Pastor's Blog

Today is one of those days that you will always remember but you certainly wish it was for a different reason.  Six years ago 9/11 became a phrase that would forever carry a different meaning for Americans.  As long as I have a memory, I will never forget Lisa calling to tell me to go home and turn the television on because something bad was happening in New York.  Wow, what a day!  I ask that you join me in praying for the families of those victims on the planes, in the towers, and in the Pentagon.  Plus, a special prayer of thanks for the emergency personnel who died trying to help the injured, the trapped, et cetera.  We must pray!

I really don’t want to take away from our need to pray for those families today and to remember what happened on 9/11/01 so I will not write any more except to ask your continued prayers for Vance May and for Jason Husband as he has surgery today. 

I have already gotten e-mail messages this morning wanting to know why there hasn’t been a post today.  Sorry for being late.  Actually, I spent most of the night reading a dictionary and grammar book trying to stay mistake free in this post so Jennifer Wetterer and Lindsey Hatcher can rest easy! 

We had a good day yesterday as the Lord blessed our services.  I had several folks speak to me privately to express what God is doing in their lives.  Praise the Lord!  We must pray and I am excited about our forty days of prayer as today marks the eighth day of this emphasis.  Anyone can come to the auditorium any night except Sundays or Wednesdays from 6:30PM – 8:00PM.  (Please use the breeze way entrance)  On Sundays the auditorium is open from 4:00PM – 5:00PM and on Wednesdays the prayer room is open from 6:00PM until 7:00PM.  (Please note that for this Sunday, 9/16, our prayer emphasis will be moved to the prayer room)  We must pray!

Thank you to the guys who helped unload the items from the container last night.  Dr. Mike & Miss Dottie came by earlier today and we loaded his vehicle to the max with those boxes.  We will continue to off load Christmas items as folks from Mobile, Arkansas, & Georgia will be making trips to Casa Aleluya in the coming weeks.  Our next scheduled time to off load is Saturday morning, 9/29.  This will be a “for men only” event as the women should be at the conference that morning. 

Speaking of the women’s conference – if you haven’t purchased your ticket then please consider doing so this week.  Those planning the conference need to order the food and make other plans according to the number of tickets sold.  I know this is going to be a good weekend for those involved. 

Vance May remains hospitalized in Birmingham.  Please continue to pray for him.  Also, I received a request via our website this morning from a lady asking us to pray that God would put her family back together.  God knows who this family is so I simply ask you to join me in praying. 

My dad begins what we hope will be his final five days of chemo treatments today.  Thank you for your continued prayer support for him.  No definitive word on my uncle’s pending surgery. 

Tonight is FAITH!  Pray for this ministry.  Please begin praying now for our Upward basketball season and for the Hallelujah Festival.  Pray without ceasing.

I hope you have a great day with Jesus. 

Today is day four of our forty days of prayer.  I appreciate those who have taken the time and effort to come to the auditorium these past three nights to pray.  I realize that we have folks praying at home, work, et cetera too and I appreciate their efforts as well.  The Lord has been dealing with my heart about some more ways for us to be involved in prayer that I will be sharing in the days ahead.  Remember, the auditorium will be open tonight and tomorrow night from 6:30PM until 8:00PM and then from 4:00PM until 5:00PM Sunday afternoon. 

The Internet is reporting this morning that one hundred folks have died in Nicaragua as a result of Hurricane Felix.  Many of these bodies have been found in remote areas where they seemingly had little warning of the seriousness of the storm.  Please continue to pray for these families and for the rescue/relief work taking place. 

I spoke to my uncle yesterday.  The doctor is convinced that his cancer is contained and wants to surgically remove it within the next couple of weeks.  Please continue to pray as my uncle is nervous about having this procedure done and is hopeful that the surgery is all that will be needed to eradicate this cancer. 

Mike Clark called me yesterday asking if we could get about five hundred pounds of Christmas gifts off the container for him to take back to Lake Charles, LA on Monday.  If I am not able to get this done before Sunday, I plan on doing it after the service on Sunday evening and could use a little help. 

T.J. Vice and Josh Woods are not your normal, run of the mill, southern boys – no sir!  They could be at home this Saturday night watching some really good college football games on television but they have chosen to take their dates to the symphony!  I am not sure they are ready for this but I am sure the symphony isn’t ready for Jethro Bodine #1 & Jethro Bodine #2!  I can visualize them now sneaking in their popcorn in a Wal Mart bag!  I suspect they will be “refined” and “culturalized” by the time we see them on Sunday morning.  The rest of us guys will be talking about the football games while they talk about. . . . 

