Pastor's Blog

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

Anna Carol Bosarge will see the doctor today.  Pray for Anna Carol.

Charles was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon.  He is doing well.  Thank you to all who prayed and checked on him.

Visited with the gentleman who only has a few days to live per the medical folks.  No change.  I am heading to the hospital this morning to check on him.

The visitation and service for Anna Suthoff’s maternal grandmother will take place this afternoon in Pell City.  Pray for the family as they walk through this valley.

Bro. Andy Hamil sent me an update on the pastor’s wife in the Tuscaloosa area who has been battling a brain tumor for the past five years.  She is seemingly in her last days.  Pray for her, her husband and the family.

I find myself thinking about the families of those twenty three persons who lost their earthly lives in the tornadoes this past Sunday afternoon.  We need to continue to pray for them.

I have heard of a pretty good number of folks who are battling sicknesses which include the flu.  Not good.  Pray for them.

Regular schedule this morning and tonight for the Friendship family.

Our two mission trips in January and February of 2020 are filled to capacity and beyond.  Still have spaces on our December 2019 trip if anyone is interested.

I have enjoyed the cooler days and nights this week.  Probably the last cold we will experience this Winter.  I am grateful for these few days of refreshment.

Personally, I do not think the Alabama basketball team should be invited to the big dance.  It is painful watching them play – get a big lead and then squander it away in the second half.  Oh for the days of Newton and Sanderson!

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

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

Charles did well through his surgery.  It appears that he will be discharged from the hospital today.

We have had a gentleman on our prayer list for several months as Bro. Jerry Hovel had shared of this man’s battle with cancer.  It was not until yesterday afternoon that I realized that I have know this man for about thirty eight years.  I went and visited with his family last night.  They were in the process of moving him from intensive care to a room where he will be under hospice care.  He is only forty nine years old.  Pray for him and his family.

The service for James Henry Doole is scheduled to begin at 11:00AM today from the chapel of Serenity Funeral Home.  If you are helping with the meal then please have the food at the church no later than 10:30AM.  Please label any dishes that need to be returned as the food will taken to a residence for the meal.

Yes, the church office is open regular hours today (8:00AM until 12:00PM; 1:00PM until 4:30PM).

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening on our campus.

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)

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our services yesterday.  Really good attendance in our early service.  Second service was down a bit but that was expected because of the public schools being out this week.  The evening attendance was good in spite of the schools closing and the rain that came in the afternoon.  I am thankful for a people who are faithful.

Lisa’s dad, Charles Clark, is having knee replacement surgery this morning.  They just left so I am going over to find his Last Will & Testament and put myself in it!

Pray for Anna Carol Bosarge this week!  It was good to see her in our early service yesterday.  The lady is a trooper!

Pray for Catherine Leach and Dollie Trout.  Both are in a rehab facility.

Sarah Thornton’s sister, Viola, is also in a local rehab facility so pray for her too.

Vinnie Brewer’s sister, Donna, remains hospitalized in Mississippi.  Pray for her.

The visitation with the James Doole family takes place tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM at Serenity.  Service tomorrow at 11:00AM also from Serenity.

Thank you to each person who is helping feed the Doole family.  Food needs to be in our fellowship hall no later than 10:30AM tomorrow.  Special thanks to Tina Wilkinson for coordinating this ministry.

Pray for the families in Lee County, Alabama.  Over twenty deaths and widespread destruction because of the tornadoes yesterday afternoon.

Anna Arrington Suthoff’s grandmother passed away over the weekend.  Pray for Anna and her family during this time.

Loving these cooler temperatures!  Calling for thirty three tonight and thirty tomorrow night.  I hope they are wrong!  Hope they go to twenty three and twenty respectively!  Just saying!  (We will not reach the predicted lows in Grand Bay – never do!)

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)

Miss Dollie was moved to a rehab facility yesterday.  I do not think she is thrilled about not going home but it is necessary for her at this time.  Keep praying for Miss Dollie.

Yard sale in the CAB today from 7:00AM until 5:00PM.  I do not know if they are selling anything but I do there were like one million cars in the parking lot yesterday.

Had meeting with Carl Ray Moulds yesterday regarding security.  We now have a camera installed in each room in the preschool building minus one.  That camera will be put in place soon.  Good news to me.

Regular schedule for the Friendship family this Sunday morning and evening.

Deacons meet at 5:00PM this Sunday.

Looks like we are going to be dodging rain showers over the next two days and then will get wet on Sunday.  The Lord knows.  I just hope they are correct on the thirty degrees readings for a couple of nights next week!

I pray that you will have a great Friday with Jesus.  Enjoy March 2019 because it will be gone tomorrow!

