Pastor's Blog

The Lord blessed us with a really good day in our services yesterday.  Praise Him.  A family spoke to me following the morning service expressing a desire to join the Friendship family.  Looking forward to them following through on this decision.  God is good!

JoNell Barnes is now recovering at home.  This sweet lady has been through it since last Monday.  Pray for a complete recovery now.

Obviously, it has been great having Deidra, Lizzi, Sydney, Audrey & Chino with us since last Monday.  Today, they will finish packing and I will then drive them to the New Orleans airport for a late afternoon departure to Houston followed by their flight to Guatemala City.  Pray for traveling mercies!  (The good news for us is that Deidra and the girls will be back here arriving on Wednesday, 10/23)

Thank you to those who have given financially to Deidra for their personal expenses.  Wow, unexpected but totally appreciated.

Also, thank you for Johnny Sessions for the beautiful bench he made to set beside Soy’s grave.  Very nice!  A blessing!

Wow, thank you for the tremendous response to the request for the girls in Guatemala.  Goal reached!  So, along with the great response from our friends in Michigan on Thursday night, all thirty-six girls are now covered.  What a blessing!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  I believe Deidra will post pictures on the SLAM website following those days.

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

Happy twenty-eighth birthday to our twins – Dana & Gina.  Dana is the oldest by one minute.  We love Dana & Gina and are grateful they are our daughters.  Yes, adoption is truly the loving option.  I pray Dana & Gina will both have a great day today!

Heidi’s brother, Chip, has passed from this life.  His physical struggles are over.  Pray for his parents, Heidi and the entire family.  There will not be a public service.

JoNell was released from the hospital early Tuesday evening.  Pray that she will do well in her recovery.  Thank you to Peggy for the updates.

Miss Dottie Clark is not doing well per Dr. Mike.  Please keep praying.

The service for infant Maxi Payne will take place tomorrow at 3:00PM from the Hughes Funeral Home in Daphne, AL.  Pray for the family.

Thank you to Jeff Holifield and Bro. Abel for filling the pulpit yesterday morning and evening respectively.  We were blessed with a good family day.  God is good!

I received a ton of electronic messages yesterday from near and far.  I am grateful.  I tried to reply to each one with at least a “thank you!”  Again, I am blessed beyond measure.

Today, Deidra, Daphne and I will fly to Grand Rapids for our annual GRACE Gathering which will begin at 6:30PM tonight.  I love seeing our Michigan friends.  The three of us should be back in Pensacola just after 10:00AM tomorrow.  Pray for traveling mercies.

Flag football leagues on Saturday, 10/5, beginning at 8:00AM.  Pray for this ministry.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.  Video Bible study (Dr. Frank Turek) led by Bill Kendrick begins at 3:45PM.  Adult choir practice begins at 4:15PM.

In a most unusual move, I will not be taking my laptop with me to Michigan.  “If” I blog tomorrow it will be after lunch.  Lisa does not think I can do it.  So, I have a point to prove – LOL!

If you need to contact me today or tomorrow, just contact Lisa and she will track me down via Deidra or Daphne.

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

One year.  Three hundred and sixty-six days.  Seems like an eternity.  Seems like yesterday.  On October 2, 2023, our son-in-law, Michael “Soy” Taylor left this life and entered Heaven.  I can honestly say that it has been the longest year of our collective lives as a family and I feel that Curtis & Myrna would say the same.  Death stings!

Here are the two most asked questions to me:  how are Deidra and the girls doing?  They are taking it step by step and finding God’s grace sufficient each step of the way.  Deidra has literally cried every day since Soy’s passing.  The last two or three months have seen Lizzi going through the grieving process.  Sydney & Audrey handle it in a different way perhaps because of their age.  Thank you for asking.

Second question:  have they apprended the persons responsible for Soy’s death?  No.  The truth is that they will most likely never make an arrest in this case.  If that ever changes, we will make that announcement.  Again, thank you for asking.

