Pastor's Blog

It has been a “wild” week and it promises to be a “wild” summer – which officially (the season) began last night!  Mistake #2 (whatever) for the week – I believe I am correct in saying that yesterday, 6/20, was also the birth date of Joey Guidry.  So, a belated happy birthday to Joey! 

Today is Jeanette Bates’ birthday – happy birthday Jeanette!  I won’t go into which birthday but she is a “young” whatever year this birthday makes her!  I hope you have a great day Jeanette! 

I received some disturbing news yesterday as I learned that Carl Ray Moulds was told Thursday that his position at work was being eliminated thus meaning he no longer has a job after 22 years with that company.  This came “out of the blue” and obviously caught Carl Ray off guard.  However, he has correctly stated that it didn’t take God by surprise!  I simply ask you to join me in praying for Carl Ray as he has some important decisions to make in the next few days. 

I also received word yesterday that Manolo Padilla suffered a heart attack and will have surgery Monday.  I think I am correct in saying that he is in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Manolo is the father of Millie Villatoro, Rita Arriola, and Monica Krumpholz.  Pray for him! 

Dale & Karla Bosarge are traveling to Austin, TX today for the final two Wild Weeks of ’08 in Lakey, Texas.  Davy actually arrived in San Marcos, TX this morning around 1:00AM.  Pray for these three as they minister through these camps. 

Friendship family – don’t forget the adoption of the proposed ’08-09 budget and the deacon election tomorrow night. 

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

I am pretty good at making mistakes and I just realized tonight that I made another one!  Wes Bates, son in the ministry and student minister at Durant Chapel, celebrated his birthday this past Tuesday, 6/17, too.  So, a belated happy birthday to Wes and a request for forgiveness – it has been a wild week! 

The fourth day of this camp went very well.  The service last night was awesome!  I really don’t know all that God has done within the lives of our students and adults but hope that it is manifested real soon.  I can say that this group has been very well behaved as they have given us zero problems. 

Please join us in praying for Kayla Carpenter.  She has been the Wild Week staff member assigned to us this week and she has been a sweetheart.  She has a lot of stuff going on in her life right now and could use the prayer support. 

I just read the blog entry of our summer missionary and she is doing well.  As a matter of fact, she is the only one of the group that was not stricken with the virus.  So, keep praying! 

Bro. Jerry sent me a message saying that Clara Broadus is at home and doing well.  Bro. Robbie did not have his surgery.  I do not have an update on Bro. Johnny Tucker.  Pray for these folks.

We are having a “packing party” this Sunday evening, 6/22, for the members of our 6/27 – 7/4 GRACE team.  This “party” will take place immediately following the evening worship service. 

Speaking of Guatemala, the Montgomery team arrived safely yesterday.  The Ohio team is scheduled to arrive tomorrow.  The heavy rains continue daily so pray that they can get the work completed. 

Please remember the meeting to discuss the proposed 2008-09 budget this Sunday, 6/22, at 4:00PM with a vote being taken during the evening service.  Also, we will elect three men to serve as deacons for the next three years.  These are important matters and you are asked to pray! 

Sommer Brock and Benny McGath are celebrating their birthday today.  I think Bro. Benny is older!  Happy birthday to Sommer and Bro. Benny! 

We are scheduled to leave Orange Beach at 10:00AM which means we should be at the church around 11:30AM. 

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

I have decided that the absolute best time for me to post this week is 1:00AM each morning!  Actually, it is basically the only time that I am turning my computer on each day.  The good news is that each morning a new post is awaiting when you check it! 

I left early yesterday morning and went to the hospital in Mobile for Clara Broadus’ surgery.  The surgery probably lasted a little longer than they anticipated but I believe the doctors (she had two working on her) were satisfied with the results.  I will get an update at some point today.  I did not hear from Bro. Robbie’s surgery but assume all went well there too. 

I spoke to Bro. Johnny Tucker via the phone yesterday afternoon and found out that he is having surgery this morning.  Pray for him as his being put to sleep can always be a risky procedure because of his heart condition.  He should spend one night in the hospital. 

The service last night was blessed.  It didn’t begin until 9:00PM and lasted until 11:30PM but we saw God do some neat things.  We observed the Lord’s Supper and that was a solemn time of remembrance.  I can see God doing some things within the lives of our students so please pray that tomorrow will be a great day spiritually. 

