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:  Numbers 5 – 6

I was wrong about my mother-in-law, Ann Clark, coming home from the hospital today.  She came home fairly early yesterday afternoon.  Obviously, she is doing very well in her recovery.  I suspect she will be jumping fences in a day or two!

I failed to report that Pastor Alvin Tucker did not have his leg amputated earlier this week.  The doctor saw signs of improvement and decided to not do the amputation.  Bro. Alvin remains hospitalized for the time being.

Marisa told us last night in our service that Carla will have more scans done on Monday.  She may be going to Birmingham for consultation too.  Keep praying for Carla.

Reb mentioned in yesterday’s morning service that Holly is having some problems with her treatment.  Pray for Holly.

The visitation and service for Faron Steiner takes place today.  Visitation with the family from 10:00AM until the noon service time.  Everything in the mausoleum at Serenity Memorial Gardens.  Pray for Winston, Ruby & family.

If you are helping feed the family following the service today, please have your food in the fellowship no later than 10:30AM.  Thank you for ministering to this family.

Prayer time tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the auditorium.  Please use the West side door to enter/exit.  A call to prayer!

TNBA tonight beginning at 7:00PM.

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:  Numbers 3 – 4

Amber Joyner was discharged from the hospital yesterday and, as far as I know, Tim Knighten’s mother was too.

Ann Clark remains in the hospital but I am thinking she could be discharged tomorrow.

The service for Faron Steiner takes place tomorrow, 2/25, at noon.  It will be preceded by two hours of visitation.  Everything will take place in the mausoleum at Serenity Memorial Gardens (not in the funeral home).  Pray for Faron’s family.

One of the Sunday School classes fed Winston & Ruby and family last night.  The church family is asked to help feed the family following the service.  We will be asking for volunteers in this morning’s service.  I firmly believe we will get enough in that service but, if not, we will ask in tonight’s service.  Thank you in advance to everyone who will help and thanks to Carol Lucky for heading up this ministry.

Regular schedule today and tonight.  Pizza is the fare for the 7:30PM Bible study.  Lisa is not real happy with me about this but I will not let her cook due to her helping take care of her mother.  I tell her those young adults would eat pizza every Wednesday night and never complain but they do enjoy her cooking.

We will have our prayer time tomorrow night, 2/25, from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the auditorium.  Please use the West door to enter/exit.

We will also have TNBA tomorrow night.  Any men who missed the services this past Sunday can come today/tonight and be eligible to join us in this ultra competitive scrimmage.

As far as I know, South Mobile County escaped any serious weather yesterday afternoon and last night.  We are thankful and we are mindful of those in other areas who were affected by the storms.

My cousin, Tony, lives in the Kalamazoo, MI area.  He tells me that the mood is very somber there following the shooting deaths of the six people this past Saturday.  I can only imagine.

So, my house phone rings at 11:20PM last night.  It is a recorded message from our county commissioner telling me that we may experience severe weather and that we should be prepared.  Proceeds to tell me that the worst weather is expected to take place between 4:00 – 10:00PM go be on alert during those times.  SMH!

That Rex Looney is one smart dude!

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

The celebration of life service for Faron Steiner will take place this Thursday, 2/25, at noon.  Visitation with the family will begin at 10:00AM.  Everything will take place in the mausoleum which is located in the Southeast corner of Serenity Memorial Gardens in Theodore, AL.

I am not sure who will be in charge of the feeding ministry for this family but will announce that in tomorrow’s services.  Pray for Winston, Ruby and family.

After checking the latest forecast and giving the matter much consideration, we are postponing all activities at the church scheduled for tonight.  No prayer time, no evangelism class and no TNBA.  Please help us get the word out.

The prayer time, evangelism class and TNBA will all take place this Thursday night, 2/25, at their regularly scheduled times.

What if the forecasters are off on the timing of this thing?  Oh well, it is what it is.  This decision is final.  Please tell any others you think who might be involved in any of these activities.  Thank you!

Today’s Bible reading:  Numbers 1 – 2

Visited with Winston & Ruby Gulley yesterday afternoon.  They are struggling with Faron’s passing.  Faron was twenty six years old.  Did not remember until yesterday’s visit that Faron’s mother, Michelle, was only twenty five when her life on this earth ended.  I vividly remember like it was yesterday Ruby & Sharon coming to the house and telling me of Michelle’s passing and asking if I would preach her service.  Pray for Winston, Ruby and the family during this difficult time.  No arrangements have completed.

The 20 – 29 Sunday School class will be providing an evening meal for the Gulley family tonight.  If you guys have not responded to Kayla’s contact already, please do so this morning.  Thanks!

Pastor Alvin Tucker is scheduled to have his surgery today in Mississippi.  Pray for him, Miss Dot, the doctors and the family.

