Pastor's Blog

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Bobby Joe Felps was discharged from the hospital yesterday morning.  I know that he is happy to be home.  Pray as they wait on the pathology reports.

Brandon, Pam & JZ Baker returned home from Gainesville, FL last night.  They will be monitoring JZ’s blood count in Mobile and will hopefully not have to go back to Gainesville until the middle of January.  Pray for JZ and his parents.  Pray this treatment will prove effective.

The Friendship family is blessed to be hospital free at the moment.  It would be a great thing if this would remain true through Christmas.

Danny Lafferty remains in the hospital.  I did not get to visit him yesterday due to a change in plans.  However, Lord willing, I will visit him today.  Pray for him to recover from the stroke.

My niece, Sandie, will be transported by ambulance today to see an ENT at UAB.  The hope is that this doctor can then get her admitted into UAB.  Her case has been basically a mystery to the doctors in Decatur.  Thank you for you prayers.

I get asked often about my dad.  He is doing better.  Lord willing, I will see him this Saturday as we will have a family gathering in Rocky Ford, Alabama.

Regular schedule on the Friendship campus tomorrow morning and evening with one exception – no preschool or children’s choir tonight.  Those resume on January 9.

We will be on a regular schedule this Sunday morning which means worship service at 8:00AM & 10:30AM with Sunday School at 9:15AM.  Then at 3:00PM our adult choir will present their Christmas musical.  Please note the special time for this service and make plans to join us!  Bring others with you!  Pray for this service.

Our Christmas Eve service will take place from 5:00 – 6:00PM.  I am praying for a full house.  Per Donald Butler’s comment on yesterday’s entry we will have at least two Pentecostals in the house for that service.

We enjoyed our time with Pastor Shirlon and family last night.  Lisa cooked a feast and Jennifer brought the dumplings – it was all amazing.  The fellowship was even better than the food.  Family and friends – what a great way to celebrate Christmas while remembering the real reason for the season.

Tomorrow begins the early signing period for college football.  I am not a fan of this signing period but they did not ask my opinion or thoughts.  It is what it is!

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Let me begin by saying “thank you” to Tena, Sheila Booker and the children for a job well done last night.  I appreciate the effort and work that goes into such a production as that musical.

A second “thank you” goes to the Friendship family for a really great offering for Dale & Karla and Soy & Deidra.  I do not know the exact total as I am writing this entry but I know it was a very, very good offering.

A third “thank you” goes to Soy & Deidra for a job well done in yesterday morning’s services.  Not the same old same old in their presentation.  I fully expect a call from either Lee Fore, the Washington Nationals, Will Reynolds or Larry Whitehurst at some point today regarding the school.  First come, first served!

A fourth “thank you” goes to each person who helped with the food boxes yesterday.  Bro. Jerry & Tena had them ready but help was needed getting them to the vehicles.

Our next “big” thing on the church calendar is our adult choir Christmas musical this Sunday, 12/23, beginning at 3:00PM.  Please note the unusual starting time for this special service.  I am praying for a full house.  Pray for this service and then attend it too.  Side note – Bob Evans will be in the choir for the musical.  Enough said!

Our Christmas Eve service has the potential to be our highest attended service of the year.  We will begin at 5:00PM and end no later than 6:00PM.  I am asking each member of the Friendship family to give priority to attending this service.  We also invite folks from other churches not having a Christmas Eve service to join us – even our Pentecostal friends like Donald & Pat Butler!  It would be great if we could go SRO on that one.

I visited Bobby Joe yesterday in the hospital.  He was doing good and could be discharged any day now.  Keep praying.

Danny Lafferty suffered a stroke during the night Saturday after having heart surgery on Friday.  Pray for Danny.

Tim Knighten’s dad needs our prayer support.  He is not doing well.  He is in a rehab facility in Florida.  Tim & Peggy went to visit him yesterday afternoon.

JoNell Barnes remains in Birmingham with her daughter, Carol.  Pray for Carol and I look forward to having JoNell back with us soon.

