Pastor's Blog

I spoke with Larry Whitehurst via the phone late yesterday afternoon and said that the arrangements for his nephew, John Freeman, are as follows:  visitation with the family beginning at 1:00PM on Monday, 12/22, with the funeral service beginning at 2:00PM.  The visitation and service will take place at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore.  Please continue to pray for this family. 

Jodie Johnson came home from the hospital early yesterday morning – even before I could get to the hospital!  So, it is obvious that she did well through the surgery or is just stubborn!  (I think she did well but I also give a vote to the latter!)

I want to remind the members of the Friendship family of our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions tomorrow.  We need a miracle! 

Also, don’t forget the Christmas musical that will be presented by our adult choir tomorrow night at 6:00PM. 

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

Sad news seemed to be the order of the day yesterday afternoon and last night.  First, I received a call from Dana Childress telling me that Coach Kevin Jackson’s first cousin had been shot and killed in Baltimore, Maryland.  I called Kevin on his cell phone as he was driving to Dothan to get his mother.  From there, they will drive to Atlanta, GA today in order to fly to Baltimore for the funeral service.  Pray for this family! 

Willie Johnson called to tell me that he had taken his wife, Jodie, to the hospital and she was about to go in for emergency surgery.  She just recently had surgery and now has undergone a second operation.  Pray for Jodie as she recovers from both of these surgeries. 

Larry Whitehurst called last night to tell me that his sister, Sandra, and her husband, Gene, had just found their 29 year old son, John Freeman, deceased in his home.  Tragic enough in and of itself but made even more so by the fact that their only other son, Richie, 31 years old (I think) passed away in April of this year.  I went to Gene & Sandra’s to pray with them and they were obviously in a state of shock and stunned disbelief.  Pray for this family in a special way.

I visited with Riley & Donna Glass in the hosptial yesterday morning and Riley was scheduled to have the second stent placed in his heart around 2:00PM.  With everything else taking place, I did not get an update on him.  Pray for Riley.

Mark Mast will be preaching the memorial service for Miss Vivian Smith this morning at 10:00AM so please pray for him.  His family will be involved in the service also from serving as a pall bearer, reading Scripture, to singing.  The Mast family was very close to Miss Vivian so say an extra prayer for them today too. 

I want to remind the members of the Friendship family of our effort to reach our Lottie Moon goal this Sunday, 12/21.  It can be done!  Pray and give as God leads.  We will give Him the glory for all He does in our midst! 

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

Bro. Johnny Tucker did have surgery yesterday.  The doctor did not have to insert screws which is obviously a good thing as his recovery time will be shorter. 

Riley Glass will have another stent placed in his heart today.  He did not suffer a heart attack.  Homer Perkins is now in a physical therapy center.  Elizabeth Sessions mother, Catherine Leach, is in a local hospital.  Shea Childress took another treatment this past Tuesday and Carla Kyser continues to receive her radiation treatments.  Larry Thompson came home from the hospital yesterday.  Keep praying for all of these folks.

Yesterday, 12/17, marked three years since Miss Peggy Howard went to be with the Lord.  The 16th marked 42 years since Pastor L.G. Camp, Jr. went to be with the Lord.  Bro. Robbie Howard and Miss Kittie Camp are dear friends in the ministry and I have been praying for them in a special way these past couple of days.  This can be a tough time of the year for folks who have lost loved ones. 

We had a good day yesterday.  Our time with the young adults last night was another great time too.  I understand the Christmas party at the convalescent home went well.  God is good!

I hope you have a great Thursday with Jesus. 

Miss Vivian Smith, the CSSM missionary, who preceded Mark & Tina Mast to Rainy River, Ontario Canada passed from this life to be with Jesus yesterday afternoon.  She has been seemingly “close” to death for several months now.  I think she was 87 years of age.  Please pray for Pastor Mark as he will preach her funeral service this Friday morning at 10:00AM.  I thank God for the Vivian Smiths who impact this world for the cause of Christ!

Larry Thompson is doing remarkably well following his surgery and will, most likely, come home tomorrow.  He told me that he has had no pain and he is thankful for that fact!  Still no definitive word on when Homer Perkins will be moved to a physical therapy facility.  Riley Glass had a stent placed in his heart yesterday morning and it is my understanding that another procedure will be done tomorrow.  Carla Kyser, Shea Childress, Phyllis Bush, & Joyce Bosarge continue to battle their respective cancer.  Pray for all of these folks. 

