Pastor's Blog

Miss Lillian Brinkman is scheduled to receive a pace maker tomorrow.

Joey Switzer’s mother, Miss Shirley, is scheduled to have surgery this morning.  Gall bladder removal.

Pray for these ladies.

Today’s Bible reading – Numbers 26:52-28:15 Luke 3:1-22 Psalm 61:1-8 Proverbs 11:16-17

First, I need to say that we have been having phone issues in the church office.  Translated – Miss Edna has been there during the regular office hours for the past two days but when you call the message will tell you that no one is available.  Our phone is connected to the internet and sometimes we have this problem.  I apologize.  Miss Kittie will be in the office today from 8:00AM – 12:00PM (actually will be eating with us from 11:00AM until 11:30AMish) and then 1:00PM until 5:00PM.

“Potluck with the pastor” takes place today immediately following the morning service.  We have had one slight change in that when Lisa cooked the roast beef it became ham.  What?  Amazing!  (We will have roast beef in April and fish in May)  Lisa and I are furnishing the ham, rolls and tea.  You bring the sides and desserts.

Amen!  We had our highest attendance of the year in our prayer meeting last night.  As a matter of fact, our highest attendance until last night was 2/17.  Must be something about meeting on the 17th?  Folks, if we ever get serious about this matter of prayer, look out!

Max Peacock is on a roller coaster even though he does not want to be there!  Yesterday, his heart was back in afib, his blood pressure was too low (had to be given medicine), et cetera.  On the good news side, the kidney doctor dismissed himself from Max’s case saying his kidneys are working fine now.  Another doctor came in while I was visiting and talked about how tough Max is and said he sees him getting out of SICU in a couple of days.  We need to pray diligently for Max!  I will visit him again today.

Pastor Michael & Amanda Rowell’s son, Luke, was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon.  Praise the Lord!

Miss June Strickler’s mother, Miss Marie Shofner, continues to need our prayer support.

Morris’ mother, Miss Lucine Bryant, also needs our prayers.

The arrangements for Johnny Inabinett, Sr are visitation tomorrow night, 3/19, from 5:00 – 8:00PM at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore, AL with a 2:00PM service on Friday, 3/20, from the funeral home chapel.  This is Pat Butler’s brother.

There are some job openings at Ingalls.  Immediate action required.  Interested?  Contact me and I will put you in touch with the right folks.

Congrats to the Ole Miss basketball team for a really strong second half showing against BYU last night.  Honestly, my total television time thus far in 2015 is probably around five hours (NCAA football championship game in January) including watching the final ten minutes of that game last night.  Good game to watch.

Our TNBA was intense last night!  So much so that men like Joey, Randall, Billy, TJ, Phillip, Bradley, et cetera all stayed away.  As they say, if you cannot stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen!  (I wish Joe David and Josh would bring their little team down one week!)

The subcommittee of our deacons was to meet last night but twenty five percent of that committee did not show up.  Enough said!

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

Today’s Bible reading – Numbers 26:1-51 Luke 2:36-52 Psalm 60:1-12 Proverbs 11:15

Our “potluck with the pastor” takes place tomorrow immediately following the morning service.  The meat (roast beef), drink, and bread will be provided.  You are asked to bring the sides and desserts.  Come join us for prayer, Bible study, the meal and fellowship.

Prayer meeting tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the auditorium.  Come and go or come and stay.  Just pray!  Lord willing, I will be there for the duration of the two hours.

TNBA tonight at 7:00PM in the CAB.  The action is amazing!

I will visit Max this morning and hope to find that he continues to make progress.

Pastor Michael & Amanda Rowell’s son was hospitalized yesterday afternoon.  He was in the ER when I visited but was about to be moved to ICU.  All indications are that he is going to be fine when all is said and done.

The arrangements for Pastor Harold McInnis are still pending but it looks like a visitation in Waynesboro, MS on Thursday night, 3/19, and a service on Friday, 3/20.

Pat Butler’s brother, Johnny Inabinett, passed away yesterday.  Those arrangements are also pending.  Pray for the family.

