Pastor's Blog

As far as I know, no significant changes in those we have been praying for locally.  Visited Craig, Tanya, and Barbara yesterday.

Sierra Edwards e-mailed to say that her brother, Eddie, will begin three months of aggressive treatment followed by surgery.  His cancer is in stage two.  The doctors say the next three months will be difficult for him.

Also, Sierra’s son-in-law, Bobby Crowe, has been hospitalized for the past nine days due to complications from diabetes.  Jerry & Gloria arrived safely  in the DC area yesterday.

Congratulations to all those from the Friendship family who graduated yesterday.  Lisa and I sat near Diane B Howard and you have never heard such hollering and screaming in all of your life.  All the folks around us were wondering “who is that lady?” and I just acted clueless.  Wow!

Leslie Williams posted a comment on how to help with the expenses related to the Browning family in Alaska.

Bobby Stork commented on the alarm call list.  By the way, the lead investigator on the break in called me yesterday.  The person they arrested was not homeless and is a teen.  It is an ongoing investigation.

I spent late yesterday afternoon eating weeds and mowing.  Charles saw me mowing at Brad & Daphne’s and came over to “suggest” that his yard needed a good weed eating.  It is a never ending cycle around this place!

I have spent basically every morning and late afternoon this week working in the garden and yard.  Has Soy helped?  Serious?  Last weekend, he went to one of those “pay me and I will diagnose you with something” clinics.  The “doctor” said he had yellow spotted armadillo disease and the only remedy was rest – Soy took it hook, line, and sinker!  The “doctor” took Soy’s money and everyone was happy!  Incredible!

Lisa is mad because I have not made a Walmart run yet.  The garden and yard are screaming at me.  Gotta go!

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

I had tried to contact Jennifer Kirschenman for an update on Craig before our 7:00PM service last night but she obviously has caller id.  She did send me a text later to say that Craig is improving.  The family is cautiously optimistic.

Liz Cole posted a comment on yesterday’s blog updating us on Tanya Love and Robin Cole.  I appreciate her doing this for us.

Rob’s mother, Barbara, continues to recover from her surgery.  She will be in the hospital for weeks.

Courtney Hubbard is in a hospital on the MS coast.  She had gotten a good report from her doctors about not having to take radiation for the time being but was feeling bad and her numbers were not right.  She will most likely be there for a couple of more days.

Infant Bailey Browning in Alaska had a bad day yesterday.  She stopped breathing twice and had to be bagged.  The parents are very concerned.  Her mother is Katie Sessions Browning.

Tena Hovel’s mother had outpatient surgery yesterday and did well per Tena in last night’s service.

Pastor Michael Rowell’s wife, Amanda, had a miscarriage last week.  She is having some difficulty with that and needs our prayers.

Jerry & Gloria Whitmore leave this morning headed for India via the DC area.  They are scheduled to return home on 6/11.  Pray for them as they do ministry in India.

Lisa and I will attend the Alma Bryant graduation this afternoon at the Mitchell Center.  Congratulations to all of those from the Friendship family who are graduating.

It happened again.  Are you serious?  Yes.  I went to bed somewhere around 11:00PM only to be awakened by the ringing of the phone at 12:01AM.  ADT!  Deputy Justin Joyner and two other deputies met me at the church and everything seemed in order.  I am thinking about putting Larry Whitehurst on that “call me” list!

Lisa is definitely Charles’ daughter!  The phone ringing awakened her too and she immediately insisted that I take her car.  She mumbled something about it being faster in case I needed to get away from the intruder and she would feel better in that case.  Translation – her car needed gas!

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

It appeared yesterday that Craig K was better.  He responded to me when I visited with him.  However, Jennifer sent me a text early last night to say that his temperature has risen again.

Miss Barbara Nevin continues to recover while remaining in the hospital.  It appears she will be hospitalized for an extended period of time.

No change in Tanya Love’s condition.

Chastity Touchstone receives another treatment today.

