Pastor's Blog

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Yancey Hall was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  They are truly moving toward knee replacement surgery being done as outpatient surgery.  Pray for Yancey in his therapy and recovery.  Thanks to Deacon Carl Ray Moulds for checking on Yancey and keeping me updated.

Deacons John Milton Ladnier and Larry Whitehurst have visited with Bro. Jerry Hovel in the hospital.  I appreciate them making that visit (other deacons have probably done the same).  Bro. Jerry continues to need our prayer support as he recovers from his most recent surgery.

Jennifer Brinkman’s father may have a test done today as he is having some issues.  Pray for him.

It appears that the funeral service for Jennifer’s grandfather will take place one week from today.  Those arrangements may be finalized today.  Keep praying for the family.

We are on a regular schedule this Sunday morning and evening.  We will recognize our high school graduates in our 10:30AM service and then our children’s choir will present their Spring musical in our 6:00PM service.

Wow, what a Thursday on GRACE Mountain.  Thank God for Ross Genzink!  There has a plumbing problem (drainage) in the most recently build apartment ever since it has been built.  Ross brought a camera with him and literally looked all morning trying to locate the problem.  Just before lunch the problem was located and it then took until 5:00PM to repair it.  That involved taking up paving stones on the outside and then removing a section of the tile inside the feeding center.  Folks, it was not pretty!  However, all is well that ends well and the problem has been solved – praise the Lord and thank God for Ross and his camera!

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Jennifer Brinkman’s paternal grandfather, Walter Kirk, Jr, passed from this life yesterday afternoon.  This was especially tough on Jennifer’s father, Walter Kirk, III, as he could not be with his father during his last days on earth.  Pray for Jennifer and her family as they walk through this valley.

Jennifer’s father was moved from CCU to a regular room yesterday.  Continue to pray for him as he recovers from his open heart surgery.

Yancey Hall did well through his knee replacement surgery.  Deacon Carl Ray Moulds kept me updated through the process and even into the night last night as he called Yancey to get an update.  Pray for Yancey to do well in his recovery.  I do remember Yancey telling me a month or so ago that following his surgery he wanted a cake or pie (cannot remember which he said) every day for so many days following his surgery – LOL!  Someone take poor Yancey some food!

As far as I know, Bro. Jerry remains hospitalized.  I just ask that you keep praying for him as he recovers from his most recent surgery.

I appreciate Jonny Gaston filling in for me yesterday morning and last night.  I also appreciate Sonny Bates and Carl Ray Moulds leading the prayer times.

Larry Whitehurst is the deacon on call today.

Deidra, Kirk Lightfield (translator) and I spent six hours yesterday interviewing twelve potential workers for the school.  Most of these were potential teachers but they also included some in administration.  Pray for wisdom.  I know it was only six hours but my brain was fried by the time those interviews were over.

Ross Genzink arrived on the mountain yesterday afternoon and has not solved a single problem up to this point!  Just saying!

The internet service was non existent for a good period of time yesterday afternoon and then spotty last night.  Why does that happen?   I have no clue.

Lisa remained on the mountain all day yesterday and cooked supper for all of us – delicious!  She also had Audrey all day and trust me when I say that Audrey never stops talking and I mean never!

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Good Wednesday morning from GRACE Mountain in Guatemala.  We are on a regular schedule this morning and tonight on our campus.  Carl Ray Moulds is our deacon on call today.  The church office is open as Rita Boutwell and maybe Debbie Adkinson are filling in for Miss Kittie.

Miss Kittie’s surgical procedure went well yesterday.  They were delayed in getting started but all is well that ends well in situations like this.  We thank God for blessing Miss Kittie in this way.  Keep praying.

Bro. Jerry Hovel had another surgery yesterday.  The doctors believe they have now rectified his problem.  I guess time will tell.  Obviously, Bro. Jerry remains in the hospital.  Keep praying!