“Thank you” to each member of the Friendship family who attended “a night of Friendship” last night at Cloverdale Baptist Church.  We were well represented.  Pastor Ted Traylor did a great job in preaching the Word.  It was a good service.  I am thankful to serve as pastor of such wonderful, supportive people.

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

Visited with Max Peacock this morning.  He is in SICU following a procedure to drain some blood that was putting pressure on his heart.  His blood pressure is holding without any medications, his heart is not in afib, his kidneys are improving daily, and he now only has one iv site.  He was awake and sitting in a chair.  The nurse said that he is still in  a critical state but is making good progress.

Failed to mention earlier that Pastor Harold McInnis passed away late yesterday afternoon.  Pastor Harold served Cloverdale Baptist for many years until his failing health forced him to retire.  Arrangements incomplete.

“Potluck with the pastor” takes place this Wednesday, 3/18, immediately following the morning service for those who attend that service.  The meat will be roast beef.  Meat, drinks and rolls will be provided.  You bring the sides and desserts.  Pass the word, please!

Today’s Bible reading – Numbers 24:1-25:18 Luke 2:1-35 Psalm 59:1-17 Proverbs 11:14

17 Numbers 26:1-51 Luke 2:36-52 Psalm 60:1-12 Proverbs 11:15

18 Numbers 26:52-28:15 Luke 3:1-22 Psalm 61:1-8 Proverbs 11:16-17

19 Numbers 28;16-29:40 Luke 3:23-38 Psalm 62:1-12 Proverbs 11:18-19

20 Numbers 30:1-31:54 Luke 4:1-30 Psalm 63:1-11 Proverbs 11:20-21

21 Numbers 32:1-33:39 Luke 4:31-5:11 Psalm 64:1-10 Proverbs 11:22

22 Numbers 33:40-35:34 Luke 5:12-28 Psalm 65:1-13 Proverbs 11:23

What a wonderful Sunday!  God is good!  We were blessed in the morning services.  It was an honor and privilege to pray for Becky Sellers in the early service and Daniela Pedraza in the second service.  We need to continue to pray without ceasing for these ladies.

Pastor Lee, Christie and the girls all did a great job in the evening service.  The attendance was really good and I thank the members of the Friendship family for your faithfulness.  You also blessed them with a nice love offering.  It is my hope that the Friendship family can become much more involved in the ministry at Red Lodge, MT in the days ahead.

The highlight of the day came when Dave & Becky Sellers and Charles Suthoff (the good son) joined the Friendship family during the evening service’s invitation.  We thank God for the increase as it is always given by Him.

I was honored to have Pastor Jeff Switzer (the good son) and his son, Timothy, as guests in our first morning service.  Then, a good friend from Michigan, Gary Siler, joined us for the second service.  Plus, the well known Garrett Wright from New York City was also in our second service.  Always good to have guests!

“A night of Friendship” takes place tonight at Cloverdale Baptist Church beginning at 6:30PM.  Pastor Ted Traylor will be preaching.  I am asking members of the Friendship family to join me as we support our sister church.

Grief share tonight at 6:00PM in the auditorium.

Prayer meeting tomorrow night from 5:00 – 7:00PM.

TNBA tomorrow night beginning at 7:00PM.

Will update on the folks in the hospital and such after today’s visits.  Maybe later today or in tomorrow’s entry.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Numbers 22:21-23:30 Luke 1:57-80 Psalm 58:1-11 Proverbs 11:12-13

Regular schedule this morning and tonight.  Pastor Lee & Christie Merck will be our special guests in the 6:00PM service.  It is my prayer that the members of the Friendship family will show spiritual maturity and come support this service.  Lee & Christie have planted a church in Red Lodge, MT.

“A night of Friendship” takes place tomorrow night at Cloverdale Baptist Church.  I am asking as many members of the Friendship family as possible to join me in attending the revival service featuring the preaching ministry of Pastor Ted Traylor.  This affords us the opportunity to support a sister church.