Ok, eight days before Christmas Day 2019.  Slow down and enjoy the season.  We will host Pastor Shirlon and family for a meal tonight.  We only do this because Jennifer cooks some of the absolute best chicken & dumplings you have ever put in your mouth. Think Cracker Barrel on steroids!  (I am still very partial to Miss Idice Reeves’ dumplings but Jennifer does very well!)  Girl can make some candy too!

Beginning today, 12/17, the church office will close at 4:30PM.  This will allow Miss Edna & Miss Kittie to leave the office before it gets too dark.  So the office hours are now 8:00AM until 12:00PM and 1:00PM until 4:30PM Monday through Thursday.

I was blessed to be able to attend the 7:00AM Christmas service at the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church yesterday morning.  I appreciate Pastor Forrest and the church family making me feel welcome.  I enjoy visiting other churches especially those who do things different from us.  It helps me.

This entry has been too long.  Sorry about that.  I pray you will have a great Monday with Jesus.

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Kayla Hatcher had a test regarding a possible malignancy.  She got the results on Thursday and it proved no malignancy.  Praise the Lord!

Bobby Jack Felps called early yesterday morning to say that Bobby Joe was having a better day up to that point.  Step by step.  Keep praying.

Bro. Benny & our bus workers will meet this morning at 8:30AM.  Pray for them as they “go” sharing the Gospel.  I appreciate this dedicated group of workers.

Second Saturday of our basketball leagues today.  Pray for this ministry.  Marcus & Eddie are doing a good job.  (Truth be known Rachel is running things but she is simply letting Marcus & Eddie think they are!)  There will be no games for the next two Saturdays (12/22 & 12/29)  Games will resumed on January 5, 2019.

Our children’s choir musical under the direction of Tena Hovel will be presented tomorrow night, 12/16, beginning at 6:00PM.  Pray for this ministry.

We will receive a love offering for Dale & Karla Bosarge and Soy & Deidra Taylor in all three of our services tomorrow.  This is a “personal” offering that will be given for them to use however they choose in their personal lives.  Pray and then give as the Lord leads.

Regular schedule for the Friendship family tomorrow morning.  I pray we will have a strong attendance.

Adult choir musical will be presented on Sunday, 12/23, beginning at 3:00PM.  Please pass the word and make plans to attend.

Did you hear that shout around 6:00PM last night?  That was me!  Cari (from our Spanish ministry) cooked pupusas and sent to me by Rita Broome.  Oh my!  What is a pupusa you ask?  “A pupusa is a traditional Salvadoran dish of a thick corn tortilla stuffed with a savory filling. It is typically accompanied by curtido (a spicy cabbage slaw), and tomato salsa.”  You talk about good!  Thank you Cari & Rita!

I did watch some of the Division II & Division III football games last night.  Personally, I like that format.  I am ready for 12/29.

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Visited with Bobby Joe Felps yesterday morning.  I would say there has been “some” improvement but he is still in a significant amount of pain.  Pray for Bobby Joe.

They tried to transfer my niece, Sandie, to UAB but no success because they have no room.  Ditto for Huntsville Hospital.  However, they have now found a tear in her esophagus which will be repaired.  Being the medical person that I am, I do not think this is the root of her original problem.  Prayerfully it is and I guess time will tell.

We will receive a love offering this Sunday, 12/16, in all three of our services.  This offering will be evenly divided between Dale & Karla and Soy & Deidra.  This will be for their personal use and not for their respective ministries.  Pray and then give as the Lord leads.

Tena Hovel and the children’s choir will present their Christmas musical this Sunday, 12/16, beginning at 6:00PM.  Please support this ministry by attending.

The Christmas food boxes will be given away this Sunday following our 10:30AM service.  Bro. Jerry & Tena have all of the boxes packed and ready for distribution.  Help will be needed to get those boxes to the vehicles.  Thank you to Bro. Jerry & Tena for their work and then in advance to those who will help following the service.

