Pastor's Blog

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Matthew 8:1-13; Luke 7

Nancy West’s mother was completely out when I visited with her yesterday so I simply left a card.  Of course, since I am not family the nurses cannot give any medical updates.

Had a really nice visit with Sharon Jardee.  She is much improved and is “thinking” she may go home in a few days (her thoughts not the doctor’s).

It seemed to me as a non-medical person that Charles Suthoff was not doing as good as he was when I visited him two weeks ago.  He was on oxygen and was a bit slow in his responses to my questions.

Had a nice visit with Mary Owens.  She was feeling better than she has in some time now.

I want to remind all of our senior adults of the breakfast fellowship in the morning beginning at 9:00AM.  This will take place in the fellowship hall.  It is really a neat deal – have great fellowship, get a really good breakfast and then go into the auditorium for your morning nap while I teach the Bible study!  You will walk out at 11:00AM full and refreshed!

We are on a regular schedule for tomorrow morning and evening.

HOPE Sunday takes place this Sunday, 10/16, in all three of our services.  It is going to be an awesome day!  Pray and attend!

Speaking of our HOPE Sunday – Carla K is the point person on this Sunday but she has dumped all of this responsibility on me – what is up with that?  I have not seen or heard from her since like May 4th!  Carla, hello!

I sure hope Nanette Fontenot had a great day yesterday!  She tells me that she has pictures of us when we were dating (1979) that she took with her iPhone!  Are you serious?

This weather is nice!  Yes, it seems we could use some rain but God knows what He is doing and we trust Him.  Personally, about twenty degrees lower each day/night would be perfect for me but I am very grateful for the hint of Fall that is in the air.

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Matthew 5-7

Tuesday, October 11 – Matthew 8:1-13; Luke 7
Wednesday, October 12 – Matthew 11
Thursday, October 13 – Matthew 12:22-50
Friday, October 14 – Matthew 13; Luke 8
Saturday, October 15 – Matthew 8:14-34; Mark 4-5
Sunday, October 16 – Matthew 9-10

I know, I know, I know!  There was no blog entry last Thursday, Friday, Saturday or yesterday.  I will not bore you with the “why” but will simply say “I apologize” and move on.  (BTW, my wife and oldest two daughters were out of state Friday – Sunday leading a women’s conference.  Lisa basically “chewed” me out last night on her way home because of no blog entries.  Thus the entry this morning!)

Nancy West’s mother had surgery yesterday morning after taking a fall on Saturday.  Surgery was successful and she will be in the hospital for a couple of days before moving to the rehab floor.

Sharon Jardee remains hospitalized.  However, she has been moved out of ICU and into a regular room.  I will be visiting the hospitals this morning, Lord willing, and will note any changes in tomorrow’s entry.

Reb Nevin had to miss our services yesterday and may be out for another Sunday or two because of some health issues.

Maria Wainwright tells me that her mother had a good day this past Saturday.  Keep praying for Mrs. Hamilton.

Prayer time tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the auditorium.  Please enter/exit using the West side door.  Let’s have a strong showing tonight for this most important part of our church life.

GROW visitation tonight beginning at 6:00PM.  Meet in the church office.

Calling all of our senior adults – breakfast fellowship this Wednesday, 10/12, in the fellowship hall from 9:00AM until 10:00AM.  We have changed days of the week in order to make it easier on you as our morning service will begin at 10:00AM.  Sherry Schlehuber will once again be our chef and the meal will be great.  The fellowship will be even greater!  Join us and bring a guest!

Our annual “Hope Sunday” takes place this Sunday, 10/16, with a special emphasis in all three of our services.  Special guest speaker in the 8:00AM service (father of a cancer survivor), special speakers in the 10:30AM service along with special music and a special speaker (out of town/state pastor) in the evening service with special music.  Folks, you do not want to miss this one!

Remember, if you are a survivor of cancer and want to be recognized in our 10:30AM service then you need to contact me by this Wednesday, 10/12, please.  We do not want to knowingly miss anyone.

Quick recap – the pastors’ conference in El Salvador was, in my opinion, the best of the six we have hosted.  There were one hundred and thirty or so pastors/workers in attendance with about thirty of those being from Honduras.  The new location was wonderful!  Many thanks to Pastors B.R. Johnson (Wetumpka, AL), Keith Martin (Kennedy, AL), Terry Nappier (Hartselle, AL) and Tico Vargas (Guatemala).  Also, many thanks to those who supported this conference through prayers and finances – what a blessing!

Ok, confession is good for the soul.  You want the “real” reason for no blog entries over the past four days?  Nanette Fontenot contacted me last week and was furious that I have not mentioned her or any of her family members in the blog for several weeks.  She says that when we were dating back in 1979 I made a promise to her that if I ever had a blog she would always get mentioned.  (Hint, Al had not even invented the internet at that time!)  What did she say to me?  You do not even want to know!  (Plus, this is a family friendly blog)  I do know that her daughter, Korie, has quit attending our Sunday School class – is this the reason?