Some things never change!  I wrote in yesterday’s entry that Jack Lastorka is doing a good job as president of the ball park.  He is with one exception!  Somehow, he has allowed Pee Wee Roberts to return as the umpire in the t-ball league.  Pee Wee an umpire?  Give me a break!  Yesterday, he almost allowed the game to begin with some type pole sticking through the back stop!  Really?  Then in the last inning the team had three outs and he was encouraging the teams to keep playing.  The official scorer was telling him that three outs had been recorded but Pee Wee did not think so.  Wow!

I pray that you will have a great Sunday with Jesus.  Go to church!

Today’s Bible reading – Numbers 21:1-22:20 Luke 1:26-56 Psalm 57:1-11 Proverbs 11:9-11

I spoke to Max Peacock’s wife via the phone yesterday at noon.  She was elated to tell me that Max was doing much better as his numbers were closer to where they needed to be, his kidneys were functioning, et cetera.  The doctors wanted him to rest and had sedated him so the family went home.  I did not visit in order to not disturb him.  Keep praying!

Daniela Pedraza’s surgery went well and she came home yesterday afternoon.  They removed a tumor, part of her jaw bone and she lost a facial nerve.  However, they do not believe the tumor was cancerous.  Pray for the report to come back verifying that belief.  Several of our folks are ministering to this family by providing meals.

I attended the visitation with the Wanda Morrison (Kristie Trout) family yesterday afternoon.  The family was doing well all things considered.  The service takes place today at 2:00PM from the chapel of Radney’s Funeral Home in Saraland.  Pray for Kristie and her family.

Today is the final day for the yard sale as it concludes with the auction tonight.  Everything in the CAB.

John Vickers is getting married tonight at 5:30PM in Amite, Louisiana.  John is one of our “preacher boys” and congratulations are in order to John, his bride, and their families.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.  Lee & Christie Merck will be our guests in the 6:00PM service.  We will receive a love offering for their family.  I am hopeful that the Friendship family will be faithful to attend that service.

Opening day at the ball park today.  Our own Jack Lastorka is the president of the ball park and does a nice job.  Titus is playing t-ball again so I get to be at the ball park a night or two weekly until May 9.  I have already told Daphne that I will not miss Tuesday night prayer meeting as I have given that priority.  (May start having prayer meeting on Monday & Thursday nights too)

“A night of Friendship” takes place at Cloverdale Baptist this Monday night, 3/16.  I invite members of the Friendship family to join me in attending their revival service.  Pastor Ted Traylor will be preaching.  Let’s support our sister church.  Cannot wait to hear Pastor James Messer say “Roll Tide!”

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

Today’s Bible reading – Numbers 19:1-20:29 Luke 1:1-25 Psalm 56:1-13 Proverbs 11:8

Two major prayer requests this morning – Max Peacock was taken to the hospital yesterday morning.  He is in ICU and is a very sick man.  Extremely high potassium, extremely low blood pressure, blood sugar and liver problems, kidneys not functioning properly.  We need to step up big time in our prayers for Max!

Daniela Pedraza is scheduled to have surgery in Birmingham this morning.  It is expected to last two to three hours but is outpatient.  I wish each of you could read the text she sent me last night expressing her appreciation to the Friendship family for their ministry to the Hispanics.  Of course, that specifically is aimed at those who work in that ministry but it indirectly goes to each member of the Friendship family.  Pray for Daniela.  Pray that she does not have cancer.

The visitation with the family of Wanda Morrison (Kristie Trout’s mother) takes place tonight from 5:00 – 8:00PM from the Radney Funeral Home in Saraland, Alabama.  The service takes place tomorrow at 2:00PM and will also be from the funeral home.  Pray for Kristie and her family during this most difficult time.

As far as I know, no change in Faron’s situation.  Keep praying.

Brad Hutto’s dad, Gary, did well through his surgery and is now in the recovery process.  Brad is there to help with the PT and is only charging half his normal fee.  Is that nice or what?

Praying for a miracle in Becky Sellers’ life.  Join me in that prayer.  (I think Becky could be a potential speaker in our October service but how would we ever get her to stop talking?  She is definitely Bernard’s daughter!  LOL!)

Still praying for Lisa Thompson in her battle against cancer.

Attended the service for Miss Lonie Graham yesterday afternoon.