Can someone please contact Donald Butler for me?  After reading his comment on yesterday’s entry, he needs to be enlightened!  Just saying!

This entry is late!  Why?  Eight tornadoes hit our house last night.  I am still reeling from the shock!  We should have just had the Edwards three here and made it a total disaster!  LOL!  Joy, joy, joy!

Remember the adult musical on Sunday afternoon, 12/23, beginning at 3:00PM.  Bob Evans will be in the choir that day!  What more do you need as incentive to attend?

Christmas Eve service from 5:00 – 6:00PM.  Please plan to attend.

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

What a blessing to see John Whalen walk in for our service last night.  He was walking a bit gingerly but he was there.  He and Liz arrived home from Texas on Tuesday afternoon.  His surgery Sunday night was a success.  Pray for John as he recovers.

Infant Charity Brown was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon.  That is good news.

Bobby Joe Felps was in a lot of pain when I visited yesterday morning.  Keep praying for Bobby Joe.

Betty Hamil received a stent around seven years ago and yesterday they placed another one very near the previous one as she had an eighty percent blockage.  She came home late yesterday afternoon.  Pray for Betty.

I “think” Betty Clair Hatcher’s mother is having surgery today.  Pray for Mrs. Barton.

Soy, Deidra, Lizzi, Sydney & Audrey arrived here safe and sound last night.  It is good to have Deidra and the girls with us.

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Let me begin this morning by giving props to J.T. Lastorka as he signed a scholarship to play baseball yesterday.  He signed with Coastal Alabama East which is in Brewton.  A huge congratulations to J.T. on this accomplishment!

Betty Hamil will have a heart cath this morning.  Pray for the doctor to get a good look and then for wisdom if anything needs to be done.

As far as I know, John Whalen had to have emergency surgery in Galveston, Texas this past Sunday night.  I assume he did well.  Pray for him as he recovers.

Bobby Joe Felps was in surgery for around six hours yesterday.  The surgeon removed one kidney and a mass that was connected to that kidney.  Pray for a good pathology report and for a quick recovery.

Infant Charity Brown was admitted to the hospital yesterday.  Her bilirubin count is not where it needs to be so the doctor wants her in the hospital for two or three days.  Pray for Charity and her parents, Luke & Jennifer.

My niece, Sandie, was admitted to the hospital on Monday, placed in ICU and put on the vent.  She is better but they do not know the root of her problems.

My dad got his PET scan results yesterday.  He has pneumonia and has had it for several weeks although it has not been detected. This explains a lot.

The Christmas party sponsored by the Friendship family for the residents of the Grand Bay Convalescent Home takes place tonight beginning at 6:00PM.  Pray that all goes well!  Otherwise, we are on a regular schedule today/tonight.

This is a happy day for Lisa and me as Soy, Deidra, Lizzi, Sydney & Audrey are scheduled to arrive in Mobile around 10:00PM.  I am excited to see Deidra and the girls!  Dale Bosarge is excited to see Soy!

Our “brutal” Winter continues.  The ten day forecast calls for us to reach a low of forty degrees one night and our highest daytime temperature will be sixty seven.  And our Michigan friends think they have it tough!

They just announced the top ten highest rated college football games on television during 2018.  Ohio State was involved in four of those games.  Alabama was involved in three (Auburn, LSU and Georgia).  Notre Dame & Michigan were each involved in two.  So, what are you trying to say?  Nothing.  Just FYI.

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

“Coming back later yesterday never did happen” as it relates to this blog.  Sorry about that – the best laid plans of rats and people!

Bobby Joe Felps will have surgery this morning to remove a mass that has already been determined to be malignant.  Pray that the surgery will go well and that the surgeon can do what he wants to do.  Pray for Bobby Joe’s family as they wait beside him.  Bobby Joe is the son of Bobby Jack & Sandy Felps.

Jennifer and Charity Brown were discharged from the hospital yesterday.  All is well.  Keep praying for Luke, Jennifer, Ava and Charity.