I forgot to mention yesterday that Bro. Johnny Tucker will have surgery on his ankle.  As a matter of fact, I think that surgery will take place today.  The surgery is not as extensive as originally thought but will keep him sidelined until some point in mid- January.  Pray for Bro. Johnny.

Today is a regular Wednesday at Friendship with these additions:  our students will be Christmas caroling this evening, the Christmas party at the GB convalescent home will take place beginning at 6:00PM, and I need to meet at 6:30PM with those signed up for the summer GRACE trips being led by me. 

An Italian man left Peru in February bound for Australia – in a row boat!  He rowed 9,500 nautical miles before giving up this past Saturday just 65 nautical miles short of his intended destination!  He wasn’t trying to set a record but said he was just taking a look inside himself.  Personally, I applaud him but I can think of better ways to look inside myself! 

How about some percentages?  77% of Americans surveyed say they still use the words “Merry Christmas” while 21% use the more PC “Happy Holidays!”  (I won’t get into the fact that T. Garrett and the other northeasterners are the ones most likely to use the HH phrase!) 

19% of folks surveyed say they will re-gift this Christmas.  Folks, if you receive a “nutcracker” from Kyle Bryant then please contact me for the details but know you have been re-re-re-re-re-re-gifted! 

15% is the amount of the tax that the governor of New York is proposing to place on soft drinks that are not diet!  Says he is trying to generate revenue while at the same time fight obesity.  However, many (most) drinkers of diet sodas have a tendency to be obese.  It is 1:15AM and I think I will finish my Diet Mountain Dew before calling it a day!  

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

Homer Perkins had a good day yesterday and is now considering his options for physical therapy.  It is possible that he will be moved to a local convalescent facility for a brief period of time. 

I have two meetings in Mobile and will check on Larry Thompson while keeping those appointments.  Again, he did fine through his surgery yesterday.

All snow skiers planning on participating in the February ’09 trip must contact me no later than tonight.  The best means of contacting me is via e-mail. 

Our students will be out in the community singing Christmas carols tomorrow evening.  If you know of someone who is a shut in and would like for this group to serenade them then please call the church office today. 

Otherwise, tomorrow will be a regular Wednesday with our morning service and the evening activities. 

I hope you have a great Tuesday with Jesus. 

Larry Thompson came through his hip replacement surgery with no problems.  Homer Perkins was doing fine in the hospital and was thinking that he may be moved to a physical rehabilitation facility. 

Wes Bates did a great job of sharing the Word with us in last night’s service.  Of course, Rebekah did a great job of sharing the Word in song yesterday morning in our services.  Pray for Wes & Rebekah as they prepare to move to Ft. Worth in order for Wes to begin his seminary studies. 

Speaking of seminary studies, Derrick Wilkerson graduated from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary this past Saturday.  Congratulations to Derrick!  Pray for Derrick and Jodie as they continue to go through the potential adoption process.   

The absolute deadline for those wishing to take part in the ski trip to Colorado is tomorrow night, 12/16.  No exceptions as flights and condos have to be booked! 

I was basically on “pins & needles” but Maryland finally pulled it out and won the NCAA men’s soccer championship this past weekend!  Isn’t that great?  Rex Looney is probably beside himself! 

Wow, one guy in Canada has built his own girlfriend – she is a robot.  He says she can recognize faces, recognize medications, butter your toast, and speak English & Japanese.  However, she can’t walk yet.  He has spent $20,000 thus far on his friend. 

I have known folks to sleep walk but now one lady has been documented as “zzz-mailing” as she sent three e-mails while still asleep.  Crazy stuff! 

You probably have heard by now that neither Scott or Rex got the Auburn job.  Rumor has it that they were asking for too much money!  Congratulations to AU for hiring a coach.  Time will tell! 

I pray that you will have a good Monday afternoon with Jesus!

The funeral service for Mr. Curtis Wilkinson will take place this morning at 10:00AM from the Zion Assembly Church of God in Bayou La Batre.  Pray for the Wilkinson family.  Thanks to each member of the Friendship family who attended the visitation last night and those who will attend the service today.