Jennifer Brinkman’s father continues to be in the hospital recovering from his heart surgery.  He needs our prayer support.

Yancey Hall will have knee replacement surgery today.  Pray that all goes well.

We need to hear from all of our high seniors who plan on attending the 10:30AM service this Sunday, May 19.  Please call the church office no later than tomorrow, 5/16.

Ross Genzink is scheduled to arrive in Guatemala today in order to handle some plumbing issues on GRACE Mountain.  Ross is the man!  Pray that he will have safe travels and that he can resolve the issues.  Yes, he will probably lean on me a great deal but that is why I am here!  Will not be the first time!

What did I do yesterday?  Had the privilege of driving Lizzi & Sydney to school.  Deidra and I then went down and toured the school construction.  I went and spent time with Paul Leytham.  He looks really good.  We then met Kirk & Michelle Lightfield for lunch and time of meeting.  I went to get a haircut but my barber was not in – I was majorly disappointed.  I will try again this morning as I so need a haircut and shave!  We then took Deidra and the girls down to mall for supper and time in the arcade.  I visited with the team that is in the mission house.  This team is led by Dr. Steve Fineberg and includes one of Phillip Turner’s aunts.  Also includes a guy by the name of Kip who worked with Morris Bryant for years.  The team left GRACE Mountain this morning at 3:00AM as their flight is at 6:30AM.   They had a good week.

Today will see Deidra and me conducting potential teacher interviews for six or so hours.  Pray for godly wisdom.  This is phase one of our three part process.

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

(This entry was written on Tuesday night, 5/14, due to the fact that Guatemala is one hour behind Grand Bay and I like to publish early whenever possible)

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

This entry is late.  I apologize.  Good morning from GRACE Mountain in Guatemala.  The Lord blessed Lisa and me with traveling mercies yesterday.  We are grateful.

Jennifer Brinkman’s father did well through his heart surgery.  They had some difficulties but all ended well.  Pray for his complete healing.

Miss Kittie Camp will be having a pacemaker implanted today.  Pray that all goes well and that this will be a huge health blessing to Miss Kittie.  Deacon Sonny Bates is on call and he is obviously going to be with her.

Tena sent a text to Lisa this morning saying Bro. Jerry had more tests yesterday and they are awaiting the results.  So he did not go home from the hospital yesterday.  Keep praying.

Yancey Hall is scheduled to have a knee replaced tomorrow.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Jennifer Brinkman’s father will be having open heart surgery this morning.  As far as I know, they will be doing three by passes.  Pray that all goes well.

Justin Ellerman will be having eye surgery this morning.  Pray that this surgery will correct the problem he is having with his eye.

Deacon Raymond Wilkinson is on call today and will covering these two surgeries.

Miss Kittie Camp will have a pacemaker implanted tomorrow morning.  Deacon Sonny Bates will be the deacon on call and will be with Miss Kittie during that procedure.  Pray that all goes well.

Yancey Hall will have knee replacement surgery on Wednesday.  Deacon Carl Ray Moulds will be the deacon on call and will be at the hospital with Yancey & family.  Pray for a successful surgery and quick recovery.

Sierra Edwards daughter, Melissa, is in a Birmingham area hospital.  She needs our prayers.  As of this writing, Sierra has not gone up there but is apt to do so at any time.  Pray for Melissa, Sierra and the rest of the family.

Bro. Jerry Hovel remains in the hospital.  Tena said he is getting better and the doctors say it is just going to take time.  Keep praying.

Wow, we had some wet weather yesterday morning just before time for our first service.  It did affect our attendance but we still had a good day.  We even had a nice attendance in our evening service.

The parent/child dedication went well.  Each of the speakers did a very nice job.  Pray for these young families.

Lisa and I be heading to Guatemala today, Lord willing.  Our deacons have everything under control ministry wise.  Our plan is to arrive back in Grand Bay this Saturday.  Lots to do in Guatemala but nothing more important than seeing Deidra and the girls.