My mother-in-law, Ann, did well through her surgery.  Not sure what the surgery cost but I do know it cost me having to buy Charles’ breakfast and lunch yesterday.  No, I was not there as I prayed with Ann before surgery and then headed to Amber’s surgery.  However, Lisa got money from me for the meals!  I am sure that today will be a repeat!

Amber’s surgery was a success too.  She should be discharged from the hospital today.  The actual surgery was a bit quicker than expected as it only took about forty five minutes.  That Amber is a sweetheart!

As I was going to pray with Amber, I saw Tim Knighten in the hospital surgical waiting room.  His mother was in surgery.  She did well and should come home today as well.

Carla Kyser was in our first morning service this past Sunday.  The girl has lost too much weight but she looked good.  She is a trooper!

I have family and friends in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  Praying for those folks affected by the recent tragedy – wow!

I stopped mentioning showers in this blog for various reasons.  However, I am making an exception this week because I forgot to get this one in the News & Notes the past couple of Sundays.  My apologies.  There will be a wedding shower for Jacqueline & Brandon this Sunday, February 28, from 2:00 – 3:30PM in the fellowship hall of Friendship Baptist Church.  They are registered at Target, Dillards and Rand’s Quick Stop (Jacqueline loves the Blimpie subs!).  All ladies of the Friendship family are invited to attend this shower.

The second session of the soccer evaluations took place yesterday and there are now fifty eight children signed up.  That is awesome!  Curly, Larry & Mo are excited and I am thankful!

Prayer time tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  Note the added hour!  If the weather is as severe as they are forecasting, I completely understand if folks do not come to the auditorium to pray.  Calling the church to prayer!

TNBA tonight beginning at 7:00PM in the CAB.  Serious stuff!  When will Rusty return?  He sprained his knee in ’13 and has not played since as he is waiting on it to heal!  We may start a women’s TNBA so he can play!  Randall & Joey will miss tonight because of the bad weather – count on it!

I did watch the second half of the Clemson vs Bama game last night.  Believe it or not, Bama won.  I was nervous!  My family thinks I am crazy!  They just do not understand!

Copied and pasted the following from a local television station’s website early this morning – “News ___ has declared Tuesday, Feb. 223a weather alert day.”  When is February 223 or 223A?  That must be like super leap year!  So glad I do not make mistaks!

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

Today’s Bible reading:  Leviticus 26-27

Tuesday, February 23 Numbers 1-2
Wednesday, February 24 Numbers 3-4
Thursday, February 25 Numbers 5-6
Friday, February 26 Numbers 7
Saturday, February 27 Numbers 8-10
Sunday, February 28 Numbers 11-13

My mother-in-law, Ann Clark, will have her knee replaced this morning.  She had her other knee replaced several months ago and did well.  We are praying for like results this time too.  I am blessed with a really sweet mother-in-law.  Father-in-law?  Do not even get me started!

Amber Joyner will be having surgery this morning too.  She will be staying in the hospital at least overnight.  Amber is as sweet as they come!  Pray that all goes well.

Pastor Alvin Tucker, Evangelist Johnny Tucker’s father, is scheduled to have one his legs amputated above the knee tomorrow.  Pray that all goes well.

Faron Steiner, granddaughter of Winston & Ruby Gulley, passed from this life yesterday.  Faron was around twenty five years old.  Pray for Winston, Ruby & family during this most difficult time.

Ruby Gulley is also going to have to have one of her legs amputated.  The hope is to amputate below the knee.  Not sure of when that procedure will take place.

Good day in our services yesterday.  I received a number of really positive comments regarding last night’s message.  We thank God for Reba, who came in on one of our buses yesterday, and desires to join the church by baptism.

Also, a good number of folks mentioned to me yesterday morning and last night that they are so ready to sing #10!  Get ready for four weeks in a row!

We even prayed in our evening service for our deacon who was in jail last night!

Soccer evaluations will take place from 4:00 – 6:30PM today.  I am “guessing” those will be held in the CAB if the rains are too hard?

GriefShare tonight beginning at 6:00PM.

GROW visitation tonight beginning at 6:30PM.

Making one change to the Tuesday night prayer time.  Going back to the 5:00 – 7:00PM times.  Some folks just cannot arrive by 6:00PM.  As usual, the auditorium is open prior to 5:00PM too.  The missing compact disc did not show up but Carol Lucky got us another one so we are good to go!

I came home pretty tired last night after preaching three times, helping teach Sunday School and taking part in three meetings.  However, I did take the time to unwind by watching the first half of the Clemson vs Alabama football game.  It was tied when I went to bed.  Cannot wait to watch the second half to see how it ends!

