Pastor’s Blog

Phil Sims called yesterday to say that the latest test on his son-in-law, Darren Haynes, revealed no cancer in his brain – praise the Lord!

Martha Patrick was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  James Davis will most likely be relocated to the Grand Bay Convalescent Home today for his physical therapy.

Mission of Hope ministry tonight at 7:00PM.  The bus leaves the church around 6:15PM.  John Meredith will be sharing the Word with the men tonight.  Pray for that service.

Chris Howell & Sherry Lavelle worked on the carpet installation in the CAB last night.  I do not know if they got it finished but I do appreciate all that has been done up to this point.

Morris Bryant & Tim Knighten looked the air conditioning situation in the choir room last night too.  I appreciate the time they gave to help us get that situation remedied although I don’t know what the final verdict will be.

We are postponing the ordination of Rob Nevin until Sunday evening, 9/12.  He is still having pain in his back and it will be best to wait just in case.

We will have a formal presentation of Bro. Robbie Howard as Pastor Emeritus on Sunday evening, 9/26.  The title emeritus is most often given to, but not exclusively limited to, members of the clergy and professors.  It means one is retired from his last position but can still do some of the duties related to that position.  In Bro. Robbie’s case, it means while he isn’t doing all of the things a pastor does on a daily basis he is still preaching.  Folks, it means he is old!  LOL!

Ladies, don’t forget the shower for Bella tomorrow morning at 10:00AM.

Saw Kevin Wadkins last night and he is still interested in starting multiple volleyball leagues.  I think he is starting a website www.kevinlovesvolleyball.com or something like that.  Rumor has it that he is building a volleyball gym at his place – wow!

It is 3:15AM and Lisa says that I have to get the groceries bought and the yard mowed before daybreak or I can’t go fishing with Tony Hacker today.  So, I gotta go!  Hope you have a great Friday with Jesus!

The Friendship family now has a Pastor Emeritus – Dr. Robbie Howard!  This title was bestowed upon Bro. Robbie last night as a joint motion came from the deacons & finance committee and was unanimously approved by the church family.  It also allows folks to contribute financially to Bro. Robbie’s ministry by simply marking “2 x 2″ or Bro. Robbie on the designated side of an offering envelope.  This is a proud moment in my life as a pastor to have Bro. Robbie recognized in this way.  We will be having a more formal presentation during one of our Sunday night services in September.

145, one hundred and forty-five! That is the number of students who were present for Bible study last night!  Wow!  We need to continue to get them involved in our Sunday School and Sunday services but we are very thankful that they are coming to this time of study in the Word.  Pray for Bro. Chris, Bro. Dale, and those who work with our students.

We almost had as many in our morning service yesterday as we did last Wednesday on our eatin’ meetin’ day.  Folks, our Wednesday numbers have been really good in recent weeks and, while I thank you for being faithful, I give God the glory for what He is doing!  It is great!

Of course, my day ended with a really good time with our young adults as we continue to study Radical.  Our first three weeks have proven beneficial.  Pray for those involved in this study!

Rob Nevin was taken to the hospital yesterday morning in severe pain thinking it was being caused by kidney stones.  The doctors decided it was not kidney stones and sent him home with medication.  James Davis and Martha Patrick remain hospitalized.  The funeral service for Larry Blackwell’s grandmother will take place today in Lake Charles, LA.  Carla Kyser has been put on a new medication in hopes it will improve her appetite.

Seven more days until the 2010 college football season begins – nice!  The Braves thought they were the Dodgers last night and the Cards continue to struggle.  Do you realize that Pujols or Votto (Reds) could possibly win the triple crown in the NL this year?  Hasn’t been done in the NL since the 30’s.  I would like to see one of them do it as that takes much more than just luck.

Hope you have a great Thursday with Jesus!

I was wrong when I wrote yesterday that James Davis had been moved to another room within the hospital.  Don’t know if that has happened yet or not but do know he is still hospitalized.

Martha Patrick remains hospitalized too.  Not sure all that is wrong with her but it came after her latest heart cath.

