Pastor's Blog

Coach David McCarthy had knee replacement surgery this past Tuesday.  He did well and came home the same day.  Pray for his recovery.

December seventh always brings two things to my memory.  First, Pearl Harbor.  Lisa and I visited there thirty years ago and it still impacts me today.  Thank God for those who have served and are serving in our military.

Second, Craig Kirschenman’s birthday.  Craig has been in Heaven for a few years now but he would never let me forget his birthday – never!  LOL!  I miss Craig!

Today is travel day for Deidra, Lizzi, Sydney, Audrey & me.  We will fly into Atlanta where Lisa will be waiting so we can drive home.  Expected time of arrival in Grand Bay is probably around 2:00AM tomorrow.  Pray for traveling mercies.

Keep praying for Jay Oakwood, Larry Whitehurst, Robert Baria, Jason Husband and Kristie Potts.

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

Happy eighty-eighth birthday to Lisa’s dad, Charles Clark.  I hope he has a great day.  Charles has been nothing but good to me for  over forty-four years.  I am blessed.  One day he and I will share a convalescent home room!  Just saying!  Happy birthday, Charles.

By the way, our second daughter, Daphne, celebrated a milestone birthday this past Sunday, 12/3.  She had a good day as Brad is very good at making sure she does every year.  Happy belated birthday, Daphne.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.

Members of the Friendship family who have purchased a gift for a resident of the Grand Bay Convalescent Home are asked to bring those to one of the services today, 12/6, or Sunday, 12/10.  Questions?  Contact Mariam Moates.  Thank you for giving to the Lord!

I spoke to Jason Husband, Jay Oakwood and Larry Whitehurst via the phone yesterday afternoon.  Jason has an appointment with a specialist next week.  Jay is doing much better and was very encouraged by the support he and Angie have received from the Friendship family.  Larry is still waiting on the doctors to diagnose exactly what is wrong with him.  He has good days and not so good days.  However, his faith remains strong.  Pray for Jason, Jay and Larry.

FYI, Jay’s main concern was how to join the Crimson Tide nation.  I sent him a link to the application.

Please continue to pray for Kristie Potts and her family.

Our basketball leagues begin play this Friday night and Saturday.  Pray for this ministry.

Lord willing, I will be in the pulpit this Sunday morning, 12/10.  Looking forward to it!  Join us for the service.

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

Jay Oakwood is in ICU due to an issue with his diabetes.  Pray for Jay & Angie.  What a great couple!

The arrangements have not been completed for Jo Nell’s & Peggy’s friend, Bo.  It appears the service will take place next week.  Pray for the family.

Please continue to pray for Kristie Potts, her husband, John, and their family.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.

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

Jason Husband’s latest test results did not come back with the desired results.  So, he will meet with a specialist to determine a plan of action.  I spoke to Jason yesterday and he asked the church to pray.

Keep praying for Kristie Potts, John and the family.

Friendship family, remember, the GA Post Office is open.  Contact Tina Sprinkle with questions or for more information.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 12/3.

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

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.  Bro. Abel will be teaching in the auditorium.

Our GA Post Office is open until December 20th.  A great way to send Christmas cards within the Friendship family.  All proceeds go to support missions.  Receptacle in the foyer of the auditorium.  Questions?  Need more information?  Contact Tina Sprinkle.

All forty-four folks arrived safe and sound on GRACE Mountain yesterday with the last six arriving around 10:00PM.  Thank God for traveling mercies.

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

Evelyn Mitchell’s sister-in-law, Leesa Fortenberry, passed from this life on Monday, November 20.  There will be a service today beginning at 11:00AM at the Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home in Ocean Springs.  A time of visitation with the family will take place beginning at 10:00AM.  Pray for the Fortenberry family.

The visitation and service for Sylvia Douglas takes place today at Serenity.  Keep praying for the family.

Pray for the Bo Lewis family.  I am not sure on those arrangements.