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

And in a few short hours February 2019 will be history!  Wow, that was certainly fast!  The highlight of the month for me personally was the groundbreaking on 2/1 for the new school in Guatemala.  What a huge blessing as the workers are busily moving along toward the 12/31/19 completion deadline.

The annual yard sale begins at 7:00AM today, repeats the process tomorrow, and then again on Saturday morning.  Auction begins at 5:00PM on Saturday.

Visited Miss Dollie early yesterday morning.  She still was not feeling well.  Not sure what the next move will be in her care.

Anna Carol Bosarge continues to need our prayer support as her pain is intense.  Please pray for Anna Carol.

Good day in our services yesterday morning and evening.  I am told that our students had a good Bible study with Dale.  Dale will soon be meeting with those actively involved in our student ministry to make some plans going forward.

It was great seeing Bubba Baggett in our service last night.  Welcome home Bubba.  Good bye Bubba.  (He leaves again in two weeks)

Does Katie Tillman still attend Friendship?  I “thought” I saw her this past Sunday morning in one of our services but she did not come speak to me so that could not have been her.  I have not seen her on a Wednesday night since like 1993.  Anyone have any information?  (It seems that Bubba attends more than Katie.  Just saying!)

The good news for Katie and others is that folks can give online through our website.  Simple process.

I am not a big buffet person.  However, if I am ever at a buffet then you can have the crab legs!  Dr. Rex, what is going on in Huntsville?

Bill Kendrick’s fellow fans were not happy campers last night following their game against UT.  Bill, can you not control your fanbase?

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)

As I mentioned in yesterday’s blog entry, Scott Older’s uncle passed from this life on Sunday.  The visitation with the family takes place this morning from 9:00AM until the 11:00AM service.  Everything at Radney’s on Dauphin Street.  Pray for the family.

Visited with Dollie Trout early yesterday morning.  She was not feeling well but said they had mentioned discharging her.  Not sure if that happened.

Maria’s sister, Cathy, was discharged from the hospital yesterday.

Well, in my opinion the United Methodists delegates meeting in St. Louis got it right yesterday.  I hope to meet with Pastor Jeff Switzer one day next week to learn more about what is next for the denomination and the individual churches.  I was unaware the conference was being streamed live until around 11:00AM.  I then watched it from then until the vote as taken.  Took me back to the annual meetings of the SBC many years ago.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.  Dale Bosarge will be teaching our students.

The yard sale begins tomorrow in the CAB.

Interested in the December 2019 or either of the February 2020 mission trips to Guatemala?  If so, you must contact me personally via e-mail to sign up.

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

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

Visited with Elaine Brown late yesterday morning and she was waiting to be discharged from the hospital.  They had gotten her heart back into rhythm and her enzymes were going back to an acceptable level.  That is good news.

Miss Dollie Trout said she was feeling much better but the doctors had not talked about discharging her.  She is ready to go home.  Pray for Miss Dollie.

Edna told me yesterday that Maria’s sister, Cathy, is doing well and “may” be discharged from the hospital today.  Keep praying for Cathy.

Peggy Knighten decided to skip our services this past Sunday and spent the day in a local ER.  I think she decided that she might rather listen to my preaching.  She will be doing follow up visits with a cardiologist.  Pray for Peggy.

Went and found David & Kim French’s adopted son, John, while at the hospital visiting Miss Dollie.  He had three stents put in place while I was in Guatemala.  He looked well and was working hard.  Who is John?  If you had to ask then you have never met John!

Scott Older’s uncle, James, passed from this life this past Sunday.  The obit has not been published online as of now but word is that the visitation will take place tomorrow (Wednesday) from 9:00AM until the 11:00AM service time.  Visitation and service will take place at Radney’s Funeral Home on Dauphin Street in Mobile.  Pray for Annie and family during this time.

Bro. Jerry and others are busily preparing for the annual yard sale that will take place this Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the CAB.  If you are looking for something to do today then just go to the CAB and they will put you to work.

Regular schedule on the Friendship campus tomorrow morning and evening.

Amy Reynolds says we have like one hundred and thirty something players in our soccer leagues.  Practice begins the week of March 11.  Pray for these leagues.  Yes, Bob Evans will be serving as a coach – enough said.

Finally heard from Sommer.  Actually Sommer & Sandra tried to leave comments on earlier posts.  Folks, if you are not current on your subscription then you cannot leave a comment.  Just saying!

Mission trip openings – December 4 – 11, 2019; January 30 – February 6, 2020 and February 6 – 13, 2020.  Potential school dedication ceremony February 7, 2020.  Interested in any of these trips?  Contact me personally via e-mail.