I plan on blogging daily while away but that could change.  Just FYI.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Bro. Jerry Hovel was not discharged from the hospital yesterday.  It now appears that he will not be discharged until tomorrow or possibly Tuesday.  He says that he is better.  Just keep praying.

Jennifer Brinkman’s father had a heart cath on Friday.  They kept him in the hospital and have him scheduled for open heart surgery tomorrow.  However, the last I heard from Jennifer that surgery could take place today.  Pray for this situation.

It appears that today is going to be a wet one as far as the weather is concerned.  I am in hopes that the members of the Friendship family will be faithful to attend regardless of the weather.

Lisa and I enjoyed a good visit with my family especially my mama.  Eddie & Sue were great hosts.  It is the first time that all four of her children have been with mama on Mother’s Day weekend since at least 1978.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Good Saturday morning from the bustling metropolis of Rocky Ford, Alabama.  Lisa and I arrived in Decatur around 7:15PM or so last night to enjoy supper with Eddie & Sue at Big Bob Gibson’s Bar-b-que – oh my!  North Alabama has some amazing bar-b-que restaurants and there is none better than Big Bob’s!  The white sauce is the bomb!

Bro. Jerry was not discharged from the hospital yesterday.  Just keep praying, please.

There is someone else who has been admitted to the hospital and is facing surgery but I do not know if I have the right to disclose the name so I will just ask that you pray.  I am pretty particular about privacy matters when it comes to the blog.

Six sets of parents were asked to submit photos of their children for our parent/child dedication service tomorrow.  Five sets responded in a timely manner.  One set did not.  I will not call them out but I will say the father goes by two different names like Bob Smith and Bill Jones.  Just saying!

Were they robbed?  JT and the Leopards were down 7 – 4 in the top of the sixth inning yesterday.  JT has just doubled so runners were on second and third with the tying run at the plate with only one out.  There was a lightning strike in the area and then the rain came for about thirty minutes.  Weather delay.  Then the umpire came out and announced the game was over.  It is within the rules but something seems so wrong about the way this went down.  Anyway, JT had a great high school career and now takes his talents to the college level.  Congratulations JT!

As you know, Lisa and I will be in Guatemala next week and Bro. Jerry is sick.  So, our deacons will be on call.  Here is that schedule along with phone numbers.

DEACONS ON CALL:

Monday, 5/13 – Raymond Wilkinson (680 1532)

Tuesday, 5/14 – Sonny Bates (421 7723)

Wednesday, 5/15 – Carl Moulds (510 4045)

Thursday, 5/16 – Larry Whitehurst (605 3002)

Friday, 5/17 – Bobby Broome (463 1786)

Saturday, 5/18 – John Ladnier (272 6667)

Brad Hutto and TJ Vice can also be available in the evenings, if needed.  Jeff Holifield will be out of town all week with work.

Going to enjoy fellowship and a meal with my parents, siblings and their spouses today before heading home.  Looking forward to honoring mama in this way.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Bro. Jerry Hovel remains hospitalized but hopefully not for long.  Humanly speaking, a big part of the reason for his turnaround is a huge bag of “nutrients” being given to him intravenously.  One of Bro. Jerry’s friends who is a nurse calls it his “meat and potatoes.”  Not sure what it is because I am not medical but I know the Lord has used it to bring an almost instant type of healing to his body.  Now, he still has a ways to go to get back to normal but he is on the right road.  Praise the Lord.  Keep praying.

This Sunday, 5/12, is going to be a special day in the life of the Friendship family.  First, it will be special because it is Mother’s Day.  We will recognize the mothers present in both of our morning services with special recognition going to the oldest mother in attendance.

Second, our 10:30AM will be special as we will have our annual “parent/child dedication” service.  We have seven children and their parents being dedicated and making commitments.  We are going to do something that we have never done before and this has included the help of my wife and our twins.  What is it?  Come and see.  I can tell you that is “neat” as far as I am concerned.

