Pastor's Blog

Visited Miss Edith in the hospital yesterday.  Her high potassium count is causing her all kinds of problems.  Pray for her.

Tim Knighten’s step mother has undergone three heart surgeries this week – one on Monday and two on Tuesday.  Amazingly, she is doing well all things considered.  Keep praying.

Karen Walker’s mother, Miss Lee, has taken a turn for the worse.  Keep praying.

The news is not good for Dawn Baria either.  The medical folks are now numbering her life in weeks.  Pray for Dawn and her family.

Talked to Katie & Sam last night about Sam’s maternal grandmother.  She continues to decline physically.

Kayla Hatcher & Caryn Hyatt have an aunt in the hospital who is not expected to live.  Pray for her and the family as well.

We had a good day in our services yesterday morning and last night.  We give God the thanks!

The website for GRACE Ministries is www.aglimpseofgrace.com.  It is live even though it is still being constructed.  Check it out!

After everyone left the house last night, I watched the KU vs OSU game – the two overtime periods.  Wanted the Cowboys to pull it out but no such luck!  I am not a Bill Self fan.

I pray that your Thursday is great with Jesus.

Miss Edith Kelley has been admitted to the hospital.  Her potassium level was too high.  Pray for her and Mr. JB.

Received a text from Sam Schjott last night telling me that his maternal grandmother appears to be in her final hours of life upon this earth.  She lives in Florida.  Keep praying for her and the family.

Visited with Kevin Woods yesterday morning.  He had a rough day on Monday but was better yesterday.  Keep praying.

Dr. Jack Bailey blogged this morning which tells me that he is still alive and that he is obviously feeling better.  Praise the Lord!

Folks from the Friendship family desiring to take part in the November ’13 GRACE trip need to sign up by Wednesday, March 6, 2013.  You sign up by contacting me personally and the absolute best way to do that is via e-mail – pastor@friendshipfamily.net.

We are on a regular schedule this morning and tonight.  I am ahead in the morning Bible study so I have to try and get the two services back on equal footing tonight.

We will soon (within a day or two) have a new website dedicated solely to GRACE Ministries.  Bro. Chris is building this site and is doing a nice job.  Not only does he have a sweet wife but he also has some talent!  (Never had any in basketball so it is good that he knows computers!)

Watched IU beat MSU last night.  I like IU but  was pulling for Sparty because of Dr. Karen, Dr. Rich, Tom & Chad C, Tim M, Betsy W, et cetera.

I hope to be joined by many members of the Friendship family today/tonight for our services.

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

Tim Knighten’s step mother was in surgery for ten hours yesterday in Pensacola.  She was doing fine when Tim & Peggy left the hospital last night but they presently (5:50AM) have her back in surgery.  Pray for her.

Allen Glover did very well through his surgery yesterday.  Pray for a quick recovery.

Went to see Bailee and they were doing a test.  Her mother, Robin, told me that they would be going home as soon as the test was completed.

Kevin Woods was resting so I did not bother him.

Talked to Sam Schjott yesterday.  His grandmother continues to be at home under hospice care.  Sam says she is declining daily.  Keep praying.

Trent Daniel Cole decided to delay his grand entrance into the world until 8:10AM yesterday.  I think he looked out and saw Spencer and had to think about it for a few hours!  Stacey and Trent are doing fine!

Dr. Jack Bailey has been diagnosed with strep throat.  He missed the services on Sunday and has been down ever since.  He does not miss church so you know he is sick.

Keep praying for those folks who are battling cancer.

Anyone from the Friendship family wishing to take part in the November ’13 GRACE Ministries trip needs to sign up by Wednesday, March 6.  The dates will be either Monday, 11/11, – 11/18 or 11/18 – 11/25.  The trip is already at capacity plus but we always give members of the Friendship family first priority.  Contact me personally to sign up.

Watched UConn and Baylor play basketball last night.  If Joe David Bailey and Brittney Griner were playing one on one, I would spot JD 18 points with the win by four stipulation and Griner would beat him 22 – 18.

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

Allen Glover is having another eye surgery this morning.  Pray that this surgery goes as well as the first one.

Nikki Burwell’s granddaughter, Bailee, is hospitalized.  She is seven months old and had two seizures on Friday night.  She has been diagnosed with pneumonia and a double ear infection.  However, they do not know why she had the seizures so they are doing tests to make that determination.

