Pastor's Blog

I had hopes that the Faith Academy baseball team would be able to battle back and win the last two games in their state championship series against Glenwood Academy.  However, it wasn’t meant to be as Glenwood won the second game of the series and the state championship.  Faith had a very good year and I congratulate them on a fine season. 

I also congratulate the Cottage Hill Christian Academy baseball team on having a fine year making it all the way to the semi-finals in the state playoffs.  We have players from the Friendship family on both of these teams and we are proud of each of them. 

Andy Hamil’s surgery went well yesterday but the doctor was surprised as they found his problem was a herniated disc and not a spur.  The doctor said they corrected the problem and Andy should come home today.

Brenda Poiroux has been battling a virus and had gotten dehydrated.  She was supposed to come home yesterday.  The doctors determined Roberta Maggard’s problem and hopefully she is now on the road to recovery.  Christine Leasure was to be moved to a rehabilitation facility in Ocean Springs yesterday.  I do not have an update on James Ory. 

I ask you to continue to pray as Mike Blaylock prepares for his surgery on Monday. 

I received an e-mail from IMB missionary Neal Seaborn yesterday.  He has seen Bro. Johnny & Miss Judy.  He stated that the heat has been tough on Bro. Johnny’s heart and that he is having to rest a good bit.  Neal also shared that Miss Judy’s older sister passed away the day after the team left the United States.  She started to come home but her brother-in-law and mother asked her to stay with the team.  I know this has to be emotionally difficult for Miss Judy so your prayers are appreciated. 

Mother’s Day and the Parent/Child Dedication highlight our Sunday morning this weekend while the children’s choir musical is the Sunday evening feature.  I pray that each member of the Friendship family will join me in worship this Sunday morning and evening. 

The Lord blessed and we had a good day yesterday.  I am really grateful for all the folks who serve at Friendship through the various ministries i.e. RA’s, GA’s, Mission Friends, Children’s Choir, Convalescent Home, student Bible studies, et cetera on Wednesdays.  These folks are impacting lives for eternity and I am grateful for their service to the Lord.

The Faith Academy baseball team will be playing at noon today in the AISA Class AAA state finals.  Unfortunately, they lost the first game of this series yesterday afternoon. However, that was against Glenwood’s ace pitcher and Faith’s ace will be pitching the first game today.  Best wishes to the Faith Academy Rams today! 

Willie Johnson and his crew will be back today to possibly finish the grout work on the floor in the fellowship hall.  That building is looking brand new and I appreciate all who have helped up to this point. 

Our VBS workers will have a meeting tonight beginning at 6:30PM.  This will take place in the student ministry building.  This is an important meeting as literature and craft supplies will be distributed.  Questions?  Contact Myrtle Bowden.

Andy Hamil will have surgery today.  Brenda Poiroux, Christina Leasure, James Ory (Melinda Eckert’s dad), and Roberta Maggard (Phyllis Bush’s mom) all remain hospitalized.  Please keep these folks in your prayers. 

I also ask you to pray for Mike Blaylock as he prepares for surgery on Monday.  The doctors plan on removing a significant portion of Mike’s liver in hopes of removing the cancerous tumors too.  Pray that God will use this as a means of bringing healing to Mike’s body. 

Mother’s Day is always a special day at Friendship.  We will recognize all mothers in each of our morning services with a special recognition going to the oldest mother present.  Thank God for our mothers!

We will also have the privilege of dedicating about ten children to the Lord as a part our annual “Parent/Child Dedication” service.  This will take place during our 10:30AM service.  Those participating in this service are asked to be on time as we do this dedication fairly early in the service. 

Our children’s choir, under the direction of Kathy Wadkins, will present their Spring musical this Sunday night beginning at 6:00PM.  Remember, we will not have Discipleship Training this Sunday. 

There will be a very important meeting this Sunday evening of all students who will be participating in Wild Week ’07 this summer.  This is a last minute announcement but we just found out late yesterday of some information the camp needs from us.  So, we will meet in the student ministry building immediately following the evening worship service.  Help us pass this word to others who may not read these blog entries.

The Class of 2007 will be recognized on Sunday, May 20, during the 10:30AM worship service.  If you are a member of this class, high school or college, and haven’t let us know of your plans to attend this service please call the church office by next Wednesday, 5/16.  We will treat our graduates to a meal at a local restaurant immediately following the service.  

I mentioned yesterday that Evangelist Michael Mason will be preaching for us on June 3.  We will also have the privilege of hosting Pastor Travis Northcutt in one of our morning worship services on June 17.  Evangelist Johnny Tucker will be our guest on July 1. 