We need to hear from our Class of 2019 high school graduates who plan to take part in the service at 10:30AM on May 19.  Call the church office or contact Dale Bosarge personally.  The sooner, the better.

I have spent the past few days making my garden a “Santa Claus garden” as it has been hoe, hoe, hoe!  Actually broke my hoe on Tuesday morning but Gina made a trip to Grand Bay Auto Supply and Shawn Felps hooked me up with a new one.  So, I was able to get all rows hoed and the entire garden plowed before the rains came yesterday.  The insects have found my garden so spraying everything will be next.  Pastor Jordan, I have never had a better stand of corn.  God is good!

Charles has done a ton of mowing on the hill the past two days.  He was trying to get ahead of the rain and he did so very nicely.  I will probably get billed for it even though it is his yard/property that he mowed.  Oh well, helped me time wise.

“Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose and sometimes you get rained out!”  The latter of those three happened to JT & the Leopards yesterday.  They are supposed to play that “rubber” game this afternoon but it is not looking promising per the weather forecast.

Lord willing, Lisa and I will leave at some point today and drive to Hartselle.  My siblings and I, along with our spouses, will have lunch tomorrow (Saturday) with our parents for Mother’s Day.  Mama is eighty years old and we need to honor her while we can.  Tomorrow is not promised to any of us.  Lisa and I plan to drive back to Grand Bay tomorrow afternoon.  Lord willing I will be in all three of our worship services this Sunday.  The same remains true for the following Sunday and the four following that.

I was told yesterday that the reason I have been asking folks to not visit Bro. Jerry is because he is on his death bed.  (The person who told me this is very sweet and was kind enough to ask me up front which I appreciate)  Bro. Jerry has been very sick and has often been sick to his stomach i.e. nauseated.  You really do not want folks “watching you or staring at you” during such times – do you?  Bro. Jerry was so sick that he did not feel like “entertaining” folks.  Rumors, you have to love them, right?  It has been well said that “a lie can run round the world before the truth has got its boots on.”  I remember Bro. Robbie Howard saying that many times over.  I have basically never known “they say” to get it right.  Have you?  That is what I thought.

Well, Bobby & the boys destroyed the Dodgers last night – what is up with that!  Yes, I am fan of the Dodgers but I am a fan of Bobby Henley first so congrats to Bobby and the Nationals.

I pray that you will have a great Friday with Jesus.  I am waiting on daybreak so I can mow.  Lisa says that if I do not get the yard mowed then we will not be driving to see my mama!  How tough is that?

Visited with Bro. Jerry this afternoon and folks “the demise of Bro. Jerry Hovel has been greatly exaggerated!”  Bro. Jerry looked better than I have seen him look in weeks.  He said he feels better.  It is within the realm of possibility that he will be discharged tomorrow but Saturday may be more realistic.

We prayed as a church family yesterday.  God has answered those prayers!  Praise Him!  Keep praying!  Keep believing!

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Bro. Jerry remains in the hospital.  He was very weak when I visited with him yesterday morning.  I am of the opinion that he does not need visitors at this time.  He does need prayer.  Pray without ceasing.

Miss Martez is a happy camper as she was discharged from the hospital yesterday just after noon.  Pray for her continued healing.

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday – morning and evening.  We give God the glory.

I need our nine deacons to check their e-mail.  I need for Brad, Raymond, Sonny & TJ to contact John Milton personally either via e-mail or phone.

Pastor Clint Landry has resigned from First Baptist Arab and has accepted the call to be the pastor of First Baptist Foley beginning May 26.  Congratulations to Pastor Clint, Suzy and family.  Pray for them.

JT and the Leopards lost the first game yesterday afternoon and then won the nightcap which means they will play a winner take all game today.  I am not sure of the game time.  If they can win today then they will play in the championship game next week.

Bobby and the boys are struggling.  Leslie Hacker’s Braves have hit a rough patch for the time being.  The ebb and flow of a baseball season.

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