Pastor's Blog

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Good morning from Grand Bay, Alabama.  Lisa and I arrived home safe and sound around 10:30PM last night.  We had a wonderful week with our family and for that we are most thankful.  I may share more about that in later posts.

Regular schedule today and tonight.

Senior adult Thanksgiving meal tomorrow from 10:00AM until noon.  This is for our entire community.  It is always a great day.

The installation of our new sound system should be completed today.  I appreciate the ad hoc committee that has handled this matter.

As of this past Saturday, 11/11, we had twenty plus children available for sponsorship in our feeding center ministry in Guatemala.  As of this past Sunday night, all one hundred children now have a sponsor.  We have a waiting list as there may be one or two openings over the next few days.

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Happy 6th birthday to our granddaughter, Lizzi!  She was born 11/11/11!  We are thrilled to be here celebrating with her.

“Thank you” to our Veterans!  I hope that America never forgets these men and women.

There will be a 90th birthday celebration for Miss Kittie Camp this morning.  It will take place in our fellowship hall and I am pretty sure the time is from 10:00AM until 11:30AM.  All members of the Friendship family are invited to attend this celebration for this most special lady.

Word came to me from Bro. Jerry Hovel that Pastor David Jones passed from this life last night.  This is a brother to Nadine Holifield.  Pray for the Jones family as they walk through this valley.

Dale Bosarge preaching at 8:00AM tomorrow and Bryan Drake preaching at 10:30AM.  Or is it Bryan at 8:00AM and Dale at 10:30AM?  I get confused!

We are now enlisting sponsors for the children in our feeding center in Guatemala.  If you have an interest in being a sponsor ($40 per month) in 2018 then contact me personally via e-mail (pastor@friendshipfamily.net).  We have like twenty five children ready to be sponsored.  More boys than girls.

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Jeremiah 40 – 42; Hebrews 4

Good morning from  a Delta flight sitting at the gate in Huntsville, Alabama.  I thought you were not going to blog this week?  (So asked Dr. Rex Looney)  Well, I have a couple of minutes to spare and needed to share a couple of things.

First, Bro. Jerry asked me to share that the art class is not meeting today due to the election.  What election?  Something about a fire.  I am thinking “our twelve readers are not very artsy” so I know none of them are in an art class.  FYI, I made a “F” in first grade in art – just saying!

I posted the arrangements for Miss Jackie Goff in a separate entry last night.  Pray for the family.

I failed to mention yesterday that the Friendship family is not hosting the community Thanksgiving service on Sunday, 11/19.  It will now take place at the Grand Bay Church of God,  Why the change?  They simply outbid us!  Pastor Alton and those folks have some money!  Nothing else changes except the location.

Lisa and I made it safely to Hartselle yesterday afternoon.  Lisa had a dental “emergency” and Dr. Ashley Holladay came to her rescue.  Thank you Dr. Ashley!  We enjoyed our meal with dad, mom, Eddie & Sue.  Best part of the meal was that Eddie paid!  I then joined Eddie & mama in attending a revival service at Danville Baptist Church.  I was able to see many long time friends including Bernard’s BFF – Willard.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.  Kirk Lightfield will be sharing in the auditorium services.

Only about nine or ten hours before Lisa and I see Lizzi, Sydney & Audrey!

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

Obituary for Sybil “Jackie” Jean Goff

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Jeremiah 37 – 39; Hebrews 3

Wow, we were blessed with a really good day in our services yesterday.  Praise the Lord!  We saw at least one salvation decision, five come for baptism, one join on statement and one join by letter.  The Spirit was great and Bro. Keith & Miss Shirley were most complimentary of the Friendship family.  That was before they received the love offering check and you did very well in that regard too.  Thank you Holy Spirit.  Thank you Friendship family.

I spoke to Miss Jackie’s family this morning.  They meet with the funeral directors this afternoon.  They hope to have the service tomorrow but that will depend on the funeral home’s schedule.  Katelyn Johnson will coordinate the ministry of feeding the family following the service.  The family will eat in our fellowship hall.  Pray for Bro. Bill, his daughters and their families as they go through this time of sorrow.

So sad about the situation at the church in Texas yesterday.  We certainly pray for those folks.

GROW ministry tonight at 6:30PM.

No prayer time tonight, 11/6, or next Monday, 11/13.

Lisa and I are about to drive to Hartselle, Alabama in order to have a 61st wedding anniversary meal with my parents.  (Their actual anniversary date is 11/13)  Lord willing, we will board a plane in Huntsville, AL early in the morning and fly to Guatemala for a week of vacation.  Obviously, we are going to see Soy, Deidra and the girls.  My brother, Eddie, and his wife, Sue, are going with us.  This trip was planned for October but we had a couple of “breaks” that changed all of that.  Kirk Lightfield will be sharing in the services this Wednesday.  Dale Bosarge will be preaching this Sunday, 11/12.  I honestly do not know if I will blog or not during my time away.  I hope to relax and just get away from everything.  That is very hard for me to do because of the way I am wired.  My prayer is that everything will go extremely smooth while I am away.

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Jeremiah 34 – 36; Hebrews 2

It is a little after 2:30AM and I have just spoken to Miss Jackie’s family.  She has taken a turn for the worse and it seems that she is now nearing the end of earthly life.  Simply ask that you keep praying for Miss Jackie, Bro. Bill, their girls, and the family.