I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.  For those of you in South Mobile County, be careful in the wet road conditions 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:  Leviticus 24 – 25

The soccer evaluations took place this morning.  I believe there were around 30 or so children show up.  I think that is a pretty good number but I am pretty clueless on this whole thing.  Again, I appreciate those who are starting this ministry.

No new reports on those for whom we have been praying.  Still hospital free – praise the Lord!

Regular schedule this morning and evening.  Several meetings taking place this afternoon and tonight so those involved need to remember.

Those of you who sponsor a child in Guatemala at the feeding center need to see my wife, Lisa, this morning in order to get a letter from your child.  She will be available during the first service and then at the beginning of the second service.  Out of town sponsors will have their letters mailed to them this week.

Spent a good day yesterday of studying and getting ready for meetings.  Lisa and the girls were gone Friday night and most of yesterday.  Titus and I had a “boys night only” on Friday but then he went home fairly early because his cousins are down from Town Creek.  So, I was alone all day and kept the place locked up like Fort Knox!  Lisa and the girls had a good day on the island so it was a win/win situation for all of us.

I did look in on the MSU vs Bama basketball game from time to time and never one time saw anything I liked!  Coach Johnson has done a good job up to this point in the season.  Can they make the tourney?  Who knows!

I pray that you will have a great Sunday with Jesus.  Go to church!

“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:  Leviticus 22 – 23

I had “prayed” for rain today in hopes of getting the soccer evaluations cancelled but it is going to be an awesome day weather wise.  So, those evaluations will take place from 9:00AM until 1:00PM at the church.  Larry, Curly & Moe will be there to evaluate, take registrations and payments, answer questions, et cetera.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.  My prayer is that the members of the Friendship family will be faithful to attend.

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:  Leviticus 19 – 21

Jimmy Moates continues to receive daily radiation treatments.  Today should mark the end of the first of four weeks of these treatments.  Pray that these treatments are effective.

Keep praying for Carla Kyser too.  Pray for her to regain strength.

Have not gotten an update on Lisa Thompson lately but do know that she continues to need our prayers.

Also have not been able to get with Bill & Debbie to get an update on Brian Amonett but do ask that you remember him and his family.

If you are about to stop reading this entry, please do not until you have read this paragraph.  On al.com (Ross Hatcher’s favorite read) there is a video that I feel strongly you should watch.  It is of Coach Monty Williams from the Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA) speaking at his wife’s celebration of life service yesterday.  Her life was taken in an automobile accident on 2/10.  I basically never say “you have to watch this” but this one time I am saying it.  I watched it at 4:00AM today and it is just an awesome testimony.  It will be worth your seven minutes and six seconds.  Click al.com, sports and then you will find the video.  (Do not be surprised if you see this in our services this Sunday!)

Ok, you can stop reading now!  Soccer evaluations take place tomorrow from 9:00AM until 1:00PM.  I may just go up and do the evaluations personally.  I will just tell each child, “nope, you did not make the cut” and then we will not have a soccer league!  Just kidding!  I am actually very thankful to Larry, Curly & Moe for the effort being put forth to make this happen.

Can you believe that Dale & Karla were literally across the street from Big Bob’s and did not eat there!  Are you serious?  One of the biggest mistakes they will ever make in their life!  I am devastated!

I am sad to see “Winter” (I think it got down to thirty four degrees one time) go but I am enjoying this weather.  Good stuff!

It is a little after 5:00AM and Lisa has already threatened me regarding buying the groceries.  She had to buy them last week as I was in Guatemala and she was not a happy camper.  (BTW, she is not a good grocery shopper any more)  Says if I do not have the groceries on our kitchen counter by 7:00AM today then. . . .

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:  Leviticus 16 – 18

As a church family, we are blessed to not have anyone in the hospital at the moment.  That will definitely change next week as we have at least two ladies who will be having surgical procedures.

Keep praying for those who are battling cancer.  Pray for Carla Kyser to get some stamina.  She is such a sweetheart but please do not tell her that I wrote that!

Good day in our services yesterday morning and last night.  Another nice attendance in our 7:30PM Bible study.  The meal was great!  Thank you to all those who are being faithful!

Evaluations for Friendship soccer take place this Saturday, 2/20, from 9:00AM until 1:00PM.  (Did I just write that?)  Soccer?  At Friendship?  Are you serious?  Wow, how times have changed!  Questions?  Contact Soy, Rusty or Phillip (can you say Larry, Curly, Moe?)  This league will include children ages five years old through those in the fourth grade.

This weather sure does make me want to get in the garden and start planting.  Little early yet but it is not that far away.

After everyone left the house last night, I was able to catch the end of a couple of the college basketball games.  Those games almost had a tournament feel especially the Duke v UNC game.  Zach Huhn is beaming this morning as his Dukies won a big one!  I did not see that coming!

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