My niece in Decatur, Alabama is back in ICU and on a vent.  That is about all I know at this point in time.  Pray for her.

My dad will meet with his oncologist today to get the results of his latest PET scan.

Thanks to John Milton Ladnier & Kendall Falana for getting the heater in the adult building up and running last night.  Those guys know some stuff!

I need the members of the Friendship family to respond to my request to write remembrances of Sara Nell Moulds before December 16.  Please give these to Julie McGath.  If you want them to be “in confidence” then just seal up the envelope and write “private” on the outside and Julie will pass them on to Carl Ray that way.

The party at the Grand Bay Convalescent Home takes place tomorrow night, 12/12, beginning at 6:00PM.  If you have not turned in your gift already, please take it by the church office either today or tomorrow by noon.  The sooner the better.

I do not get excited about the college bowl games.  As a matter of fact, I will not watch many, if any, except for the semifinals and the final game of the playoffs.  In my opinion, the bowls are becoming less relevant with each passing year.

Speaking of the weather earlier, the ten day forecast calls for us to have our typical, brutal Winter with lows in the forties and highs in the sixties each day.

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Happy adoption day to Dana & Gina.  Twenty years ago today the judge granted Lisa and me the right to be Dana & Gina’s parents through adoption.  We love Dana & Gina and are thrilled (most days) to have them in our family.

Also, today marks the sixty second birthday of my dear friend, Evangelist Bruce Gill.  It seems impossible that Bruce has now been gone for over twelve years.  Bruce was a great friend to me and I miss him tremendously.

I am headed to the hospital to visit with Jennifer & Charity Brown.  I will come back a bit later today and update this post.

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

I am now back in the States and received a text from proud grandmother, Edna Morgan, regarding the details on the newest member of the Morgan family.  Bryan Luke Morgan was born Wednesday, 12/5, weighing eight pounds and eleven ounces.  He is twenty one and one quarter inches long.  Mother and son are doing well and I am certain they are home now.  Congratulations to Brad & Brandi!

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Luke & Jennifer Brown welcomed their second daughter into the world this afternoon as Jennifer gave birth to Charity Elizabeth Brown.  She checked in at eight pounds and thirteen ounces.  As far as I know, all is well.  Congratulations to Luke, Jennifer and big sister, Ava!

JoNell Barnes’ daughter, Carol, has back to back surgeries on Thursday (I think).  It was supposed to be outpatient surgery but she remains in the hospital.  JoNell is there with her.  Pray for Carol.

Zach & Charlotte Brown were able to bring Benji home from the hospital on Thursday.  We praise the Lord for his improvement!  Keep praying!

Eddie & Marcus hosted our first day of basketball today.  I trust all went well.  Thanks to all who are involved in this ministry.

Tomorrow is a big day for the Friendship family and we will conclude it with a Christmas fellowship with the men from the Mission of Hope.  We will meet in the CAB at 6:00PM for a meal consisting of lasagna, salad, bread, dessert and drink.  We are asking each member of the Friendship family to bring a lasagna (party size purchased will be perfect) and a dessert.  We will gather around the tables with these men, love on them, show them Jesus and encourage them.  Each man from the Mission will receive a gift.  So, Friendship family, please step up.  I have full confidence that you will.  Pray and attend.

There will be a meeting in the auditorium beginning at 5:30PM tomorrow, 12/9, to highlight the changes to our budget which will be in effect from January 1 – December 31, 2019.  This is an informational meeting being hosted by our Finance Committee.  Heidi Butler, FC chairperson, will lead this meeting.

All of the team that was in Guatemala has now left the mountain.  One went home on Wednesday night, five on Thursday afternoon, five more early this morning and the rest this afternoon.  Our team secretary, Dominique Garcia, has listed all that this team did during the week but I do not have the time/space here to list all of those things.  I will try to do so in a later post.

Ok, the captain just said we are about to land this plane so I have to bring this entry to a close.  I pray that you will have a great rest of the afternoon with Jesus.