Pastor's Blog

We had a good Wednesday.  I was blessed by the number of senior high students who attended our Bible study at 6:00PM and the young professionals who came at 8:00PM.  Not to be outdone, our Wednesday morning attendance continues to increase weekly.  Of course, I am grateful for those who attended each of our Bible studies or worship services.  Wednesdays are pretty awesome at Friendship!

Carla Felps Kyser is having a port placed into her body this morning.  David Boutwell has been moved into a regular hospital room.  Tom Russell (Faith Academy) remains hospitalized in isolation.  Genesis (Casa Aleluya) has several problems following her transplant surgery.  Bro. Johnny Tucker and his team are ministering in the Philippines through May 28.  The citizens of Burma are going through a terrible tragedy as they are now estimating the total number of deaths could reach 100,000.  Pray for these situations. 

The IMB website is reporting today that the nine year old daughter of IMB representatives in Indonesia died of head wounds caused by a fall from her bicycle.  Pray for the Borger family.  (You can read the brief story at www.imb.org)

We now have six of the high school graduates photos in hand.  Diane Vickers came through but Deanna Wetterer is still lagging behind.  Remember, we need those by this Sunday, 5/11. 

It is definitely graduation season.  Wes Bates graduates from the University of Mobile and Alisha Vice graduates from William Carey University this Saturday.  Congratulations to Wes & Alisha.  On Monday, Wes & Rebekah (the good one) go to Greece with the University of Mobile for a mission trip.  Alisha leaves on 5/24 for an assignment in Europe.  Pray for these respective efforts.

My family and I are leaving today following the Castlen Elementary 5th grade honors program.  We will drive to Memphis in order to attend a luncheon tomorrow and Deidra’s graduation from Mid-America Seminary tomorrow night.   

On Saturday morning, Bret Hart and a host of hundreds from Faith Baptist Bartlett will load a U-Haul truck with Michael & Deidra’s belongings and I will drive it to Grand Bay.  (Bret and his crew will allow me to sleep in while they load the truck – what nice guys!  They also want to pay for the fuel for the U-Haul truck but I am going to draw the line as enough is enough!)  Michael & Deidra will go to the Dominican Republic on 5/26 for a mission trip. 

I don’t know if I will post tomorrow or not.  I will try but it may be later in the day. 

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

We have had a very pleasant Spring but I think the times are changing!  The early mornings for the past several days have been a little cool making it very nice.  However, it seems that this morning the humidity is up and the temps didn’t drop as low as they have for the past several nights.  Summer is most likely upon us!  (I feel like Jack Bailey)

The service for Syble McCoy was a time of inspiration.  Janice sang and also shared a testimony about her mother.  Mike, Jr. read Scripture and also shared about his grandmother.  Tom Freeman did a nice job of sharing Scripture and some personal words about Miss Syble.  Bro. Kerry & Miss Jeanette did a good job of sharing through music too.  Continue to pray for the McCoy family. 

David Boutwell, Greg’s brother, continues to need our prayers as he remains hospitalized. 

As of this writing, Aaron Burnett, Josh Mott, & Cody Povilonis are the only three high school seniors who have submitted their photos.  (I am so disappointed in Diane Vickers & Deanna Wetterer!)   We need each high school senior who will be present in the 10:30AM service on Sunday, 5/18, to get us those photos by this Sunday, 5/11. 

My family and I attended Faith Academy’s Spring concert last night featuring several of their choirs.  Our own, Hien Tran, was in the SSA Choir and Kourtney Wadkins was in the elementary choir.  The choirs did a nice job but Kourt and Hien were the best! 

I haven’t done a very good job this month in extending birthday wishes – I missed Melissa Brown’s & Gerald Poiroux’s on the 1st as well as Cameron Watson’s & Nolan Brown’s on the 4th.  However, I didn’t want to miss Tena Hovel’s today!  How old is she you ask?  Well, mama taught me to respect my elders so I will only say this – Miss Syble McCoy was born in 1918 and rumor has it that she and Tena were in school together just not the same grade!  Also, Bro. Johnny & Miss Judy’s daughter, Deidra, is celebrating her 38th birthday today!  So, happy belated birthday wishes to Melissa, Gerald, Cameron, & Nolan and birthday wishes to Tena and Deidra! 

