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 –  Psalms 111-118

Word came to me via Phil Sims this morning that Melissa deBrabant passed from this life and entered Heaven last night.  I learned this last night but I did not trust that source so I waited to hear from Phil.  Arrangements pending.  Pray for Bro. Randy and Will as they walk through this valley.

Carla Kyser was discharged from the hospital late, late yesterday afternoon.  (I am thinking that Carla went in just to see if I would come home from my vacation in order to visit her.  Guess she got her answer!  LOL!)

Vera Bosarge’s brother was hospitalized this week but I am not sure if he remains in the hospital.  Pray for him.

The Boston butts will be available on Monday morning, 5/30, at 8:30AM from the church.  Those who sold them need to be punctual in being there to get them so as not to delay Jim Chinners and his holiday plans.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.  I hope every member of the Friendship family who is in town will be in his/her rightful place.  Faithfulness is important!

I will, at some point, share some information from our trip to CP.  Lisa has gotten a million questions.  I did not take my laptop and kept my phone turned off so I did not get many.

I realize the blog has been weak this week but I took this time away pretty seriously.  Lisa, Dana & Gina had my full attention.  I spent basically zero time on the internet which is unusual for me.  Do not know if I will blog tomorrow morning or not but will get back at i come Monday.

Speaking of Monday, thank God for those who have given their lives in service to our country!

The garden and yard are calling my name!

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

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 131, 138-139, 143-145

Carla Kyser was admitted to the hospital yesterday due to low blood pressure and other issues.  She has requested no visitors due to how poorly she is feeling.  Pray for Carla.

Obviously I was mistaken saying Becky’s treatment was on Tuesday.  It was Monday and she was sick on Tuesday.  Keep praying for Becky.

Roller coasters galore here in Cedar Point!

Have a good Thursday with Jesus!

Today’s Bible reading – I Chronicles 23 – 25

Heard from Dave yesterday that the chemo made Becky very sick yesterday.  Pray fervently for her.

Regular schedule today/tonight.  I have a good friend coming to preach in my absence both services.  Be faithful!

Good morning from Cedar Point, Ohio!  Dana & Gina are thrilled to be here as this place has roller coasters galore!  We hit the ground running upon arrival yesterday afternoon by riding either five or six of the coasters with the last one being the newest one called The Valravin.  It reaches 223 feet in height and tops ouut at 75 miles per hour!  What would ever possess a fifty six year old man to ride such?  At any rate, the next two days will see us riding and riding and riding!

I pray you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus!

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 108 – 110

Good morning from Atlanta!  We arrived here safe and sound at 1:00AM.  Soon heading to the airport!

Deidra has agreed to coordinate the meals for Joe & Shirley.  Carol Lucky & Miss Vinnie Brewer are also checking on them daily.  Thanks ladies!

I do not have access to my iMessage this week.  Yes, I could but I have chosen not to.  Will check e-mail from time to time.

Shuttle time.  Blessings!

“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 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21-22; Psalm 30
Tuesday, May 24 – Psalms 108-110
Wednesday, May 25 – 1 Chronicles 23-25
Thursday, May 26 – Psalms 131; 138-139; 143-145
Friday, May 27 – 1 Chronicles 26-29; Psalm 127
Saturday, May 28 – Psalms 111-118
Sunday, May 29 – 1 Kings 1-2; Psalms 37; 71; 94
Monday, May 30 – Psalms 119:1-88
Tuesday, May 31 – 1 Kings 3-4; 2 Chronicles 1; Psalm 72

A blessed Sunday!  What a joy to see Brittney Nelson and Buford Young follow the Lord in believers’ baptism as a part of our 10:30AM worship service.  There was a sweet liberty to preach in the morning services even though I was pressed for time.  The prayer time in those two services was special.  Thank you to each person who prayed.  Keep praying!

The preschoolers, children and few youth all did a nice job in leading us in the evening service as they presented their musical.  I do not have the numbers but it appeared we had a nice attendance too.  I appreciate Miss Tena Hovel leading this ministry.

As I figured, Miss Shirley Hill did not like yesterday’s blog entry.  Oh well!  LOL!  Thank you to those who prepared the meal yesterday and to those who are preparing meals this week too.  Still looking for someone to coordinate this ministry so as to avoid duplications.

Becky Sellers goes today for her chemotherapy treatment.  This is a three day treatment as it comes home with her.  Pray this is effective.  It was good to see Becky in our second service yesterday and she is as positive as ever.  She is a blessing!

Carla Kyser has to make some decisions today related to her treatment options.  Pray for wisdom on her behalf.

Courtney Hubbard will receive a long treatment today.  I am thinking it is sixteen hours.  She and Mark are in Houston.

Jimmy Moates will have his scan tomorrow.

Per Phil Sims, Melissa deBrabant is not doing well physically.  Pray for Melissa, Bro. Randy and Will during this most difficult time.

We will be having our prayer time tonight in the auditorium from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  Lord willing, I will be there at least some of the time. Prayer is important!  Come and go or come and stay – just pray!

Bro. Jerry Hovel is on vacation this week.  Please respect this and do not contact him related to work via phone, electronically or any other way.

I am also on vacation this week.  Lisa and I are taking Dana & Gina on a special trip.  This has been planned for months.  We will drive to Atlanta in order to fly to our destination.  As far as I know, no one knows where we are going except for Lisa and me.  Dana & Gina have it narrowed down to a place or two but only time will tell if they are correct.  Today will be spent working in the garden and yard as we will drive to Atlanta tonight and fly out tomorrow.  If all goes as planned, we will be back in Grand Bay late Friday night.

Bro. Kerry will be in the office all week.  Our deacons are on call and do a really good job of ministering.  The church office will be open from 8:00AM until 12:00PM and 1:00PM until 5:00PM today through Thursday.