I am not perfect (as if you didn’t already know that!) and from time to time there are mistakes made in these posts.  Do not worry!  Lindsey Hatcher and Jennifer Wetterer live to find these mistakes and e-mail me immediately!  Honestly, I include mistaks from time to time just to give them purpose in life!  It’s nice to know smart people! 

Did you read about the guy in Escatawpa, MS who thought he was dialing 411 to call the television station to complain having to live in a FEMA trailer?  Instead he dialed 911 and hung up after realizing his mistake.  The authorities arrived to find a meth lab and arrested him and three other people.  Wow!     

I hope each person reading this entry will go to church this Sunday.  Thank you for taking the time to read this and I pray that you will have a great weekend with Jesus. 

Vance May was taken back to the UAB hospital on Tuesday and, obviously, he is not doing so well.  We had special prayer for him last night in our service and I ask that you pray often for him and his family today as the Lord brings him to your mind. 

We have no new word on Melanie Byrnes but Kim French will let me know once she gets an update. 

We had good services yesterday and last night.  Jon Cowart came to lead our musical worship in the senior high and junior high Bible studies and he did a nice job.  He lives in Mt. Vernon and I really appreciate him taking the time and making the effort to be with us.  He and Chris Taylor have classes together at USA. 

The word that I am getting from Guatemala is that they had some rains but nothing out of the ordinary for this time of the year.  Please continue to pray for the folks in the countries affected by Hurricane Felix. 

Our high school students who will be going on our GRACE ’08 summer trips will be hosting a meal on Sunday, 9/16, immediately following the 10:30AM service.  Also, they are taking orders for 2008 Scripture calendars.  Please help support our students in their mission/ministry efforts. 

This Sunday, 9/9, is the deadline for members of the Friendship family to sign up for the GRACE ’08 trips.  The dates are 2/15 – 22 (medical); 6/28 – 7/5 (Pastor); 7/19 – 7/26 (Bro. Jerry); & 7/26 – 8/2 (college).  Please do not assume that we know you are going!  Sign up forms are in the foyer of the auditorium. 

Our forty days of prayer enters day three.  Remember, the auditorium will be open from 6:30PM until 8:00PM tonight, tomorrow night, and Saturday night.  You can come to pray whether you have signed up or not.  We especially need prayer warriors for the Friday and Saturday nights of this emphasis. 

Happy birthday wishes are in order for Bro. Kerry Kelley today.  I hope you have a great day in the Lord! 

Bea Unrue had to spend Monday night in the hospital for observation as she had a slight problem with her knee replacement.  She came home yesterday but your prayers for her are appreciated.

I have been praying for the folks in the path of Hurricane Felix.  Obviously, we were very concerned for our staff, friends, et cetera in Guatemala.  Yesterday, it appeared Felix would pass through Guatemala today as a tropical depression.  A check of the 4:00AM projected path seems to indicate that it has now taken a turn to the south and it appears it will basically miss Guatemala altogether.  I do not know the extent of any rains they have received as a result of Felix but do know it is rainy season so they may have gotten a good rain regardless.  We do want to pray for the countries hit by this storm and pray for the ministries that will be responding. 

Our forty days of prayer got started on a good note yesterday/last night.  I think there were eight folks who came to the auditorium and prayed at some point between 6:30PM and 8:00PM.  Thank you!  Tonight, we will move our prayer effort into the prayer room from 6:00PM until 7:00PM and then will continue it at 7:00PM in the auditorium with our prayer service.  We need folks to step up for Friday and Saturday nights.  Pray without ceasing!

We are going to host a GRACE meal on Sunday, September 16.  This will be hosted by the senior high students going on one of the GRACE ’08 summer trips.  More details will be in the letter to the Friendship family this week and in this Sunday’s news and notes.  A meeting of the parents of these students will take place tonight immediately following the 8:00PM service.  This is important so please pass the word! 

My prayer is that the members of the Friendship family will join us in one of our Bible studies/prayer services today/tonight.  We have a new worship leader from Mobile for our senior high and junior high Bible studies. 

I hope you will have a great day with Jesus.

We had a good Labor Day weekend.  Our Sunday morning attendance was good in spite of a number of our folks being out of town.  Sunday night was another story as we were down significantly in our attendance.  However, Mike Clark did a nice job of sharing CPNA’s story and I really appreciate his willingness to give us a Sunday evening of his personal time.  Clint did a nice job in the 8:00AM service too.  Thanks to those who helped with the late night bowling fellowship as that was a good time too! 