Unfortunately, we had to send one camper home tonight.  This is the second consecutive year that we have had to send Korie Fontenot home.  We are going to have to think seriously before allowing her to come next year.  Perhaps rules are made to be broken but we have our limits!  (Of course the fact that her softball team left this morning for a tournament in Oklahoma City, OK probably factored into her being “sent” home too)

I am not a huge Tiger Woods fan but I will him his props.  I read last night where he is having surgery that ends his golf season so that pretty much means that he won the U.S. Open on one leg.  He is one mentally tough individual. 

Well, I missed extending a happy birthday to Beth DeYoung and Amanda O’Bannon this past Tuesday, 6/17.  I could offer excuses but suffice to say that I am sorry and I wish both of these ladies a belated “happy birthday!”  I hope you had a great day! 

Marisa Felps is celebrating a birthday today!  Happy birthday Marisa! 

Paula, from Casa Aleluya, and her newly adopted daughter, Emma, fly to the States tomorrow.  Of course Paula has had custory of Emma for years and it has taken this long to get everything in order.  Pray for these two as they begin a new life away from Casa. 

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

I don’t know if I am cheating or not but I do know that it is 1:30AM in the morning and I decided to post an entry real quickly before sleeping for a couple of hours.  I am only getting online once the camp activities have ceased each day and that is usually around midnight.  However, yesterday’s activities ended around 1:00AM today for me as I had to make a Wal Mart run with one of our male students.  He forgot to bring any underclothes except for the ones he was wearing when he left the house on Monday.  Oh the joys of being at camp!  I won’t do all of the details but suffice it to say that day two was blessed too! 

Clara Broadus will have her eye surgery today.  Basically, they are putting her eye balls back into the eye sockets.  She will spend tonight in the hospital and should go home tomorrow. 

Bro. Robbie’s eye surgery is by laser and should be over in five minutes. 

Blake Bosarge continues to make improvement.  Patsy Head’s sister is not doing well at all and is hospitalized.  Carla Kyser had another treatment yesterday.  Our summer missionary’s mother called and asked us to pray as that group has been hit with a severe virus.  Bad stuff from what they say! 

I am pretty bummed that my Lakers got blasted by those evil Celtics last night.  I didn’t see the game but after hearing the score I am glad that I was not in front of a television.  The NBA is rigged! 

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.  Bro. Jerry will be preaching in my absence this morning and tonight. 

The first day of camp went well.  Obviously, we didn’t have to travel very far since we are only in Orange Beach but we are very grateful for the Lord’s protection in our travels.  Chris Taylor and John Vickers came ahead of us to do the check in thing which allowed the rest of us to simply drive straight to the condos.  The afternoon was spent “hanging out” until the service time tonight.  The service lasted longer than usual with us getting back to the condos around 11:00PM.  Curfew is at midnight and I have come to the lobby area to post an entry before calling it a day. 

We had one student pray to receive Jesus as her personal Savior tonight so we rejoice in that decision.  Pray for our students and chaperones. 

T. Garrett, the newsletter in question is the one mailed the weeks following the second Sunday and the fourth Sunday of each month.  We are now in a position to send it via e-mail instead of the traditional route.  Again, folks need to sign up for this service.  You can do this by simply going to the front page of our website and following the instructions. 

I don’t have an update on any of the folks who have been hospitalized recently.  I will update as I receive word from Bro. Jerry. 

Members of the Friendship family are asked to remember the budget discussion/adoption and deacon election this Sunday afternoon/evening, 6/22.  Pray about these two important areas as we begin the process of ending one church year (7/31) and beginning another (8/1).

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

Once again, God used Evangelist Ken Freeman in a mighty way to minister to the Friendship family.  We saw 15 folks pray to receive Jesus as their personal Savior yesterday in the two services.  Awesome!  The attendance was excellent in all three services.  You gave very generously to support the ministry God has given to Ken.  What a great day – glory to God! 

Twenty-eight of our senior high students and five chaperones leave today at 12:30PM for a week of camp in Orange Beach with Ken.  Lord willing, I will be in that number as a chaperone.  Once again, Chris & Nicole Taylor will lead this group.  Pray that this will be a life changing time for our students and adults. 

