Pastor's Blog

We had another good Wednesday in our services, classes, Bible studies.  Our GA’s placed stamps on 500+ envelopes which contain the newsletter for the GBS Seminary in Chimaltenango, Guatemala.  Thanks to those girls and their leaders for helping with this mission project. 

It was also good to meet with our young adults for Bible study at 8:00PM last night.  As usual, Lisa prepared a good meal, we had good fellowship, and the time in the Word is priceless.  Any, and all, young adults are encouraged to join us for these Wednesday Bible studies.

Our next GRACE team is in the countdown mode as they leave this Saturday, 7/19.  Please keep them in your prayers and keep up with them via the GRACE blog. 

Carla Kyser e-mailed me yesterday and here is a part of her message:  “Just wanted to let you know that I went to the oncologist yesterday and received my results from both the PET scan and Bone scan that I had last week.  Both showed GOOD results with decreases in both size and intensity of all of the areas of concern!  We both agreed that I would continue with my current treatment plan of chemotherapy and repeat the scans again in three months.”   Praise the Lord!  Keep praying for Carla!

I spoke with Nicole Taylor last night and we are going to ask our children, 4K through 5th grade, to sign up for our AWANA program.  We plan on beginning AWANA on the first Sunday in September (9/7) at 4:30PM.  Sign up will begin this Sunday and go through August 10.  This will allow us to order enough materials. 

Also, the five Sundays of August will see us sign up the members of the Friendship family for the Summer ’09 GRACE trips.  We will be asking for a $100 non-refundable deposit at the time of sign up. 

Dale Bosarge has asked me to announce a “dodgeball” game night for our students next Tuesday, 7/22, from 6:00 – 8:00PM in the CAB.  There will be a student swimming fellowship this Sunday evening, 7/20, immediately following the evening worship service. 

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

I had the opportunity last night to be around some of the members of Bro. Jerry’s team as they packed for the upcoming GRACE trip.  They did such a good job and are so excited about their time of ministry.  This is a large team (40 folks) and is basically a combination of the Friendship family and Martin Bluff Baptist Church.  Pray for them as they continue to ready for this trip.

I also heard from Pam Landry last night and she is excited about her wedding this weekend.  Bro. Benny McGath has been cleaning the CAB floor in preparation for the reception and I so appreciate his spirit in doing that.  What a nice act of kindness!  (He will come and clean the floors at your house if you will just invite him!) 

Speaking of Pam, her brother, Clint, will be here for the wedding and I have invited him to preach for us on Sunday evening.  Clint is a son in the ministry and presently serves at the Minister to Students at First Baptist Wetumpka.  I encourage every member of the Friendship family to be present for that service. 

A time of fellowship is being planned for our students and it will take place this Sunday evening following the service.  Bro. Chris will be announcing the plans tonight.  We will be inviting the rising 6th graders to this fellowship as our new church year begins a a little over two weeks. 

I need some information from Jennifer Wetterer, Bethany Hatcher, & Whitney Howerin.  Will someone ask them to check their e-mail?  Women! 

We are on a normal schedule today with the morning service and evening activities.  I hope to see you there!  I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus. 

Wow, my Monday was a Monday!  It’s all good!  I slowly, but surely, began to remove the mountain before me.  I am not a huge baseball fan but I did turn on the television last night for a few minutes to surf by the MLB home run hitting contest.  Josh Hamilton (I had never heard of him previously) hit 28 homers in the first round.  He didn’t win the contest but what he said during and afterwards was impressive to me.  He spoke of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  This is coming from a guy who was drafted first a few years ago, received a multi-million dollar signing bonus, and then got hooked on drugs.  He missed three years of his career due to drugs.  His story is one of God’s amazing grace and I pray that he continues to be a witness for Jesus. 

Speaking of being a witness for Jesus, Tim Tebow, the reigning Heisman trophy winner, has spent his summer on mission trips sharing Jesus.  I read a very impressive article on him from a Florida newspaper.  I am not a Florida fan (sorry Rick Bradley) but I am definitely a Tim Tebow fan!  (I will send you the link and/or article if you e-mail me and ask) 

T. Garrett, first you come to the Big Easy and stiff us completely – not a good thing!  I thought of you last night and was grateful that you took me to Yankee Stadium a couple of years ago as this is her last year.  By the way, MLB in the first paragraph stands for Major League Baseball.  You are on your own when it comes to AWANA! 

I spoke to Miss Judy Tucker yesterday and she said the trip to Guatemala was going well.  She asked us to pray for their granddaughter, Bonnie Clair, as she is having problems with a kidney stone which is causing other serious problems.  Bonnie is the daughter of Shane & Carmen. 

I saw the replay of Miss USA taking a literal fall a couple of nights ago in the Miss Universe contest.  Ouch!  Two years in a row for Miss USA!  I thought of myself and the mistakes I make!  Example, yesterday I posted that Josh Caldwell is the student minister at Durant Chapel.  Hello!  Can you say Motlow Creek in South Carolina?  Sorry, Pastor Rainey & Josh! 