Larry Blackwell’s grandmother passed away.  I think she lived in Louisiana.  Larry will not be physically able to attend the funeral service.  Pray for Larry’s family during this time.

Chris Howell, Jay Black, Tony Hacker, & Sherry Lavelle began the process of installing the carpet in the CAB last night.  I appreciate their work!  PLEASE NOTE – the upstairs area of the CAB is off limits to everyone tonight including the classes that normally meet in those rooms! Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

There will be a “toddler shower” brunch for Bella Wilkerson this Saturday, 8/28, beginning at 10:00AM.  It will take place in the home of Bro. Jerry & Tena Hovel.  Ladies, you are encourage to attend this “come and go” shower.

Normal day today around Friendship.  It will conclude with our young adults continuing their study of Radical.  I hope to be joined by a large number of the Friendship family members for our study times/worship services.

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

James Davis has been moved to another room within the hospital as they continue to evaluate and decide what the next step will be in his situation.  Martha Patrick is also in the hospital but I do not know the details of her situation.  Pastor Art Burroughs did well through his procedure in Birmingham yesterday and is expected to come home today.

We had a pretty good number out for our visitation last night.  Some good visits were made although I went 0 for 3 in my attempts to find anyone at home.  Thanks to each one who took part in this ministry.

The carpet in the upstairs of the CAB was removed last night.  I saw Tony Hacker, Rusty Suthoff, Chris Howell, Jay Black (can you believe it?), Chad Blakeney, and Chris Taylor (not sure if he was helping or socializing).  If there were others, I will find out and give them a shout out tomorrow!  Thanks to these guys for helping the process continue.  Word has it that the installation of the carpet will begin tonight so the end (upstairs) is definitely in sight!  Praise the Lord!

2011 mission trips sign up update – it appears that all three of our summer trips will reach capacity plus.  Members of the Friendship family must sign up by this Sunday, 8/29, in order to reserve their spot on one of the trips.  There may be openings for you later but no guarantees.  Again, the dates are June 16 – 23 (Pastor), July 14 – 21 (Bro. Jerry) and July 21 – 28 (young adults only).

Pretty big day around the Turrentine house as Hien begins college (Harvard on the Highway) and Daphne begins teaching in the nursing program in college.  Thanks to Rhea Rhea for being Hien’s wheels!

Kirk Herbstreit became my siblings favorite ESPN personality this past weekend while he completely fell off my list!  Why?  Picked AU to win the SEC west this season.  He has been around Lou Holtz way too long!  Only 9 days until the college football season begins!

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

We had a good Sunday and we give God thanks!  Our evening service was especially well attended.  I am grateful for folks who place an emphasis on attending Sunday night church services!  Thank you Friendship family!

James Davis remains hospitalized and the plans continue to be to place him in a physical rehabilitation facility for 21 days.  The process of placing him should begin today.  Pray for James and  his family.

Pastor Art Burroughs, Fulton Road Baptist, is in Birmingham today having a procedure done on his heart.  I don’t know all of the details but do know that Pastor Art has had problems for years and the time has come to take a corrective action surgically.  Pray for him, his family, and his church family.

Bro. Jerry will be leading another night of our visitation tonight beginning at 6:00PM.  You are invited to take part in this ministry.

Tony Hacker tells me that the carpet work will begin tonight at 6:00PM.  I don’t know if that is removal, installation, or both.  Of course, it has been beginning at 6:00PM for the past four or five nights so we’ll see!  By the way, I do appreciate Tony & Ryan Hatcher working last Friday night putting up the cabinets & cork boards in the rooms.

Friendship family, we are down to one week for you to sign up for one of our 2011 GRACE trips.  The students (9th – 12th) will go April 15 – 22 and the other dates are June 16 – 23 (Pastor), July 14 – 21 (Bro. Jerry), and July 21 – 28 (young adults only).

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

James Davis was taken by ambulance to a hospital yesterday afternoon.  Lisa & I visited with James & Imelda last night.  It appears he will be in the hospital for a couple of days and then moved to a rehabilitation facility.  Pray for James.

Again, I remind our ladies of the wedding shower for Morgan Rogers.  It will take place from 2:00 – 4:00PM tomorrow in the fellowship hall.  She is registered at Target and Bed, Bath, & Beyond.

