Pastor's Blog

First, my Tuesday got totally off track early on and I never could get the train back on the track.  My day was consumed with our daughter, Dana, and her surgery.  Her husband, Herbie, was out of town on business so I was the one who tried to help her.  I am just thankful that I could call on Daphne regarding medicines, et cetera.  I also served as Dana’s nurse through the night as that is not Lisa’s forte in any way, shape, form or fashion.  Dana is better and will be fine.

Second, I tried to post an entry this morning but had connection issues.  Sorry!  I do not have a “white cow” but I do have a “red truck!”  Just saying!

God has performed a miracle in Tim Knighten’s brother’s situation.  Too much for me to write but just know that Tim, Peggy and family are giving God the glory!  Praise Him!

My cousin, Tony, is battling pneumonia in one lung.  This seems to be an ongoing situation each year.  The doctors contribute some of the cause to second hand smoke.  Imagine that!  Pray for Tony!

Join me in continuing to pray for Mike & Dottie Clark.  Good friends.  Great people.

Our loose change offering this past Sunday totaled $1,815 with almost one thousand dollars coming from loose change!  How about that!  Special thanks to Richard Bentley for counting, rolling, sorting all of it.  Thank you to each person who gave!

I am looking for five folks who will bake a cake to be sold at an auction on the campus of USA on Friday, 3/28.  This will benefit the Summer ministries of the Baptist Campus Ministries.  If you are willing to bake a cake then please contact me personally no later than this Sunday night.  I will deliver the cakes.  Lisa?

I am excited about Pastor Roy Crouch and his family being with us this Sunday evening, 3/16, beginning at 5:00PM.  Friendship family, pray, attend and bring others with you!

I am also excited about Evangelist Michael Mason being with us Sunday morning, 3/23, through Wednesday evening, 3/26.  Regular times on Sunday and then 6:30PM Monday through Wednesday.  Pray, pray, pray!

Hey pastor, are we having a workday this Saturday, 3/15?  Great question due to the weather forecast.  I will make a final decision no later than early Friday morning, 3/14.  Stay tuned!

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

Tim Knighten’s brother is scheduled for surgery this morning (it is 11:15AM) and he is perhaps in surgery now.  Pray, pray, pray!

Yes, the Lord showed up in our services yesterday.  Praise Him.  I am thankful!

I am also thankful to the Friendship family and guests for their faithfulness on time change Sunday.  Yesterday may have been our best “spring forward” Sunday during my pastorate.

The “change” offering was very good.  I would even say “great!”  Thank you, Jesus!  Thank you Friendship family for giving to the Lord!  We will perhaps have one or two more prior to camp.

I am excited about the service this Sunday evening, 3/16, as Pastor Roy Crouch and his family will be our guests helping us to prepare for revival.  It would be great if revival begins even before this service!  I am asking the members of the Friendship family to please give attending this service a huge priority!

Revival services with Evangelist Michael Mason – Sunday, 3/23, through Wednesday, 3/26.  Pray, pray, pray!

I am thankful to our resident plumbers and to those who are working on the renovation project.

If the weather forecasters are correct, our workday set for this Saturday, 3/15, may be in trouble.  We shall see.

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

Have I mentioned the time change that takes place at 2:00AM tomorrow?  SPRING FORWARD!  SPRING FORWARD!  SPRING FORWARD!  Yes, move your time pieces forward one hour tonight before going to bed!  Important!  You do not want to be that person (family) who walks in at 11:00AM thinking it is 10:00AM and the service is about to begin.  SPRING FORWARD!  SPRING FORWARD!  SPRING FORWARD!  (Have I previously mentioned how I do not like the time change concept?  At all!)

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow – morning and evening!  We will be dealing with the time change in the morning after a night of a pretty good chance of rain.  The forecasters are calling for fairly significant rain tonight and then the possibility of scattered showers throughout tomorrow morning.  Let’s not be Baptist tomorrow and come to church even if it does rain.

I failed to mention yesterday that Johnny Sessions treated me to lunch on Thursday.  How nice was that!  I thoroughly enjoyed our time of conversation.  Johnny has a heart to teach the Word and to serve the Lord which includes taking part in building church buildings.  (He really wanted me to give him advice on handling his son, Jarrod, but I declined!  Just saying!  LOL!)  He also loves Auburn athletics so I continue to pray for him!

Work day next Saturday, 3/15.  Breakfast at 7:30AM with work beginning at 8:00AM.

Pre-revival service on Sunday, 3/16, beginning at 5:00PM.  Pastor Roy & family.

Revival services Sunday, 3/23, through Wednesday, 3/26.  Evangelist Michael Mason.

Soccer opening services on Thursday, 3/20.

Keep praying for those on our prayer list.

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

Keep praying for Tim Knighten’s brother.  No significant changes.

Bryan & Daisy Lima became parents for the second time yesterday afternoon as they welcomed Caleb into the family.  I think he weighed six pounds and eight ounces.  Sister, Leah, is excited!  Everyone is well.  Praise the Lord!