Today marks the beginning of our forty days of prayer and fasting.  The auditorium will be open from 6:30PM until 8:00PM for those wishing to come and pray.  My prayer is that this will be a significant spiritual time for the Friendship family. 

Scott Fontenot’s uncle, M.C. Kelley, passed away this weekend and they will have a service this Thursday, 9/6, in Alexandria, LA.  Pray for this family. 

Melanie Byrnes will be going to the M.D. Anderson Clinic in Houston, TX this week to see if she can receive the experimental treatment.  Her Billi Ruebin count has to be at the proper level and that hasn’t been the case thus far.  Pray for Melanie.

My uncle, Bill Brown, got some encouraging news from the doctor regarding his cancer.  I haven’t spoken to him personally but do know that surgery is in the near future.  I have plans to call him today to get the details.  Thank you for your prayers and please keep praying. 

We are in the final week of sign up for our Summer ’08 mission trips to Guatemala as the deadline is this Sunday, 9/9.  (This deadline also applies to our February 15 – 22, 2008 trip)  Please don’t assume that we know you are going with us on one of these trips! 

I hope that you will have a blessed day with Jesus! 

Several folks asked me about Melanie Byrnes and if she was able to receive the treatment yesterday.  I did not hear anything but maybe Kim French will hear this weekend and let me know.  If so, I will post it on Monday. 

Our housekeeper in Guatemala, Louise Mason, e-mailed me yesterday to tell me that her brother, Dean, had passed away due to congestive heart failure.  She asked that we pray for his wife and three daughters as they will have his funeral service today.  Louise decided to not try to get home for the service but certainly will be in need of our prayers today too. 

Labor Day weekend is upon us and we will have a number of our folks traveling out of town to visit family and friends.  Also, this marks the beginning of the ’07 college football season with Alabama and Auburn both hosting home games so a number of folks will be traveling to those games too.  I simply ask you to join me in praying for safety on the highways as folks travel.  (Lisa and the girls will be traveling to Memphis and, Lord willing, I will be attending the game in Tuscaloosa tomorrow night.  I will be back for the services Sunday.) 

Tonight also marks the first Friday of the public high school football regular season.  Bryant plays at home against Vigor.  Deacon Dewayne will be among the group of guys from the initial team at Bryant who will be recognized tonight.  (I think it is great that they are allowing the water boys like Dewayne from that team to be recognized too!)  Lord willing, I will attend that game.  Cottage Hill Academy and Faith Academy are both in action for their second game of the season as are our friends at Holland Christian in Michigan.  We wish all of these teams well in their respective games. 

I did get to watch Korie Fontenot play volleyball yesterday afternoon.  I got to sit beside her mother, Nanette, which was worth the $4 admission fee.  However, my left ear is killing me this morning from her incessant screaming!  Wow! 

I don’t have plans to post again until Tuesday morning unless something happens needing immediate prayer attention.  Please remember my Uncle Bill today as he meets with the doctor.  I hope that you will be in church this Sunday.  We will host Clint Landry in the 8:00AM service and Mike Clark in the 6:00PM service.  Our students will go late night bowling this Sunday too.  I look forward to joining you in Bible study and worship. 

I pray that you will have a blessed weekend.   

I began yesterday’s entry asking you to pray for Melanie Byrnes and that request remains first and foremost this morning too.  Again, she is the daughter of a Pastor from Baldwin County and a friend of Kim French.  She is 36 years old and the mother of two young daughters.  The doctors feel that she needs to receive an experimental chemotherapy treatment but her body needs to be ready to receive this treatment.  As of yesterday, her body was not ready and the prayer is that all things will be in order this morning for the treatment to begin.  Please take a moment right now and pray for Melanie! 

One of my uncles, Bill Brown, will have a consultation with the doctors tomorrow to determine the extent of his cancer.  I am fairly certain that he will have to have surgery and perhaps some treatments too.  Pray for his physical and spiritual well being. 

Carl Bradley’s niece, Crystal Davis, is 27 years old and has been battling cancer for several years now.  She is at home in Vancleave, MS and is doing some better but her situation is serious.  Please pray for Crystal and her family as they go through this time. 

Bro. Jerry begins a period of vacation today which will end on Saturday, 9/8.  So, you are asked to not call on him during these days.  I don’t know if he is going to be at home or going away but please respect his time off. 

We need some parents of our junior high students to volunteer to help with the Bible study on Wednesday nights.  Dale Bosarge does the teaching but we need a parent or two to be in there with him.  Let Dale or me know if you are willing to help on a rotating basis. 

