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)

Larry & Judy will be traveling today as Larry begins his radiation treatments tomorrow.  Pray for safety in travel and then for the radiation treatment to be effective.

Two surgeries are scheduled to take place today.  First, Charlotte Davis, sister-in-law, to Anna Carol Bosarge & Brenda Poiroux, will have surgery in Mobile.  Pray that all goes well.

Second, Tom Thornton, husband of Sarah, will have surgery in Birmingham.  Tom has been diagnosed with a malignancy.  Pray that the surgery will be successful.

It was good to see Bro. Jerry Hovel in our early service yesterday.  Keep praying for his recovery.

Miss Kittie Camp will have her stitches removed today.  Her plan is to be at work on Wednesday.  We shall see.  Pray for Miss Kittie.

Keep praying for Tammy Womack.

Wendy Johnston has an Aunt who is supposed to be discharged from the hospital today but is going to require 24/7 care at home. Pray for this situation.

Deanna Wetterer’s maternal Uncle suffered a heart attack yesterday afternoon.  He is in Mississippi.  Pray for him.

Elizabeth Westbrook’s maternal grandmother’s service will take place this Friday.  The visitation with the family will take place on Thursday night.  Everything will be in Pensacola, Florida.  Pray for the family during this time.

I am very biased but I enjoyed hearing Deidra in last night’s service.  She, Soy and others are doing a good work in Guatemala.

I am also thankful that the Friendship family is sending some relief money to Pastor Alex in India.  Pray for the folks affected by the flooding.  Pray for Pastor Alex as he ministers to those affected by the floods.

I was raised being told “if you want something done right, do it yourself!”  I just returned from taking Kendall Hargraves to the airport.  Wait, I thought she had a flight yesterday afternoon?  She did.  Problem is that you have to actually be at the airport before the plane leaves in order to be on the flight.  Like I said, “if you want something done right. . . ”

I pray that 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)

It pains me to do this but “happy birthday to Soy!”  I hope he has a great day even though is sweetie is not there with him.  I am sure his three daughters will keep him busy today!

Phillip & Claire Turner welcomed Collins Marie Turner into this world yesterday afternoon.  Collins checked in at seven pounds and is twenty inches long.  All is well!  Congratulations to Phillip & Claire.  They are going to be great parents!

Elizabeth Westbrook’s grandmother passed from this life late yesterday morning.  Arrangements pending.  Pray for the family as they walk through this valley.

Keep praying for Tammy Womack.

Larry Whitehurst will begin his radiation treatments next week.  Pray that all goes well.

Bro. Benny & our bus workers meet this morning at 8:30AM.  Pray for this ministry.

The grant writing seminar takes place today beginning at 9:00AM.  I am thankful to those who are going to participate.  We have one person from Michigan, one from Ohio and one from Texas who have come to take part in this training.  The Michigan & Ohio folks drove.  We also have two from Ethelsville, Alabama.  (They had to drive as well as the airport in Ethelsville is closed for renovations)  We have one from Millbrook, Alabama who drove in too.  I am praying for a good day!

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.  Deidra will be sharing during the evening service.  Lord willing, I will be in the pulpit for both morning services.  I hope to be joined by many members of the Friendship family along with guests.

Only two weeks until college football begins in earnest.  Exciting!

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)

Elizabeth Westbrook’s maternal grandmother suffered a heart attack during the night and is not expected to live on this earth much longer.  She is in a hospital in Florida.  Please pray for her, the medical personnel and her family.

Please continue to pray for Tammy Womack.

Spoke to Miss Kittie yesterday afternoon and she said she was feeling much better.  Had not had to take a pain pill all day.  Keep praying for Miss Kittie.

Yesterday was a good day in the Turrentine house as Deidra arrived safe and sound from Guatemala.  She is here for the grant writing seminar tomorrow.  She will be sharing in our evening service on Sunday before heading back to Guatemala on Monday.  Obviously, we a blessed to have her here and wish the girls were with her.  Soy?  Really?

Speaking of the grant writing seminar, I am asking all of those who committed to attend to please be present.  We have put a lot into this and it could paid huge dividends in the future as we seek to make a difference in the lives of the children in Guatemala.  Jesus is the their greatest need – that much is obvious for them, us and everyone else in the world.  An opportunity for an education will help them in this present life.

Continental breakfast (fruit & doughnuts) at 8:30AM.  Training begins at 9:00AM, break for lunch and then end at 3:00PM.

Regular schedule on Sunday morning and evening.  Remember, the proposed budget will be presented the following Sunday, 8/26.

Special thanks to deacon Bobby Broome for filling in for me at a surgery this past Wednesday.  Our deacons do a nice job of ministering.

Also, Bob Evans has stepped up to help with securing the buildings and I am very appreciative.

If something does not change pretty quickly then Bobby & the boys along with the Dodgers are not going to be in the playoffs.  I sure hope this is not true.

The college football season is almost here – two weeks from tomorrow!  Hooray!

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)

Happy fifth birthday to our granddaughter, Nora Ann Hutto!  She is now in school and is all grown up!  I hope she has an awesome day!  Nora is a sweetheart!

