Pastor's Blog

It seems that I am always, as they say, “a day late and a dollar short” and it happened again.  Yesterday, 4/10, was Carl Ray Moulds’ birthday and I knew that but forgot to mention it in this space.  So, happy belated birthday Carl Ray! 

In 1982 Al Michaels asked, “do you believe in miracles?” as the American hockey team defeated the Russians.  I do believe in miracles and I witnessed one yesterday.  Lisa and I went to our CPA’s office during lunch and signed our tax forms which meant we are completely finished with our 2007 taxes and it was only April 10th!  (Aren’t you proud TJ?)  I felt almost guilty being finished so early! 

The number of scholarships for our Guatemala pastor’s conference has grown to 26 as a couple of folks came to the office yesterday with pledge sheets and checks.  Thank you!  Again, I hope to be at 50 scholarships after this Sunday, 4/13, and then at 100 by month’s end with all of this coming from within the Friendship family.  Our friends outside the Friendship family will be given ample opportunity to help financially with this conference too so don’t think we are excluding you. 

Bro. Jerry had a procedure done yesterday to hopefully correct the dizziness he has been having since his accident.  He is having to keep his head straight until tomorrow but should be good to go after that. 

I do not have an update on the folks in the hospital except to say that Candy was wanting to go home real bad yesterday.  Don’t know if that happened or not.  Margaret Davis was admitted to the hospital with something related to her pace maker.  David Boutwell, Jack Leasure and George Hill remain hospitalized.  I haven’t heard from Larry’s stress test.  I also haven’t heard from Marvin DeYoung’s surgery but hopefully the mother or father of Juanita Josephina will give me a holler today!  Gene & Gena Davis’ daughter-in-law, Pam, is having surgery in Texas today because of a brain aneurysm.  Scott Eckert’s mother, Jackie, is having a surgical procedure done today too.  Please pray for these folks!

Happy birthday wishes are in order Scott Older (23 today, 4/11), Jacqueline Crawley (sweet 16 tomorrow, 4/12), Julie McGath (Sunday, 4/13) and the commish in Michigan, Dean Kapenga (Sunday, 4/13).  Suffice it to say that Julie & Dean are old enough to not need their ages revealed!  Happy birthday to all of these folks! 

I have received several e-mails with folks asking if we are flying American Airlines to China.  No, we are on Delta and our plane is a 777.  Thanks for your concern. 

Again, I will be preaching at Helena Baptist tomorrow night at 7:00PM.  (FYI – Randy Von Kanel is preaching tonight)  Lisa, the girls, and I will then drive to Atlanta for our Sunday morning flight.  I do have plans to blog from China (I am assuming Al has gotten this internet thing over there by now) with updates from here via Bro. Jerry. 

I know we will have a number of folks out of town this weekend due to next week’s Spring break.  I hope those folks have a good time away.  I also ask the members of the Friendship family who will remain in town to attend the services this Sunday morning and evening. 

Lots to do today in preparation for tomorrow night’s service and Sunday’s flight.  I hope you will have a great Friday with Jesus! 

The Lord blessed us with a good day yesterday in our various services, Bible studies, classes, et cetera.  We serve a good God! 

No significant changes on the prayer list with the exception that we learned last night that Candy Povilonis is in the hospital.  Word is that she is supposed to come home today. 

Pattie Suthoff was taken to the hospital late yesterday afternoon with chest pains but I haven’t heard from Bernard or Pattie as to the results.  Larry Whitehurst is to have his stress test today.  It appears everything is fine but because of family history the doctor wants to do run this test. 

Pastor Roscoe Wentworth is preaching at Helena Baptist tonight for Bro. Robbie’s 50th anniversary celebration.  That service begins at 7:00PM as does the Saturday night service where I will be preaching.  Again, I am inviting all members of the Friendship family to join me for that Saturday service. 

We presently have 22 pastor’s conference scholarships either pledged or money in hand.  Indications are that several others either pledged last night or will do so this Sunday.  My goal is 50 by this Sunday and 100 by the end of the month.  Thank you to each person who is helping make this conference a reality for those Guatemalan pastors. 

I hope you will have a great Thursday with Jesus. 

This entry is a little late as I continue to have internet issues.  Yesterday, I wore my “doctor” hat and diagnosed Larry Whitehurst.  Today, I am wearing my “computer technician” hat and have decided that the problem lies within my router.  I think it has died!  Oh well, I am waiting on the grid anyway and this internet stuff will be so obsolete! 

Edna came with the news yesterday morning that Sarah Thornton’s brother, Matt Brown, passed away after a battle with cancer.  A memorial service will take place this Saturday.  Pray for Sarah and her family.