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)

What a joy to baptize Ava Brown and Billy Wiggins last night.

Miss Dollie Trout remains hospitalized.  Lord willing, I will visit with her this morning.  Pray for Miss Dollie

Cecil Guidry told me yesterday that Elaine Brown has been admitted to the hospital.  I will also be checking on her this morning.  Pray for Elaine.

Maria came home from Louisiana but her sister, Cathy, remains hospitalized.  Pray for Cathy.

We prayed for the United Methodist denomination in our services yesterday morning.  Today and tomorrow are huge days for them.  Pray.

The Friendship family has called Dale Bosarge as our interim student minister.  Does this mean he is coming off the road?  No.  It just means that Dale’s schedule is such that he can serve in this capacity until the end of May, if needed.  He is scheduled to be home every Wednesday except one during those three months.  When he is not on the road on a Wednesday he is in our services.  Now he will be leading our students instead of being in the auditorium.  Pray as we seek God’s direction regarding a student minister.

There is a mission trip to Guatemala the dates of Wednesday, December 4, through Wednesday, December 11, 2019.  If you are interested in taking part in this trip then you need to contact me via e-mail by the end of March.

Also, there are mission trips Thursday, January 30, through Thursday, February 6, 2020 and then Thursday, February 6, through Thursday, February 13, 2020.  These are our medical/dental/building trips.  It is highly possible that the new school will be dedicated on Friday, February 7, 2020.  If you are interested in joining either of these teams then e-mail me as soon as possible.  These trips are filling quickly and will reach capacity very soon.

How about this weather?  So nice!  Thank you Jesus.

I did hear from Sandra McElwee.  Claims their subscription to the blog is set up on an automatic withdrawal basis.  Nice story but we do not offer such stuff!  We are giving them “grace” by allowing them to catch up over several months.

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)

There will be a final sign up for soccer this morning in the CAB.  The time is from 9:30AM until 11:00AM.  Last call!  Pass the word, please.

Miss Dollie Trout remains hospitalized.  She is better but, as of yesterday morning, they had not talked about sending her home.  Pray for Miss Dollie.

Maria’s sister, Cathy, was taken off of the vent yesterday.  Obviously, that is huge.  Keep praying for Cathy.

Will you take a moment and pray for Pastor Tim Tindle and his wife, Denise?  She is battling cancer and has been doing so for about five years now.  These are difficult days for them.  Tim pastors the church where Andy & Betty Hamil attend during the college football season.

Brandon & Pam Baker tell me that their son, JZ, is doing better.  He was at UAB for evaluations earlier this week.  Thank you for praying.

“They” are saying that we may get some rain later tonight and then into tonight.  However, tomorrow is supposed to be really nice with no rain, mild temperatures and much lower humidity.  It seems to me that Winter missed South Alabama.  We just did not have much in the way of cooler temperatures.  I am of the opinion that we need some freezing temperatures in December, January and February to help us in the Spring/Summer.  However, I trust the Lord in the matter of weather too.

Speaking of weather, the folks in North Alabama, North Mississippi, Tennessee, et cetera have been getting hit really hard with the rains and flooding.  I am glad that we are not dealing with that and we need to pray for those folks.

Mike & Janice Moreland reported in and they are alive and well.  Their subscription to this blog is way past due but we are all about grace in that area.  The McElwees?  No shows.  Sommer?  No show.  We are precariously close to dipping down to nine readers.  How tragic would that be?  I read somewhere that if a blog has less than double digit readers it can be “blocked” by Al & friends!

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening for the Friendship family.  Will you be faithful?

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)

The celebration of life service for Jimmy Tagert’s father will take place today beginning at noon from the chapel of Serenity Funeral Home.  Bro. Jerry Hovel will preach the service.  Pray for the Tagert family during this time.

Miss Dollie Trout remains in the hospital.  Lord willing, I will visit her today.

Mission of Hope service tonight beginning at 7:00PM in their chapel.  Dale Bosarge and Bryan Drake will tag team with the sharing of the Gospel.  Everyone invited to attend.

There will be one more sign up for our soccer leagues.  That will take place tomorrow (Saturday) morning from 9:30 – 11:00AM in the CAB.  If you need more information contact Amy Reynolds.

Regular schedule this Sunday morning and evening.  Baptism in our evening service.

I am asking the Personnel Committee to meet at 5:00PM this Sunday.

I mentioned this in the service on Wednesday.  If you go to this past Monday’s blog at shininglightabroad.com then you will be blessed by the video.  Just take my word on this one!  Ladies, tissues will be needed!

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