Our slate of nominees for deacon is now set – Sonny Bates, Glenn Cooper, Kenny Lingle, Carl Moulds, & Jerry Whitmore.  The Friendship family will be asked to select three of these men to serve for three years in the role of a deacon beginning 8/1/08.  Pray.  This election will take place this Sunday, 6/22, during the evening service. 

Also, the Finance Committee has finished their work of putting together the proposed budget for 8/1/08 – 7/31/09.  Copies will be distributed this Sunday morning, 6/22, a meeting to discuss and amend will take place at 4:00PM, and the budget will be voted on during the evening service with no further discussion.  I thank God for these folks and the many hours of prayer and preparation they have given to this proposed budget.  I ask you to pray about this important aspect of our ministry too. 

Chris has done a nice job of giving our website a new look.  We are asking you to help us.  If you would like to receive our newsletter via e-mail then please take the time to sign up from the home page of this site.  If you are on our USPS mailing list then we will simply remove your name from that list and everything will be sent electronically.  (You can, by request, received everything both ways)  We are trying to be good stewards of all that God has entrusted to us. 

Anna Carol told me yesterday that infant Blake is still making progress.  He initially lost some weight but is now holding his own.  Pray for Nick & Jenny and their entire family as they wait on the day when Blake will get to go home.  Jimmy Crawley, Tryone & Michael’s dad, is still undergoing tests so your continued prayers are appreciated.  Carla Kyser begins another round of treatment today.  Clara Broadus & Bro. Robbie Howard both have surgery scheduled for Wednesday.  I am told the funeral service for Tom Russell was Jesus exalting! 

Camp calls.  I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.  Remember, sign up for the newsletter via e-mail – do it now while you are thinking about it (your boss won’t mind)! 

Our middle school students and chaperones returned from Wild Week yesterday around noon and they were pumped!  We had three students pray to receive Jesus as their personal Savior and the entire group seemed to have a great time!  They really enjoyed Kacy Benson and Nick Thurmond.  I pray that God will take the events of this past week and use them to spark revival within the Friendship family. 

The folks going on our June 27 – July 4 GRACE trip were pretty pumped today too as they had a very successful fish fry/yard sale to raise funds for the ministry portion of their trip.  Thanks to each one who worked, to those who donated items, and to those who bought a fish dinner and/or items from the yard sale.  The yard sale continues until noon today! 

Our children’s church will be pumped tomorrow, 6/15, as Kenneth Etta from Wild Week does some incredible stuff in children’s church.  This guy is so strong!  He can literally tear a huge phone book in half with relative ease.  It is awesome!  Pass the word as our children don’t want to miss seeing this guy! 

Our 10:30AM crowd in the auditorium will be pumped as Evangelist Ken Freeman brings the message from the Word.  Pray, attend, and bring others with you.  Ken will preach at 5:00PM too.  I believe we are going to have a great day in the Lord! 

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

God gave us a good Thursday.  Lisa and I had a brief meeting with another couple and then I headed to Tillman’s Corner to meet with Jerrod Brown & Shannon Hughes.  Jerrod is the Campus Minister at the University of South Alabama and Shannon is his associate.  They both have led groups to Guatemala over the past couple of years working within the framework of the partnership between Alabama Baptists and the National Baptists of Guatemala.  They have already booked dates for 2009 and want to partner with GRACE Ministries for the long term.  We had a productive meeting and I appreciated being treated to lunch.  It was also a joy to be joined by Jerrod’s wife and baby. 

Blake Bosarge is, according to grandmother Anna Carol, right where he is supposed to be.  He remains hospitalized but is making progress.  Please remember to pray for the Tom Russell family tonight as they have the visitation at 1st Tillman’s Corner. 

Our folks have been working getting ready for the yard sale/fish fry which will help support our ministry efforts in Guatemala.  Yesterday, they sold almost $700 worth of “stuff” even though the yard sale doesn’t “officially” begin until today and concludes tomorrow at noon.  The fish fry will go from 11:00AM until 2:00PM today.  Come buy some “stuff” and enjoy a fish dinner all the while supporting a good cause! 

My beloved Lakers took it on the chin last night and I have to believe the game was rigged!  I haven’t watched a total of two quarters through the first four games of this series but I am a Laker fan and a Celtic disliker!  (Lindsey/Jennifer/Deidra – that may not be a word but don’t fool with me right now!) 