Linda Green has firewood to give away.  It is cut and ready to be loaded on your truck or trailer.  All you have to do is haul it away.  You can call the church office for more info. 

Twenty-nine years ago today saw my dad’s only sister, Roberta Martin, pass from this life and enter Heaven after a battle with cancer.  I basically spent the last eight days of her life at her bedside.  I loved my aunt and would have loved for her to have seen my wife and our girls.  God knows and I trust Him!

Bro. Jerry’s GRACE team is having a packing party tonight at 6:00PM.  Also, we need good children’s clothes to take to Guatemala on our next GRACE trip. 

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

I had a wonderful time in Guatemala but it is also good to be home.  I enjoyed being in the pulpit yesterday morning.  Of course that joy was simply intensified when Kayla Brown, Kristi Bradley, and Rick Bradley made public professions of faith in the 10:30AM service.  I also rejoiced as Rob & Reb Nevin came “home” after a brief stay in north Alabama.  Praise God for the increase! 

Patrick Bruce shared with us last night about the AWANA program which we hope to begin in the new church year.  I appreciate him coming to share with us. 

I am very appreciative to Bro. Jerry, Bro. Kerry, Bro. Benny, Bro. Chris, and all others who helped fill the gap during my absence.  I am especially grateful to all who helped minister to the Leasure family. 

Our next GRACE team, under the leadership of Bro. Jerry Hovel, departs for Guatemala this Saturday, 7/19.  This team will fly from Gulfport, New Orleans, and Ft. Worth.  Pray for them as they make all of the necessary last minute preparations for the trip. 

Bro. Johnny Tucker and IMA presently have a team of 54 folks in Guatemala.  They are staying in the Camp House and at Amor del Nino.  Pray for their trip. 

Our final GRACE team for the summer will leave on Saturday, 7/26.  There is a need for good children’s clothes to send with this team.  If you can help, please bring them to the church office by Tuesday, 7/22. 

We don’t presently have anyone from the Friendship family in the hospital – praise the Lord!  I don’t have an update on Carla Felps but do ask that you pray for her.  I would also ask that you continue to pray for David Boutwell, Greg’s brother, as he is to be moved to another hospital for therapy.  Josh Caldwell, student minister at Motlow Creek in South Carolina, continues to receive chemotherapy treatments in his battle against cancer.  Pray for him.   

It seemed that we had a “ton” of regular folks out yesterday even though we had a good attendance.  I am asking each member of the Friendship family to be present this coming Sunday evening, 7/20, at 6:00PM as Clint Landry will be our guest preacher.  It is important to me that we have a good attendance for that service! 

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

Without a doubt, Jack Leasure is one of the finest men I have ever known!  Yesterday morning around 3:00AM Jack passed from this life and entered Heaven.  I received word about his passing from Bro. Jerry around 9:00AM and my heart was heavy the rest of the day.  Pray for the Leasure family!

I have known Jack Leasure for 29 years.  He was our bus mechanic for a long period of time.  He was the teacher for the senior adult men for many years.  He and Miss Chris were in church every time the doors were opened until their health failed.  Jack always wore a tie to church – it may be a Looney Tunes tie but he always had one on.  He was a funny man as he always had a word! 

I seriously contemplated coming home for Jack’s service but after much prayer, and with the family’s blessing, I have decided to remain here.  I do this mainly because I know what Jack would tell me to do.  (It is very much similar to Bertha Peacock’s passing several years ago)  Bro. Jerry will preach the service at 10:00AM on Thursday. 

The visitation will take place Wednesday evening from 5:00PM until 8:00PM.  Out of respect for Jack, we will not have the service (morning or evening) that would normally take place in the auditorium.  We will have our regular classes i.e. RA’s, GA’s, youth Bible studies, etc.  I encourage the members of the Friendship family to attend the visitation and/or service. 

I thank God for the life of Jack Leasure!  My life is better for having known him!   

Read today’s GRACE blog entry.  Thanks!

John Denver used to sing about it being “good to be back home again” and I can say amen!  We left Orlando around midnight central time and arrived in Grand Bay at 8:00AM.  Soy drove all the way so I spent a couple of hours working on my computer and several more hours praying – it was great! 

Word came to me from Bro. Jerry yesterday that Martha Patrick is in the hospital with a high blood pressure problem.  I saw Martha this past Monday and she told me that her blood pressure was giving her problems.  Pray for her! 

Today is a very busy day as those last minute preparations are made for the first GRACE trip of the summer.  We will have a packing party tonight in the fellowship hall at 6:00PM.  Anyone having good, used children’s clothes can bring them to the church at any point today just as long as it is before 6:00PM.  The operative word in that last sentence is “good” and we appreciate your generosity! 

All of the GRACE participants need to bring their passport to the packing party tonight as we need to make copies.  This is important! 

Please pray for Lisa, Deidra, Dana, & Gina today as they will travel home from Orlando at some point this afternoon.  Thanks! 

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

This post is coming from the Sheraton Vistana Resort in Orlando and is being written at 3:00AM as I am having problems sleeping.  (I think that I must simply be too excited about being with Mickey and the gang!) 