I hope the members of the Friendship family will join us for one of our services and/or Bible studies today.  Our young adults are encouraged to join us at 8:00PM tonight at the house for food, fellowship, and a time in the Word.  The Milo Man, Sam Schjott, may even furnish the tea!   

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday! 

The visitation for the Syble McCoy family will begin at 10:00AM this morning followed by the 11:00AM service.  Everything will take place from the O’Bryant-O’Keefe Funeral Home in Pascagoula, MS.  Please pray for Janice and her family during this time. 

This past weekend saw a couple of guys come to the church and power wash the exterior of the auditorium getting it ready to receive a fresh coat of paint.  Again, these guys came unannounced and not looking for any recognition but just wanting to serve the Lord.  I so appreciate that spirit among the members of the Friendship family! 

We need to hear from each member of the Class of 2008 by this Sunday, 5/11.  Those graduating high school this year are asked to bring a picture from their younger years and a senior portrait by this Sunday, 5/11, too. 

We will be recognizing all of the mothers in our two morning services this Sunday with a special recognition of the oldest mother present in each service.  Please make plans to join us for this special day.  Also, please note that we will not have Discipleship Training this Sunday, 5/11. 

Now is the time to nominate men to minister as deacons for the next three years beginning August 1.  All nominations should be in writing and given to Larry Whitehurst or me by Sunday, June 8.  Pray, receive permission from the individual you wish to nominate, and submit the name(s).  We will elect these three deacons on Sunday evening, 6/22. 

Lisa and I met with a builder last night and we are still married this morning!  We are waiting on Jim Sciple to get us our house plans! 

I hope you have a great Tuesday with Jesus.   

We had another good day in our services yesterday.  It was a real joy to see Austin Jackson come forward during the 10:30AM service and pray to receive Jesus as his personal Savior.  God continues to give the increase and we give Him the glory! 

I wasn’t involved but I do want to thank each person who helped Bro. Benny in any way with the special day for our children’s ministry. 

Kathy Wadkins and the other workers did a great job in leading our children’s choir this past year.  Our children did an awesome job of sharing the message in song and skit last night during our service.  Thanks to each person who helped make that service a blessing! 

Greg Boutwell’s brother, David, remains in an intensive care unit in a local hospital.  He still has several health problems that must be resolved before he can be moved from the unit.  Please pray for David. 

The visitation and funeral service for Miss Syble McCoy will take place tomorrow, 5/6, from O’Bryant-O’Keefe Funeral Home in Pascagoula, MS.  The visitation will begin at 10:00AM with the service beginning at 11:00AM.  Please continue to pray for Janice and her family during this time.  (The obit in today’s paper is listing everything as taking place today, 5/5, but I think that is in error – call the church office after 8:00AM for clarification) 

We need all members of the Class of 2008 to let us know of your plans to be present in our 10:30AM service on 5/18.  Call the church office this week.  All high school graduates are asked to bring two photos to us by this Sunday, 5/11, a baby photo and a graduation photo. 

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

Miss Syble McCoy, Janice Moreland’s mother, passed from this life and entered heaven around 2:00PM this afternoon.  Obviously, the arrangements are incomplete and will not be settled until tomorrow afternoon.  O’Bryant-O’Keefe Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.  Pray for Janice and her family. 

You ever get off a plane only to realize that your luggage didn’t arrive on the plane with you?  On our return trip from China I didn’t suffer from a loss of luggage but I realized very quickly that my body either stayed on the plane or in China.  However, I have good news (at least for me) this morning as my body arrived home last night.  I went to bed at 11:00PM and didn’t get up until 5:00AM!  Finally, a good night’s sleep and I am very grateful to the Lord for His blessings in this area! 

The memorial service for Judy Ziglar will take place this morning at 10:00AM from the Theodore United Methodist Church.  Folks helping with the food for the family meal afterwards are asked to have it at our fellowship hall by 9:45AM.  Miss Vinnie Brewer will transport it to Theodore.  Thank you for helping minister in this way.

Please continue to pray for Miss Sybil McCoy (Janice Moreland’s mother).  Also, I noticed that Tom Russell has been in the hospital this week in his battle with cancer so keep praying for him too. 

Deidra has finished her seminary studies and will graduate next Friday night, 5/9.  Needless to say, Lisa and I are very proud of her.  She and Michael will be moving to Grand Bay at the end of this month.  She will teach while Michael finishes his education and they will then move to the mission field.  Would you join us in praying that God will open the door for Deidra to get a teaching job? 