Eddie Albritton made his much anticipated return to SNBA last night.  He won the first game and his hip was fine but then he  lost the next game and his hip problem flared up rendering him unable to play any more.  Go figure!  He gets a shot next Tuesday, 5/31.  (I hope it is a good one because he certainly did not have a shot last night – just saying!)

I have no idea if I will be blogging this week or not.  If so, the entries will most likely be short and sweet.  Day by day.

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 – Psalms 95; 97-99

Miss Shirley Hill’s surgery was successful.  She was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  Folks, if there has ever been a woman deserving of having meals cooked and taken to her and her family, this is that woman!  (She is a blog reader and is not going to be a happy camper but it is what it is!)  It would be great if someone could coordinate these meals – do we have a volunteer?

Regular schedule today including Discipleship Training at 5:00PM.  Our children’s choir will present their Spring musical in our 6:00PM service.

SNBA tonight following the evening service.  Tonight’s play will feature the return of Eddie Albritton.

The first Friendship soccer league finished league play yesterday!  I am very thankful to Curly, Larry & Moe for their leadership in this ministry opportunity.  Also very thankful to each coach, worker, et cetera who helped in any way.

I look forward to joining the other members of the Friendship family in Bible study and worship today.

“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 –  Psalms 5; 38; 41-42

Miss Shirley Hill be having surgery on her broken leg this morning.  I will be going to pray with her before the surgery.  Pray that all goes well.

They almost put Carla Kyser in the hospital yesterday afternoon.  I do not know for a fact but I imagine that she “wiggled” her way out of it.  She is a stubborn thing!  Pray that she gets better in a hurry!

Jimmy Moates will be having a scan on Tuesday.  Pray for good results.

Last day of soccer tomorrow!  Each player will receive their “swimming” medal!  What?  Yes, Soy has a swimming medal for each player!  Said they were cheaper than the soccer medals!  Hey folks, do not worry – Curly, Larry & Moe have got this!

I plan on starting an online petition.  I need all ten of our blog readers to sign it.  It is a petition demanding that Joey Switzer repair the “squeaking” exercise machine in his gym!  I am tired of hearing my wife complain about it!  Joey continues to charge full price but has less than adequate machines?  WOW!

Speaking of Joey, if you ever need lights on a trailer repaired, contact Phil Sims instead of going to Joey.  Just saying!  Phil knows what he is doing!

Yesterday was a long day of traveling for me as I went to Hartselle, Alabama and back.  Left home at 2:00AM and got back at just before 5:00PM.  It was all ministry related but I cannot share the details until tomorrow.  I did get to spend about thirty minutes visiting with my parents which was good.  Jim N Nick’s was also good – pig in the garden salad!

Was able to jump on the mower pretty soon after getting home and mowed until dark thirty in anticipation of today’s rain.  Now, the forecast for rain does not look as threatening.  Soy also got on a mower so we have a good bit of the mowing behind us.  As soon as I get back from the hospital today, I plan on hitting it again and then moving into the garden.

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 –  2 Samuel 19-21

I posted yesterday that Becky Sellers will be receiving chemo treatments.  At that time, I did not know the details.  Rusty shared with me last night that those treatments will begin this Monday, 5/23.  Pray for Becky, Dave and family.

Carla Kyser is trying to get into a clinical trial.  She, and others, are checking into various possibilities.  Pray that something will work out very soon.

Courtney Hubbard is in Houston for the next couple of days meeting with doctors.  She will come home tomorrow and then go back on Sunday in order to receive a sixteen hour treatment on Monday, 5/23.  Pray for Courtney, Mark & family.

Courtney Cavin’s maternal grandfather had heart surgery last night.

Good day in our services yesterday morning and evening.  Very good to see the number of adults stepping up to help with our student ministry.

Came home from last night’s church service to find a leaking air condition unit in the attic.  Thankfully, Soy took care of it while I led the Bible study.  What would I do without Soy?

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

The test results came back positive so Becky will begin taking chemo treatments soon.  Not the news that we had prayed for but we are still praying big and trusting God!  Join us in that prayer.  Will provide more details in the days ahead.  Pray for Becky, Dave and family.

“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 – Psalms 26; 40; 58; 61-62; 64

Today is an important day for Dave & Becky Sellers as they will learn the results of the latest tests.  Please pray for them this morning.

Saw Carla Kyser last night but did not ask her if she has heard anything from Texas.  Just keep praying.

Hilda Gunter was discharged from the hospital yesterday morning and is resting at home.

Eddie Albritton has finally run out of excuses to keep missing basketball on Sunday nights!  Basically, the doctor told him to “man up” and keep playing.  Actually, he has a hip labral tear and they will eventually give him a shot.  If that does not work, then they would do a surgical procedure.  Long story short – he scared!

We had, in my opinion, a really good meeting last night regarding our student ministry.  Twenty nine folks showed up and gave good input and insights.  Tonight will see Jonny Gaston teaching our senior high Bible study and Jim Chinners teaching our middle school Bible study.  Our ultimate goal is to build our student ministry spiritually and numerically while making disciples.

The Alma Bryant High School Class of 2016 will graduate this morning at 10:00AM in the USA Mitchell Center.  Obviously, I have a scheduling conflict because of our morning service but I say “congratulations” to each of the graduates from the Friendship family.

Regular schedule for the Friendship family today with our morning service at 10:00AM and the evening Bible studies/classes at 6:30PM.  Children’s choir at 5:30PM.

The fare for the 7:30PM Bible study will be baked spaghetti, caesar salad, bread, drink and dessert.  I can promise you that it will be a spread as Lisa always does well.

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