We had three folks from the Friendship family attend the funeral service for Larry Wells yesterday.  Janice told me that the Friendship family was well represented the previous night at the visitation with the family.  I appreciate all of those who ministered to this family.

We continue to pray for Carla Kyser, Donald Loyd, Lisa Thompson, Eddie Whitmore, Courtney Hubbard and others who continue to battle cancer.

Robin Cole is in continual need of our prayer support as well.

Jerry & Gloria Whitmore leave tomorrow headed for the DC area for a few days in order to visit with family before heading to India for two weeks of ministry with PTL and Pastor Alex.  Pray for them.

We are on a regular schedule today/tonight.  We are becoming more focused on prayer in our two services in the auditorium.  The 8:00PM meal will be hotdogs and the trimmings.

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

This entry is a little late and, for that, I apologize.  I sat down around 4:30AM to write an entry when ADT called for the third time since about 8:00PM.  (I am first on the call list so I get to go check it out regardless of the time of day/night)  The third time was the proverbial charm as the Mobile County Sheriff’s office apprehended a suspect.  I commend Deputy Johnny Thornton for his efforts in this case.  Who did they apprehend?  No clue.  Good work by the deputies.

The funeral service for Janice & Juanita’s brother, Larry, takes place today at 2:00PM from the chapel of the Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.  I went to the visitation last night and have plans to attend the service today.

According the family, Craig may be slightly better.  That is per the nurses but the doctors are not as positive.  Either way, Craig still needs a miracle.

Miss Barbara Nevin says that she is still experiencing pain in her shoulder which is not supposed to be the case.  She did not feel well yesterday.

Chastity Touchstone got a good report from the doctor.  Three more treatments and then more decisions on the next phase of the treatment.

Courtney Hubbard’s faith remains rock solid even in the face of less than desirable reports.

I unexpectedly got to spend basically the entire day at the hospital yesterday.  Private matter involving a member of the Friendship family.  At least this gives you something to talk about today!

Was able to get in about two hours of quiet time  yesterday afternoon.  It is strange how this whole hill goes into hiding once I set foot in the garden!   The okra has a pulse as I did something Merwyn Gunter told me about last year.  What did I do?  Cannot tell as I am looking for an advantage over Bobby & John Milton.  Word has it that John Milton & Lane were “snooping” around the garden late yesterday afternoon.  If they are not careful, I may call Deputy Thornton!

When I arrived at the church building this morning in response to the ADT call, Deputy Thornton was already on the scene.  He explained to me the sequence of events and then led me to Bro. Chris’ office.  He said this office “looks more messed up than normal” to which I replied “not really!”  As a matter of fact, I am thinking the intruder may have actually straightened it up a bit!  LOL!

Of course, the intruder was possibly helped by the fact that the security light in front of the auditorium is out.  Anyone know the name of the local office manager for Alabama Power?

Bro. Jerry Whitmore, I will get to your request today.

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

The Lord blessed us with a good day in all three of our services yesterday.  While we did not have any public decisions, the Spirit was excellent and there were decisions made at the altar.  I was especially grateful to those who attended the service last night.  I had promised that it would not be long or boring – at least it was not long!

Miss Ica Walley, 88, and Miss Nell Mulkey, 97, were the oldest mothers present in our morning services yesterday.  Miss Ica basically never misses a church service while Miss Nell is almost always present on Sunday mornings.

Janice Smith and Juanita Gulley had a brother, Larry Wells, pass from this life.  The visitation with the family will take place tonight from 5:00 – 8:00PM at the Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.  The service will take place tomorrow at 2:00PM from the funeral home chapel.  Pray for the Wells family.

Craig Kirschenman remains in an intensive care unit with no significant change.  Today marks the beginning of the eighth day for him to be in the unit.  Keep praying for Craig, his dad, and the family.

Rob says his mom is doing good in her recovery.  I plan on seeing her today.

As far as I know, no change in Tanya Love’s condition.

I was told yesterday that Courtney Hubbard received a “not what we wanted to hear” report from the doctor this past week.  I will get the details today.