Lindsay Haynes had her knee scoped for the fourth time yesterday.  The doctors now feel they have found the problem.  Zachary Salter was possibly going to be discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon but I am not sure if that happened.  Carla Felps Kyser will have another radiation treatment today.  Mrs. Evelyn Maxine Duke, the mother of Cindy Stokes, (Pastor Alton Stokes’ daughter-in-law) passed away and her funeral service will take place tomorrow, 12/13, at 2:00PM from 1st Baptist Wilmer.  A time of visitation with the family will begin at 12:00PM.  Pray for the Duke family. 

Our Widow’s Nite Out went well and I appreciate all those who attended and those who helped in any way.  The Friendship family has some wonderful folks! 

Our second weekend of Upward games takes place tomorrow.  Pray for Bro. Benny and all who will be involved. 

Persons interested in the February ski trip to Colorado are asked to attend a 5:30PM meeting this Sunday, 12/14.  We will meet in the student ministry building. 

Wes Bates will be bringing the message this Sunday in our 6:00PM service.  Wes is a son in the ministry and he will be leaving for seminary in early January.  I look forward to hearing from God through Wes. 

You think it is cold here?  My missionary friend from Canada, Mark Mast, wrote yesterday that their high temperature was minus five degrees – ouch!  

My sources tell me that the next football coach at Auburn University is either going to be Scott Fontenot or Rex Looney.  I cannot reveal my sources but trust me on this one! 

The visitation with the Wilkinson family will take place tonight from the Zion Assembly Church of God in Bayou La Batre beginning at 5:00PM.  I trust that many members of the Friendship family will be able to attend this visitation in a show of support for Raymond & his family. 

Shirley Hill was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  Zachary Salter (Bernard & Patty’s grandson) and Walter Weaver (Scott’s father) remain hospitalized.  Carla Felps Kyser received the first of ten radiation treatments yesterday.  Miss Joyce Bosarge was in our service last night.  Phyllis Bush has suffered a stroke and is pretty much confined to the bed.  Shea Childress continues to receive her treatments.  Carmen Reyer & Billy Smith are recovering from their respective knee surgeries.  Pray for these folks!

Tonight is our annual “Widow’s Nite Out” and we are expecting a great evening of fellowship and encouragement.  Pray for the widows and widowers within the Friendship family.

Our “annual” ski trip which we last took about four years ago is shaping up.  There will be a meeting this Sunday afternoon at 5:00PM in the student ministry building.  This will be the time when folks will have to make a definite commitment as we have secured group rates on the flights and lodging.  This is a family affair and the price is right! 

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

The arrangements for Mr. Curtis Wilkinson are as follows:  visitation with the family on Thursday, 12/11, at the Zion Assembly Church of God (Schambeau’s building in BLB) beginning at 5:00PM and lasting until.  The funeral service will take place on Friday morning, 12/12, at 10:00AM from the Zion Assembly Church.   

Miss Shirley Hill had surgery on her knee yesterday and remains hospitalized.  She may come home today. Bernard & Patty Suthoff’s grandson, Zach, was admitted to the hospital yesterday too.   Scott Weaver’s father, Walter Weaver, is also in the hospital with a suspected stroke.  Teresa Lara is expected to go home from the hospital today too.  Pray for these folks along with the others who are battling cancer, recovering from surgery, et cetera. 

Raymond Wilkinson and his family will make the arrangements for Mr. Curtis Wilkinson this morning.  I can tell you that Gilmer’s Funeral Home will be handling those arrangements.  Pray for Raymond and his family during this time. 

Yesterday I entered a post about “I Stand For Christmas” and asked you to consider going to www.focusonthefamily.com to sign an e-petition to be sent to five major retailers who have basically refused to acknowledge Christmas in their stores, catalogs, or advertisements.  The goal is 100,000 signatures by tonight.  Lisa and I have signed the petition.  You pray about it and do as God leads you.  It is a small thing but it could produce big results.

Terry Stephan and Breck & Andy Ladd arrived safely at the mission house yesterday afternoon.  They will be meeting with local pastors today to discuss future ministry opportunities.  Pray for them.

We are going to have another meeting about our February ski trip.  This meeting will take place at 6:30PM in my office.  Those young adults who normally attend the 8:00PM Bible study can just meet with me after the Bible study.  We will be taking action on this trip within the next twenty-four hours. 

Today is a special day around the Turrentine house as we celebrate ten years of having twin daughters!  We love Dana & Gina and are so grateful God has given them to us!  Special daughters!  

This is a regular Wednesday for the Friendship family.  I hope you will join us for Bible study and worship.

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