Docia Thompson e-mailed last night to share that her nephew, Robert Allums, in Dallas, Texas passed away very unexpectedly yesterday.  He was 45 years old and like a son to Larry & Docia so please pray for this family. 

Christy Wynn has an aunt, Joann Shaw, in the hospital.  David Boutwell, Jack Leasure, and George Hill all remain hospitalized.  Marvin DeYoung is having his heart surgery in Michigan today.  Larry Whitehurst has his stress test today.  Carla Kyser had her treatment yesterday.  My understanding is that Pastor Benny Still is in the hospital with heart/kidney problems.

Eric Burnett went home from the hospital on Monday night.  Miss Exie Woods is scheduled to come home Saturday. 

My dad recently had another scan and got the results this week.  There is some activity that the doctor wants to watch for three months and then do another scan.  Early indications are that his cancer is active again but that won’t be known until the next set of tests. 

Pastor Travis Northcutt and family leave today flying to North Carolina where he will preach in view of a call this Sunday.  Pray for them during this time. 

We have received pledges and/or money to scholarship 14 of the 100 pastors thus far.  My prayer is that we will go over the 50 mark this Sunday and then get the remaing 50 needed on the last two Sundays of the month.  Again, we are asking members of the Friendship family to help us with this area of the conference. 

I deeply appreciate the person who spent a great deal of time yesterday working on diverting the rain water from the northwest corner of the CAB.  I think he has solved the problem for the time being.  I am always blessed by those who give to the Lord without any fanfare.  Rewards are waiting in heaven for folks who serve in such a capacity.

Today is a regular Wednesday at Friendship.  I hope the members of the Friendship family will join us for Bible study and worship.

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

I am cheating again today as the clock just rolled past midnight and I decided to go ahead and post.  I don’t figure a whole lot new will happen between now and 5:00AM! 

Memphis can’t make free throws.  I had predicted that would keep them from making the final four.  However, it instead cost them the national championship and means that Lindsey Hatcher wins our college/young professionals bracket competition.  Can you believe it? 

I didn’t get to see the first half of the game as I was making a couple of visits and now I wish that I had not seen the second half and overtime!  (Come to think of it, I never have liked Tigers – Clemson, LSWho, Auburn, and now Memphis!) 

Carla Kyser will receive another chemo treatment today.  Jack Leasure has a problem with his heart.  George Hill has pneumonia in one lung, a blood clot in his leg, and an infection in his knee.  Eric Burnett was going to have a nuclear stress test yesterday and then hopefully go home.  I didn’t get an update on David Boutwell.  Larry Whitehurst will have a stess test tomorrow.  He is really sick but I am diagnosing him with a virus and he is going to be fine once it runs it course.  Peggy Brett fell out of bed and has been placed back in the convalescent facility. 

Evangelist Johnny Tucker is going to be the guest messenger this Sunday, 4/13, during the 8:00AM and 6:00PM worship services.  Bro. Jerry will preach the 10:30AM service.

Marvin DeYoung from Michigan has never gone with us to Guatemala.  However, he and his wife are faithful supporters of GRACE Ministries.  They attended our pig roast last October.  At least eight members of his family have joined us on at least one GRACE mission trip.  Mr. Marvin had a heart attack last week and will have open heart surgery tomorrow.  Please join me in praying for him! 

I thought our blog readership had lost members and then I received a message from Gena Davis and Sandra McElwee yesterday.  Gene Davis is having knee replacement surgery on the 22nd.  Their daughter-in-law, Pam, has a brain aneurysm and will have surgery this Friday, 4/11.  Pray for Pam & Gene. 

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

I simply forgot this morning to wish Deacon Dewayne Lavelle a happy 28th birthday today.  The day is far spent but I hope you had a good one Dewayne! 

We had another good day in our services yesterday capped by the baptism of Judy Creal in the evening service.  Observing the ordinance of baptism is always a good way to end a Sunday.  Thank God for the increase. 

I learned yesterday that Jack Leasure has been admitted to a local hospital.  I do not know why but do know he was in our service last Wednesday morning.  Greg Boutwell’s brother, David, remains in an ICU.  Tim Burnett’s brother, Eric, was hospitalized Friday night and remains there too.  Rachel Jackson’s father, George Hill, was admitted to the hospital yesterday afternoon with complications from his surgery of last week.  Miss Exie Woods will most likely be brought home at some point this week.  Larry Whitehurst has been sick all weekend and will have a stress time perhaps as early as today.  Tom Russell (Faith Academy) begins another round of chemotherapy this week.  Annie, Eddie & Mary Hall’s friend, has been admitted to the hospital.  Mary’s father, Travis McDonald, has gone home from the convalescent home.  These things should keep your prayer life busy today!