By the way, I have been predicting the outcome of the college football games but just not publishing them.  I am setting at 94% for the season.  Or is it 49%?  Cannot remember right now!

This entry has been way too long.  In closing just let me say what a wonderful person Nanette Fontenot is! (Pray for Scott!)

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Matthew 4; Luke 4-5; John 1:15-51

Prayer request per Bro. Jerry Hovel via e-mail last night – “Sharon Jardee will have emergency surgery on her neck tomorrow at sometime as yet to be determined.  The last time she was taken to the doctors, her neck was injured in the transporting process.  She saw her doctor today and an X-ray was taken and surgery was deem to be urgent.”

Regular schedule today/tonight.  Bro. Jerry Hovel will be preaching in the 10:00AM and 6:30PM services.

All is well in El Salvador.  We will finish the conference today at noon and then travel home tomorrow.  Thank you for your prayers.

Sorry for the lateness of this post.  I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading –  Matthew 3; Mark 1; Luke 3

Good morning (afternoon?) from the mountains in El Salvador.  What an absolutely beautiful and cool morning.  God is good!

The team from the States (Pastor B.R. Johnson, Pastor Keith Martin and Pastor Terry Nappier) all arrived here safe and sound around 4:00PM yesterday afternoon.  Dr. Tico Vargas had arrived a bit earlier as he had driven down from Guatemala.  There was an afternoon session in which Dr. Tico preached.  Supper was served (tamales) and then there was an evening service.  The preaching in the evening service was probably about as poor as it gets!  Today will be a full day of preaching, break out sessions, et cetera.

Thinking/praying for the folks in Haiti this morning as Hurricane Matthew makes landfall there.  Major storm to a very poor country.  Praying for lives to be spared.

Bro. Jerry Hovel and the deacons are covering any ministry needs in my absence.

It just dawned on me that I totally forgot to get anyone to be in charge of the prayer time last night!  How dumb is that!  My apologies to anyone who showed up!

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

Happy 20th birthday to Dana & Gina!  Wow!  I hope their day is great!  We are blessed to have them as our daughters.

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Saturday, October 1 – Luke 1; John 1:1-14
Sunday, October 2 – Matthew 1; Luke 2:1-38

Today’s Bible reading – Matthew 2; Luke 2:39-52

Tuesday, October 4 – Matthew 3; Mark 1; Luke 3
Wednesday, October 5 – Matthrew 4; Luke 4-5; John 1:15-51
Thursday, October 6 – John 2-4
Friday, October 7 – Mark 2
Saturday, October 8 – John 5
Sunday, October 9 – Matthew 12:1-21; Mark 3; Luke 6

Good morning from the Mobile airport.  I am headed to El Salvador for the annual pastors’ conference which begins this afternoon.  I hope to add to this entry later.

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Malachi 1-4

One of Caroline Ford’s sons, Bradley Cumbie, is in the hospital battling a staph infection.  Pray that the antibiotics are effective.

Sherry Schlehuber has a couple, Paul & Irene, from Oklahoma who are long time friends.  Irene is now on life support and is not expected to live.  Sherry asked us to pray for them.

Maria and her family will once again be spending the weekend with her mother.  Pray for Mrs. Hamilton.

Carl Ray Moulds has a friend, James, to whom he has been ministering.  James is battling cancer and has other issues too.  Pray for him.

I have prayed for Greg Boutwell this morning as he continues to have problems with his legs/feet.  He is basically homebound.  Would you join me in praying for Greg?

Men’s breakfast in the morning (Saturday) from 8:00 – 9:00AM in the fellowship hall.  All men are invited to attend.

FYI – our Hope Sunday (10/16) is coming together very nicely!  I appreciate all of the help Carla Kyser is giving to this special day.  BTW, if you are a cancer survivor and would like a) to be recognized in that service, or b) have reserved seating for you family and friends, please contact Carla or me no later than Sunday, October 9.  This will allow us to make proper plans.  We certainly do not want to overlook anyone in this most important area.

It is around 3:00AM as I type this entry.  Walked outside a few minutes ago and it felt awesome!  The temperature is either 57 or 58 (depends on your source) and it feels a bit like Fall.  The humidity is supposed to be pretty low tonight and tomorrow.  I thank the Lord for this blessing!

During the lunch hour yesterday I was able to attend “grandparents day” at Breitling Elementary.  Translated, “grandparents day” means book fair which means give your grandchildren money to buy books!  What ever happened to “grandparents day” being simply sharing a meal at school with your grandchildren?  I have contacted the AG’s office about this matter!

Logan Wainwright is like the best small engine mechanic in the world!  Just saying!