I pray that you will have a blessed day. 

John Denver used to sing that it “was good to be back home again” and that is always true.  Lisa and I had a great time in Michigan and we are blessed to know some many wonderful folks who have become dear friends but, as Dorothy says, “there is no place like home!” 

Sunday night, Lisa and I met with Tom & Shari, Ross & Kathy, Don & Ruth Nederhood, Kirk & Sue Tyler, and Dave & Donna Westhouse to discuss GRACE Ministries.  It was a good meeting and I am grateful for the part these folks have in making GRACE an effective ministry. 

Monday, Lisa and I visited a tulip farm/gift shop, visited some friends, and attended Tulip Time in downtown Holland.  As I was growing up, my maternal grandmother always talked about Tulip Time as she loved to attend.  I can now say that I have attended one too!  By the way, the tulips were beautiful! 

I am not sure where we are as far as the sick folks are concerned within the Friendship family.  I do know that Andy Hamil will have surgery tomorrow.  He has been in a lot of pain so prayerfully this will bring some relief.   I understand that Christine Leasure and Melinda Eckert’s dad remain hospitalized but Burney Barnes is at home now.  Ken & Jean Assink are good friends from Michigan.  Ken’s mother, Ella Assink, is 88 years old and has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.  Please join me in praying for each of these situations. 

Our Parent/Child Dedication takes place this Sunday, 5/13, during the 10:30AM service.  All folks planning on participating need to contact the church office (445-5412) by tomorrow so we can plan accordingly. 

This Sunday evening, 5/13, our children’s choir will present their Spring musical beginning at 6:00PM.  As usual, we will not have Discipleship Training since it is Mother’s Day but I do hope you will make plans to join us for this time of musical worship. 

The folks within the Friendship family who are a part of the Class of 2007 need to be reminded that we will recognize you during our 10:30AM service on 5/20.  Please call the church office to let us know that you will attend the service and the meal to follow. 

It is Wednesday which means two prayer meetings, two Bible studies, and the normal pastoral duties to which I need to attend.  I hope you will join me for one of those prayer meetings or Bible studies. 

I will simply have to ask for your forgiveness and understanding for not blogging yesterday.  It was a busy day filled with visiting friends and attending Tulip Time in Holland. 

The wedding of Jeremy & Jenna on Saturday night went well.  I learned some things about Michigan wedding traditions and shared a few southern ideas with them too.  Ross & Kathy and Tom & Shari were gracious host to Lisa and me and for that we are grateful. 

Sunday morning I had the privilege of preaching the two morning worship services at the Vriesland Reformed Church.  I had a great time being in that church as so many of those folks have gone with us on at least one trip to Guatemala.  An additional blessing was that a good number of folks from other churches came to those services too.  It was great to renew friendships – what sweet fellowship!  I want to thank Wayne Van Dam for the invitation.  I am also thankful to staff members, Eric Folkers and Scott Bale, for being so gracious to me and supportive of my being there.  The Friendship family and the Vriesland family seem to have a special connection because of GRACE Ministries and their student ministry (Vertigo) doing mission work on the coast last summer while staying in our CAB. 

Lisa and I joined the extended Mast family (along with Mr. & Mrs. Milford Compagner and Will & Elizabeth Compagner) for Sunday dinner at Tom & Shari’s home.  That was a delightful time of food & fellowship! 

Sunday evening provided Lisa and me the opportunity to attend two worship services.  First, we went to Bethel CRC in Zeeland to listen to the Living Hope singers from Holland Christian High School.  Those 32 students did a great job.  Two of them, Matt & Ross DeYoung, have joined us on several GRACE trips.  Another one, Kaitlyn Mast, will be going with us in the near future.  We enjoyed that service.

We then drove to Vriesland and attended their evening service.  Their children led us in musical worship and then Will Daniels preached on prayer.  It was good to worship with those folks during the evening hour. 

Enough for now – I will share more tomorrow about the rest of our trip.  I will also give an update on those who are physically sick within the Friendship family.  I do want to ask you to pray fervently for Mike Blaylock as he prepares for surgery this Monday, 5/14.   

A Saturday entry is not the norm but I wanted to share a couple of things with you.  First, the trial for Dr. Kirk Tyler ended yesterday afternoon and he was acquitted on all charges – praise the Lord!  After the verdict was read, Kirk went over and prayed with the one who brought the case against him.  So, we thank God for being with Kirk & Sue during this trial in their lives. 