Thank you to the Friendship family for standing beside us during this time.  It has been encouraging.  Every pastor should know the measure of support I have received during this time.  Bro. Abel, Bro. Chris and our deacons have been amazing!  I am blessed.  I am thankful.

Today, we will travel to Richton, MS to visit Soy’s grave.  This will be the girls first time since the burial.  Yes, it will be emotional but, prayerfully, it will help in the healing process.  Complete healing will only come once we are all in Heaven.  Thank you for your continued prayer support.  Someone wrote me this morning to say that they are praying and fasting today.  How nice is that!  We are grateful.

I was asked over the weekend if Deidra will receive electronic messages?  Yes.  Two things – do not expect an immediate, if any, reply.  Please do not send pictures or videos as those are triggers for Deidra.  Thank you for understanding.

No updates on those for whom we have been praying.  Please continue to pray.  Regular schedule on our campus today.

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

” And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.  For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves.  Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.  So encourage each other with these words.” (I Thessalonians 4:13-18)

So far I have not missed a single day (Monday – Friday) of blogging in October 2024.  How about that!

Visited with JoNell Barnes in the hospital this morning.  The surgical procedure went well yesterday.  She “may” be discharged today.  It all depends on her blood pressure which is running low.  JoNell is a sweetheart.  She is a faithful member of the Friendship family.  She has never eaten McDonalds.  True story!  Pray for JoNell!

I spoke to Gary Walton yesterday afternoon and Rachel’s procedure went well.  The doctor had previously told her that there was nothing wrong with her shoulder.  However, they were able to repair it yesterday.  Pray for Rachel as she recovers at home.

I am thankful to Bro. Abel for being there for both of these surgical procedures.  We are blessed to have him on staff at Friendship!

Keith Barrett had his annual transplant review yesterday in Birmingham and all is well.  Praise the Lord.  Keith & Aninha are a amazing couple!  I love having them as a part of the Friendship family.

I spoke to Heidi this morning.  Chip’s condition has not changed much over the past few days.  He remains in a hospice facility.  Keep praying for Chip, his parents, Heidi and the rest of the family.

Ben & Michelle Thomas’ granddaughter, Maxi, passed from this life on Friday night, 9/27.  A celebration of her life will take place this Friday, 10/4, beginning at 3:00PM from the Hughes Funeral Home in Daphne, Alabama.  A visitation with the family will begin at 2:00PM.  Pray for this family.

Claude Landry continues to receive daily radiation treatments.  Pray for Claude!

Keep praying for Dr. Mike & Miss Dottie Clark.

Deidra, the girls and Chino arrived in New Orleans yesterday morning.  We had a great afternoon together as a family.  Tomorrow, 10/2/24, marks the one year anniversary of Soy’s passing.  Hard days.  Thank you to those who are praying.  FYI, Deidra, Lisa, Daphne & Chino have all deactivated their respective Facebook accounts for the time being.  If you try to message them through FB then they will not see it.  Deidra is very grateful for the prayer support but she is not in a place where she can can view pictures, videos, et cetera.  Thank you for understanding.  Most of all, thank you for praying.

The Waffle House in Grand Bay is now closed for the next three months.  (Does any other blog give you this type of information?)  Peggy Knighten may not be able to function now!  Just saying!

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

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

Today marks my paternal grandmother’s one hundred and twenty-sixth birthday.  My paternal grandfather will mark the same birthday on October 3.

Hurricane Helene has already done much damage and has caused four deaths.  Helene is now a tropical storm but is still causing issues in Georgia and other states.  Pray for those folks who are impacted by the storm.

Michelle Thomas sent me a message in the early hours this morning.  Infant Maxi had to undergo another surgery last night and is now on a machine that is doing all of the work for her heart and lungs.  Obviously, her condition is listed a critical.  Pray for little Maxi, the medical folks and the family.

Heidi messaged me yesterday to let me know that her brother, Chip, has been moved to a hospice facility.  Please continue to pray for Chip, his parents, Heidi and the entire family.

