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 –  Lamentations 3:37-5:22

The arrangements for Tim Knighten’s stepmother are as follows – visitation with the family tomorrow afternoon from 4:00 – 5:00PM at the Wallace Baptist Church in Milton, FL.  The celebration of life service will begin at 5:00PM.  A graveside service will take place on Sunday afternoon at 3:00PM in Quitman, MS.  Continue to pray for Tim’s dad and the family.

Visited with Randy Collins yesterday.  He was in SICU but was supposed to be placed in a regular room later in the day.  He has certainly had a tough go of it over these past two months.

David Bosarge’s mother, Miss Maxine, was better than I have seen her all week when I visited with her yesterday.  It now appears that she will not be going into rehab when she is discharged from the hospital.

We need casseroles and desserts for the “farewell/retirement” reception for Bro. Kerry Kelley this Sunday evening.  Simply bring those to the CAB before the evening service begins.  We need the deacons and staff to help set up tables and chairs immediately following the second morning service this Sunday.

Work day tomorrow morning beginning at 8:00AM.  Biscuit breakfast at 7:30AM.  The forecast calls for a fifty percent chance of rain but the work day is a go regardless.  Again, our Buildings & Grounds team is leading this effort.

Our TNBA numbers were down last night.  However, that did not stop “game winning shot” James Mareno from doing that in two of the three games his team won.

It is a little after 4:00AM and Lisa says the groceries had best be in the house come daybreak so off to Walmart I go!

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

I am please to say that our State Senator, Bill Hightower, and our State Representative, David Sessions, have both voted against the proposed lottery bills being considered by our state lawmakers.  The proponents of the gambling interests are working feverishly today to get a referendum on the November 8 ballot.  I am praying that will not happen.

I encourage those served by Senator Hightower and Representative Sessions to contact them expressing your appreciation for their stand against gambling.

Peggy sent me an e-mail today to inform me that Tim’s step-mother, Marilyn, passed away early this morning.  She had knee replacement surgery last Thursday, was moved to rehab this past Monday, and was taken to the ER yesterday due to breathing issues and low oxygen levels.

Tim is in Pensacola with his dad.  Pray for them as they walk through this valley.  Will announce the arrangements once they are completed.

“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 – Lamentations 1:1-3:36

Good Wednesday in our services.  We had a really nice attendance in our morning service and the evening attendance got better about ten minutes into the service.  God is good.  He is faithful.

It was good to see Carla in our service last night.  (Please do not tell her that I said that!)  Praying fervently for Carla and all others battling cancer.

Randy Collins was admitted to the hospital again.  Wow!

David Bosarge’s mother, Miss Maxine, remains in the hospital.  She will eventually be discharged to rehab.

We need folks to call the church office today (8:00AM – 12:00PM; 1:00PM – 5:00PM) to let us know if you will bring a casserole and/or dessert to the farewell/retirement reception this Sunday night, August 28.  Obviously, this is for Bro. Kerry Kelley as he is retiring and this Sunday will be his last service day with us.  We want to have a good crowd and plenty of food.  BTW, Bro. Kerry will be cleaning out his office and wrapping things up next week through Thursday, 9/1.

TNBA tonight at 7:00PM.  Intense!

Mission of Hope service tomorrow night, 8/26, beginning at 7:00PM.  Bus leaves Friendship at 6:15PM.  Everyone invited!

Work day this Saturday, 8/27, beginning at 8:00AM.  Biscuit breakfast at 7:30AM in the fellowship hall.  We could use a bush hog or two on the front part of the back forty.

I am so ready for the college football season to begin.  Attending some of the Bama games is good family time for us.  (We may have to change TNBA once the Thursday night games begin)  I will even watch a pro game on Sunday nights if it is competitive.  However, college football remains my preference.

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 –  Jeremiah 51-52

Carla Kyser met with the doctor at UAB yesterday afternoon.  They had nothing new to offer her but suggested she go back to a chemo used on her several years ago or the one her doctor in Mobile has suggested.  The doctor said that she did not need to be on any chemo that would lessen her quality of life i.e. make her really sick.  Folks, we need to bombard heaven on Carla’s behalf.  Pray, pray, pray!

Per Reb’s comment on yesterday’s entry, Holly has treatments for three more weeks and then finds out where she stands regarding her cancer.  Join Reb in praying that it will all be gone.

Becky is taking a lower dosage of chemo.  Bernard continues with his daily radiation treatments.  Pray for this father/daughter.

Miss Maxine Rogers seemed some better to me yesterday morning (being the doctor that I am).  She had been given more blood and that usually helps pick a person up.  She is very grateful for the prayer support.

Randy Collins was discharged from the hospital.

Work day this Saturday, 8/27, beginning at 8:00AM.  Biscuit breakast at 7:30AM.  The seven members of our Buildings & Grounds team will lead this effort.  We will finish before noon.  All hands on deck!