Lisa and Daphne arrived home safe and sound last night.  They were delayed in Houston for a couple of hours but they did get home.  I appreciate Brad going to get them from the Mobile airport.  Life here will now go back to somewhat normal.

SPRING FORWARD!  SPRING FORWARD!  SPRING FORWARD!  Yes, this Sunday marks the beginning of daylight savings time (which really does not save any daylight!). Unless your timepiece does so automatically, move it (them) forward one hour before going to be Saturday night (3/8).  This is my least favorite Sunday of the year when it comes to time.  I pray the members of the Friendship family will remember and that our attendance will be strong!  SPRING FORWARD!  SPRING FORWARD!  SPRING FORWARD!

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 3/9, with one exception – Jeanette will lead our adult choir in rehearsal beginning at 4:00PM.  Obviously, this is in preparation for an Easter musical.  Everyone is invited to join the choir!

Pastor Roy Crouch and family will be with us on Sunday evening, 3/16, beginning at 5:00PM.  Pray, attend, expect!

Evangelist Michael Mason will be with us Sunday, 3/23, (morning & evening) through Wednesday, 3/26.  Lord, send a revival!

Soccer season is almost upon us.  Opening ceremonies on Thursday, 3/20.  Opening games on Friday, 3/21, and Saturday, 3/22.  Pray for this ministry!

Workday on Saturday, 3/15, beginning with breakfast at 7:30AM cooked by Sharon Poiroux!  Working outside and cleaning out the inside.  If it is not nailed down then it very well make it into the rolloff dumpster!  Just saying!  We need mowers, edgers, weed eaters, rakes, pole saws, pressure washers, et cetera.  We will finish no later than noon!

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

The Lord blessed us with a really good day in our services yesterday.  To my surprise, our attendance was good in both services and we had guests in our evening services.  Thank you, Jesus.

Keep praying for Tim Knighten’s brother as he remains in the hospital.

Lisa and Daphne will leave Guatemala this afternoon heading home.  Hooray!

Great news – Tyrone Crawley, Allen Glover and Jeff Holifield repaired the water leak going into the CAB yesterday.  Thank the Lord!  I appreciate these men and their determination to find the leak and then repair it.  Mission accomplished!  The Friendship family is blessed with good men who “do what it takes” to help in areas like this.  Again, thank you Allen, Jeff & Tyrone.

Work day (3/15), pre-revival service (3/16) and revival services (3/23 – 26) are all coming up and we need to be praying without ceasing.

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

A “late” good morning.  Morning service begins in a few minutes and then we are on a regular schedule tonight beginning at 6:30PM.  Come join us!

No updates on those for whom we have been praying.  Just keep praying!

Pray for revival.  Pastor Roy Crouch and family will be with us on Sunday, 3/16, beginning at 5:00PM.  Then Evangelist Michael Mason will be with us Sunday, 3/23, through Wednesday, 3/26.  Pray, attend, invite others!

Tyrone Crawley & Jeff Holifield spent several more hours yesterday looking for the leak in the CAB.  It “appears” they have narrowed it down to a specific area.  We should know with greater certainty tomorrow morning.  I appreciate these guys giving their time to this project.  (Plus the others who have been helping)

The story of DJ during President Trump’s speech last night was special.  Wow!  Count your blessings!

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

Good morning.  A little late with this entry.  Red truck!

The doctors have still not gotten comfortable with removing the vent from Tim’s brother.  The roller coaster ride continues.  Please keep praying!

Bro. Chris repaired the leak coming from the meter to the office.  I am thankful to him for taking care of that matter.  The CAB?  Not certain at this point but I know some men gathered on our campus yesterday afternoon to try and figure out what is wrong i.e. where the leak is located.  I am thankful to these men.  I will get a report from them later.

The weather folks are calling for possible tornadoes late this afternoon into the night.  I am ready.  How? Good question.  Three ladies came to the office yesterday to count the yard sale proceeds and make a deposit.  They were a lively trio – just saying!  I had to go home and take medicine – LOL!  They were also a happy trio as the total reached just over ten thousand dollars – wow!  (One was a little concerned that TJ will not know how to handle this but I assured her that I will work with him.  He depends on me!)

Special evening service with Pastor Roy Crouch and family on Sunday, March 16, beginning at 5:00PM.  Do not miss it!

Revival services with Evangelist Michael Mason Sunday morning, March 23, through Wednesday evening, March 26.  Pray, plan to attend, bring others with you!  “No man is greater than his prayer life.”  (Leonard Ravenhill)

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow – morning and evening!

Lisa has been in Guatemala since 2/26.  She has been taking care of our granddaughters so Deidra can be with the team.  Basically, chained to the mountain.  Then a strange thing happened yesterday – she was able to break free and go to Antigua with the team to eat and shop!  Amazing!  Just saying!