Mission of Hope service tonight at 7:00PM.  Bill Kendrick preaching with Jeanette Bates leading the musical worship.  Everyone invited.  Pray for this service.

Flag football tomorrow beginning at 8:00AM.  Pray for this ministry.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.

Andy’s boys swept the awards (all eight) at the National Quartet Convention on Wednesday afternoon.  Andy is a happy camper!  (I am sure Soy would be proud too!  LOL!)

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

The top of my prayer list this morning is for those folks who are in the path of Hurricane Helene.  The storm surge is expected to be extremely high.  I have always heard the saying, “you hide from the wind but you run from the water!”  Landfall expected tonight somewhere in Florida.  Pray!

Please continue to pray for Chip.  Pray for his family.  Rhett & Heidi are great folks and are such an important part of the Friendship family.

Infant Maxi obviously remains in the hospital and in need of our prayer support.

I talked to Pam Baker Sunday and she told me that her dad, Claude Landry, is now in his third week of radiation treatments.  Claude is a great guy!  Pray for Claude and Kay.

Keep praying for Miss Dottie Clark and Dr. Mike.

Service at the Mission of Hope tomorrow night beginning at 7:00PM.  Bill Kendrick speaking and Jeanette Bates leading the musical worship.  Everyone invited to attend.  Pray for this ministry.

Our flag football ministry under the leadership of Bro. Abel, with an assist from Scott Fontenot, will host the Bryant High girls flag football team for a meal next Tuesday, 10/1.  Several folks signed up yesterday to bake a cake, pie, brownies, et cetera for his meal.  If you can help and have not signed up, please contact Bro. Abel.

A huge shout out to the folks at Sugar Rush Donuts for providing donuts for our student ministry last night.  What a nice act of kindness by them!  We are grateful and our students enjoyed the treat immensely.  The next time you need donuts please consider using Sugar Rush.

Remember the Bible study being led by Bill Kendrick beginning Sunday, 10/6.  Contact Bill for more information.

Jeanette Bates announced yesterday that choir practice for our adults begins this Sunday, 9/29, at 4:15PM in the choir room.  This will be in preparation for Christmas which is closer than you think.  (So’s Eckerds!).  Everyone invited!

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

Regular schedule on our campus today – morning and evening.  As far as I know, the co-op will also have their regular Wednesday.

Heidi’s brother, Chip, remains at the top of my prayer list for those folks battling a malady.  Keep praying!

Ben & Michelle Thomas’ week old granddaughter, Maxi, went through major heart surgery yesterday.  She did well but definitely needs our continued prayer support.  Pray for Maxi, Alyssa, the medical folks and Maxi’s family.

Was able to visit with Wyatt yesterday morning.  He was later discharged from the hospital.  His dad, Joey, was at the hospital when I visited and he hit me up for twenty dollars for lunch – said he forgot his wallet.  Anyway, keep praying for Wyatt.

Today is a regular dialysis day for Carol Lucky.  She goes Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week. Pray for Carol and Terry. Good folks!

Lisa visited with Miss Dottie Clark yesterday morning.  I think it probably did both of them good.  Miss Dottie needs a miracle so please pray.

Obviously, we need to pray for those folks who are in the projected path of tropical storm (for now) Helene which is expected to become a hurricane (looks like a major one) later today.  Those of us on the Gulf Coast understand what those folks are going through so we need to stand with them by praying.

Not sure if Bro. Abel had any responses to his request for help at this Saturday’s flag football games.  Folks, it is so easy that even a deacon can do it!  (By the way, Shawn Siker does a great job and I do appreciate him!)  Will you help this Saturday?  if so, contact Bro. Abel.

Bill Kendrick will be leading a video Bible study featuring Dr. Frank Turek beginning the first Sunday in October at 3:45PM.  Materials cost ten dollars but if anyone cannot pay, no problem.  Contact Bill for more information or to sign up.