The “farewell/retirement” reception for Bro. Kerry Kelley will take place this Sunday, 8/28, immediately following our evening service.  Our church hostess, Hilda Gunter, will coordinate this fellowship.  We need folks to bring casseroles and desserts.  We want this to be a well attended fellowship which is why we are having it this Sunday instead of the Sunday of Labor Day weekend.

A student fellowship was on the calendar for this Sunday evening but that event has been postponed.  Josh will announce the new date when it is finalized.

Regular schedule today/tonight.  Dale Bosarge will be teaching our senior high students tonight.  I believe that Carl Brinkman will be sharing with our middle school students.  We will split for our 7:30PM Bible study.  Cold cut subs with chips and pies are on the menu for that Bible study.

Larry, Curly and Moe had a meeting last night to work on the soccer teams.  They give me zero information and then expect me to put it on the blog.  So here is what I have from them regarding the soccer league up to this point – !  A concerned parent has informed me that the league play begins on Saturday, 9/10, and ends on Saturday, 10/29.

We got a pretty good rain early yesterday afternoon.  I came home and started mowing a little after 5:00PM.  The ground was pretty saturated.  The lightning drove me inside just before 7:00PM and then the rains came again.  I will have to find out from Bobby Broome how much rain fell here on the little hill behind the skating rink.  Wait, you just mowed your grass last Friday.  Sure did.  Will mow it again this Friday, Lord willing.  By the way, I had the same amount of help from Soy & Rusty yesterday as I did last Friday – just saying!

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 – Jeremiah 49-50

David Bosarge’s mother, Miss Maxine, was not feeling so well whenever I visited with her yesterday morning.  She is weary of the going back and forth to the hospital.  Pray for Miss Maxine.

Randy Collins was in good spirits and seemed to be doing well.  He was in hopes of going home yesterday but I am not so sure the doctor shared those hopes.

Everyone in the convalescent homes seemed to be doing ok.

Pray as Carla Kyser meets with the doctor at UAB today.  Pray fervently!

We had a really good number in our prayer time last night and for that I am grateful.  Oh how we need to pray!

I do not know how many folks took part in our GROW visitation but I do know some did.  Thank you to those who joined Bro. Jerry in this ministry last night.

Work day this Saturday, 8/27, beginning at 8:00AM.  There will be a biscuit breakfast available beginning at 7:30AM.  We will not go past noon and should be finished before that hour.  All hands on deck, please!

The deacons are in the process of planning a retirement celebration fellowship for Bro. Kerry Kelley.  Those details will be announced as soon as they are finalized.

I pray that you will have a great Tuesday 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 – Jeremiah 46-48
Tuesday, August 23 – Jeremiah 49-50
Wednesday, August 24 – Jeremiah 51-52
Thursday, August 25 – Lamentations 1:1-3:36
Friday, August 26 – Lamentations 3:37-5:22
Saturday, August 27 – Ezekiel 1-4
Sunday, August 28 – Ezekiel 5-8

As the members of the Friendship family are already aware, Bro. Kerry Kelley resigned last night as our Minister of Music/Senior Adults in order to retire.  He has served the Lord through the Friendship family for the past fourteen years with August being his anniversary month.  I am always happy for any person who reaches the point in his life that he can retire.  That is true of those in the ministry or those in the secular work force.  My hope is that Bro. Kerry will have many years of good health so he can enjoy his retirement doing whatever he chooses to do.  Bro. Kerry’s resignation will be effective Sunday, September 4, 2016.  Pray for him and Barbara as they move to this next chapter in their life.

The Friendship family continued the call that was given to Josh Schlehuber in June to serve as our student ministry intern.  He has done a nice job and this will go hand in hand with his studies at the University of Mobile.  Pray for Josh and for our student ministry.

The Lord certainly blessed in our services yesterday as we saw a salvation decision in our second morning service and another one in our evening service.  God gives the increase and we give Him the glory!  Thank God for souls being saved!

Our prayer time will take place tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the auditorium.  Enter and exit through the West door.  The ministry of prayer is so very important to the church family!

Our GROW visitation takes place tonight beginning at 6:00PM.  Those taking part in this ministry are asked to meet Bro. Jerry in the church office.  When we go, they come!

Work day this Saturday, 8/27, beginning at 8:00AM.  We will have a biscuit breakfast beginning at 7:30AM.  The seven members of our Buildings & Grounds team will lead this effort.  This is an “all hands on deck” effort.

Tomorrow is a big day for Carla Kyser.  The doctors from MD Anderson sent word late last week that they do not have an available medicine to treat the cancer afflicting Carla.  Carla was in Birmingham for the weekend and called UAB to see if they could give him an appointment for a second opinion.  They gave her one tomorrow, 8/23.  Pray that they will be able to help her or that God will divinely touch her.