Pray for Steve Morris as his beloved Cards are now 4.5 games out of first place in their division and 3 games out of the wild card race.  Are they toast?

Meanwhile, Jeanette Strahan and the Braves continue to hang tough as they lead the Phillies by 2.5 games in their division.

What really matters is that two weeks from today Bama takes the field!  Yes, Jr., I am ready for some football!

No major updates on those who are battling affliction/cancer except to say that Miss Vinnie Brewer’s daughter, Shirley Nelson, got a good report yesterday as a result of her heart cath.  Roy Blodgett got an excellent report regarding his tumors – got them all and no treatments necessary!  Praise the Lord!

Karla Cooper’s uncle, Lowell Howard, had heart by-pass surgery yesterday but I don’t have an update.  Talked to Karla this morning and her uncle did well as he received four by-passes and was taken off the ventilator last night.  Awesome!

I do want to remind the ladies of the Friendship family of the wedding shower for Morgan Rogers this Sunday afternoon, 8/22, from 2:00 – 4:00PM in the fellowship hall.  I think she is registered at Greer’s in the Bayou & Bay Hardware but you had better check to make sure!

Soy’s mother, “Myrna from Smyrna”, leaves today going back to Atoka, TN.  It has been good to have her here i.e. Soy has spent time with her meaning he has left me alone!  I suspect he will be back around here tomorrow wanting me to help him ride his bicycle, build things with his Legos, whatever!  O my!  By the way, Soy’s dad, Curtis, will have surgery on Monday so please pray for him.

Plans are a go for our student ministry GRACE trip to Guatemala the dates of Friday, April 15, through Friday, April 22, 2011.  This will be for high school (9th – 12th) students only and Bro. Chris will select the chaperones based on need, involvement with the student ministry, et cetera.  Students, sign up now using the forms in the foyer of the auditorium.

Remember, members of the Friendship family have until next Sunday, 8/29, to sign up “first” for the Summer 2011 GRACE trips.  There may be an opportunity later but others will most likely use all open slots.  Time is of the essence!

Can’t mow grass today as my mower went down last Saturday.  Had it placed in the “mower hospital” this past Monday and had a phone consultation with the “mower doctor” yesterday.  Bad news – gear box destroyed!  Great news – under warranty!  Actually, it is called grace!   Praise the Lord!

So, either today or tomorrow Charles expects me to mow his grass using his mower.  He says that he is going to give me a price break on the rental since my mower is in the shop.  Please don’t tell him that the repairs are under warranty or he will up the price of rental on his mower!

Are the Cards toast?  3.5 games out now.  The Braves continue to impress me!  The NCAA is out to get Bama – Hill didn’t qualify after having been declared eligible?  Please!  Does anyone know how much it cost to “rent” a vehicle to drive from Hartselle, AL to El Tejar, Guatemala?  Have a couple of friends who are going to need that service in October!

I pray that you will have a great Friday/weekend with Jesus.  Go to church – even you Dave Westhouse!

P.S. – Bret, got the screws!  Thanks!

God blessed, you came, and “Potluck with the Pastor” was a success!  Lisa, Daphne, Ann & Bro. Jerry did a great job of having everything ready for our dining pleasure as soon as the service was over.  You brought some delicious vegetables which was the proverbial “icing on the cake!”  We had our largest attendance ever (I think) for a Wednesday morning service and the fellowship around the table was sweet.  So, plans have been made to host our second “PWTP” on Wednesday, September 15.  It will be a fish fry (Delta catfish) and Phil Sims will be the chief fish fryer!  More details to come!

Great food was the order of the day as we finished the day with our 8:00PM Bible study at Soy & Deidra’s house.  Soy’s mother, “Myrna from Smyrna”, cooked a delicious Asian meal with egg rolls, chicken on a stick, noodles, pine apple (uncooked) and cassava cake.  Add one of Diane Bryant’s awesome cakes and it was an great meal!  Thank you Myrna for doing such an outstanding job of feeding that crew!  BTW, the second session of our Radical Bible study went very well too!