Eddie Whitmore, Jerry & Sierra’s brother, sees the doctor today to continue to diagnose/discuss his situation.

Chastity Touchstone will receive another treatment this Wednesday.

Donald Loyd continues to battle is malignancy at home.

Pray for all of these folks.

The okra in the garden appears to be sick and it could be fatal!  The snap beans produced enough for lunch yesterday.  (No shortage of folks around the trough even though no one wants to work in the garden)  The corn is coming but when compared to Bobby Broome’s it looks sad.  (Personally, I think Bobby is using PED’s on his corn)  At least the garden provides therapy for me.

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

Craig Kirschenman’s situation remains unchanged (as of 4:45AM).  Visited with him and Mr. Earl yesterday morning.  Craig Carroll is the Nurse Manager in that unit and he has been awesome in helping the family through this time.  Jordon Zirlott works in another unit and he has been great to go check on Craig and send me updates.  (How is it that Jennifer Z is not as nice as her husband?  I mean, she works there too (custodian or gift shop maybe?) and has not sent me one update!  Thanks for nothing Jennifer!)

Speaking of Jordon & Jennifer, their pastor, Bro. Smith, is in a local hospital.  Originally thought to be a heart attack but they are thinking something else now.  Pray for him.

Sierra Edwards posted a comment on yesterday’s entry updating us on Eddie Whitmore’s situation.  I forgot to mention that Eddie is her brother too!  (She is just so much better looking than Jerry that it is hard to believe they are siblings!  LOL!)

Frances and the baby (Waylon) are doing well.  I assume the same for Miss Barbara Nevin.  No change in Tanya Love’s situation.  No updates on those battling cancer.  Sharon Jardee has plans to be in our service tomorrow morning.

Apparently, someone hacked into our system yesterday.  Jim C asked me to announce that the fundraiser had been cancelled.  I wrote two paragraphs and signed off.  Courtney & Katie made me aware of a third paragraph and blamed me – can you believe it!  I have asked our IT guys to check into it and, once the person(s) is caught, we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law!

Lisa got the oil changed at a local lube shop yesterday.  Advertisment = $29.95.  Total charge = $95.34.  Really?  I will not mention the name of the business or the name of the owner as I am above that!  (BTW, do not forget that Joey Switzer plans to have his gym open soon!)

Had five hours of quiet time yesterday afternoon.  Translated – worked in the garden!  The garden is struggling a bit as I am no Greg Boutwell, Bobby Broome or Louis Reyer.  Apparently, I am no Will Reynolds either, as his wife, Amy, let me know a few days ago that Will can “flat out grow a garden” and that is just one of the many things that he can do!  She said the answer to the question, “what can brown do for you?” is that her “man in brown” can do it all!  Seriously?

Regular schedule tomorrow.  As it stands right now, Lisa and I will be sharing about our recent trip to Israel in tomorrow night’s service.  We will not be long and do not plan to be boring!

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

Due to the potentially severe weather and rain forecast for tonight/tomorrow, the Boston butts and ribs fundraiser has been cancelled.  Jim Chinners has made this call and I support him in this decision.  He would be the chief cook and just does not want to risk not being able to cook the meat.

I apologize for any inconvenience.  If you have already paid, we will refund your money.

Katie T and Courtney C have already called and are upset.  (they both said they had never eaten meat from Boston and were looking forward to it!)  You gotta love those blondes!  To the rest of you, thank you for understanding!

Miss Barbara Nevin’s surgery went well.  The doctor did remove her shoulder and replaced it with a “bone cement” form.  The good news is that they did not have to break her arm (they were thinking that would have to happen), she will apparently have more use of that shoulder than originally planned, and they were able to insert two pumps to help get rid of the infection.  It sounds as though her hospital stay could be up to six more weeks as they try to rid her body of the infection.

It is 3:45AM and, as far as I know, Craig’s situation is unchanged since 6:00PM last night.  I spent an hour in the room with Craig, Jennifer and Mr. Earl yesterday afternoon.  As I finished praying for Craig, he opened his eyes.  Was he aware of what was taking place?  Do not know.  They did place a feeding tube in through his nose yesterday.  His regular doctor told Mr. Earl that Craig needs a miracle to survive this situation.