I want to remind the members of the Friendship family about the scholarships for the Guatemalan pastors.  The pastor’s conference isn’t until October 7 – 9, 2008 be we are asking that the scholarships be awarded during this month.  We had several scholarships given Wednesday/yesterday and I anticipate many more this month.  After April, we will ask folks outside the Friendship family to scholarship any remaining pastors as well as help with other expenses related to the conference. 

This should prove to be a busy week as Lisa and I ready for the trip to China.  I am excited to be visiting Eddie & Sue and yet anxious about not being here.  Pray that all will go well as we prepare to leave. 

I want to remind the members of the Friendship family about Bro. Robbie Howard’s 50th anniversary celebration.  There is a service taking place each night this week at 7:00PM at the Helena Baptist Church.  I will be preaching Saturday night and hope many members of the Friendship family will join me for that service. 

Kansas & Memphis play for it all tonight!  I have got to pull for Memphis and it has nothing to do with Michael Taylor or Bret Hart.  It has everything to do with Lindsey Hatcher!  Go Tigers! 

I hope you will have a great Monday with Jesus!

I am writing this entry early while sitting in Michael & Deidra’s apartment in Memphis, TN.  Often, I struggle to sleep when away from home and that is proving true tonight too. 

I have preached/attended literally hundreds of funerals in my ministry life and I can honestly say that the service yesterday for Jimmy Ray Keenum was one of the most uplifting ones I have ever witnessed.  Pastor Steve Ledbetter along with Jimmy’s nephew’s, Pastor Tommy Bolan & Evangelist Phil Waldrep, did an outstanding job of making those in attendance laugh and cry as they remembered Jimmy while exalting Jesus.  Michael & Crystal Mason were the vocalists and I enjoyed hearing Crystal!  I saw several folks that I have not seen since our high school graduation and I made this observation – some of those folks have gotten old!  Pray for the Keenum family.

I saw two women who I think are about to pop yesterday too.  My niece, Jamie, is set to deliver their second son in early May and she is ready to make that early April instead!  It was good to spend a few minutes prior to the funeral visiting Jamie & Grayson along with Grayson’s friend, Big L!  (I think I heard Grayson call me “paw paw” or something like that as he was so appreciative of me being there while he goes through this broken arm thing.  His maternal grandparents have simply dropped the ball!) 

Ben & Ashley Taylor are neighbors of Michael & Deidra.  They are expecting their first child, Hannah Grace, next week.  The five of us enjoyed supper at Corky’s last night and Ashley is sooooooo ready to deliver.  Ben is a student at MABTS.  Pray for Ashley & Jamie as they go through these final days of their respective pregnancies. 

The Lord blessed as I drove in very little rain yesterday even though this area had a good bit of rain all day.  I am listening to it thunder as I write this entry.  I read where a tornado hit Little Rock, Arkansas yesterday and thankfully no lives were lost.  (Early reports are that it did $1 million worth of improvements to the State!)  I am no fan of hurricanes and that is even more true when it comes to tornadoes. 

The agency taking care of our visas for China did a very nice job as they were delivered yesterday.  A lady at Springdale Travel in Mobile hooked me up with this agency in Houston and we are glad to have those passports with the visas in hand.  God is good!

Happy birthday wishes go out to Kayla Brown (18), Mary Brown (??), & Meagan “Bo” DeGeer Older (19) today.  Also, a couple of of our Michigan friends Jayme DeYoung, mother of Cora aka Juanita Josephina, and Bryan Maat will celebrate their birthday this Sunday, 4/6.  Happy birthday Jayme & Bryan.   

Bret, I never heard from Ryan.  My phone died last night so call Deidra this morning after 9:00AM if you are available.  If not, no big deal. 

Diane Vickers, I got your messages and it will be taken care of in a timely manner.  I am a member of the “procrastinators unite tomorrow” club so don’t worry! 

Lord willing, Deidra and I will leave here around 2:15PM today heading to Grand Bay.  Pray for our safety in travel.  I look forward to joining the members of the Friendship family in Bible study and worship this Sunday. 

I pray that you will have a blessed Friday with Jesus!

I was watching the beehive of activity in the parking lot last night following our 7:00PM service and classes.  There are a lot of folks involved in our Wednesday Bible studies/services/choirs/et cetera.  Of course, there are a lot more who could/should be involved and hopefully they will join us beginning next Wednesday. 

I am grateful to the ladies who helped with the food preparation for the student Bible studies and to the one who helped with the college/young professionals too.  May the Lord richly bless your efforts.

