Pastor's Blog

Our first day of VBS seemed to flow rather smoothly although I am not really the one to make that call.  We had a total of 278 in the morning session and I don’t know how many were present last night.  If it follows the normal script, we will continue to increase daily through Thursday and then have a few less on Friday.  Pray for VBS!

Yesterday, I failed to mention the Lakers loss on Sunday night to those awful Celtics!  Folks, you can’t beat a pretty good team and the refs too!  Tonight’s game is huge!  Since going to the 2-3-2 format in 1985, when the series is tied 1 – 1 the team winning game three has won the series all ten times.  In the NBA Finals history, the series have been tied 1 – 1 thirty two times and the team winning game three has won the series 28 of those 32 times.  I think the Lakers need to win tonight!

However, the Dodgers have done me proud the last two nights beating the Braves on Sunday night (sorry about that Jeanette Strahan) and then crushing the Cardinals last night.  They remain one half game behind the Padres but I don’t know if they have the pitching to continue to win.

The Bama baseball team surprised me Sunday and last night by beating GT in the regionals.  What a gutsy performance by Nathan Kilcrease.  I was pulling for Auburn to win to set up a great Super Regional between the Tide & Tigers.  That SR is happening but with a different set of Tigers.

Enough about sports – does anyone know of any great sales going on the malls or outlet centers in the upcoming days?  My wife & Ken Freeman would be the ones to ask!

It is off to the VBS bus with Jason – oh my goodness!  Excedrin please!

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

The arrangements for Jayne English are as follows:  visitation with the family from 10:00AM until the noon service time on Wednesday, June 9, from the Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.  Continue to pray for Kendall Wayne and the family.

Barbara Kelley’s mother, Dottie Fore, was placed in the hospital over the weekend with a possible stroke.  She is not doing well.  It seems that she has struggled ever since Mr. Fore passed away earlier this year.

Joey Switzer’s mother, Shirley, remains in ICU but, according to Joey, is making baby steps in her improvement.

Pattie Suthoff’s grandson, Gage, had a bad weekend with sickness related to his treatment and/or tumor.

We had a good Sunday especially in our Spanish service.  Manolo & Mildred Padilla did a great job of leading that service.

VBS is here!  Pray for the week that will be as we seek to minister to hundreds of children.  Pray for me as I drive a bus with Jason Husband as my co-captain!  Oh my goodness!

“Take A Seat” is an emphasis approved by the Friendship family to allow folks to designate $20 to purchase new chairs for use in our adult/youth departments.  This designation should be above your regular offering and can be given at any time.

We will not have our Wednesday morning service this week due to VBS.

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

Word came to us before the first service today that Jayne English passed away around 4:30AM today.  Pray for her family.  I will post the arrangements once they have been set.

I went into Jayne English’s hospital room yesterday only to find her mother resting so I didn’t disturb her.  Jayne’s condition seems to continue to grow worse.  Pray for her and her family.

Pattie Suthoff left a comment on yesterday’s post giving an update on Gage.  The report wasn’t what they had hoped for but the doctors were pleased.  Keep praying!

Joey Switzer won’t answer my calls so I can’t give an update on his mother, Shirley Switzer.

I keep meaning to post that First Baptist Bayou La Batre has a new pastor – Clint Landry!  Congratulations to Clint and the family at First.  He begins on Sunday, June 20.

Hien came back last night and Dana & Gina should arrive home tonight so things will get back to “normal” around here.  Lisa and I are ready for that and we thank Jamie for hosting our girls for the week.

I have walked down memory lane this morning as twenty-eight years ago on a Sunday morning Lisa called me to say she was in labor with our first child, Deidra.  Wow, time flies!

Pray for today’s services and this week’s VBS.

I visited with Miss Kathleen Henderson yesterday morning and she was thinking that she would be discharged from the hospital on Sunday or Monday.  She called me late yesterday afternoon and said she was home.  Good for her!

I visited Shirley Switzer (Miss Kathleen’s daughter) in the hospital yesterday and she continues to improve.  She was talking and thankful for the improvement.

I visited with Jayne English and her mother yesterday.  It appears that Jayne is getting weaker.  I will not attempt to predict what will happen next but do ask that you keep praying for Jayne and her family.

Ryan Johnston and the team from Faith Baptist in Bartlett, TN arrived home from Guatemala yesterday.  They had a very productive week.  I really think Ryan was pretty much the perfect person to be in charge of a team when the volcano erupted and the storm hit.

It was a 50/50 night in LA last night as the Braves beat the Dodgers 4 – 3 to win their ninth straight game and pull three games ahead of the Phillies.  (I know Jeanette Strahan is happy!)  However, that took a back seat to the Lakers dominating the Celtics in game one of The Finals.  If the Lakers can simply “hold serve” (using a tennis analogy to show my vast sports knowledge) then all will be well.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup begins a week from today.  I don’t know if I am more excited about that or Alabama’s first game being 92 days away – let me think on that for a day or two!

Pastor Jack Bailey has been having some problems but I have predicted a vast improvement in his situation today.  I’ll let you know!

It is lonely around here as Dana & Gina are in Danville and will go from there to Memphis today with Soy & Deidra.  (I am going to miss Soy – wink, wink!)  Hien has been with her mom since Monday. Definitely different for Lisa and me!

Gotta go cut grass before Charles starts on our five acres as he said he now needs $60 per hour because of the oil spill – what’s up with that?

