Pastor's Blog

I was contacted shortly before 6:00AM to let me know that Miss Lucine Bryant passed from this life this morning.  Obviously, the arrangements are incomplete at this time but the family plans on having a visitation one night and the service the following day in the early part of the week.  Miss Lucine was a faithful member of 1st Baptist Grand Bay.  Pray for the Bryant family as they walk through this valley.

Today’s Bible reading – 1 Samuel 18:5-19:24 John 8:31-59 Psalm 112:1-10 Proverbs 15:12-14

Learned from Logan that his maternal grandmother is set to arrive from Louisiana this morning.  The family is very happy that she is getting to make this visit.  Pray that everything goes well.

Eddie Hall’s mother had knee replacement surgery this week.  As far as I know, everything went well.  She will begin PT soon.

Learned that Pastor Johnny Howard is in the hospital but he was promised by the doctor that he would be out by Sunday in order to preach.  Do not know if that happened yesterday or will happen today.

My dad left Decatur, AL this morning at 2:00AM with a group from his church, Decatur Baptist, heading to the Dominican Republic for a mission trip.  They are driving to Atlanta and then flying from there.

Today is the big day for Alan & Henni!  In case you do not know, Henni is our daughter although technically/legally she is not.  (Our checkbook says that she is definitely our daughter!)  She has lived with us since she was in the eighth grade and she is just completing her fourth year at the University of Mobile.  Lisa and I are very pleased that the Lord has given her Alan (and amazed that he could be bought for such a low amount as we were thinking it would take more – we were willing to pay more!)  as he is a fine young follower of Jesus.

The Friendship family is invited to the wedding which begins at 1:00PM in the CAB.  Pastor Keith Martin of Kennedy Baptist Church will be performing the ceremony.  I will be giving (gladly) Henni to Alan in marriage.  Yes, we did ask folks to RSVP but that was only to help us get a general idea of how much food to prepare.  So, even if you did not RSVP, come join us if you so desire.  Marlene Borja is serving as the caterer and does an excellent job with an assist from her husband, Mike, and her sister, Anita.

Tomorrow is a big day in the life of the Friendship family as we will recognize our high school graduates in the Class of 2015.  Bro. Jim Chinners will be preaching in the 8:00AM service and Bro. Chris Taylor will be preaching in the 10:30AM service when our high school graduates are officially recognized.

Miss Tena Hovel and the children’s choir will present their Spring musical tomorrow evening in our service which begins at 6:00PM.

Nanette Fontenot is still not happy with me.  She sent me the following via e-mail yesterday – “I am not merely a former girlfriend!  We almost got married which makes me “different” in your life!”  Wow!  Do they make a medicine for folks like this?   Pray for Scott!

BTW, being a “diamond girl” (bat girl) is not a bad thing.  Amy Reynolds served in that capacity for four years at Theodore High although she will tell you that she “played” on the team.  So, Nanette has every right to be proud of Korie!

Lisa is not happy with me either!  Charles gave me a huge assist in the mowing department yesterday for which I am very grateful but I did not get completely finished.  Sleeping on the couch is really not that bad!

Once again, waiting on daybreak in order to hit the garden.  I love being in the garden early.  Good therapy for me!

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

Today’s Bible reading – 1 Samuel 17:1-18:4 John 8:21-30 Psalm 111:1-10 Proverbs 15:11

As far as I know, not really anything “new” to report on any of the folks for whom we have been praying as there have been no significant changes.  I do know that Sherry Woods’ surgery on Wednesday took a really long time but hopefully she is now good to go.

I learned that Maria’s mother has to meet with her doctor today.  Pray that she can travel here tomorrow.

I also learned last night that Ross & Betty Clair’s daughter, Helen, basically cried all the way from India.  As we say in the South, “bless her heart!”  After that long and tiring trip from India on Wednesday, Ross was on a field trip with daughter, Blair, yesterday – are you kidding me?  I am impressed!  Pray for Helen to make the adjustments she needs to make quickly and seamlessly.

I remind the members of the Friendship family of the invitation to attend the revival service either tonight or tomorrow night at the Franklin Creek Baptist Church.  Service begins at 6:30PM.

Yesterday was a really long day in getting the CAB ready for Alan & Henni’s wedding which takes place tomorrow.  I have to give props to Logan Wainwright for all of his help yesterday – he was a trooper!  James Mareno & Caleb Watson came in the late afternoon to give a much needed assist.  We needed an electrician to help us but we could not find one so we called Bob Evans and he willingly came to help last night.  We were all under the watchful eye of Deidra – enough said!

