Pastor's Blog

I don’t want this to get lost in the midst of this post so I am putting it first.  I received this from Focus on the Family yesterday: 

 “I just received word that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic leaders have scheduled a House vote on health care reform for Saturday. Despite a vote coming in two days, they are apparently withholding the final language of the bill in regard to abortion and will only release that language at the very last minute.  

That’s why I am encouraging you to call your representative today, tomorrow and even Saturday. Here is your information:  Rep. Jo Bonner 202-225-4931.  Or, call the Capitol switchboard: 202-224-3121.”

I intend on calling Rep Bonner’s office today to express my opinion and I encourage you to do likewise.  I also ask you to contact others who may not read this blog and pass this info to them.  (Obviously, those who live outside of our district need to contact their respective Representative) 

Certainly, our hearts are heavy regarding the situation at Ft. Hood.  Join me in praying for the families of those who lost loved ones and for the injured.  Wow!

Big weekend as we celebrate the 62nd anniversary of the Friendship family.  While I am glad to be a part of this celebration, I am saddened by the fact that Miss Vivian Ladnier will not be present.  (I would imagine that Miss Lillian Brinkman will be our only charter member present.)  Pray for Miss Vivian as she continues on the road to recovery!

Remember, regular services on Sunday followed by a celebration meal at 4:45PM.  The church is furnishing the meat (chicken) and drinks and you are asked to bring the side dishes & desserts. 

Our 6:00PM service will feature the music ministry of April McNiel & Jaclyn Weaver.  I look forward to these ladies leading us in worship. 

Pray for Bro. Robbie Howard as he travels to the Tupelo, MS area tomorrow to begin a series of revival services on Sunday morning. 

We may have to start a .com to fire John King as a picture is circulating on the web of him “playing” (hoola hoop) while out with a “work” team.  (Has to do with that “be sure your sins will find you out” belief) 

Lord willing, Lisa & I will be in T-town this weekend to watch LSWho play Bama.  We hope to be joined by many members of the Friendship family in Bible study and worship this Sunday.  I pray that you will have a great weekend with Jesus! 

Consider calling your Representative today!

I love ending my Wednesdays with our young adults.  Thirty something of them gathered for Bible study last night and Bobby Henley did a great job of challenging them from the Word!  Great group!

The morning & evening services yesterday were a blessing too.  It is always good to see adults gather for prayer and to study the Word.

However, the absolute greatest news of the day came from our student ministry as a large number of students gave their lives to Jesus.  I don’t know all of the details but hope to see public decisions made in the following weeks.  Praise the Lord!

Miss Vivian was moved to another hospital and is adjusting.  Keep praying!

After seeing my “dance” moves on the platform last night (you should’ve been there), Karla Cooper doesn’t think I should give up my day job.  I’m hurt by that observation! 

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

I never cease to be amazed!  I read yesterday where the largest hospital in Rhode Island was cited for doing a wrong site surgery.  This is the teaching hospital for Brown University and this is their fifth wrong site surgery since 2007!  Wow! 

A mother in North Alabama was sentenced yesterday to 90 days in jail and she will be required to serve five days, do 40 hours of community service, and be on probation for two years.  Why?  She was transporting a box which was too big to fit into her vehicle so she put her 13 year old daughter in the box on top of her vehicle to hold it down as she drove.  (Folks, merely riding with a female driver can be a challenge let alone being on top of a car in a box!)  Wow!

A guy in Colorado stabbed himself Monday and claimed he was attacked by three men dressed in black.  He described them as being Hispanic or skinheads.  Why did he stab himself?  To get out of going to work!  Wow!

It was reported that ACORN was collecting absentee ballots in a New Jersey hospital related to yesterday’s election.  The charges have been denied.  I am checking with my friend, Pastor Jack Bailey, to see if he may have been involved.  I do know he was out of town yesterday! 

By the way, I found the elections of yesterday to be interesting.  For the 31st time the public has spoken and voted down gay marriage!  The latest victory for the family came in Maine which isn’t exactly a leader in conservatism.  Of the five states that have approved same sex marriages, all have been done through legislation or court rulings – never by popular vote. 

The ski town of Breckenridge, CO passed a law yesterday that allows adults to legally possess a small amount of marijuana.  Should make for some interesting skiing! 

We are scheduled for a regular Wednesday with our morning and evening activities.  I hope to be joined by a good number of the Friendship family. 

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

As far as I know, it is moving day for Miss Vivian!  She has been in the ICU since September 1 so I know she is so ready for a change of scenery!  Pray that she will continue to improve as she enters rehab. 

The funeral service for John Hudson will take place this afternoon from Union Baptist Church.  Pray for that family. 

Pastor Breck Ladd and a team from Lakeside Baptist in Birmingham arrived safely at the L.G. Camp, Jr Mission House in Guatemala yesterday afternoon.  They had some delays in the Guatemala airport but all is well that ends well.  Pray for their week of ministry.  It has been raining a lot in recent days which is good for the country but not the best of working conditions for a mission team. 

It was a good read yesterday to see where a Planned Parenthood clinic director in Texas quit after eight years and has joined a pro-life group.  Why?  She watched an actual abortion on an ultrasound monitor.  Hello!

Word came yesterday that Coach Ronnie Cottrell was “relieved” of his duties as head football coach & athletic director at Bryant High School.   I have no idea as to the reason(s) behind this move but I never like to see someone lose their job.  I have only attended a few games over the past two years but I do appreciate Coach Cottrell’s commitment to treating the players with respect especially in not allowing the coaches to use profanity while coaching the players.  He made it possible for Shaun Alexander to be in our church back in July and I appreciate that too. 

Speaking of coaches, our own Bobby Henley has been promoted within the Washington Nationals organization and is now over their entire minor league system.  He desires our prayer support as he wants to be a spiritual example to the players, managers, and all others he comes in contact with each day. 

T. Garrett, you left me hanging – what’s up with that?  J. Clint Landry, I mailed the form yesterday. 

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

Good weekend – the Lord is good!  I was humbled and honored to be asked to take part in Valerie Sewer’s funeral service on Saturday.  It was over three hours long but it was one of the best funeral services I have ever witnessed!  Keep praying for Pastor Donald and his family. 

Dr. Tico did a nice job yesterday morning in our two morning services.  Armando did likewise in the afternoon service.  The preaching in last night’s service wasn’t much but the student choir did a nice job! 

Bro. Dale told me that the Hallelujah Festival went very well with good attendance and a good number of workers.  Thanks to all who helped in any way! 

Miss Vivian is scheduled to be moved to a rehab hospital tomorrow.  Pray that happens! 

I haven’t mentioned Carla Kyser or Miss Joyce Bosarge in a while but they still need our prayers.  Also, Courtney Hubbard is spending time in Houston receiving chemo which is to be followed by surgery in February and then radiation.  Pray for Mark & Courtney. 

John D. Hudson passed from this life on Friday night.  The visitation will take place tonight at Serenity with a 1:00PM service tomorrow from Union Baptist.  John is an uncle of Marie Brooks & Lee Sessions. 

Our 62nd anniversary as a church family takes place on 11/9 and we will celebrate this Sunday, 11/8.  I will preach on “No Place Like Home” during the morning services and we will then have a meal beginning at 4:45PM.  The church will furnish the meat & drinks.  We ask that you bring the side dishes and desserts. 

April McNiel & Jaclyn Weaver will lead our 6:00PM service.  I like these ladies and the way they lead worship.  Don’t miss that service.

I called it!  After AU lost to UK, I said they would lose to LSWho but would win against Mississippi.  I was a Duck fan on Saturday night too!   

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