Andy & Betty Hamil and Willie & Martha Pierre have a grandson, Joey, who lives in the Nashville, TN area.  Joey and a girl friend were on a ATV Thursday and were involved in an accident.  Tragically, the accident proved fatal for the young lady.  Joey is fine physically but a wreck emotionally.  Pray for all involved in this situation.

Pray for me as I perform the ceremony uniting Jeremy Kreuze & Jenna Genzink in marriage this afternoon.  Jenna has been a dear friend for years and it has been neat to get to know Jeremy in recent months.  I count it a real honor to have been invited to be a part of this ceremony. 

Also pray as I preach twice in the morning at the Vriesland Reformed Church.  Again, these are some great folks and I look forward to joining them in worship and the Word. 

Bro. Jerry will be preaching in my absence in the morning and Bro. Benny will do so tomorrow night.  I encourage each member of the Friendship family to be present for those services. 

As I write this entry, I am sitting in the home of Ross & Kathy Genzink in Holland, MI.  Tomorrow night, I will have the privilege of performing the wedding ceremony for their daughter, Jenna, and her fiance, Jeremy.  The Genzinks are dear friends and I am honored Jenna asked me to take part in her wedding.

Sunday morning I will be preaching the two morning services at Vriesland Reformed Church.  Many of those folks have joined us in our GRACE Ministries in years gone and folks from other churches have plans to attend these services.  I am thankful to Wayne Van Dam and Tom Compagner for this opportunity. 

I received a message from Bro. Jerry asking for HELP in the fellowship hall for tonight.  They will grouting again at 6:00PM.  Much remains to be done.  If you can help, please show up at 6:00PM.  Thanks to Rick Bradley, Becky Hatcher, Dewayne Lavelle, T.J. Vice, & Kerry Woods for helping Bro. Jerry last night. 

Burney Barnes is not doing so well as he is still hospitalized.  Josh Taylor is still in the hospital too.  Christine Leasure is in a local hospital.  Josh Bradley was admitted to the hospital last night too.  Pray for these needs. 

Again, we need help in the fellowship hall tonight.  I may update this later.   

The Lord blessed us with a good day yesterday in our respective Bible studies, classes, prayer meetings, et cetera.  Wednesdays are busy around Friendship with the morning service and then the many activities in the evening.  As we closed out the day last night with our college students, I was reminded that a good number of them have had finals this week with the last of those coming today and/or tomorrow so please keep them in your prayers. 

I also learned yesterday that Cottage Hill Christian Academy and Faith Academy were meeting on the baseball diamond in the semi-finals of the AISA state baseball tournament.  I was in hopes they would not have to meet until the finals but it wasn’t to be true.  We have players and fans at both of these schools and I hate to see either team come up short where the score is concerned.  I believe this is a best of three series and Faith was able to come from behind to win yesterday’s game.  Congratulations to them on the victory and best wishes to both teams in today’s game. 

Obviously, it disappoints me when any of our teams, especially our Christian schools, are forced to play on a Wednesday afternoon/night.  Don’t even get me started on that soap box! 

There will be another work effort tonight as our guys finish the tile work in the fourth and final room.  They will finish that room and begin the grouting process.  I had a couple ladies misunderstand and offer to send their husband for the grouch night.  We need folks, men and women, who have experience working with grout to help tonight.  Remember, we also need folks to help put the place back in order on Saturday at a yet to be determined time but it very well could be Saturday afternoon late. 

Please continue to pray for Bro. Johnny & Miss Judy, Pastor Jack Bailey, Leslie Morris on the mission field, Dr. Kirk in the courtroom, and those who are battling a physical illness of some type. 

I pray you will have a great day in Jesus!   

P.S. – Our latest newsletter was posted on the website yesterday thanks to Deacon Dewayne – check it out!

“So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.“ (Nehemiah 4:6) Those words kept coming to my mind last night as Carl Bradley, Rick Bradley, Troy Brock, Glen Cooper, Jerry Hovel, Dewayne Lavelle, Benny McGath, Ben Vickers, T.J. Vice, & Raymond Wilkinson continued the tile work in the fellowship hall.  It was a long (6:00 – 10:30PM) and productive night as three of the rooms now have the tile in place and a start was made on the fourth room.  Those guys had worked at their jobs all day and then gave their time, effort, and expertise in helping in this work.  The Friendship family is really blessed to have folks who will do whatever it takes to help. 

Our next work effort will be tomorrow night beginning at 6:00PM.  That process will be a little slower as the grout process begins.  However, we still need folks to help, especially those who (men or women) know how to grout tile.  