The yard sale continues in the CAB today and tomorrow.  Concludes with the auction tomorrow night.

Lee & Christie Merck will be our special guests in our 6:00PM service this Sunday.  I am excited to have them with us.  I hope that many members of the Friendship family will attend.  We will receive a special offering for their family.

“A night of Friendship” at Cloverdale Baptist this Monday night for their revival service.  Pastor Ted Traylor will be preaching.  Not sure if the starting time is 6:30 or 7:00PM.  Friendship family, if you can, please join me as we support our sister church.  Rumor has it that Pastor James Messer is going to say “Roll Tide” as a gesture of his appreciation – wow!

You know that one letter can make a huge difference when sending a text.  Received such a text last night.  All I know is that person only wishes they could retrieve that message but once the “send” button is pressed it is too late!  Gave me a good laugh!  Who?  What?  Cannot say!  (I value my life!)

Lord willing, I will have Yankee company with me Sunday morning in the second service.  Folks, treat ’em nice!

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

Today’s Bible reading – Numbers 16:41-18:32 Mark 16:1-20 Psalm 55:1-23 Proverbs 11:7

The good news for today is that the Friendship family presently has no members in the hospital.  There were some folks mentioned yesterday who are relatives, friends, co-workers, et cetera who are in the hospital but none who are actively involved in Friendship.

Faron Steiner’s situation basically remains unchanged as far as I know.

Miss June Strickler’s mother, Miss Marie, is in the hospital.

Daniela Pedraza is scheduled to have surgery in Birmingham tomorrow.

Max Peacock is in a convalescent home.  Miss Jackie Goff was discharged from the rehab facility.

Miss Lucine Bryant was discharged from the hospital yesterday.

Joey Switzer’s mother did not have surgery yesterday.  His grandmother, Miss Kathleen, remains in a rehab facility.

The yard sale in the CAB begins today and runs through Saturday night with the auction bringing it to a close.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Numbers 15:17-16:40 Mark 15:1-47 Psalm 54:1-7 Proverbs 11:5-6

Christy Trout’s mother, Wanda Morrison, passed away very unexpectedly yesterday.  She was 61 years of age.  Pray for Christy and the family during this time of sorrow.

Heard from Faron Stenier around 9:00PM last night.  She continues to do good in her recovery.  Still in that critical period so we must pray.

Becky Sellers continues to recover at home.  She called me last night to give me an update.  She meets with her surgeon in a couple of weeks and her oncologist the following day.   Pray for wisdom on behalf of the doctors along with Dave & Becky.  Pray for a healing!

Stella Brinkman was discharged from the hospital late yesterday afternoon.

Joey Switzer’s mother, Shirley, will have surgery this afternoon to have her gall bladder removed.

Mark & Courtney Hubbard are in Houston this morning meeting with a doctor regarding the latest chemo she has been receiving.  Basically will find out how effective it has been.

Daniela Pedraza is scheduled for surgery in Birmingham on Friday.

Brad Hutto’s father, Gary, will have hip replacement surgery in Huntsville, Alabama this morning.

I do not have an update on Max Peacock or Miss Lucine.  Will get those today as I will be visiting the hospitals and convalescent homes.

Regular schedule this morning and tonight.  I think the fare for tonight’s Bible study is lasagna and the trimmings.

The mission team being led by Bro. Jerry and going to Guatemala in July will have a yard sale in the CAB beginning tomorrow and ending on Saturday night with an auction.

I am not a big NFL fan.  However, I was surprised by the Saints trading Jimmy Graham.  I know nothing about the financial ramifications for either team.  I just know they traded a star player for a center albeit a good center when he is healthy.  Full disclosure – neither the Saints or the Seahawks called seeking my advice or opinion before making this move!

I was so glad to get home and sleep in my own bed last night.  The hotel the night before was fine but having to rock Soy to sleep was not my idea of fun.  He has lost some weight but still. . . .    I just wish he would clip his toe nails if he is going to insist on snuggling!  How many times does a guy need to hear “Jack & the Beanstalk” before falling to sleep?  Wow!  He did enjoy the carousel in the mall!

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