Talked to Jack Lastorka last night about Kevin Woods.  He said that Kevin is making steady improvement.  Keep praying.

My good friend, Spencer Cole, and his wife, Stacey, will see their first child enter this world this morning.  As a matter of fact, it is 4:00AM as I write this and I fully expect Trent Daniel Cole will already be here before most of you read this entry.  Stacey was at 9 and about to begin pushing shortly before 4:00AM.  Another Spencer Cole in this world – wow!

My sister, Melissa, is married to Tony Smallwood and my brother, Freddie, is married to Tony’s sister, Mary Jane.  Tony & Mary Jane’s older sister, Penny, has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  They will be doing the Whipple surgery on Tuesday, 2/26, in Birmingham.  Pray for Penny and this upcoming surgery.

We had good services yesterday.  We give God the glory!  Thank you for being faithful!  Got any gates that need to be repaired?  I do.

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

Spencer Lewis, grandson of Steve & Elsie Lewis, remains hospitalized due to an injury he received several weeks ago while deer hunting.  An infection is the problem and the antibiotics do not seem to be working properly.

I arrived home safe and sound last night and I am thankful to God for all He does for me.

I look forward to joining the members of the Friendship family in worship this Sunday morning and evening.  Lord willing, I will be in the pulpit all three times.

I pray that your weekend will be blessed!

Keep praying for Karen Walker’s mother, Miss Gracie Lee, as her physical health continues to decline.

We are on a regular schedule this morning and evening.  I encourage the members of the Friendship family to attend the various services/classes.

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

Sam Schjott is in Florida with his family as his grandmother is seemingly near the point of death.  Sam asks that we pray for God to be merciful and that we pray for his mother as she deals with this situation.

Donald & Pat Butler posted a comment on yesterday’s blog entry.  If you are a member of the Friendship family, I encourage you to read it.

All is well here.

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

Happy birthday to my dad and my mama!  Yes, they share the same birthday!  Dad is 77 years old today while mama is 74.

I am told that the attendance in our 8:00AM service was down a bit yesterday but the 10:30AM service was pretty good.  We had a family of four join the Friendship family during the 10:30AM service.  We give God the glory for the increase.  I think the evening service was down a bit as well.  The public schools are out for the next couple of days and lots of folks use that as a chance to get away.  I commend those who were in town and attended the services.  Thank you for your faithfulness!

Deidra and Sydney Lynn came home from the hospital yesterday morning.  They are both doing well.

There have been two deaths in recent days and both services will take place tomorrow.  Pat Butler’s father, Mr. John Inabinett, Jr, will have a service at 10:00AM.  Miss Hilda DeGeer’s service will take place at noon.  Both of these services will take place at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore.

The bus ministry will be ministering to the DeGeer family by providing a meal.  The Friendship family will do likewise for the Inabinett family.  Thank you for being ministers!

All is well in Guatemala.  God is good!

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

The older Challengers basketball team coached by Bro. Chris Taylor will play at Government Street Baptist today at 1:00PM.  They will play 1st Baptist Tillman’s Corner.  The team will be hindered some as one of their starters, Ethan McGath, broke two bones in his ankle during a game on Thursday night.  Pray for a quick recovery for him.

Speaking of basketball, the Upward awards night takes place beginning at 5:30PM today in the CAB.  Once again, Kristy Sullenberger has done a nice job of coordinating this ministry.

One more thing – today marks Edna’s anniversary as church secretary at Friendship.  How many years?  I think 91 but I am not absolutely sure!  Happy anniversary to Miss Edna.

Sitting in the Pensacola airport waiting to board the plane bound for Guatemala via Atlanta.  I will not believe that I am actually there until I get there and next Thursday comes.  God knows and I have no problem trusting Him (most of the time)!

I am very thankful that I was able to witness the birth of Sydney Lynn “Curtisa” yesterday.  What a blessing from God!  It happened so quick that I almost missed it because Soy left the camera in the car.  Soy could wreck a one car parade!  LOL!  Deidra & Sydney should come home tomorrow.

We are on a regular schedule tomorrow.  Hope many members of the Friendship family will be in attendance.

I pray that your Saturday is great with Jesus.