We had 125 students present for Bible study last night!  Wow!  Our Wednesday night numbers have been really good for the past two weeks.  Glory to God!

Pray for the Van Vels and Massey families today as they go through the respective funeral services for Dan (Michigan) & Ronny (Huntsville).

James Davis is at home but is not doing well physically so pray for him.

Miss Vinnie Brewer’s daughter, Shirley Nelson, will have a heart cath done today in Nashville, TN.  Pray that all goes well.

Pattie Suthoff posted a comment with an update on Gage Hudson yesterday.  He is doing better but certainly still needs our prayers.

Whitney Bryant is having a full body scan which is a part of her normal check up.  I am not sure if that takes place today but pray that all goes well.

Lord willing, tonight at 6:00PM the process of installing the carpet in the upstairs of the CAB begins.  I saw John & Tammy Curl finishing the painting yesterday morning.  I plan on spending today getting some of the items i.e. cabinets, marker boards, dry erase boards, et cetera that are needed to finish out some of the rooms.

Friendship family – mission trip sign up for Summer 2011 – now is the time!

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

Today, we will try something that we have never done before but I have wanted to do for some time now as we are having “Potluck with the Pastor” immediately following the morning service.  My wife has graciously agreed to miss her time at the Women’s Resource Center in order to be here to help get everything ready and to serve as the hostess for the meal.  Lisa & I are providing the meat (roast & ham), rolls, drinks, & dessert (cobbler & ice cream).  We are simply asking the others in attendance to bring the vegetables – enough for whoever is with you plus one!  My mother-in-law, Ann, is giving Lisa an assist and I appreciate her help.  Join us for worship at 10:00AM and a meal at 11:00AM.  We are beating the community center price!

Miss Linda Jackson called yesterday to say that Bro. Lewis is having some physical problems related to his surgical procedure of last Wednesday.  Pray for him.

Daphne called yesterday to tell me that Coach Ronnie Massey passed away early Tuesday morning.  His funeral service will take place in Huntsville tomorrow afternoon and Bro. Johnny Tucker will be helping preach that service.  Pray for his wife and the family during this difficult time.

The funeral service for Dan Van Vels will also take place tomorrow in Hamilton, Michigan.  Pray for Gloria and her family as they walk through this valley.  The family has graciously asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to GRACE Ministries.  What a kind and thoughtful thing to do!

As far as our services go, we are set for a normal day/night.  My prayer is that a large number of the Friendship family members will be present.

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

Larry Blackwell did fine through his surgery yesterday morning and was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon.  Pray for him to have a quick recovery.

Leslie Williams e-mailed to say that her maternal uncle, Doyce Richardson, passed away Sunday afternoon.  He had been diagnosed with terminal cancer but his passing was much sooner than anticipated.  A dear friend of Leslie’s mother, Dora Graham, also passed Sunday.  Pray for Leslie’s mother as she travels to Texas for these funeral services and deals with these losses.

I have spoken to a few of Dan Van Vels friends via the phone but haven’t been able to speak to his wife, Gloria, yet.  Pray for Gloria and her family.

I was called to the hospital last night just before our visitation began.  I cannot share any of the details but ask that you join me in praying for this unspoken need.

Willie Johnson finished the sheetrock on the bannister yesterday and John Curl/Kenny Lingle will paint it tonight.  Then, it will be ready for Chris Howell to begin laying the carpet.  Folks, we are getting there!

Bobby Henley is smiling today as the Nationals signed the first pick of the MLB draft, Bryce Harper, to a contract last night.  He got $9.9 million for five years including a $6.25 million signing bonus.  He is projected to be in the minors for a couple of years which means he will be under Bobby’s watchful eye!

I told you the Dodgers were toast.  Last night, they were leading the Braves 3 – 1 going into the bottom of the ninth and got beat 4 – 3 after having been blasted 13 – 1 the night before after having blown a 9 – 2 lead against the Phillies over the weekend.  Steve Morris, stop smiling – your Cards have dropped back to second place behind the Reds!

What really matters in the sports world is that the college football season begins September 2 and Bama plays their first game on 9/4.

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