Word came yesterday that Miss Exie Woods will be brought home within the next few days.  The family is looking for someone who can sit with her each weekday and will be making this a paid position.  Contact the church office if you are interested in helping this family with this need. 

David Boutwell will have a surgical procedure done today.  He remains in an ICU in a local hospital.  Pray for David and for the Boutwell family as they go through this time. 

Mr. George Hill, Rachel Jackson’s father, had surgery on Tuesday and continues to be hospitalized.  Pray for him as he goes through this recovery.

Bobby Broome & Ann Clark had a nephew, Mickey Stevenson, to pass away very unexpectedly.  Mickey was 52 years old and had outpatient surgery on his shoulder Monday and passed away on the way home.  That funeral will take place today in Waynesboro, MS so pray for that family. 

Pastor Tim Keenum (Sardis Springs Baptist in Athens, AL) and I attended all twelve years of elementary/high school together.  His father, Jimmy, passed away Tuesday night after a battle with cancer.  They had his visitation in Decatur last night and will have his service today.  I am leaving this morning to attend that service.  Please pray for me as I travel and for the Keenum family – Miss Betty, Tim, & Greg along with their families. 

I will drive on to Memphis, TN late this afternoon and spend the night with Michael & Deidra.  Deidra and I will drive to Grand Bay tomorrow afternoon when she finishes her classes.  She is on Spring Break next week and has another job interview for a teaching position in Jackson County, MS. 

Bret, if you are free I will treat you, Ryan, Pastor Danny, whoever to lunch tomorrow.  Let me know!

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

Otto may have been right!  As he drove around Grand Bay on his tractor, he always said that computers would ruin the world.  This morning I was prone to agree with him as I have been unable to get online until now and it is pushing 8:00AM.  Sorry for the delay in posting.  I have got to have Al check to see what is going on with this internet stuff.  Where are Ben, Chris, & Dewayne when you really need them? 

I told you that I can make mistaks – grammatically and otherwise!  Yesterday I wrote that Tanya had attended the Nobles funeral service for us when, in fact, it was Tina Sprinkle who was there to represent the Friendship family.  God knew who was there and I simply failed to get the message to Tanya in a timely manner.  Sorry for any confusion!

The conference for the pastors in Guatemala has picked up steam really quickly.  We have three pastors, one evangelist, and one teacher  firmly committed to go lead this conference and a couple of other pastors giving it prayerful consideration.  We need 100 scholarships for the Guatemalan pastors and we are giving the members of the Friendship family the first opportunity to fund these scholarships at $60 each.  A scholarship will provide transportation to and from the seminary, lodging and all meals for three days/nights, and some help with the materials/books to be given to each participating pastor.  After April, we will allow folks outside the Friendship family to help with the scholarships.  We will be needing additional funds to cover other expenses related to the conference so there will be plenty of opportunities to help!

Today is a regular Wednesday at Friendship.  Our morning service begins in two hours followed by all of the evening activities which begin at 6:00PM.  I hope each member of the Friendship family will join us at some point today! 

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

Wow, April is here already and the tax man cometh!  Amazingly enough, Lisa and I have already met with our CPA and basically have our taxes done!  We go back this Friday afternoon late to sign the forms and send them in.  I have always waited until the 15th to do our taxes but this year has been different!  I think TJ Vice has been my inspiration!

Thank you for praying for me as I drove to Baton Rouge and back yesterday.  It was good to see Dr. Mike and to be there to support him during his mother’s funeral service.  I did not attend the burial as it was in Bunkie, LA.  I don’t know where Bunkie is but do know it was two hours from Baton Rouge. 

I did take a few minutes and stopped by the grave of my friend, Evangelist Bruce Gill.  He is buried in a church cemetery located just a mile or so from I-12.  I still miss Bruce greatly and have a difficult time with his passing.  I drove through Albany in order to get back on the interstate and that was a drive down memory lane.  Precious memories! 

I asked Bro. Jerry to contact Tanya Bosarge asking her to be our representative at the funeral service for Ben Mallett’s grandfather yesterday afternoon.  I appreciate her doing that as it was not possible for me to be back in time for that service. 

I did not get an update on Greg Boutwell’s brother, David, but do know he continues to need our prayer support. 

The response to our hosting the Pastor’s Conference in Guatemala has been very favorable as has the response to our hosting classes to help folks earn their GED.  I am excited about both of these new ministry opportunities. 

Bret, I heard you used the “I’m sick” card to skip church this past Sunday.  Was that to make sure you didn’t miss the UM vs UT game? 

I pray that you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus.  “We are fools for Christ’s sake!” (I Corinthians 4:10)