Was able to jump on the mower after I got off work (waiting for the laughter to die down) yesterday afternoon and get a head start on the grass cutting.  Of course, Charles was outside and basically demanded that I mow his yard first which I did.  Lord willing, today will see me working in the yard all day today before heading toward Tuscaloosa.

We are on a regular schedule this Sunday morning and evening.

Lord willing, I will be out of town in the morning so I am not sure if I will post an entry or not.  Just FYI in case there is not an entry.

I am going out on a limb and picking Louisville to beat Clemson tomorrow night.  (Please do not tell Pastor Terry Rainey about this pick!)  I hope I am wrong as I like Coach Dabo.  I am also picking Bama to beat UK if they have any players left!  Pee Wee is already in Tuscaloosa and may have to suit up!

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Nehemiah 11-13; Psalms 126

Winston Gulley & Dana Faucett were both discharged from the hospitals yesterday.  That is good news!  At the moment, we have no one from the Friendship family in the hospital – praise the Lord!

Keep praying for those folks who are battling cancer as they go through treatments, et cetera.

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Nehemiah 8-10

The surgery on Dana Faucett went well.  Her mother, Miss Mary, seems to think Dana will be discharged from the hospital at some point today.  Let me say a big “thank you” to Myrtle Bowden for driving Dana to the hospital early yesterday morning so that Miss Mary could stay home and get all of the children to school.  What a kind act by Myrtle!

Heard from Debbie Kendrick last night and Bill’s surgery went well too.  If all goes as planned, he will have an additional surgery in three or four weeks.  (Bill does not know this but I plan on having a tattoo artist put a script A on his right forearm while he is out the next time!  I think he will like it!  LOL!)

Visited with Winston and he is hopeful that he will be discharged today.  He is ready to come home.

Keep praying for Maria Wainwright’s mother, Mrs. Hamilton, in Louisiana.

Andy Hamil sent me an e-mail from the hills of Tennessee.  He said all is well with the senior adults group.  That is good news!

We are on a regular schedule this morning and tonight.  Bible study this morning at 10:00AM, children’s choir at 5:30PM, adult choir at 6:30PM, RA’s/GA’s at 6:30PM, preschool classes/nursery at 6:30PM, middle school and high school Bible study at 6:30PM, Bible study in the auditorium at 6:30PM, Bible study at our house at 7:30PM.

The fare for tonight’s 7:30PM Bible study is poppy seed chicken with all of the trimmings.  We are doing this for Zach Huhn even though he is in Starkville.  My wife does an amazing job of providing these Wednesday night meals!

As I mentioned in Sunday morning’s message, I blew a ministry opportunity last week.  Graciously, the Lord gave me another opportunity yesterday.  I am grateful.  Looking and listening!

Steve Morris has spent the past two days mowing the back forty.  I appreciate it!  Looks good!  Thanks to Jeff Holifield for getting the mower repaired.

Richard Tillman did some much needed repair work on one of our roofs yesterday.  I am very thankful.  It “appears” that he also found the “light bulb” leak in the auditorium and corrected that problem.

Can it be true that cooler temps are on the way?  50’s for the next three mornings?  Humidity in the fifty percent range?  That is great!  I do not complain about the weather as God knows what He is doing.  However, I am very grateful for cooler/cold temperatures.

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Nehemiah 6-7

Dana Faucett will have surgery this morning.  Pray that all goes well.

Bill Kendrick will also have surgery today.  His is going to be an outpatient procedure so he should come home later today.

Winston Gulley was doing well when I visited with him yesterday.  He thinks that he will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow.

A group of our senior adults left yesterday headed to the national quartet convention in Tennessee.  Cecil Guidry is leading this group.  Pray for them to have a good week.

We had a pretty good attendance for our prayer time last night.  It came a pretty serious rain shortly after 5:00PM which may have limited some folks in their coming to the auditorium.  One website says we got 1.9″ of rain but I think we may have gotten more than that on Potter Tract Road.  I know the ditches were filled!  I do know it all came in a very short period of time.

I did not watch the debate last night.  In my opinion, the liberal media is going to do all they can to make their candidate look good.  It is my understanding that is exactly what happened.  Both candidates have a track record that I can examine and I can read so why do I need to get my blood pressure elevated by watching a debate?

Have to get in some time over the next few days to prepare for the pastors’ conference in El Salvador which takes place next week.  Pray that my schedule will allow me to do so.  I need a quiet place to make this happen.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.

Our “Hope Sunday” is going to be a special day.  We will have a guest speaker in the 8:00AM service, guest speakers in the 10:30AM service and then an out of town guest speaker in the 6:00PM evening service.  Working on some other things for the other Sundays in October.  Will be announcing the date/time of our annual Hallelujah Festival after this Sunday.  Pray for the month of October!

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

Our weekly prayer time will take place tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the auditorium.  Enter/exit through the West side door.

GROW visitation begins at 6:00PM.  Meet Bro. Jerry Hovel in the church office.