Jerry Whitmore’s brother, Eddie, has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  The doctors have sent him home as they formulate a plan to treat this disease.

Pastor Herschel Bragg will have surgery today in Hattiesburg, MS.  He is 81 years of age and has a brain tumor.  He was the long time pastor of the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Ellisville, MS.  Edna H. Glover has relatives in that church as do Bobby Broome & Ann Clark.  My cousin, Roy Crouch, presently serves as the pastor and Bro. Bragg is pastor emeritus.

Easter, Christmas, Mothers’ Day – those are the most attended Sundays in the average church.  We are on a regular schedule this Sunday and I hope to see many members of the Friendship family in attendance.

The following was just announced:

The U.S. Dept. of Education announced new terminology for federal student aid forms to describe parents regardless of their marital status or gender. The new monikers will be used beginning with the 2014-2015 year. 

The new form will also use terms like “Parent 1 (father/mother/stepparent)” and “Parent 2 (father/mother/stepparent)” instead of gender-specific terms like “mother” and “father.”

Folks, our nation is losing it very quickly!  Pray!

I know Lisa is now at home as she is demanding that I get to Walmart and buy groceries.  Charles wants to know if I plan on mowing today.  Soy is telling me that he needs some time off because he and Rusty had finals this week.  The garden needs attention.  Where is the Calgon?  (Or something like that!)

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

The Mother/Daughter banquet takes place tonight beginning at 6:00PM.  If you have not signed up but want to attend, you can call the church office (8:00AM – noon; 1:00 – 5:00PM) to see if that is possible.

Rob’s mother, Barbara, will have a surgical procedure this afternoon.  She has a replacement shoulder and that will be totally removed  in order for them to clean out the infection.  They will then put a “cement” in the shoulder area limiting her use of that arm to the elbow down.  Pray that all goes well and as planned.

It is 3:30AM and I have not heard from Craig since yesterday afternoon so I assume things are about the same.  I will visit with him this morning.

I also plan on visiting with Frances Johnson today.

Kayla Hatcher’s surgical procedure went well yesterday.  Courtney Cavin led the charge in getting a meal prepared for her and even cooked some stuff herself – way to go Court!

Pastor Herschel Bragg, 81 years of age, will have brain surgery tomorrow to remove a tumor.  He is the Pastor Emeritus at the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Ellisville, MS where my cousin-in-law, Roy Crouch, serves as pastor.  Pray that the surgery will go well.

We had a good number in our services last night.  My wife, Lisa, is out of town so Deidra gets an “A” for taking care of feeding the 8:00PM group.  Question – why can Soy & Rusty not attend the Wednesday night Bible studies during exams?  We have a house full of other young adults who are taking the same exams and they attend.  Just saying!  LOL!

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

Remember, we will NOT have a 10:00AM service today out of respect for Miss Edith and to allow folks ample time to travel to Hattiesburg for the funeral service.  The evening service/Bible studies/classes will take place as normal.

The funeral service for John Curl’s mother takes place at 10:00AM from Radney Funeral Home on Dauphin Street while the one for Miss Edith takes place at 2:00PM in Hattiesburg.  Pray for these families.

Jeanette Bates will be ministering through song at the funeral service for Mrs. Thelma Jackson today at noon.  Pray for the Jackson family too.

Talked to Jennifer K last night and Craig’s situation was basically the same.  IMO, Craig needs a miracle.  Pray!

Rob’s mother has a really severe infection that could cause many problems in the days ahead.  Pray that the doctors can get it under control without having to take drastic action.

Coley Johnson’s sister, Frances, gave birth prematurely yesterday afternoon.  She had a difficult delivery and they finally had to do a section.  The baby boy is in the NICU while Frances remained in the recovery room overnight.

Kayla Hatcher is having four wisdom teeth extracted today – fun times!

I have two unspoken requests related to pastor friends of mine.  God knows.

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