Our forty days of prayer and fasting begins next Tuesday, 9/4.  If you haven’t done so already, please turn in your form so we can have a master schedule. 

Hopefully, today is going to be a calm day as I do some counseling, make some visits and continue to get ready for Sunday.  I also have plans to attend Bryant’s volleyball match late this afternoon.  (I mentioned last Friday’s football games but have not mentioned the respective volleyball matches and Nanette Fontenot & Mary Hall have been giving me fits ever since!)  Tonight, I plan on watching some college football as LSWho visits MSU – the real season begins Saturday night at 6:07PM but this will do until then! 

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

The Mobile SBC Pastors received an urgent prayer request yesterday afternoon.  Melanie Byrnes, daughter of Pastor Charles Lewis of Baldwin County and mother of two daughters (ages 8 & 5), needs to have an experimental chemotherapy treatment.  However, her Billi Reubin level needs to be 1.5 or lower by tomorrow morning, 8/30, in order for this to happen.  Her dad has asked all of us to pray so I am passing this along to our readers outside the Friendship family too.  Melanie is 36 years old and has been on our prayer list for a long time because of her friendship with Kim French.  Please pray! 

The funeral service for Mrs. Merle Weeks, Jackie Goff’s sister, will take place at 11:00AM this morning at the 1st Baptist Church of Blountstown, Florida.  Please pray for this family during this time of sorrow and for the Pastor who will minister the Word today. 

Rita Vice called yesterday to say that her dad was doing remarkably well and it appears he will be moved from the ICU to a step down unit.  This is good news!  Travis McDonald, Mary Hall’s dad, is doing well too but is going to need some physical therapy.  Plans call for him to be transfered to the convalescent home today in order to receive that therapy.  I had the opportunity to visit with Mr. Travis yesterday afternoon and he was in such good spirits.  Pray for these men and their families.

It’s Wednesday which means another blessed, albeit busy, day for the Friendship family.  I encourage the members of the Friendship family to join us at some point today, morning or evening, for our prayer service and respective Bible studies.  Chris Taylor will be leading our senior high Bible study tonight.  I encourage any of our college/young professionals to join us tonight at 8:00PM for Bible study.  We meet in the parsonage.

Speaking of our students, we are praying for folks to complete our senior high and our junior high student ministry committees.  If interested and willing to serve, please complete one of the forms in the foyer. 

I am looking forward to the ministry of Mike Clark this Sunday evening at 6:00PM.  I encourage the Friendship family to be present for this special service.   

I pray that you will have a wonderful day with Jesus. 

Last night, Bro. Jerry led our second night of FAITH for this semester and it was a good night.  I didn’t hear many of the reports as I got in a bit late but everyone seemed upbeat about the visits/contacts that had been made.  We actually had three first time members of FAITH join us last night and that it a good thing. 

I received word late yesterday afternoon that Pete Nelson, Rita’s dad, had a stroke.  They were getting ready to move him from the ICU and then the stroke came.  He is now back on a ventilator and they are keeping him sedated.  The severity of the stroke is not known at this time but there was some initial paralysis on the left side of his body.  So, please pray for Mr. Nelson and for Rita as she waits here and decides whether or not to return to California. 

Mary Hall’s father, Travis McDonald, has been placed in a local hospital with an infection.  Dollie Trout and Bea Unrue continue to recover from their respective surgeries and are doing well.  Vance May is doing rehab at home.  Please pray for these folks. 

The visitation for Merle Weeks, Jackie Goff’s sister, will take place tonight in Blountstown, Florida and the funeral service will be tomorrow from the 1st Baptist Church there.  Lord willing, I will drive over this afternoon/evening for the visitation.  Pray for Jackie and her family during this time and for me as I travel. 

The sign up for our GRACE ’08 trips is going well.  I encourage folks from the Friendship family who have yet to sign up to do so this Sunday.  We are basically at capacity on one trip and very, very near capacity on another one.  Our Michigan friends who took part on the college/young professionals trip this month need to sign up now too if they want a spot on the 2008 (July 26 – August 2) trip.

I firmly believe God has led us to this forty days of prayer which we will begin one week from tonight.  Members of the Friendship family are asked to sign up and join us in the auditorium to seek the Lord.  You choose the date(s) you can participate but please fill out a form so we can know who to expect each evening.  We need those forms turned in absolutely no later than this Sunday, 9/2, but the earlier, the better. 

I trust that you will have a blessed day with Jesus.