Did my mother-in-law feed me yesterday?  Well, if you call pork chops, green beans, baked sweet potato and a pineapple feeding me then the answer is “yes!”  I am blessed.  (And fat!)

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

The following comes from Bro. Abel regarding this Saturday’s flag football: “Shawn will be gone this weekend. I need someone from 8am to 11am to be the game clock person. They will sit under the tent and announce on the PA the two minute warning for the end of each period and play the bullhorn signifying the end of each period, the half and the end of the game.”

Contact Bro. Abel personally if you can help (even if for an hour or so).  Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Heidi Butler sent me a message last night sharing that her brother, Chip, appears to be transitioning from this life to the next.  Pray for Chip and his family during this time.

I failed to get an update on Wyatt yesterday.  That is on me.  I will do so today.  Keep praying, please.

The following comes from Dr. Mike Clark’s journal entry: “We went to a new neurologist in Chimaltenango where Dottie was given tests at the government hospital. Dottie has hydrocephalus. Her head will not swell but in 30 days we will know if she is to have a shunt. The doctor said at her age a shunt surgery would be very dangerous. Need prayer!”  Will you join Lisa and me in praying for Dottie (and Mike)?  Lisa is scheduled to visit them today.

Tropical cyclone nine continues to move toward becoming a hurricane as it enters the Gulf of Mexico.  Projections are that it “could” be a category three by the time it makes landfall which appears to be somewhere in Florida.  Pray and prepare.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow – morning and evening.

My mother-in-law, Ann Clark, cooked chicken & dumplings, cornbread, lima beans and coconut pie yesterday and shared it with me.  I am grateful!  Best mother-in-law ever!

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

Yes, this entry is late.  Katie Tillman asked me at last night’s fellowship if she could write today’s entry.  I agreed.  So, you can imagine my surprise when I checked a few minutes ago to see that she did not follow through.  My apologies.  You live and learn!  I will own this and not pass the buck!  It is on me!

We were blessed with a good day in our service yesterday morning.  We saw thirteen or so public decisions.  Then the fellowship was awesome.  My guess would be an attendance of around two hundred (+/-).  The weather was great!  Our deacons did a fantastic job of hosting the fellowship.  Thank you, brothers!  The church family brought sufficient sides and desserts.  Did you get any of Rebecca’s stuffed brownies?  Who would have ever thought crab meat in a brownie would be tasty?  Rebecca was kind enough to send the leftovers home with me.  How nice is that!

However, the absolute highlight of the fellowship was seeing twenty-five (25) folks follow Jesus in believer’s baptism.  I was thrilled to see families being baptized together.  Thank you, Jesus for an amazing fellowship!

Heidi’s brother, Chip, remains at the top of my prayer list.  Folks, pray for Chip and his family during these days.

Joey & Bibbi’s son, Wyatt, is in the hospital.  Most likely his problem goes back to a tick bite from a couple of weeks ago.  Pray for Wyatt.

Thomas Graham passed from this life last week.  Pray for Jean and the family.  There will be no public service.

Miss Dottie Clark in Guatemala is not doing well.  It is possible the doctor will give an update today.  Pray for Miss Dottie and Dr. Mike, please.

Obviously, we all have our eyes on the almost certain to be a hurricane that will most likely enter the Gulf.  Folks, we will just take it one day at a time.  Pray now for those who will be in the path of this storm.

Regular schedule on our campus this Wednesday – morning and evening.

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

Happy tenth birthday to our granddaughter, Audrey!  I know she will have a good day as she will make sure of that herself.  She will organize her own party!  We love Audrey.  I am glad that Lisa and Curtis & Myrna (paternal grandparents) are there with Audrey on this special day.  Soy & Deidra’s girls are now 10, 11 & 12 – wow!

Sunday School begins at 9:00AM.

Worship service begins at 10:00AM.

Church fellowship begins at 4:00PM at Presley’s Outing.

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