Heard from Bro. Jerry yesterday.  This second knee has been a slower go as far as recovery is concerned but he is getting there.  Keep praying!

Larry Whitehurst told me that Tammy Womack continues to be in a lot of pain and is pretty low physically.  Keep praying for Tammy, Pastor John and their family during this most difficult time.

Gloria Whitmore has begun in home physical therapy.  She pulled a hamstring so that complicates matters a bit but she has done amazing through her surgery and recovery.

Laurie Chandler had eye surgery yesterday.  Debbie Hyatt told me that it involved more than Laurie was aware of prior to the surgery.  Pray for her.

Sonny Bates told us in our morning service yesterday that Miss Kittie was really sore from her fall.  Pray that her soreness will subside quickly.

Cecil Guidry hurt an ankle in a mowing incident this past weekend.  She was on crutches yesterday in our morning service.  It is rough getting old!

Pastor Terry Rainey will see a doctor today.  Still battling a blood clot in his thigh.

Ronnie Calvert did a nice job of sharing in our services yesterday.  Ecuador sounds like a twin to Guatemala in so much of what he shared.

Our Finance Committee will present the proposed budget on Sunday, 8/26.  Long story.

Grant writing seminar this Saturday, 8/18, from 9:00AM until 3:00PM.  Continental breakfast beforehand and lunch will be provided – bologna sandwiches.  Cold or fried!

It is not looking good for Bobby & the boys.  The Dodgers finally won a game.  So ready for the college football season.

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)

We will be blessed to have Ronnie, Nanny & Sofi Calvert with us in our services this morning and evening.  They are missionaries to Ecuador.  Ronnie is from Grand Bay and I have known him for thirty plus years.  His wife, Nanny, is from Ecuador.  So, I am excited to hear about the ministry the Lord has given to them.  Friendship family, please attend these services.

If the RA’s, GA’s or students want to join us at 6:30PM in the auditorium tonight then please feel welcome to do so.  We are strong believers in missions and it is always good to hear from missionaries who are on the field.

Edna called me last night to say that Miss Kittie was feeling good yesterday afternoon and evening.  Very grateful that she was not injured any worse than she was.  Keep praying for her.

Spoke to Virginia Morris last night and she is much better as is Steve.  They have plans to be in our morning service today.

I went to Hartselle yesterday and visited with my parents.  We were able to spend about four hours together.  I also got to see my paternal Uncle who lives next to my parents.  Was able to take my niece, Jamie, out to lunch at Big Bob’s in Decatur.  Was joined by her husband, two of their children, her mother, her brother, her friend (only one?) and my parents.

Also had the privilege of visiting with the Dendy’s in Mountain Brook.  What a great couple.  They are well into their nineties and are amazing people.  She has had some falling episodes recently which concerns me.

Decker, the hour got too late to stop in Montgomery but I will be by there soon.  Praying for you guys!

Ok, going to have to try some reverse psychology on Bobby & the boys.  They have fallen back to playing five hundred ball and only have forty two games left in the regular season.  So, I am going to say that they cannot overcome this eight game deficit and win the NL East!  (Wink, wink!). Come on Bobby & boys – get hot and go like 35 – 7 to close out the season!  The Dodgers are struggling big time!

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)

Happy birthday to my niece, Jamie Glenn!  I will not reveal her age but do hope her day is great!  I literally moved from home just a few days after Jamie’s birth and yet she and I have always had a close relationship.  She & our daughter, Daphne, are basically just alike.  Is that a good thing?  I plead the fifth!

Miss Kittie Camp took a fall yesterday that left her with a gash on her forehead, a broken nose and two black eyes.  She is out of commission for a few days.  Pray for Miss Kittie!

Larry Whitehurst got fitted for his radiation and will go next week to being the treatment process.  Keep praying for Larry as the prayers are working.

I saw Bro. Jerry Hovel ever so briefly yesterday afternoon.  He still needs our prayer support as he recovers.

I ask those who committed to the grant writing seminar this Saturday, 8/18, to remember to be in place by 8:45AM.  The seminar will end at 3:00PM and lunch is included.

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)

Larry Whitehurst will be fitted today for his radiation treatments which are scheduled to begin next week.  Keep praying for Larry!

Tammy Womack, Pastor John and the family continue to need our prayer support too.

It was good to see Miss Dollie Kyser back in one of our services yesterday morning.

Tena said that Bro. Jerry had a better day yesterday.  That is good news.

The Lord blessed us with a nice day in our services yesterday.  I am continually grateful to Him.  I am also very thankful to the members of the Friendship family who are faithful to pray, attend, invite and give.  What a blessing!

One more week remains for the members of the Friendship family to sign up for the June 20 – 27, 2019 GRACE Ministries trip to Guatemala.  As I told someone yesterday, come Monday morning, 8/20, that trip will be completely full because we have enough folks outside the Friendship family waiting on a spot.  So, now is the time.  (Our high school seniors and those in college could opt to take part in the July 25 – August 1, 2019 trip – contact me for details)

Speaking of our high school seniors – Lisa and I hosted ten or eleven of them last night for a fellowship.  We just wanted to encourage them as they begin what I believe could very well be the best year of their lives.  I have to give a huge shout out to Jack & Kerrie Lastorka as they provided and cooked almost all of the food.  Jack can flat out cook some bar-b-que!  Thank you Jack & Kerrie.

