Pastor's Blog

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading –  Deuteronomy 11-13

Charles Suthoff will have a heart cath at some point this morning.  Pray that the doctors will get a clear view of what is happening in his heart.

The celebration of life service for Raymond Wilkinson’s Uncle Bob takes place this morning in Kennesaw, GA (think Atlanta).  Pray for the family during this time.

Carla Kyser was discharged from the hospital late yesterday afternoon.  They drained one liter of fluid from her right lung and did the first radiation treatment.  She has nine more radiation treatments to go.  I want to say “thank you” to the person who provided supper for Carla and her family last night – wonderful!

Chase Chambliss was doing “better” yesterday but is still very sore.  It is possible that he was discharged yesterday but I am not sure.  Keep praying for Chase.

Betty Clair and infant Lydia are obviously still in the hospital and are doing well.  Thank God for this new addition to the Ross Hatcher family.

Teddy Ray Jackson’s mother remains in the hospital.  She is a very sick lady.  Pray for her.

We had another good number attend the prayer time last night.  A call to prayer!

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

Sometime after noon today, Lydia Jean Hatcher made her grand appearance into this world.  She checked in weighing seven pounds and one ounce and is twenty inches long.  As far as I know, mother and daughter are doing fine.

Congratulations to Ross, Betty Clair, Blair and Helen.  Also to the grandparents – Stan & Becky Hatcher and Donnie & Amelia Barton.

First, failed to mention in my earlier entry that Carla Kyser is still requesting no visitors.  She is not feeling well today.  Thanks for understanding.  Thanks for praying.

Lydia Jean Hatcher is ready to make her grand appearance into this world!  Betty Clair has gone into labor and has been admitted to the hospital.  So, it would appear that at some point today Blair & Helen will get another sister.  Pray that all goes well in the delivery process.  Congratulations to Ross & Betty Clair!

Amy Reynold’s mother is having surgery on her hand today.

Amy Huhn’s father is having some tests tomorrow.

Pray for these folks!

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Deuteronomy 8-10
Tuesday, March 15 Deuteronomy 11-13
Wednesday, March 16 Deuteronomy 14-16
Thursday, March 17 Deuteronomy 17-20
Friday, March 18 Deuteronomy 21-23
Saturday, March 19 Deuteronomy 24-27
Sunday, March 20 Deuteronomy 28-29
Monday, March 21 Deuteronomy 30-31
Tuesday, March 22 Deuteronomy 32-34; Psalm 91
Wednesday, March 23 Joshua 1-4
Thursday, March 24 Joshua 5-8
Friday, March 25 Joshua 9-11
Saturday, March 26 Joshua 12-15
Sunday, March 27 Joshua 16-18
Monday, March 28 Joshua 19-21
Tuesday, March 29 Joshua 22-24
Wednesday, March 30 Judges 1-2
Thursday, March 31 Judges 3-5

We were blessed with a really good day in our services yesterday.  Three professions of faith and one joining by statement.  Good attendance considering it was time change Sunday.  Dale Bosarge did a nice job of sharing the Word with us last night.  The praise band did a nice job of leading us in our musical worship during the evening service.  We thank God for His blessings.

Chase Chambliss suffered three broken vertebrae in his back when he fell on Saturday.  He also had other injuries but the broken vertebrae are the big ones which means he is really sore.  Soy & I visited him yesterday afternoon and they were just about to get him out of the bed for the first time.  Not sure when he will be discharged but do ask that you pray for him.

Teddy Ray Jackson’s mother was placed in the hospital last night.  She has been declining physically for some time now.

Carla Kyser will have the fluid drained from her lungs today and will receive his first radiation treatment.  (If you will go back a couple of entries then you will find a personal update from Carla)   It is 6:20AM and I just heard from Carla.  She has had a really rough morning since 2:00AM due to a severe headache.  They had put her on oral meds and are now going back to iv.  Plans called for her to come home today but that all may have just changed.  Pray!

Charles Suthoff will have a heart cath tomorrow.  It “appears” they will find some blockage(s).  How many? How severe?  Time will tell.  Charles has an absolute trust in the Lord.

Raymond, Tina & Rhea Wilkinson will travel to Kennesaw, GA today in order to attend the celebration of life service for Raymond’s Uncle Bob tomorrow.  Pray for traveling mercies and for the service.

GriefShare tonight at 6:00PM.

GROW outreach tonight at 6:30PM.

Prayer time tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM.

Zach Huhn is in New York City on a mission trip.  Pray for him.

Have not decided if I will fill out a bracket this year or not.  How do you put Texas A&M as a higher seed than Kentucky when UK just beat them in the conference championship game?  Crazy!

SNBA went well last night.  One team did not lose a game last night but I will not get into who was on that team.  Jason Taylor joined us last night for the first time.  He and TJ were doing some major physical play on the inside.  I stay out of there!

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading:  Deuteronomy 5-7

Chase Chambliss was knocked off a ladder by a limb yesterday.  He was transported by ambulance to the hospital and admitted.  Injuries to his spleen, spine and abdomen.  He is very sore from these injuries.  Pray for Chase!

Carla Kyser will begin her radiation treatments tomorrow and will also have fluid drained from her lungs.  It is my understanding that she will then be discharged from the hospital.  Hey, I am happy!  Why?  Because each time I go to visit she orders a meal for me to bring to her.  This has become some expensive visiting on my part!  Do I look like “meals on wheels” or what?  When she is discharged, I will save money!  Do they not have food for the patients in the hospitals any more?  Wow!  (I would be ok with McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, et cetera but Ruth’s Chris, Felix’s, Olive Garden, et cetera are killing me!  Just saying!)

Jimmy Moates should be finished with his radiation now.  Holly Lybarger continues taking her radiation treatments.

The Friendship soccer leagues began play late yesterday afternoon.  I am told by Larry, Curly & Mo that everything went very good!  Yes, I made an appearance in the final few minutes of the last game.  Was able to see the coaching expertise of Brianne Seymour and Claire Bell Turner.  They were so out coaching Alan Aldridge and Eddie Albritton.  I really appreciate each adult who is making this ministry opportunity possible.  Good stuff!

Two of our weather spotters reported the rainfall totals from Friday.  Herbert Benefield reported three and one half inches on Hall Road.  Bobby Story reported four and three tenths inches on Potter Road.  You can take these totals to the bank as being absolutely accurate!  Thanks Herbert & Bobby!

Could we have had our work day yesterday?  No way.  Too wet!  Just saying!

I visited Carla in the hospital yesterday (can you say “bring me food?”)  I was also able to do some weed eating and some mowing.  Had to use the push mower as my ZTR would not start and I did not want to take the time to get it started.  Charles wanted two hundred dollars rental fee to use his riding mower plus fuel plus proof of liability insurance.  The pushing did me good although it took much longer and almost killed me!  LOL!

I have been down to two chickens for several months.  Bought two more yesterday.  One is white and one is kind of reddish blonde.  I am told the white one lays “green” eggs which sounds kind of “iffy” to me.  I guess we will be having ham for breakfast from this point forward!  My two “Baptist” chickens are not happy with these other two joining by transfer of letter!  I would like to get three more chickens to get my count up to seven.  All seven need to be filled with wisdom and filled with eggs!  (Courtney Cavin is thinking right now!)

A call to prayer this morning at 7:45AM & 10:15AM and then this afternoon at 5:45PM.

Regular schedule this morning and evening.  I pray that the members of the Friendship family are faithful!  Remember the love offering for the CAB roof.

Sunday Night Basketball Action tonight following the evening service.  All men invited to attend the service (required) and then stay for basketball.  Bring your “A” game!

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

P.S. – I was told yesterday that my blog has been being “tagged” by several folks.  Not sure what that means but do you people not understand copyright laws?  Do not make me call Alexander!

This was sent to me tonight and I assume it comes from FB:

“WOW! What a wonderful GOD we serve!!! I know that the gates of heaven have been bombarded in my name today and I can not thank everyone for that. God is listening and He is SHOWING OUT! A little bit of back story for those that don’t know. On Monday I was told that the cancerous spots in my liver had gotten bigger and had multiplied. A plan was made and a new chemo was going to be started on Tuesday. When I arrived at the cancer institute on Tuesday my blood pressure was very low and even after a couple of bags of fluid there, it still had not come up to an acceptable level. So straight to the ER I was sent. They admitted me and performed several tests to figure out why my blood pressure was staying so low. During the entire stay at the hospital I was having a horrible headache on the verge of a migraine. A MRI of the brain was ordered and things got very scary very quickly. The scan showed that the malignancy had moved to my brain however the severity was not completely known. Of course more tests had to be performed. At that time, the only treatment option given was a very hard chemo that would be injected straight into my head. Side effects were unimaginable and prognosis was not very good at all (per my family, I would not let the doctor talk to me about time frames). But as the results on the tests have been coming back the news has gotten better. I was able to meet with both my medical oncologist and my radiation oncologist today (at the same time) and the tests indicate that the cancer is not actually in my brain but in the lining of my brain. With this being the case the option of radiation is now available. I will undergo 10 radiation treatments to my brain starting on Monday. Of course the side effects are not great but are very manageable. I will lose my hair (again), fatigue, inflammation and fluid build up in my ears and some memory loss. Following radiation I will immediately start the chemo for my liver. We know that this is nothing more than a God thing. And it is truly from the prayers you guys have been sending up! He is still in the healing business and we are trusting and believing. I cannot thank my family and friends enough for the texts, the food, the goodie baskets and for those that have taken care of Larsyn. To Brother Teddie, Mrs. Lisa, Daphne and Deidra for all y’all have done. To Elizabeth for being here with me and for the entertainment today, I don’t think I could have made it today looking at these four walls with out being entertained. To my Dad and Brother and other family members for the visits. To Mom and Chad for being with me 24/7. For reminding me that I don’t have to be so strong, that it is okay to break down some. I still had a ways to go and lots of obstacles to get through so I ask that you continue to pray!”

The Lord is hearing/honoring your prayers regarding Carla.  I will not try to go into the details but suffice it to say the the doctors are much more encouraged today than they were yesterday.  Carla will start radiation on Monday (ten treatments) and then begin the new chemotherapy.  Folks, this a far, far cry from what the doctors were thinking just twenty four hours ago – hallelujah!  Carla’s faith is strong!  We must pray, pray and then pray some more!

Chase Chambliss took a fall from a ladder today.  He has been admitted to the hospital with his injuries.  Nothing life threatening but he is banged up with some pretty good injuries.  Pray for Chase!

Lindsey Vice and Daphne Hutto have agreed to watch babies and toddlers from 7:45AM until 8:00AM while we have our call to prayer at the altar.  We will do it again at 10:15AM and then at 5:45PM.  Come join the deacons and me in prayer.

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading:  Deuteronomy 3-4

Pretty cool when a guy sends you a message on Friday night to tell you that his wife just prayed to receive Jesus as her personal Savior!  Who?  Stay tuned!

Thank you to each person who has joined me in praying for Carla Kyser.  Lisa and I spent some time with her yesterday.  She messaged me last night to say that the first report to come back was actually better than the doctor expected!  Can someone say “God?”  I was wallowing in sadness last night and thinking about what the doctor said when God reminded me of Who He is!  I believe in prayer!  God answers prayer.  I appreciate Donald Butler placing one call that has three hundred churches praying for Carla.  Do we believe “Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever?”  If so, let’s call on Him to work a miracle.  He can!  Carla sent me these words last night – “trusting and believing!”  Me too!

As a matter of fact, I am calling the church to prayer for Carla and others.  Tomorrow morning at 7:45AM and then again at 10:15AM we will enter into a time of prayer before the respective services begin.  The altar will be open.  The music will be playing.  We will do the same at 5:45PM before the evening service.  I am asking our deacons to be present and to join me in leading this prayer time.

Ruby Gulley was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  As I figured, she has no idea that I visited with her each day since her surgery.  Hilarious!  Glad she is doing ok.

Miss Jimmie Hall has been moved to a rehab facility.  Pray that she can now begin to make progress in her recovery.

Linda Green’s sister, Shirley, was discharged from the hospital on Thursday.  She is requiring around the clock care but is at home.

Zach Huhn leaves this morning heading to New York City for a week long mission trip.  Pray that goes well.

Charles Suthoff will have a heart cath next Tuesday.  Charles is trusting God!

There will be a celebration of life service for Raymond Wilkinson’s Uncle Bob on Tuesday morning in Kennesaw, GA.  Pray for that family.

Spring forward one hour tonight!  Do not forget!

We will receive a love offering in all three services tomorrow.  This offering will be used to replace the roof of the CAB.  Pray and give!

I sent a message to Larry, Curly & Mo asking about the soccer games scheduled for today.  Have heard nothing from them so I am clueless!

Need one of our rain watchers to give us a reading on how much rain we got yesterday?

Was convinced Alabama would not beat UK last night in basketball.  The officials were the difference in the game!  No, not the game officials.  The league officials for putting Bama in a game against UK – what were they thinking?  UAB vs Bama in the Bayou La Batre Civic Center!  Rex Looney is going to sing the national anthem to begin the madness!  It is going to be awesome!  Be sure and say a word of thanks to Coach Collier for making this happen!

I pray that you will have a great Saturday with Jesus.  Spring forward tonight!

With her approval, I write to ask you to join me in praying for Carla Kyser.  Her doctor told her last night that the malignancy is now in her brain.  They are doing a MRI and spinal tap today.  Folks, we need to bombard the throne of grace with our prayers for this sweetheart of a lady!  I will be totally honest in telling you that this news has really worked on me all through the night and this morning.  Carla and I have been communicating and she is trusting God.  What a testimony of faith!

Per her continued request, no visitors at this time.  Carla and her family are trying to process this whole thing.  Thank you for your understanding and prayer support.

I have told you everything that I know at this point.  Will update as I receive more news and Carla’s permission.  Pray, pray, pray!

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading:  Deuteronomy 1-2

Visited with Carla K yesterday morning and she had just been told that she was being discharged.  They then decided to do one more test before letting her go home and the decision was made to keep her one more night.  Early last night they decided to discharge her before changing their mind and deciding to keep her at least one more night.  Talk about a roller coaster.  I will go up this morning and visit her.  By the way, as far as I know, the request remains for “no visitors” but they deeply appreciate your prayer support.

Eddie’s mother remains hospitalized too.  She is set to be moved on any given day to a rehab facility.

Ruby seems to be doing good in her recovery.  She remains somewhat “happy” as a result of the pain meds.

Linda’s sister was having a better day yesterday and is in hopes of going home soon.  Not sure if that is going to happen soon or not.

The celebration of life service for Raymond’s Uncle Bob will take place on Tuesday in Kennesaw, Georgia.  Pray for the family.

Two important things for the members of the Friendship family to remember:  no work day tomorrow, 3/12, due to the wet weather.  Rescheduled for next Saturday, 3/19.

Spring forward tomorrow night, 3/12!  Move your time pieces forward by one hour before going to bed.  This is really important if you plan on joining us for morning worship.

Made the Walmart run after work yesterday afternoon in anticipation of the possibly heavy rains this morning.  Wow, that place was crowded but they did have a good number of the check out lanes open so that helped tremendously.  The time from leaving the house to returning was eighty five minutes but who is counting!

Yes, I did watch some of the SEC basketball tourney last night.  No, I do not think Alabama will beat UK tonight.  I see a UAB vs Alabama NIT game coming soon!  Maybe we can get them to play that one in the Bayou La Batre civic center.  Coach Eric, see if you can make that happen!  (He is the one who gets all of the wrestling matches to come to town!  The man has pull!)

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