I would also like to say “thank you” to Will Reynolds, Chris Cavin, Chris Taylor, Phillip Turner, Kyle Bryant, Rusty Suthoff, Joey Guidry, Joey Switzer, Dale Bosarge, Davy  Bosarge, Rex Looney, Joe David Bailey, Jason Bowling, Adam Glenn, Ross Genzink, Tom Compagner, Soy (hope I did not leave anyone out) for all of their help – wait, not even one of those guys lifted so much as a finger to help in any way, shape, form or fashion!  Are you serious!  Nice to have great friends!

I got home around 8:30PM last night and the first thing Lisa said to me was, “you have the yard to take care of tomorrow and it had better be done right because Pastor Keith and Andrea will be here in the afternoon!”  Wow!  So, she set my alarm for 3:00AM and I am now just waiting for dawn to break so I can hit the garden and yard.  Folks, Lisa is a slave driver!

Plus, Nanette Fontenot is as mad as an old wet setting hen because I have not mentioned that the University of Mobile’s softball team won the regional earlier this week and will play in the national tournament next week in Iowa.  Her daughter, Korie, is a “diamond girl” or something like that on the team and Nanette thinks I should always mention things such as this because we used to date.  Folks, this blog is not a PSA!  (Even for former girlfriends!)  FYI, UM plays at 7:30PM next Friday, 5/22, against Lindsey Wilson (I figure they can beat one girl!)  Nanette, are you “happy” now?

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

Today’s Bible reading – 1 Samuel 15:1-16:23 John 8:1-20 Psalm 110:1-7 Proverbs 15:8-10

Lois Atkinson is scheduled to have surgery this morning.  Pray that everything will go well.

The young boy, Anthony, in Jeanette Bates’ class is scheduled to be moved from Pensacola, FL to Birmingham, AL today in order to begin rehab.  Jeanette said last night in our service that rehab could be three weeks or less which would be a real blessing.

Jeanette also shared last night that Lisa Thompson got a good report from the doctor this past Monday.

Eula Mae Blackmon sent me an e-mail to say that her sister, Juanita, is doing very well with her treatments.  Said the doctor is amazed at how well she is doing.

Vera Bosarge’s sister, Juanita, is not doing well per Davy & Dale in last night’s Bible study.

The Ross Hatcher family is at home and all under one roof for the first time ever.  Ross, Betty Clair and Helen arrived in Mobile around 6:15PM last night.  We thank God for their safety in travel.  We were missing a good number of folks in our evening service as they had gone to the airport to greet Ross, BC & Helen.  (We will be reviewing the airport security footage to determine exactly who was there just making sure no one used that excuse and then did not show up at the airport or church!)

Learned yesterday that Betty Taylor has been in the hospital for a couple of weeks due to an infection caused by her port.  Thinking the port will have to be removed.

Becky Sellers had another treatment this past Tuesday and is doing fine.

Eddie Whitmore has been having some problems in recent days.  He is scheduled to meet with an oncologist on Friday, 5/22.

Glenn Cooper’s grandmother is in a local hospital.

Pastor Wes Bates and his wife, Rebekah, are expecting their first child very soon as the due date is this coming Monday.  Pray that everything will go well as they anticipate this birth.

Dale shared last night that, for the time being, Bill Teasley is finished with his treatment.  Will do scans in the coming weeks.

Maria Wainwright was thinking of going to Louisiana this weekend but her parents are coming here instead which indicates her mother is doing well.

We had a really good attendance in our morning service yesterday and a good attendance in last night’s service.  Our 7:30PM Bible study was well attended and those guys spent over an hour just fellowshipping afterwards which was a good thing.  We did learn that Aaron Chinners is about to buy a 1977 Volkswagen van and move to Yellowstone for a year living out of said van.  (Not sure if Jim & Glenda are aware of this yet so please keep it in confidence)

I am going to have to take a personal day today in order to get ready for the wedding on Saturday.  Alan & Henni are excited and we are excited for them.  Deidra is coordinating the wedding and she is cracking the proverbial whip!  Pray for Soy!

Daybreak is here which means it is garden time!

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

Today’s Bible reading – 1 Samuel 14:1-52 John 7:31-53 Psalm 109:1-31 Proverbs 15:5-7

Peggy Benefield is scheduled to have a heart cath this afternoon.

Brianne Woods mother, Sherry, is having another surgery on her foot/ankle today.  This is her third one.  Pray this one will be the answer!

Jimmy Moates is receiving radiation treatments daily this week but did not receive chemotherapy.  The goal is for him to receive another chemo treatment on Monday, 5/18.

Clara Broadus’ sister, Faye, remains in ICU.  Clara told me yesterday that Faye basically sleeps almost 24/7.

Leslie Williams posted a comment on Monday’s blog regarding Bailey.  She is much improved.

Today is the big day (at least for those of us on this side of the world) as Ross, Betty Clair & Helen Hatcher are scheduled to arrive at the Mobile airport around 6:15PM.  Ross & Betty Clair are inviting family & friends to meet them there upon their arrival.  Obviously, with our service at 6:30PM I will not be able to be there but I am excited for Ross, Betty Clair & Helen.

Thank you to those who helped feed the Earline O’Gwynn family yesterday following the service.  Once again, you did well!

We had a nice group come to prayer meeting last night.  We had three or four of our “regulars” who were out of pocket but our number was the same as the previous two weeks.  Folks, we must pray!

Franklin Creek Baptist Church is having revival services tomorrow night, 5/14, through Sunday, 5/17.  The Friendship family has been asked to attend either Thursday, Friday or Saturday nights.  I would encourage you to do so.  Personally, I cannot attend any of these services due to the wedding but hope others can do so.

Regular schedule this morning and evening.  I am hearing the menu for the 7:30PM Bible study is fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, snap beans, apple cobbler, bread and drink.  What a meal!

Speaking of snap beans, my sweet mother-in-law canned thirty five quarts of snap beans from the garden yesterday.  Honestly, that is just the first couple of pickings.

Randall Broome, Johnny Five, Phillip Turner, Rusty Suthoff, Joey Guidry, et cetera have all gotten afraid to show up to TNBA on Tuesday nights.  (Randall actually had Rita move the Spanish Bible study from tonight to last night in order to have a “reason” to miss)  We are basically going to start playing with an “Upward” mentality and not keeping score so these guys will come back.  BTW, last night’s competition ended with one guy hitting the game winner from somewhere near mid court with two or three guys draped all over him – amazing shot!  Who hit that shot?  Cannot get into all of that!

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

Today’s Bible reading – 1 Samuel 12:1-13:23 John 7:1-30 Psalm 108:1-13 Proverbs 15:4

The visitation with Miss Earline’s family takes place this morning at Serenity Funeral Home from 9:00AM until the 10:00AM service time.  All food should be in the church fellowship hall by 9:30AM.  Thank you to those who are helping with this ministry.  Pray for this family.

Prayer meeting tonight in the auditorium from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  Please use the West side door to enter and exit.  Prayer must remain a priority!  We need prayer individually, as families, collectively and as a nation.  Come and go or come and stay.  Just pray!

TNBA at 7:00PM tonight and, yes, Lord willing, I will be there!

Was in the garden at daybreak yesterday morning which was glorious!  The snap beans are bearing heavy right now and my mother-in-law is canning them for us.  Squash and cucumbers are bearing in abundance too.  Corn?  Really, did you have to mention corn?  Struggling!

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

Today’s Bible reading – 1 Samuel 10:1-11:15 John 6:43-71 Psalm 107:1-43 Proverbs 15:1-3

Tuesday, 5/12 – 1 Samuel 12:1-13:23 John 7:1-30 Psalm 108:1-13 Proverbs 15:4

Wednesday, 5/13 – 1 Samuel 14:1-52 John 7:31-53 Psalm 109:1-31 Proverbs 15:5-7

Thursday, 5/14 – 1 Samuel 15:1-16:23 John 8:1-20 Psalm 110:1-7 Proverbs 15:8-10

Friday, 5/15 – 1 Samuel 17:1-18:4 John 8:21-30 Psalm 111:1-10 Proverbs 15:11

Saturday, 5/16 – 1 Samuel 18:5-19:24 John 8:31-59 Psalm 112:1-10 Proverbs 15:12-14

Sunday, 5/17 – 1 Samuel 20:1-21:15 John 9:1-41 Psalm 113:1-114:8 Proverbs 15:15-17

Clara Broadus’ sister, Faye, has been in ICU for the past eight days or so.  Clara shared this with me in the early service yesterday and asked that we keep praying for her.

The visitation with the Earline O’Gwynn family takes place tomorrow, 5/12, from 9:00AM until the 10:00AM service time.  Everything at Serenity Funeral Home.  If you are helping with the food, please have your food at the church by 9:30AM tomorrow.  The fellowship hall will be open at 8:00AM.  (If you need it opened earlier, please contact me personally via e-mail)

Dave & Becky Sellers were in our early service yesterday.  I did not get to speak to them but do know Becky continues to need our prayer support.  I will get a word from Dave today regarding his mother’s situation.

Jimmy Moates remains at home.  He continues to have difficulty eating because of the pain in his tongue.

Lisa Thompson was in our second service yesterday morning.

We were blessed in our services yesterday.  Strong attendance in our morning services which is almost always a given on Mother’s Day.  I was blessed by our evening attendance as we actually had more in that service than we did the previous Sunday even though we were missing a bunch of folks.  Thank you so much to those who were faithful!

Mike Parker did a very nice job of sharing in our evening service.  He and his daughter, Katie, were very blessed by your kindnesses to them.  Thank you for investing financially in the ministry God has given to Mike.

Our “roses for mother” had a major glitch yesterday morning as we ran short of roses in spite of ordering a bunch of extras.  Those who were shorted were very Christlike and I appreciate that fact.  Daphne & Deidra took care of correcting their daddy’s error and I “think” everyone got their roses by last night.  My apologies.  If you did not get the rose(s) your ordered, just contact me for a full refund.  I already have a plan (fool proof?) in place for next year!

Did the garden survive Soy?  IDK as I got in late on Saturday night and did not go out there yesterday because it was Sunday.  Waiting on daybreak now to begin assessing the situation.

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

Carla just e-mailed me the arrangements for her paternal grandmother.  They are as follows:

The visitation with the family will take place on Tuesday, May 12, from 9:00AM until the 10:00AM service.  The visitation and service will take place from the Serenity Funeral Home on Old Pascagoula Road in Theodore, Alabama.

The Friendship family will minister to this family by providing a post service meal on Tuesday.  Miss Vinnie Brewer has graciously agreed to coordinate this ministry.  All food will need to be brought to our fellowship hall by 9:30AM on Tuesday.  More details in tomorrow’s entry.

Today’s Bible reading – 1 Samuel 8:1-9:27 John 6:22-42 Psalm 106:32-48 Proverbs 14:34-35

“Happy Mother’s Day!”

We are on a regular schedule this morning and tonight.  As I have written for the past couple of days, we will have a special guest in our service tonight.  Someone who has never been to Friendship Baptist.  It is my prayer that we will have a great attendance in all of our services.  The morning will be good simply because it is Mother’s Day but the evening will require an effort by our church family members.

Donnie Felps’ mother, Miss Earline, passed from this life last night.  She has been really low for several days now.  Carla has been keeping me up to date on her situation in order for me to pray for Miss Earline and the family.  I will post the arrangements once they have been set.  Pray for Miss Earline’s family.

“Roses for mother” in both of our morning services today.  Parent/child dedication in our 10:30AM service.

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

Today’s Bible reading – 1 Samuel 5:1-7:17 John 6:1-21 Psalm 106:13-31 Proverbs 14:32-33

Carlos Raxon did not get discharged from the hospital.  The thought now is that he will be there until at least Monday.  Remains dehydrated.  If you could see the national hospital then you would have a better understanding as to why.  Pray for Carlos.

Read Bill Kendrick’s comment on yesterday’s post.

We will have someone in our service tomorrow night who has never been to Friendship Baptist Church.  It is odd to bring in a special guest on Mother’s Day night but the opportunity presented itself, I prayed, and the rest is history.  I am just in hopes that we will have a good crowd.

“Roses for mother” in the morning services.  These were pre-pay and any extras will not be available until after the second service.  Again, this concept came to me from Dr. Jack Bailey.

Yesterday was a good day for me.  I do not believe that I have ever been to Guatemala when it has been hotter than it has been for these past three days.  I got everything done that I came to do except meet with Carlos Raxon.  I was able to meet with his son along with John King, Kirk Lightfield and Lazaro Suruy.  After about ninety minutes of meeting, I asked Kirk if his cat ever chased her tail?  That is exactly how I felt!  We were “busy” but I am not sure we accomplished much at all.  O well, God knows.

Yesterday, I asked Paul Leytham if there was anything I could bring him from the States when our team comes in June.  His reply, “the only thing I would like is some Conecuh sausage.”  Believe it or not, I had brought four pounds with me on this trip.  He was a happy camper!  (I always carry at least four pounds of Conecuh sausage with me each time I take a trip – you never know!)

Lord willing, I will arrive back in Mobile late tonight and will be in the pulpit for both services tomorrow.  Pray for me as I finish preparing for those services.

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