Becky Sellers will receive a chemo treatment this week if all goes as planned.  It will be a lower dosage as her cancer markers are down.

Bernard continues to receive his radiation treatments each week day.

David Bosarge’s mother was admitted to the hospital on Saturday.  Randy Collins remains hospitalized.  I will visit these folks today to get an update.

Decker & Martha Terry are good friends who live in Montgomery.  They both have been having some health issues and I ask you to pray for them.  Decker is one of our thirteen readers of the blog.

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 – Habakkuk 1-3

Can you believe it?  I wrote a fairly long entry earlier this morning, hit publish, and it totally vanished into cyberspace.  Frustrating!  I have left a message for Al!

Bus visitation today.  Pray for Bro. Benny and our bus workers.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.

Carla K sees a doctor at UAB on Tuesday for a second opinion.

I pray that you will have a great Saturday 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 –  2 Kings 24-25; 2 Chronicles 36

Randy Collins underwent a surgical procedure yesterday.  When I visited he was already in surgery so I do not have an update on his condition.

The folks in the convalescent home all seemed to be doing well.  Was finally able to see all of the intended ones as there was no service or activity taking place during my time there.

Carla Kyser had a specific financial need regarding her medical bills.  After Wednesday’s event, she had those funds plus just a little over.  Folks, God is good!

Our TNBA went well last night too.  There are some really nice guys who play on Thursday nights.  Not just good ball players but really nice guys.  That is a good time of fellowship.

The public schools high school football season begins tonight.  Bryant is hosting Faith Academy.  Coach Collier and his Bobcats will be in Tuscaloosa playing against Northridge.

The yard is calling my name.  Our grass is growing so very fast these days.  Bobby Broome mowed the church yard yesterday and he just does an outstanding job week after week.  If you need to hire someone to mow your yard then I would seriously recommend Bobby Broome – he is good!

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 – Jeremiah 38-40; Psalms 74; 79

Glory to God and way to go Friendship family!  Lisa and I joined our 7:30PM Bible study group in going to the South location of Sam’s Super Burger for dessert last night.  We crashed the place around 8:30PM but they knew we were coming so they could be somewhat prepared.  The owners, Phillip & Natalie, were super nice and shared with us the total receipts for both locations.  I will just say that the South location took in more which is exactly what I predicted during our service last night.  It was the highest total of receipts in the thirty year history of Sam’s Super Burger!  What a tremendous show of support for Carla by the Friendship family and the entire Grand Bay community.  We closed the place down by praying for Phillip, Natalie and their business.  By the way, I appreciate them not being open on Sundays!  May God richly bless them and their business!  (We had four Pentecostal sisters somehow slip into our Baptist line in order to get free ice cream – what is up with that?)  As pastor and a friend of Carla, I say “thank you” to each person who helped make “Carla Felps Kyser Day” a huge success!  Again, glory to God!  (The “friend of Carla” thing is just to make this sound sweet!  Do not read too much into it. Just saying!  LOL!)

Randy Collins was admitted to the hospital yesterday and will be undergoing a surgical procedure today.  Pray for Randy as this has been problematic for several weeks now.

Linda Green’s sister will be discharged from the hospital today.

Per the hospital operator last night, Pastor Jiggs Ramsey has been discharged.  That is good news!  Now he just needs to give himself time to recover!

Larry Whitehurst shared yesterday morning in our service that he visited with Ted Ezell this week and found that Ted had taken a nasty fall on Saturday night.  Cut his head and required stitches.  Pray for Ted as he recovers.

Pastor Wes Bates felt God leading him to resign from his position as a pastor this week so he obeyed.  Pray for Pastor Wes and his family as they now wait on the Lord’s leading for their next step in the ministry.  Maybe they will be joining us for some of our services during this interim period.  That would make Grandma Jeanette a happy camper!

The celebration of life service for Pastor Jack Bailey’s great niece will be held on Friday afternoon at the high school in Ardmore, Alabama.  I assume that her pastor, Tim Keenum, will be the main speaker but not sure if Pastor Jack or Pastor Joe will be involved.  Regardless, pray for the Greer family.

We had a really strong Wednesday in our services.  The attendance in our student Bible studies was way up!  School beginning is obviously a plus as the students can connect on a daily basis and encourage each other to attend.  Pray for Jim, Josh, Jonny & Dale and all others involved in teaching/reaching our students.

The attendance in our morning service was good as usual while the evening attendance was higher than normal which is a good thing!

Work day on 8/27 @ 8:00AM!

Prayer service for America on 9/11 @ 6:00PM.

Another night of no Olympics for me last night.  The “robbery” thing has me confused.  I am thinking that maybe OJ was involved?  May need to send Tony down to sort this thing out!

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