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

Bro. Robbie Howard is having a test done today as a result of some physical problems he has had in recent weeks.  Don’t think it is anything serious but pray for him.

Shirly Switzer has actually taken a “turn for the better” and they have been able to keep her off of the ventilator.  As a matter of fact, they were able to lower the oxygen level too.  We thank God for this improvement and ask that you keep praying.

Shirley’s mother, Miss Kathleen Henderson, is back in the hospital.  She has a continuing battle with a lung problem.  Pray for her.

Carla Kyser, Susan Quinn & Lois Kirschenman all received their treatments yesterday.  Bill Abendroth is doing better.  Miss Joyce Bosarge does not need more radiation but will receive blood.  Jayne English’s situation has not changed.

The team from Faith Baptist in Bartlett, TN should be on their way to the airport this morning as they are scheduled to leave Guatemala at 12:30PM (local time).  Pray that all goes well for them.  The team scheduled to arrive today has opted to skip this year’s trip but all of the other teams are good to go.

Wow, I have made my share of mistakes in life but many of them fly under the proverbial radar.  However, by his own admission, the umpire in last night’s Detroit game totally missed the call that cost the pitcher a perfect game.  Ken Griffey, Jr. retires and his day is trumped by a blown call.  I feel bad for the pitcher, the ump, and the fans who witnessed what would have been the 21st perfect game in the history of the MLB.

The Dodgers won in 14 last night and are one game behind the Padres in the West.  The Braves come in to town tonight and they are leading the East.  The Dodgers & Braves have identical records.  Go Dodgers!

Celtics versus Lakers for all of the marbles.  Joe David i.e. Beano Cook/Lee Corso has picked the Lakers in seven and that scares me.  Have I ever mentioned that I do not like the Celtics?  However, I was impressed with Nate Robinson during his interview following the game against the Magic the other night.

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

Shirley Switzer took another turn for the worse yesterday morning and the doctors were contemplating putting her on a ventilator yesterday afternoon.  They did not do so but will do some tests this morning and then make a decision as to what to do regarding the ventilator.  (I am assuming they did not have to place her on the vent during the night as I spoke to Joey around 10:00PM)  Obviously, the family is very concerned and asks for your prayer support.

Pattie Suthoff posted a comment to let us know that Callie & Gage will be in Birmingham today for a consultation/evaluation with the doctors.  They will then determine the next course of action regarding Gage’s situation.

I haven’t talked to Eula Mae Blackmon since Sunday night but her plans were to be in SC for Susan’s next treatment and that is supposed to take place today.  Again, pray for all of those battling cancer.

I am sure that I am not in the boat by myself when I say that I was totally “surprised” by the outcome (yet to be determined) in the Republican primary for governor yesterday.  Someone asked me Sunday night about the candidates and I shared that Dr. Bentley (in my opinion) would be a good choice but I didn’t think he could win (my mind was wandering back to the Mickey Kirkland days).  I honestly felt it would come to a runoff between Byrne & James and it may very well end up doing just that or Dr. Bentley may be Mr. Byrne’s runoff opposition.  Very interesting!

Regular Wednesday today at Friendship with the morning service and the evening activities.  Our 8:00PM service will feature a “farewell for five weeks” fellowship for Brianne Woods as she leaves tomorrow to serve with Wild Week.  Brianne is a sweetheart! By the way, John Vickers served with Wild Week last Summer and is serving as an intern at 1st Jackson this year.  It does me good to see our young adults serving Jesus at home and away.

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

Joey Switzer’s mother, Shirley, has been moved into ICU as her condition worsened during the night on Sunday.  Joey & I played phone tag yesterday so I don’t know the details.

Jayne English’s situation has not changed as far as I know.  Susan Quinn will receive another treatment tomorrow and Eula Mae is most likely going to South Carolina to be with her.  Lois K. continues to do well with her radiation.  Bill A. remains at home.  Miss Joyce should get some test results this week.  Carla K. is still battling her cancer too.  Sharon & Ruby’s brother, John, continues in his battle against cancer.  Pray for all of these folks.

All of the folks we know in Guatemala are fine.  There was some pretty heavy damage in Pastores (road damage) and the Santo Apolonia area took a hard hit.  Pray that the team (TN) presently there and the team trying to get in (AR) can make the switch on Thursday.  Also, Louise Mason has been sick so pray she can get better.  (Part of it may be that she is getting really old – LOL!)

I had a nice holiday yesterday.  Spent a few hours working in the yard at Charles & Ann’s and Brad & Daphne’s.  Soy actually mowed his own yard but was pouting because I was at Brad’s.  Something about I liked Brad more than him (which is true) so I took him a COB sandwich for lunch and he was a happy camper.  I then got to keep Titus for a couple of hours and we enjoyed one hour of playing before he fell asleep.  Tony Hacker called and asked me to go white trout fishing with him & Nick so off we went.

When I got to the state docks, Chris Kittles was there to go fishing with us.  We began a casual conversation about fishing in general and Chris told me about how he used to be a charter boat captain and would catch 30 red snapper at a time (loose translation).  We had a good day catching 165 trout & mullet but I don’t remember “Captain Chris” catching more than 5.  He kept talking about his “charter boat” days while the other three of us were throwing fish in boat.  Simple translation – “Captain Chris” talks a good game but. . . .

JB, my girls know better than to talk to someone like you.  JD, what’s the call on the Finals – please take the Celtics!

Trying to talk Tony into a run at the red snapper this afternoon.  I pray that you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus.