Pastor's Blog

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Exodus 1-3; Matthew 14:1-21

Spoke to Marisa this morning.  They were able to get “some” rest. Pray for them as they make the arrangements at some point today.

Failed to mention in yesterday’s regular entry that Jimmy Tagert’s mother was admitted to the hospital Thursday night.  Pray for Mrs. Hickman.

Ruby Gulley remains in the hospital.  Keep praying.

Becky Sellers, Tim Knighten & Lisa Thompson continue to need our prayer support as they battle their respective malignancies.

(Do you know how “odd” it is to me personally to make that list of those battling a malignancy and not include my friend, Carla?)

Courtney Hubbard started a new trial drug this past Tuesday.  Pray it works as intended.

The celebration of life service for Miss Kathleen Henderson will take place on Monday afternoon.  Miss Kathleen was faithful to the church and was a tremendous prayer warrior!  She will be greatly missed by me!  What an encourager!  Never complained!

Friendship family, please note that it is “possible” we will be making some changes concerning tomorrow night’s service in order to accommodate Carla’s family.  I will spare you the possibilities now as nothing has been finalized but I did want to give you the heads up.  I will post later today once the arrangements are in place.

Carla’s Sunday School class will be in charge of feeding the Felps family following the celebration of life service.  They “may” need to ask for assistance.  Details to come!  Thank you in advance for being flexible and cooperative.

Bus ministry workers meet this morning at 8:30AM.  Pray for this ministry and those involved.

Friendship basketball begins today at 8:00AM and will last until around 2:00PM.

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

Carla Darlene Felps Kyser departed this life for her heavenly today around 11:30AM.  She was surrounded by her parents, Donnie & Marisa, and her brother, Shawn, at the time of her passing.  Arrangements pending.  The 30-39 year old Sunday School class will be in charge of the meal for the family following the service whenever it takes place.

Folks, this one is tough for me write.  Carla was a special young lady in my family’s life.  I am going to miss the iMessages, the back and forth, et cetera.  What a tough young lady who faced and fought her malignancy with strength and grace!  An inspiration!

Pray for Donnie, Marisa, Larsyn, Shawn and the entire family.

Just received word from Pastor Doug Chappelle that his mother-in-law, Miss Mary Lee Owens, passed from this life early Wednesday morning.  There will be a graveside service in Greenville, AL this morning at 11:00AM.  Pray for Miss Mary’s children, Vicky & Kevin and their families.

Just received word from Joey Switzer that his maternal grandmother, Miss Kathleen Henderson, passed from this life and entered Heaven around 11:30PM last night.  Pray for the family as they walk through this valley.  Arrangements pending.

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Genesis 49-50; Matthew 13:31-58

Visited with Miss Kathleen Henderson early yesterday morning and then got an update from Joey Switzer yesterday afternoon.  She is basically being given palliative care.  What a sweetheart of a lady.  Great prayer warrior.  Pray for her!

Visited with Ruby Gulley late yesterday afternoon.  She remains in ICU but is no longer on the ventilator.  Winston was there and they have no idea when she will be moved to a regular room.  Ruby is ready yesterday!

Visited with Carla Kyser yesterday morning and then Daphne and I went back last night.  Carla is basically sleeping although she does awaken briefly from time to time.  Donnie, Marisa and Shawn are faithfully sitting right beside her.  Pray for Carla and for her family.

Again, Carla’s family very much appreciates and desires your prayer support.  It is probably best if folks just pray and not visit as the space is limited and they are trying to rest whenever possible regardless of the time of day.  Thank you for the prayers and for your understanding.

Jimmy Moates will have a PET scan done next Wednesday, 1/25.  Pray for good results!

Joey Switzer is scheduled to have a surgical procedure done next Monday morning, 1/23.  Doing something to his vocal chords.

Greg Boutwell remains at home but his physical condition is no better.  Please continue to join me in praying for Greg.

Second week of Friendship basketball tomorrow beginning at 8:00PM.  Pray for this ministry.

Regular schedule this Sunday morning and evening.  Rain chance is eighty percent tomorrow and fifty percent on Sunday.  I am going out on a limb to make this prediction – no one will miss any sporting events tomorrow due to the rain regardless of the severity.  However, some will possibly miss the services on Sunday morning because of the rain.  Can you say Baptists?

Soy, Rusty and Alan basically begged me to join them in a game of Hearts after the college Bible study on Wednesday night.  I am not a prophet or the son of a prophet.  (However, I do work for a non profit organization).  At 9:15PM, I told Jonny Gaston that by 9:50PM the game would be over and I would be the winner.  Need I say more?

Today is my nephew, Josh’s, forty first birthday.  Happy birthday Josh!  Why do I mention that?  Just so his sister, Jamie, will gripe that I did not mention her on her birthday!  Really no other reason!

I pray that you will have a great Friday with Jesus.  Employ grace today!

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Genesis 46-48; Matthew 13:1-30

As many of you are already aware, Carla Kyser was admitted to the hospital late yesterday afternoon.  The portable oxygen tanks simply could not supply her enough oxygen to keep her level at a comfortable place.  Her brother, Shawn, knows how to handle all of that and even he could not rig it to do so after connecting multiple machines.  In the hospital, Carla will get a much better flow of oxygen.  Marisa sent me a message about 3:30AM saying Carla was resting but had been alert and asking questions.

Marisa and her family are very gracious people.  They are not going to knowingly hurt anyone’s feelings.  However, my suggestion would be that folks pray but not everyone rush to the hospital.  If someone does visit, it should be really short.  Carla and her mother need physical rest.  You can contact Lisa or me at any time via the phone or electronically for an update.  (You can always check out my FB page!)

Miss Kathleen Henderson seemed much worse to me yesterday when I visited.  Last night, they moved her into a “comfort” room and are basically keeping her without pain as much as possible.  I am heading that way first thing this morning.

Ruby Gulley is better and is no longer on the ventilator.  I will be checking on her later this morning.

Becky Sellers, Tim Knighten and Lisa Thompson continue to need our prayer support.  Tim has been hit hard in recent days by the effects of his treatments.  It is my understanding that Lisa had to receive blood because her counts have been too low.  Becky continues to take her treatments.

Good day in our services yesterday.  The breakfast was great!  The fellowship was even greater!  God is good!

Regular schedule this Sunday morning and evening.

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Genesis 43-45; Matthew 12:24-50

The celebration of life service for Miss Carmen Reyer was good.  Thanks to each person from the Friendship family who attended the visitation with the family and/or the service.  Special thanks to Jeanette Bates (pianist), Brad Hutto (soloist), Tina & Rae Rae Wilkinson (hostesses) and to each person who helped with the meal for the family.  Not having Louis & Carmen is a big loss to the Friendship family!

Lisa and I visited  with Miss Kathleen Henderson yesterday.  She remains in ICU.  She seemed a “little” more confused than the previous day but has made progress since last week.

I went by to visit with Carla Kyser yesterday but she was sleeping so I visited with her mother, Marisa, and Cecil Guidry.  Have heard from Marisa this morning and Carla has had a good night.

Keep praying for Becky Sellers, Lisa Thompson and Tim Knighten.

Either Bro. Jerry or I will visit with Ruby Gulley today.

If the weather folks are correct, we are most likely going to see rain for four days beginning tomorrow, 1/19.  They are even projecting some lows in the high thirties within the ten day forecast.  I sure hope they are correct!

We are having our senior adults breakfast today which is open to everyone planning to join us for our 10:00AM service.  Folks, this is going to be a spread!  I promise!  My hope is to have a really good attendance for this time of food and fellowship.  Special thanks to Bobby Gene Evans for setting up the tables and chairs last night!

The fare for the 7:30PM Bible study is ham, macaroni and cheese and dessert.  As usual, will be good as that is the only way Lisa knows how to do it!  The Friendship family is blessed to have the best pastor’s wife in the world – just saying!

My friend, Decker Terry, sent me a great video on Coach Buzz Williams last night.  It is actually from last season but the message remains the same.  I have always been a fan of Coach Williams based on what I have been told about his personal life.

Regular schedule this morning and tonight as far as the services are concerned.  Senior adults, come hungry this morning!

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Genesis 41-42; Matthew 12:1-23

The celebration of life service for Miss Carmen Reyer takes place at 11:00AM today in our church auditorium.  It will be preceded by ninety minutes of visitation with the family.  Pray for the family and for the service.  We are certainly going to miss Carmen as we have missed Louis since his promotion last February.

Visited with Ruby Gulley yesterday morning.  She remains in ICU and they are keeping her sedated.  They drained fluid from one of her lungs.  Saw her daughter, Christy, and Ruby’s sister, Sharon, and they were “thinking” the doctor was going to try and wean Ruby from the ventilator yesterday.  Keep praying for Ruby.