Gary Walton has had some physical issues taking place.  He has an appointment with the medical folks today and more things lined up over the next week or so.  He and Rachel were scheduled to be leaving for the GRACE Ministries trip today but those plans got changed.  Pray for Gary and Rachel!  (Gary is one of the hardest working men I have ever known and Rachel is right there with him every step of the way!)

Miss Vinnie Brewer is feeling better.  She appreciates those who have checked on her and she appreciates the prayers most of all!  Keep praying for this sweetheart of a lady!

How are Deidra and the girls?  The girls are good.  Deidra is making small steps daily.  Continued prayers appreciated!

Folks are traveling to GRACE Mountain today from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina and South Carolina.  Pray for all to go well.

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

The visitation with the Sylvia Douglas family will take place tomorrow, 11/28, from noon until the 2:00PM service time.  Everything at Serenity Funeral Home.  Bro. Jerry Hovel will be preaching the service.  Pray for the Douglas family.

JoNell’s and Peggy’s friend, Bo, passed from this life on Saturday night.  Pray for the family as they walk through this valley.

Kristie Potts remains at home under hospice care.  She is basically bedridden but is spending precious time with her family.  Keep praying for Kristie, John and the family.

I am told that things went well on our campus yesterday.  I am thankful.

Pray for the folks who will traveling to Guatemala today and tomorrow.

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

Happy fourteenth birthday to our oldest grandchild, Titus.  I do not like being away from him on his special day but this has been a different year for us as a family.  I know that Brad, Daphne & Lisa will make sure his day is great.  We love Titus and thank God for him.  Happy birthday, Titus!

Roseanne Baria sent me an update on Robert this past Thursday night.  In her words he is “doing well!”  He has eaten a little bit of food which is just a blessing from God!  The will do another scan in a couple of months.  Robert is an amazing man!  Keep praying!

Rosanne also told me that their daughter-in-law, Heather, will be having some tests on her heart later.  Please join me in praying for Heather!

I have not seen an update on Kristie Potts in a few days.  I ask that you continue to pray for Kristie, John, their family and the hospice workers giving care.  Kristie is an amazing lady who is full of faith!

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  Bro. Abel will be preaching in both services.  Tomorrow brings a close to our Experiencing God Bible study.  Bro. Abel will share the details about the final evening in the morning service.

We have a GRACE Ministries mission trip to Guatemala from this Tuesday, 11/28, through Tuesday, 12/5.  Eleven folks from the Friendship family will be joined by thirty-three folks from six other states.  Tim & Peggy Knighten lead the way as they will arrive in Antigua today.  A few other folks will arrive tomorrow and Monday and then the rest of the team on Tuesday.  Pray for traveling mercies on these folks and then pray for a God honoring, productive trip.

Can I tell you that I miss my church family?  Praying for Bro. Abel, Bro. Dylan, our deacons and each member of the Friendship family.  I am blessed to call Friendship Baptist my home church!  Love my brothers and sisters in the Lord!

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

Happy Thanksgiving!  I pray that you will have a great day giving thanks with your family and friends.  We are a blessed people.

The visitation with the Craig Cumbie family will take place today at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home beginning at noon and lasting until the 2:00PM service.  Pray for the family and pray for Bro. Abel as he ministers during this service.

Jo Nell and Peggy’s friend, Bo, is critical.  His wife was told yesterday that there is no brain activity and can only be sustained by life support.  Pray for the family as they have to make tough decisions.

Our daughter, Dana’s, mother-in-law has been in ICU.  She is having a surgical procedure this morning relating to one of her lungs.  Pray that all goes well.

Charles Clark’s brother, Mac, had a defibrillator put in yesterday.  Pray for Mac & Jane.

Bro. Dylan had a surgical procedure done on Monday.  His wife, Elizabeth, did not even drive him there.  However, she did cook Hamburger Helper for supper!  Wow!

The church office is closed today.  No activities on our campus.

Lisa arrived home safe and sound shortly after midnight.  We are thankful.

I am very thankful to those who have communicated with me assuring me of their prayer support for Deidra and the girls.  Needed and appreciated!

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