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

Water anyone?  We are having issues with two water leaks on our campus.  A major leak in the CAB and a not nearly as major leak in the office.  Bro. Chris Scofield is presently working on repairing the line to the office building.  Jeff Holifield is coming later today to try and find the leak in the CAB.  Tyrone Crawley Jason Fosmoer are offering assistance also.  Great guys!  (TJ Vice would take care of all of it himself but he claims he is busy this time of the year)

A really good Sunday on our campus yesterday even though we seemingly had several thousand members of the Friendship family out of town or in downtown Mobile.  God blessed and I am thankful!

As of right now, they have not taken Tim Knighten’s brother off the vent.  Again, an emotional roller coaster ride for this family.  Keep praying!

The yard sale was a success.  Several of the ladies have submitted their resignation from this point forward.  I appreciate each person who helped in any way.  Great job!

BIG NEWS – Pastor Roy Crouch and family will be with us on Sunday, 3/16, in our evening service for a “pre-revival” emphasis.  Rachel, Titus, Issac & Lydia will lead the musical worship and Pastor Roy will bring the message from the Word.  I am looking forward to this special service.  I ask members of the Friendship family to pray, attend and bring others with you.

REVIVAL services begin on Sunday morning, 3/23, and then continue that evening (5:00PM) and then Monday – Wednesday (6:30PM).  Pray for revival!

Daphne’s team in Guatemala is doing well.  Lisa is holding down the proverbial fort on GRACE Mountain as the team does medical clinics elsewhere.  Daphne & Lisa should return home Thursday night.

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

Happy birthday to Lisa’s sister, Kim.  How old?  I will simply say that she is older than me – enough said!  I hope Kim will have a great day!

Regular schedule on our campus today – morning and evening.  Let’s go!

They were planning to take remove Tim Knighten’s brother off the vent during the night in hopes he would do well.  If so, praise the Lord.  If not, they would put him back on it.  Keep praying for Mark and his family.

Pastor Clint Landry and daughter, Maggie, returned home yesterday. The procedure did not go as well as planned as Maggie could not produce the total number of stem cells needed.  The recipient did get all that Maggie produced.  Pray for all involved.

The annual yard sale was a success.  Thank you to each person who helped in any way, donated items, bought items, took part in the auction, et cetera.  To God be the glory.

Chris Howell put new flooring in the auditorium foyer yesterday.  Nicely done.  I appreciate Chris & Sherry for handling this part of the renovation.  Sherry tells me that the plan is to be completely finished with this phase of the renovation before our revival services begin on 3/23.  I am thankful for Jerrod & Chris and all they have done up to this point.  (They are getting orders from Sherry, Katelyn & Sue – bless them!)

Daphne & Lisa say things are going well in Guatemala.  Thank the Lord!  Garry & Teresa Hutto are doing a great job of helping Brad here on the home front.

Our grandson, Titus, was in the state robotics competition in Auburn yesterday.  Not sure of the results but we are proud of Titus.

I pray that you will have a great Sunday with Jesus.  Pray for revival!

When asked whether revivals last, Evangelist Billy Sunday replied, “No, neither does a bath. But it is good to have one occasionally!”  (Thank you Burl Brewer for sending this to me)

At the top of my prayer list today is Maggie Landry.  She is in a NYC hospital donating stem cells for a lady battling with a central nervous system sarcoma.  I do not know all of the details but do ask that you join me in praying for Maggie and the stem cell recipient.

The following came to me from Pam Baker yesterday morning:

JZ had an appointment in Birmingham last week with a new doctor that thinks he may be a good candidate for gene therapy. It was just FDA approved over the summer and very few older boys have had it because most of them have lost their ability to walk and/or have heart problems. It would require a 1 week stay in Birmingham and then traveling to Birmingham once a week for 12 weeks. It’s not a cure, but best case scenario, it could stop the progression of the disease for 4-5 years.

He will have a blood draw Friday or Saturday to determine if he has antibodies against the virus that is used. If it is positive for antibodies, he will not be able to get the treatment. As long as it is negative, we will go to Birmingham April 1 to discuss everything with the doctor.

The only other thing that could keep him from getting the treatment is that he has a separate genetic disorder that affects his liver. So we will have to go back to the liver specialist April 16 and see if she will clear him to have the treatment.

It is a risky procedure, so please pray that we have wisdom to make the right decision for him!

Join me in praying for Brandon, Pam and JZ.

I continue to pray for Tim Knighten’s brother, Mark.  He had a good day yesterday per what Tim shared with me following our service last night.  Folks, I am impressed with Tim.  He was teaching RA’s last night when he basically had every reason in the world to not be present.  Wow!  Thank you Tim for being an example of commitment.

Bro. Abel is at an urgent care this morning with a bum shoulder.  Lots of pain.  Pray that all goes well.

The 2025 yard sale is up and running having started at 7:00AM today.  The hours are 7:00AM until 5:00PM today and tomorrow.  Saturday will be 7:00AM until noon and a live auction begins at 3:00PM.

It seems that the yard sale provided a good excuse for a good number of our folks to miss church last night.  Makes no sense but it is true.  Our attendance yesterday morning was very good.  Apparently, we have more “red truck” owners who attend in the evening than in the morning.  Just saying!

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