This Saturday, 5/5, we will need a number of folks to be available to help Bro. Jerry put the building back in order.  Willie Johnson’s crew is doing the open area of the floor and should be completely finished by then.  If you (men or women) can help, please contact Bro. Jerry in order to know what time that work will take place.

My heart hurt yesterday morning as I stood in Burney Barnes’ hospital room for about thirty minutes and listened as he and Miss Jeanine talked about their son, Neal, and his battle against cancer. Burney has some major health issues himself but their concern was for Neal, age 51, as he is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation and is experiencing some great pain.  They cried, they hurt, they wished they could take his place, et cetera.  So, I ask you to join me in praying for them and their son in a special way.  They have a strong trust in the Lord and greatly desire our prayers. 

Please continue to pray for Dr. Kirk & Sue as they enter day two in the court room.

Since the early hour today, my thoughts have been on the memory of Miss Peggy Howard.  Today is her birthday and I know Bro. Robbie, Cathy, & Lynne along with their families will have an emotional day remembering her.  She was a special, special lady and is missed by so many folks.  Please pray for this family today too.  I miss and love Miss Peggy.  She and Bro. Robbie have had such a positive impact in my life and ministry.  Special folks indeed!

Ladies, please remember the baby shower for Tiffany Bowden Fox this Sunday, 5/6, from 2:00 – 3:30PM in the fellowship hall. 

My prayer is that the members of the Friendship family will be in their rightful place today/tonight for the Bible studies, prayer services, et cetera.  Please remember that the fellowship hall is closed!

Dr. Kirk Tyler and his wife, Sue, are good friends of the Friendship family and GRACE Ministries.  They have helped us lead two medical mission trips to Guatemala for GRACE.  Kirk will be in court beginning today for something that happened about three years ago.  Please join me in praying for Kirk, Sue, their family and this situation. 

The Friendship family certainly believes in missions giving and going so that is why I am asking you to join me in praying for Bro. Johnny & Miss Judy Tucker as they leave today for a month in the Philippines leading two separate teams.  They are scheduled to return home on May 28. 

Speaking of missions, we will soon begin to promote and receive offerings for our 2007 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions.  I am praying about what the Lord would have our goal to be for this year.  Would you begin to pray now about this matter and what the Lord would have you to give? 

Jay Black, Rick Bradley, Troy Brock, Dirk & Dillon Johnson, T.J. Vice, & Raymond Wilkinson did a great job last night in getting the tile work started in the fellowship hall.  As with most projects, getting started is a slow process but they did well.  Simply moving all of those boxes of tiles into the building was a major chore.  The most asked question of the night was, “Where’s Glen?” 

We will have another work night tonight and we could use some help especially if you have any experience in doing tile work.  Of course, we always need folks to mix mud, carry tiles, et cetera.  You also always need the Troy Brock’s to stand around and talk while the others work. 

Jay Black said he can’t come tonight because Paula Deen is going to be in town talking about food.  I assume this is Jimmy Dean’s wife?  Personally, I think the JD sausage, pancakes on a stick, et cetera are okay but I wouldn’t go to a show to learn about them when you can buy them in your local grocer’s freezer!    Of course, Jay did show up last night which is more than can be said for Deacon Dewayne!

Speaking of food, our daughter Daphne tells me there is some guy in our church who cooks various flavors of cheese cakes but she can’t remember who he is.  Do you know?  If so, please let me know as she needs cheese cakes for an upcoming wedding function.  Odd request I know but she asked me to ask – I’m thinking Brandon Lee, Nate Blaylock, or Chris Taylor.  I don’t think she would discriminate and would take a lady too!

Several folks have asked about getting copies of Mike Blaylock’s books.  You can go to www.buildingwinnersforlife.com to learn more about Mike and the resources available.  I would encourage our out of town friends to prayerfully consider having Mike in to speak to your church family.  As Dick Vitale would say, “He’s awesome, baby!” 

Ladies, please don’t forget the baby shower for Tiffany Bowden Fox this Sunday, 5/6, from 2:00 – 3:30PM in the fellowship hall.

Our children’s choir will present their Spring musical on Sunday evening, May 13, beginning at 6:00PM.  I am indebted to Kathy Wadkins for arranging this change of date at my request and I hope you will make plans to be present for that special evening. 

Burney Barnes was moved from the ICU to a room yesterday.  Melinda Eckert’s dad was still in the NICU as of late yesterday morning.  Josh Taylor will be having some surgery in the late afternoon today. Please pray for these folks. 

I am off to get a wet saw to cut tile.  I pray you will have a blessed day!