Four services today – 8:00 & 10:30AM and 5:00 – 6:00PM featuring the preaching ministry of Evangelist Keith Fordham.  Pray.  Attend.  Invite others.  We will have Sunday School at 9:15AM.

Deacons will meet today at 4:00PM.  Brothers, be a tad early, if possible, and we will get started early.

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Jeremiah 32 – 33; Hebrews 1

I spoke to one of Miss Jackie Goff’s daughters via the phone late yesterday afternoon as I was planning on making a visit.  However, she told me that Miss Jackie had been completely out of it all day and she would not know if I visited.  There will be no surgery for Miss Jackie and they are still in process of making decisions as to what will be next.  Pray for Miss Jackie and her family.

Tomorrow is a big day for the Friendship family as it is Harvest Day!  Evangelist Keith Fordham will be preaching at 8:00 & 10:30AM and 5:00 & 6:00PM.  I learned yesterday that Dale Bosarge was saved fifteen years ago under the preaching ministry of Bro. Keith.  It is a small world!  What if God saves some young person in one of tomorrow’s services and they go on to serve God through a vocational ministry as Dale has done?  Or they just live for God even if they are not call vocationally.  Either way it is a blessing.  So, pray, attend and bring others with you.  Remember, we will receive a special offering for Bro. Keith in all four of the services.  Pray and then give as the Lord leads.

Remember to “fall back” one hour tonight before going to bed.  This is my favorite Sunday of the year as it relates to time.  We basically “gain” an hour tonight and that is a good thing.  (I have always been an advocate of just leaving the time alone – just saying!).

The ice machine in the fellowship hall has been repaired and is now working.  It now has a filter too.  Gary Denbleyker has done an awesome job of repairing, cleaning, et cetera.  Gary does excellent work and there is nothing he cannot do – amazing!

Auburn has the early game today and Alabama has the late game.  Best of luck to both teams.  Chris Cavin needs to know that I will be pulling for his beloved Golden Eagles tonight!  To the top!

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Jeremiah 30 – 31; Philemon

Visited with Miss Jackie Goff yesterday around noon.  She was very agitated when I first arrived but they had settled her down by the time I left.  Her two daughters were there providing care and comfort as best they could.  It “appears” they will not do surgery.  Pray for Miss Jackie, Bro. Bill and the girls.

Was able to see Nanette Fontenot just before she was discharged from the hospital.  She was doing ok and is in hopes the procedure done on Wednesday has corrected her problem.

Edwina Perkins was discharged before I got to the hospital where she was a patient.  Miss Kittie talked to her via the phone.

This is a happy day for Robert Baria!  He is going home today!  I visited with him yesterday morning and he was way more than ready to go home.  He is a very happy camper!  Pray for Roseanne and those who will be giving care to Robert.

Time change this Sunday!  “Fall back” before going to bed on Saturday night!

Harvest Day this Sunday, 11/5, with Evangelist Keith Fordham.  I am praying each member of the Friendship family will be present.  Pray, attend, bring others!

Gena Davis has been officially banned from leaving comments on this site!  Just saying!

Ready for the college football weekend.  This is game nine for most teams.  Where has this season gone?  Wow!

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Jeremiah 27 – 29; Titus 3

Received a call after church last night telling me that Miss Jackie Goff had taken a fall.  It appears that she has broken her hip, her shoulder and her wrist.  I will be checking on her this morning.  Pray for Miss Jackie, Bill and the girls.

Nanette Fontenot was supposed to come home after her procedure yesterday but they kept her overnight instead.  I am thinking she will be discharged this morning.

Edwina Perkins was also supposed to come home yesterday but they kept her overnight.  I think she will be discharged this morning.

Miss Willie Roberts had a stress test yesterday and she did fine.

Good day in our services yesterday morning and last night.  Good attendance.  Good spirit.  God is faithful!

Spoke to Evangelist Keith Fordham yesterday afternoon and he is ready for Sunday.  I am as well.  I pray that the Friendship family is praying and will be faithful to attend these services.

Congratulations to the Houston Astros on winning the World Series.  I was in hopes the Dodgers would be the winners but I really did not have a proverbial dog in that fight.  I am a Dodgers fan.  However, I did not watch last night’s game.  I checked the score this morning to see who had won.

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Jeremiah 24 – 26: Titus 2

Nanette Fontenot will have a surgical procedure done on her heart early this morning.

Edwina Perkins will also have a surgical procedure done on her heart around mid morning.

Miss Willie Roberts will have a surgical procedure done on heart early this afternoon.

Yes, it appears they are running a special on heart procedures today.  All three of the ladies will be a a different hospital.  I will cover the first one and Bro. Jerry will cover the second two.  Pray that all goes well.

Mark & Courtney Hubbard fly to M.D. Anderson today and then back home on Friday.  If everything goes as planned, Courtney will then go back to Anderson next week for five days of radiation.  Mark will remain at home with their children.  Keep praying for Courtney.

We are on a regular schedule today/tonight.

Well the Dodgers won last night setting up a game seven tonight.  Can they win it for the first time since 1988?  Or will the Astros win their first World Series title?  Should be a good one.  I am pulling for the Dodgers but will not lose any sleep regardless of the outcome.  Folks, this is not Alabama football – LOL!  (I have not been watching the games but merely keeping up with the score as the games progress.  Will most likely do the same tonight.)

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