Spoke to Gene Davis on the phone last week.  He and Gena send their greetings to everyone within the Friendship family.  They now live in North Georgia and are enjoying some nice weather.  It is always good to hear from our long distance friends!

In May I was thinking that I could end my boycott of the NFL after one season as the league had taken a position against players disrespecting the American flag and our national anthem.  I was wrong.  So, season two of the boycott has begun for me.  I have a few questions for those millionaires who are protesting but I regress as they do not have the answers!

Bobby & the boys do not seem to be able to get closer than five and half games out in the NL East.   What a heart breaker of a game yesterday even though it made Pastor Wes Bates a happy camper.  Leslie Hacker’s Braves have moved into a tie with the Phils for first place.  The Dodgers are reeling a bit having lost three in a row and now are a game behind the Diamondbacks.

I pray that 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)

Bro. Jerry Hovel told me yesterday that he thinks he is turning the corner in his recovery.  It is not so much the knee that has caused him problems but other issues.  Keep praying!

Steve wrote to tell me that Virginia had a better day yesterday.  Steve has encountered some issues himself so they both need our prayer support.

Please remember to pray for Tammy & Pastor John.

Jeanette Bates “thought” she might need hip replacement surgery based on pain she has been experiencing.  She had a doctor’s visit yesterday and he thinks her problem is related to her back.  So, a MRI is in the near future for her.  She was happy that she does not need hip replacement surgery.

Larry Crawley’s mother, Miss Georgia, will have gall bladder surgery on Wednesday.  Obviously something happened to delay the process.

Keep praying for Pastor Terry Rainey.

If you are going to be involved in the grant writing seminar on 8/18 then I need to hear from you no later than this Sunday, 8/12.

Members of the Friendship family have until Sunday, 8/19, to sign up for our June 2019 GRACE Ministries trip.  Please know that I “know” nothing and assume even less when it comes to who plans on joining us on that trip.  Sign up via e-mail.

Asking the Finance Committee to meet with me this Sunday, 8/12, at 4:30PM and the Buildings & Grounds to do likewise at 5:00PM.

Bobby & the boys beat Leslie Hacker’s Braves yesterday which earned them a split of the series.  This weekend is pretty important as they take on Pastor Wes Bates’ beloved Cubbies.  The Dodgers homer themselves back into a tie for first place in the NL West.

So ready for the college football season and the drive through Buckatunna, Mississippi!  Never been there?  Are you serious?  It is a destination location!

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)

Today is a tough day for me emotionally as it marks the twelfth anniversary of Evangelist Bruce Gill’s home going.  I still cannot believe that Bruce is gone.  It seems like yesterday.  Bruce was only forty nine years old when he departed this life.  Death stings!

Pastor Terry Rainey has a major blood clot in one of is legs. Pray that it will be taken care with the blood thinners.

Virginia Morris did well through her surgery yesterday.  Keep praying.

Larry Whitehurst will be traveling to Florida next week to get fitted for his radiation.  Pray for Larry & Judy.

Tammy Womack continues to need our prayer support.

Miss Georgia Crawley has been hospitalized with gall bladder issues and will be having surgery tomorrow.  Of course, this is Larry’s mother, Tyrone’s aunt, and Maxine Dupont’s double first cousin.  Pray for Miss Georgia.

Terry Lucky’s sister-in-law had some major surgery yesterday.  I do not know the results but do ask that you pray.

We had a really good day in our services yesterday.  New faces in the crowd last night which was good.

Leslie Hacker’s Braves have now taken two straight from Bobby & the boys.  Meanwhile the Phillies were beaten by the Diamondbacks while the Dodgers lost to the A’s which puts the Dodgers one half game behind the D’backs.  I am in hopes that Bobby & the boys can turn this thing around and get back in the race.

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)

Virginia Morris will have gall bladder surgery today.  Pray that all goes well.

Bro. Benny McGath was discharged from the hospital yesterday morning.  Can you say “happy camper?”  The stone disappeared so no procedure was needed.  Praise the Lord!

Keep praying for Bro. Jerry Hovel.

Tammy Womack continues to need our prayer support.

Pastor Terry Rainey has a blood clot in his good leg.  Very painful.  Pray that the blood thinners dissolve the clot and that there are no complications.

Regular schedule this morning and evening.  The key word for the Friendship family is “faithful!”

Bobby & the boys split with Leslie Hacker’s Braves yesterday so each team actually lost a half game to the Phillies in the standings.  The Dodgers climbed back on top in the NL West thanks to their win over the A’s and the Phillies win over the Diamondbacks.  The regular season is down to about forty eight or so games remaining so now is the time to make moves on the field!

College football is coming!  Cannot get here fast enough for me.

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