I fondly remember Miss Peggy Howard today as this is her birthday.  I truly miss her being with us and can only imagine what she is doing in Heaven!  Pray for Bro. Robbie, Cathy, & Lynne today. 

I attended the Bryant softball game with Morris Bryant last night.  We went to watch Korie Fontenot & Callie Dyess play.  Of course, Nanette Fontenot would have it no other way but for me to sit beside her.  After all of these years she is still crazy about me!  Her cigarette smoke almost killed me but I made it through! 

I pray that you will have an awesome Friday with Jesus! 

The bad news is that Morris talked about needing to lose weight.  He weighs 185 and I weigh 183.  The only problem is that he is 6’4″ and I am 4’6″! 

Today is the National Day of Prayer.  The auditorium of First Baptist Church of Bayou La Batre will be open tonight from 6:00 – 8:00PM for anyone wishing to go and pray.  That will be a “come and go” event.  Obviously, you can pray from any place but this is an opportunity to go to a place where the church meets.  Pray for the USA! 

I heard nothing but good comments from the Sean Dickens funeral service relating to our folks who were involved.  Jeanette Bates did her usual wonderful job of ministering through playing the piano and organ.  Roy Smullen sang while Curtis Whitehurst accompanied him on the guitar.  Pray for the Dickens family.

A call has come from Theodore Methodist Church for help with the food preparation for the Ziglar family tomorrow.  The needs are for vegetables, casseroles, salads, or desserts.  If you will help, please have your dish in our fellowship hall kitchen no later than 9:45AM tomorrow, 5/2.  Miss Vinnie Brewer will then transport the food to Theodore.  If you have any questions, simply contact Miss Vinnie.  Thank you in advance for your help. 

We had a good day in our services yesterday.  It began with a really strong number in our morning service.  Once again, we had a strong attendance in our student Bible studies.  We thank God for His blessings! 

It was good to meet with our college/young professionals last night too.  Lisa did a great job with the meal!  Sam Schjott aka “The Milo Man” furnished the tea!  He even gave me a gallon of Splenda sweetened tea.  (I like outdated tea – it’s the thought that counts!) 

We don’t have anyone in the hospital and for that we are grateful.  However, Janice Moreland’s mother, Miss Sybil McCoy, is pretty low physically.  Pray for Miss Sybil, Janice and the family during this time. 

A number of our college students are dealing with finals this week.  As the Lord brings it to your memory today and tomorrow, pray for them. 

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

Where did April go?  Or the first four months of 2008?  Wow, time does fly when you are having fun!  I am posting early again this morning as my body continues to remain in China.  I have been advised to take Tylenol PM but I am not much on taking meds plus it turns AM at midnight so that wouldn’t last but a couple of hours! 

I forgot to mention that yesterday, 4/29, was Tom Werkema’s birthday.  Of course, when you get as old as Tom you don’t worry about birthdays anymore!  He helped Noah on the ark!  Happy belated birthday, Tom! 

I don’t understand the fares on airlines or computers.  Tanya Bosarge posted a comment on 4/22 and I just got it for moderation this morning.  It relates to Stephanie’s expertise in yard work, house work, et cetera.  Give it a read, please! 

Lisa and I attended the funeral service for John W. Joyner, Sr yesterday morning.  He passed away late last week.  He is a grandfather-in-law to Amber Rogers Joyner and an uncle by marriage to Traci Wells Holifield.  It was a difficult funeral but I have to say that Pastor Derrall Marshall, 1st Baptist Bayou La Batre, did a great job.  Also, Mark Jones (Nadine Holifield’s brother) and Mr. & Mrs. Steve Johnson (Dirk’s parents) did a very nice job in sharing special music.  Pray for the Joyner family.

I went to the visitation for the Sean Dickens family yesterday afternoon too.  I went early because I knew the place would be very crowded as the evening progressed.  I will not be able to attend the service at 10:00AM this morning due to our service at the same time.  Pray for the Dickens family. 

Remember, the memorial service for Judy Ziglar (Jodi’s mother) will take place Friday, 5/2, at 10:00AM from the Theodore United Methodist Church.  Pray for the Ziglar family.

David Wynn was released from the hospital yesterday.  He has an appointment with the doctor this morning so please keep praying for David and his family.