We had a wonderful Tuesday.  Everyone, except me, spent the day in Animal Kingdom.  I spent the day on my computer preparing for the upcoming GRACE trip.  In the past, Deidra’s boyfriends were good at putting up the exterior Christmas lights.  Soy, as a son-in-law, has proven even more valuable than that – he is great at taking the girls to the Disney parks while I stay in the room!  (If Brad were here then I would be in excellent shape!)  I did join the girls at Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM) for the evening hours and we wore the Tower of Terror ride out! 

Rita arrived from Arkansas late last night.  She looked very, very tired but seemed happy to be here with her family.  Her dad, Manolo Padilla, continues to do well in his recovery from heart surgery. 

I ask that you continue to pray for Blake Bosarge as he remains hospitalized.  I know that the family appreciates your prayer support. 

I also ask that you contine to pray for Carla Kyser as she continues her treatments.  This has been a long process for her. 

There will be a memorial service this morning at 10:00AM for Judy Blackwell’s parents.  Bro. Jerry is preaching that service.  Pray for Judy and her family.

Jerry Whitmore is teaching during our church service at 10:00AM and then again at 7:00PM.  Chris Taylor is teaching our senior high Bible study at 6:00PM. 

I was actually contacted by three students yesterday who were interested in joining the upcoming GRACE trip.  One ticket was purchased but I never heard back from the other two students.  If they are still interested then time is of the utmost essence! 

Our summer missionary is doing well.  Keep praying for her! 

Oops, oops, and another oops!  I forgot Amanda O’Bannon’s birthday on the 17th, Ian McClinton’s birthday on the 21st, and Tracie Holifield’s birthday on the 23rd!  At this point, all I can do is beg forgiveness and wish these folks a belated happy birthday! 

Today is birthday day as Pam Landry, Josh Mott, and Thea Whalen all celebrate their birthday!  Josh & Thea have now reached that 18 years old mark while Pam is a little older!  Happy birthday Pam, Josh, & Thea! 

I have plans to post tomorrow but it may be a little late as I also have plans to drive through the night.  Pray for our safety as we travel.  Soy will be with me to help with the driving (yet another benefit of having a son-in-law!).  I may even let Morgan and Hien help with the driving – j/k! 

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

This post is being written at 3:30AM and is coming from somewhere near Disney World.  It is a long story but the next two days will see me using vacation time to be with my family (with the exception of Brad & Daphne) and the Pancho Arriola family.  I am making good on a promise made to Adriana & Sophie last year.  We also surprised Hien by bringing Morgan Bosarge with us.  It is going to be great! 

Rita Arriola’s dad, Manolo Padilla, had six by-passes performed on his heart and did well.  Obviously, Rita is not in Orlando as she is in Arkansas with her dad.  She may join us tomorrow night. 

Sherry Lavelle – I left this Sunday’s lesson with Bro. Jerry.  Sorry that I didn’t get it to you before I left town. 

I have got to catch a few winks as Mickey, Minnie, and the gang will be calling early!  Hooray!  Hey, it beats the beach! 

I hope you have a great Tuesday with Jesus! 

We had a blessed Sunday in all three of our services yesterday.  I appreciate Bro. Chris and the others who shared last night about their Wild Week experiences.  It was good! 

Thank you to the Friendship family for adopting the proposed budget for the 2008 – 09 fiscal year which begins August 1.  I appreciate those who came to the meeting to ask questions and give input.  I encourage the members of the Friendship family to be faithful in giving to the Lord through the church.

We also saw Sonny Bates, Kenny Lingle, and Carl Moulds elected as deacons last night.  As I stated from the pulpit, the Friendship family was in a no lose situation as any of the five men nominated would have been great selections as deacons.  These three men will begin serving as deacons on August 1.  Pray for all of our deacons as they minister. 

Blake Bosarge continues to have some difficulties but the doctors are okay with his status.  Clara Broadus is recovering from surgery at home as is Bro. Johnny Tucker.  Carla Kyser continues her treatments.  Dale, Karla, & Davy Bosarge begin another Wild Week camp today.  As I am writing this entry, Manolo Padilla is in surgery at a hospital in Arkansas.  Delaney Crawley is traveling to Africa on another mission trip.  Jimmy Crawley continues to meet with doctors about his situation.  Pray for all of these folks! 

Our first GRACE team of the summer is scheduled to depart this Friday, 6/27.  This will be an all Friendship family team with the exception of three folks.  We will have our first participant from the state of Illinois which means 13 states and Canada have now been represented on our GRACE trips.   Pray as these folks make the last minute preparations for this trip. 

Our summer missionary was able to be involved in a church service yesterday and she was very happy about that.  They have been having Saturday studies so this was her first opportunity to be in a service.  She is doing well but keep praying. 

Lindsay Hatcher and Sherrie Lavelle pretty much nailed me to the wall yesterday for my mistakes in last week’s entries.  Please!  It was camp week and it was wild!  It is good to be loved! 

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