The Arkansas team is doing well.  They have one guy who, unlike Ryan Johnston from two weeks ago, is doing a nice job of blogging daily.  You can read his thoughts and see the pictures at www.radicalcleric.com.  They return to Arkansas on Saturday.  These folks are from Louise’s home church so it has been a good week for her. 

It is obvious that June 13th was a good day to be born as Betty Lou Creech and Lettie Sue Bailey (can you tell they are twins by their names?), Rita Vice, and Shari Compagner are all celebrating their birthday!  Betty & Sue are the same age while Rita and Shari are not!  I am going to figure that Samuel Acan will call Betty today and that will make her smile!  Alisha is away from her mama on this special day and that probably makes Rita cry!  Tom probably doesn’t remember that it is Shari’s birthday and that will spell trouble!  Happy birthday ladies!   

Our middle school students are scheduled to return home today.  I am going to guess 12:00PM – it will either be at that time, before, or after.  I would imagine they will have use of a cell phone as they get near Grand Bay.  They have had a good week. 

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

We had another good Wednesday yesterday.  We even had a dozen or so middle school students in Bible study last night which is good considering that 39 of our other middle school students are at Wild Week in Gulf Shores.  The 10:00AM crowd was down a bit but we still had a good attendance. 

Speaking of Wild Week, I did talk to Nicole Taylor yesterday afternoon and all is well.  She said the the students are having a very good time.  A couple of parents have spoken to their child and they are hearing the same thing.  So, pray that the final service tonight will be one in which God shows up in a mighty way. 

Jean Hatcher came home from the hospital yesterday and is doing good.  Burney Barnes is also at home.  Blake Bosarge remains hospitalized but Jenny did come home. 

The yard sale for GRACE Ministries will actually begin today.  However, we could still use more “stuff” to sell.  You can simply take it to the building located next to the State Farm office.  Tomorrow will see the yard sale (7:00AM) combined with a fish fry (11:00AM – 2:00PM).  Pass the word and help us support GRACE Ministries! 

The group from Arkansas staying in the L.G. Camp, Jr. mission house must be staying busy and doing well as I haven’t heard anything from Louise.  They return home on Saturday. 

Another of our Michigan friends, Karen Koeman, is celebrating a birthday today!  Happy birthday Karen!

Two interesting stories from England – a guy fell from his couch while laughing at a television show.  The person living in the apartment below thought something was wrong and called the police.  The police arrived and began asking questions.  The guy got “irritable” so they arrested him and took him to jail. 

A lady was at a costume party when she began not feeling so well.  She went back to her hotel room and began to have contractions and literally gave birth to a son there in the room.  She was 26 weeks pregnant but did not know she was pregnant.  Reports are that the baby is going to be fine!  (Personally, I have a really difficult time believing a woman can be 26 weeks pregnant and not know it!) 

I hope you will have a great Thursday with Jesus. 

I pretty much live by the saying that “no news is good news” and I am applying that to our group attending the Wild Week camp in Orange Beach this week.  I intentionally did not call them yesterday because Chris is in charge and can handle whatever.  If he needs me then he will call me but otherwise everything is good. 

Speaking of Wild Week, I spoke to Ken Freeman via the phone yesterday.  He will be with us this Sunday in the 10:30AM and 5:00PM services.  Please pray for those services. 

Our first GRACE team of the summer will host a fish fry/yard sale this Friday, 6/13, from the building that formerly housed Bay Hardware.  (I appreciate Charles Clark allowing us use of this building which is located next to the office of the best looking State Farm agent I have ever seen!)  All proceeds from this event will be used for ministry purposes the week of June 27 – July 4.  Spread the word!

We return to a normal schedule for today with the morning service beginning at 10:00AM.  The only difference is that our 8:00PM Bible study is moving from the parsonage to Michael & Deidra’s house.  I appreciate them being willing to host this Bible study. 

The visitation for the Tom Russell family will take place Friday night and the service on Saturday afternoon.  Everything will take place from the auditorium of First Baptist Tillman’s Corner. 

Happy birthday wishes to Gail Broekema from Michigan today.  She and her husband, Scott, have been used by the Lord to involve their whole church in GRACE Ministries.  Gail, I hope you have a great day! 

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