We are on a regular schedule today.  I hope each member of the Friendship family will join us for one of the Bible studies and/or services.  We will have our college/young professionals Bible study at 8:00PM with free food!  (That’s how we get TJ Vice and Dale Bosarge to come faithfully!)

I mentioned Mark doing a nice job on his solos and the Johnsons doing likewise on their duet.  What happened to Nadine and Dirk? 

Rumor has it that Jennifer and Jordon are moving their wedding date to July 12 instead of having it on an Alabama football home game Saturday!  Actually, Jennifer simply wants to beat Pam Landry to the altar!  You ever wonder where all these rumors come from?

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

It is imperative that I hear from some folks today relating to Wild Week.  I did not receive forms from Deanna Crawley, Brittney Teasley, Juleigh Medrano, Alyssa Brown, Kayla & Matthew Porter, Whitney Webb, Konnor Brannon, Devin Johnson, Dalton Bartlett, or Joshua O’Bannon for the middle school week.  The same is true for Kristen Whitehurst, Lauren Patterson, Cameron Watson, Drew Crawley, Ben Mallett & Dustin Bartlett for the senior high week.  I must hear from these folks today so please help spread the word! 

Raymond Wilkinson – I need you on the first week so give me a holler today!

The family of Sean Dickens will have a time of visitation tonight from 5:00 – 8:00PM and a service tomorrow morning at 10:00AM.  These events will take place at the St. John’s Catholic Church in Grand Bay.  Sean will be buried in Serenity Memorial Gardens. 

The family of Judy Ziglar will have a memorial service on Friday at 10:00AM from the Theodore United Methodist Church.  That church building is located next to the high school in Theodore.  Pray for these families! 

David Wynn remains hospitalized and in need of our prayers. 

Today is Mariam Moates’ birthday.  Happy birthday to Mariam!  What a sweet lady!

The girls and I continue to be affected by jet lag from our China trip.  The good news is that I did not wake up at midnight last night!  (I guess it helped that I didn’t go to bed until 2:30AM!)  Dana & Gina are waking up between 4:00 – 5:00AM each morning. 

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

A couple of families are going through the beginning stages of the grieving process right now and need our prayers.  Sean Dickens’ life was taken in automobile accident early yesterday morning.  He was 20 years old.  His mother, Linda, has been a teacher in Grand Bay for many, many years and presently teaches at Brietling Elementary.  Pray for the Dickens family.

Jodi Johnson’s mother, Judy Ziglar, passed away in the early evening hours last night.  She has been battling cancer for some time now and has lived much longer than the medical folks believed she would.  I can remember Willie calling me in November to say her death was imminent but she just kept on living.  However, we are never fully ready to lose a loved one so the Ziglar family needs our prayers during this time. 

 Christy Wynn was in the service last night but I didn’t get to talk to her.  However, I assume David is still hospitalized and believe that is a safe assumption. 

I did hear from Gena Davis telling me that Gene did well during his surgery last Tuesday and came home from the hospital this past Friday.  He is looking at additional surgery in the very near future.  Thanks for the update Gena.  Keep praying for Gene (actually Gena probably needs prayer more than he does!). 

The Lord blessed and we had a good day in our services yesterday.  It was good to be back in the pulpit. 

Any students who missed the Wild Week meeting last night need to contact me personally today – if not sooner!  This is important!

We will have our senior recognition day on Sunday, May 18, during the 10:30AM service.  We need all members of the Class of 2008 to contact the church office this week to let us know of your graduation. 

I read this morning of a train accident in China today.  A bullet train going from Beijing to Qingdao jumped the track and hit an oncoming train with at least 66 folks killed as a result and many others injured.  That got my attention as we were on the bullet train traveling from Qingdao to Beijing just last Sunday night.  When Lisa, Dana, Gina, & I got home early last Thursday morning, the first thing we did was stop and pray thanking God for His watchcare over us as we traveled via car, plane, bus, train, boat, et cetera during our trip.  We are grateful for His protection! 

On a lighter note, our missionary friend in Canada, Mark Mast, e-mailed me Saturday night to say they were getting 15 – 18 inches of snow and the wind was causing huge snow drifts.  Amazingly, they had church services yesterday morning.  Wow! 

T. Garrett, your grandmother gave me some advice in regard to Johna joining us on a GRACE trip! 

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