourteen men showed up Saturday morning to work on the CAB roof.  They started shortly after 7:00AM and were completely finished by noon – wow!  Folks, it was hot up there but those guys just kept at it!  You will not see the fruits of their labors because of the location but please know that they did a great job!   

Last night, the Friendship family overwhelmingly voted to begin a new ministry to the Spanish speaking folks of South Mobile County and the surrounding areas.  This unanimous motion came from our missions committee with an affirmation from our deacons.  We are still ironing out the details but anticipate starting this new ministry at some point in May or June.  Plans call for us to have this service on Sunday afternoons beginning at 2:00PM.  I appreciate those who have already asked how they can be involved in this ministry.  Folks, I can honestly say that I believe God has led us to this ministry and I look forward to seeing how He is going to use it to reach folks with the Gospel and make disciples.  Pray for this ministry!

Sharon Jardee remains hospitalized but will most likely come home today.  Betty Neal remains in the hospital too.  Danny Lewis had a brother to pass away this weekend and his funeral service will take place tomorrow afternoon at 3:00PM from the funeral home in Robertsdale.  Pray for these folks as well as those battling cancer. 

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

Eight!  Wow!  I think that the secret to getting folks to leave comment on this site has been exposed!  Mention hardie board and a woman’s age!  (Thanks, Clint!)  Eight comments to yesterday’s post!  Thanks to those who commented regarding the hardie board – Chris Taylor can cut & paste really well!  (His first comment was about Hardee’s biscuits until I told him differently!)  T. Garrett – yes, I remember the house in Guatemala which is precisely the reason you have never been invited back! LOL!  My question to Laurie is, “why?”  Are you & Liz being punished?  Sommer, IMO your BMI isn’t high enough for you to have an opinion! 

Betty Neal, Kevin Vice’s sister, was placed in the hospital yesterday.  She has fluid in her lungs and around her heart.  There seems to be a problem with her kidneys too.  The doctors are debating the cause of these problems for pray for them and Betty. 

Max Peacock is having the feeding tube inserted today.  Sharon Jardee is having her hip replaced today too.  (Bro. Kerry & Bro. Jerry are graciously covering these surgeries for me today – I appreciate it!)  Pray for these two procedures!

Carla Kyser received more chemo this past Tuesday and the test results continue to be encouraging.  Larsyn continues to have some sickness so please keep praying for her. 

The screws for the CAB are here!  Thanks Bret Hart & Eagle Sales.  If you ever need to buy an eagle, contact Bret!  Now, we just need men to help us in the morning beginning at 7:00AM.  T. Garrett, thanks but no thanks!  (I remember the house in Guatemala!) 

John Wayne Bosarge & Belissa Copeland will be united in marriage tomorrow morning at 11:00AM.  I have the privilege of performing that ceremony.  Pray for them as they begin this new life together! 

Liz, Vera, somebody – I need to get in touch with Bridgett.  Can you help?  Send me an e-mail.  Thanks!  Also, I need contact information on Bobby & Deidra Crawley – can someone help? 

FA calls!  I pray that you will have a great Friday with Jesus! 

We had a good Wednesday and we give God the glory!  Our young adults pretty much packed out Michael & Deidra’s place to end the day.  We even brought in a worship leader from Alaska for that service!  We are blessed to have Ralph Rimmer III lead us each Wednesday night and Joel Huffman did a good job last night too.  Rusty & Caryn even got “married” last night and we are planning a mass wedding ceremony on June 10th – it is going to be awesome! 

You need to read Pam Landry Baker’s comment on yesterday’s post regarding the moose!  LOL! 

By the way, does anyone know what IMO means?  I used it in an article the other day and our young adults are struggling!  Example, “IMO Alabama will once again be the premier team in college football this year!”  FYI – Bama is 1-0 on the season having won their A Day game last Saturday! 

Does anyone out there in blog land have experience with “hardie” (that probably isn’t spelled correctly) board?  If so, can you give me any pros or cons on using it.  T. Garrett, no comments from you as I don’t see you as the construction type! 

Good news from Central America – I received an e-mail yesterday telling me that Samuel Acan now has his driver’s license.  I haven’t heard from him personally but my source is solid!  (I think)

Bill Unrue remains hospitalized.  Dawn Autin has also been placed in the hospital due to an infection.  Max Peacock did not get a feeding tube yesterday but should get one tomorrow. 

I still need guys to help with the CAB roof Saturday.  My tracking number tells me the screws arrived yesterday but I haven’t seen them yet. 

Hope you have a great Thursday with Jesus! 

Bill Unrue & Maxine Rogers remained hospitalized though both are making progress.  As far as I know, Max Peacock received his feeding tube yesterday. 

Here are some different news items – a group of eighth students in Palmer, Alaska went outside for physical education this past Monday and a moose was on the school grounds.  They taunted the moose and in his panic he repeatedly threw himself into a wall until he died.  You ever worked with middle school students? 

A judge in Pocatello, Idaho grew weary of a man in his courtroom continually disrupting the procedures this past Monday with his verbal outbursts.  He ordered the bailiffs to silence the defendant so they found a roll of duct tape and placed a piece of tape over his mouth. 

I’ll have my steak well done – maybe not!  One study now says that folks who regularly eat their red meat burned or charred have a 60% greater risk of pancreatic cancer.  I may stick to the Baptist bird!

I now have two other men who have agreed to help on the CAB roof this Saturday.  I should know definitely by tonight’s service if we are going to have the screws on hand in order to begin this process.  If you plan on helping, please contact me or call the church office. 

T. Garrett, you lost me with your comment on yesterday’s post. 

We are on a regular schedule today.  I hope many members of the Friendship family will join us for one of the Bible studies or classes today/tonight. 

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

The Skipper family seemed to be doing well last night during the time of visitation.  Please pray for them as they go through the service for Adrian’s father this morning at 10:00AM. 

Bill Unrue was placed in the hospital yesterday.  As far as I know, Miss Maxine Rogers remains hospitalized too.  Max Peacock will have a feeding tube inserted today in advance of his radiation as it will be tough on his throat area.  Marisa Felps’ father, Mr. Frank Boykin, spent some time in the hospital last week and is obviously having some health problems.  Donnie & Marisa had a niece-in-law to unexpectedly pass away this past Saturday and that service will take place today.  She was only 29 years old.  Sharon Jardee will have her replacement hip replaced this Friday. 

I need to hear from the guys who will help us on the CAB roof this Saturday!  As of this moment, I have officially heard from one guy.  It could be a long day for the two of us!

Mark Mast – I was comparing our area to southwestern MI in regards to everyone leaving Spring break week.  It was felt in our morning services this past Sunday! 

The playoffs are in full swing and I am excited!  The Bruins are now within one game of their first playoff series win in ten years after they beat the Canadiens 4-2 last night.  They allowed no power play goals which was obviously huge!  The favored Capitals finally got on the board with a 4-0 win over the Rangers last but still trail in the series 2-1.  The Flames, after losing the first two games at home, finally found a way to get the puck past Blackhawks goaltender, Nikolai Khabibulin, for a 4-2 win last night.  Wow, slow down my racing heart! 

Hooray for Carrie Prejean!  She is Miss California and was in the Miss USA pageant and finished as the first runner up.  Apparently this answer cost her the title – “We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite. And you know what, I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that’s how I was raised.”   She has held her ground since the pageant ended too! 

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