Visited with Miss Kathleen yesterday.  She too remains in ICU but seems to be better.  She was not on oxygen and we had a nice, albeit brief, conversation.  She complimented me on my tie which is very normal for her.  That is a good sign of her improvement.  Keep praying!

Visited with Carla Kyser yesterday.  She was asleep when I got there but then came to the table for lunch.  She and I talked “some” but she continues to weaken physically.  Folks, Marisa is a great caregiver to her daughter.  She and Carla need our continued prayer support.

I met with a group last night and we spent time specifically praying for Carla, Becky Sellers, Lisa Thompson and Tim Knighten.  I ask you to join us in those prayers!

Fourteen folks took the time to join me last night in prayer between 5:00 – 7:00PM.  I appreciate that!  Two of our most consistent prayer warriors are out of town and they were missed.

We are on a regular schedule tomorrow morning/evening with one exception.  We will have breakfast at 9:00AM in the fellowship hall.  This is our monthly senior adult gathering but this breakfast is open to anyone who plans to attend the 10:00AM service.

Continued to receive positive feedback from folks yesterday regarding the message and the altar call Sunday night.  Just praying for chains to be broken.  Pray fervently!

Yesterday’s entry received comments from our two Texas readers – Gena Davis & Sommer Brock.  They were “upset” because of my comments about the Cowboys!  Listen, I did not like the Cowboys when these two sweet ladies lived in Grand Bay and I do not care for them now!  Now, I am running the risk of losing two of our thirteen readers but a man has to stand firm!  Hooray for the Packers and go Falcons!  (Actually, I lost interest in football the night of 1/9! Just saying!)

This weather has me itching to get some seeds in the ground.  Have to get ahead of John Milton.  However, I will not do anything until after I return from Guatemala in February.  I do not anticipate us having any sustained cold weather at all the rest of this Winter.

I pray that you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Genesis 39-40; Matthew 11

Tuesday, January 17 – Genesis 41-42; Matthew 12:1-23
Wednesday, January 18 – Genesis 43-45; Matthew 12:24-50
Thursday, January 19 – Genesis 46-48; Matthew 13:1-30
Friday, January 20 – Genesis 49-50; Matthew 13:31-58
Saturday, January 21 – Exodus 1-3; Matthew 14:1-21
Sunday, January 22 – Exodus 4-6; Matthew 14:22-36

Ruby Gulley remains in ICU and has been placed back on the respirator.  I will be checking on her this morning.  Pray.

Kathleen Henderson was perhaps going to be moved from ICU into a regular room yesterday.  Not sure if that happened.  Just pray for Miss Kathleen.

The service for Becky Hatcher’s mother was very good.  Becky & her siblings played a huge part in the service.  Pray for Becky’s father and the entire family.

The visitation with the Carmen Reyer family takes place tomorrow, 1/17, from 9:30AM until the 11:00AM service time.  Everything will take place in our auditorium.  The auditorium Sunday School class is taking care of feeding the family.  Pray for the family and the service.

Becky Sellers continues on her chemotherapy treatment.  Pray for Becky & Dave.

Tim Knighten was not able to attend our services yesterday as he simply does not feel well.  Almost to the end of his treatments.

Lisa Thompson has received some of her leukemia treatments with more scheduled for this week.  Not sure of how that will go as she was not feeling well yesterday.

Carla Kyser is seemingly sleeping more these days.  She is supposed to have a visit by a nurse today.

Good services yesterday.  The comments following the evening service and then the e-mails have been very encouraging about the message and the altar call.  Folks, we need to see God break some chains!  Pray without ceasing!

Our prayer time begins again today from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the auditorium.  Enter/exit the West side door.

GROW tonight beginning at 6:00PM in the church office.

I am told that the first day of basketball went well.  Soy & crew solved the scoreboard issue using an Apple!  Amazing!

Not a huge NFL fan at all but I will say “Go Packers!”  Was glad to see them beat those stinking Cowboys!  (Did not watch the game but did see the score).  I am not a fan of the Cowboys but do give Jerry Jones his props for his position on standing during the playing/singing of the national anthem.  I hope Atlanta wins it all this year!

Soy insisted on driving me to Hattiesburg yesterday for the celebration of life service for Becky’s mother.  Said he wanted to talk to me.  If my count is correct, we spoke seven words between the two of us up there and back.  Basically a perfect trip for me!

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