Pastor's Blog

Yes, I know that I did not post yesterday but that was by design.  Deidra and I left after the 7:00PM service on Wednesday night and drove to Memphis, TN.  I intentionally did not take my lap top with me.  We arrived home around 11:30PM last night so there was obviously no need to post at that point. 

I do not have any new updates on the folks battling cancer, in the hospital, et cetera.  I am assuming that nothing has changed.  I do know that Frances Howard, Karla Cooper’s mom, will have a heart cath done on Monday.  I also learned that James Older’s cancer is aggressive and advanced.  Please pray for these needs. 

Deidra and I had the opportunity yesterday to meet her father-in-law, Curtis Taylor, for lunch at Corky’s Bar-b-que in Memphis.  The food was excellent but the fellowship with Bro. Curtis was even better.  We are blessed that Deidra has such a wonderful set of in-laws.  (Daphne does too outside the fact that they live in Lawrence County!) 

Deidra and I then went to Faith Baptist Church in Bartlett, TN (about three miles up the road from where we were) for a meeting with two of their staff members (Todd Pendergrass & Ryan Johnston) and five of the key lay leaders in their church.  We had lunch which was catered by Corky’s Bar-b-que!  (Lunch at 11:30AM and a “late” lunch at 1:00PM – awesome!) 

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss GRACE Ministries and how Faith Baptist & GRACE can be even more involved in a partnership.  They are already involved as they have had folks partner with our GRACE trips for the past two summers and Ryan Johnston led their own team last May.  The same scenario is set up for the Summer of ’09. 

I already knew Bret, Donald, & Ryan and had the privilege of meeting Dean, Jerry, Rick, & Todd yesterday.  What a great meeting!  Faith is actively involved in doing missions around the world through their support of SBC causes, support of other missionaries, and sending folks on short term mission trips to several different countries.  (They are definitely one of my “hero” churches!)  Pastor Danny Sinquefield was on one of our GRACE trips this past summer and really has a heart for missions.  Pastor Todd coordinates all of the mission efforts for Faith and they are doing an incredible job (Todd is a huge Bama fan so I know he is a spiritual man!).  Pastor Todd, Dean, & Jerry just returned from a visit to Central America and they felt impressed to deepen the partnership between Faith & GRACE.  We are blessed and I look forward to what God is going to do through this partnership. 

God placed Deidra in Memphis for seminary and she got a husband while I got the privilege of being introduced to Faith Baptist Church and folks like Bret Hart, Donald Pannell, Pastor David Smith (who led the initial group joining GRACE on a trip), Freckles, Pastor Ryan, KK, Chinese Chris, et cetera.  Folks, I definitely got the better end of the deal!  GRACE Ministries is blessed to partner with Faith Baptist in doing missions! 

Our day got even better as we went and visited with Ashley & Hannah Grace Taylor.  Ben Taylor is a seminary student and went on our August ’08 GRACE trip.  He was at work yesterday afternoon so we missed seeing him but it was good to see Ashley and the baby.  What a great young family! 

Well, it is Bama versus LSWho.  If Bama wins then I will not hear from Danny LeBlanc for months – wait, I haven’t heard from him in months anyway! 

Don’t forget – we begin the “GREAT 8” this Sunday! 

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

America has spoken and we now have a new President.  As Christians, it is now our charge from the Word of God to pray for these newly elected officials regardless of how we voted.  As always, we need to pray for our country.  That was true day before yesterday and yesterday, remains true today and will remain true tomorrow.  So, join me in praying for President Bush, President-elect Obama, and our country. 

Steve Morris is scheduled to have surgery early this morning so please keep him in your prayers.  Mr. Gore, Desi’s grandfather, is doing well following his surgery.  Raymond’s dad remains hospitalized.  Pray for all of these folks!

Lisa comes in with the mail on Monday and there is this look of “horror” on her face!  I didn’t know what to think but then I saw “IT” and I almost lost my stomach!  I am so thankful that our girls were in school and did not have to go through such horror.  What was “it” you ask?  “It” was bad, really bad!  (At this point, any children reading this blog should stop immediately!)  Our senior adults (soon to be former senior adults) who went to TN last week mailed me a post card with a picture of (gulp) Neyland Stadium on the front!  What an awful sight! 

So, Marie, Betty T, Lois, Mariam, Lewis & Linda, Helen Ruth, Vinnie, Kittie, Sharon, Emmie Lou, Bill & Bea, Max & Marjorie, Darrell & Betty, Sarah T, Edna, Allen, Arlene, Ted, Janice, & Phil are all on my list!  My prayer list that is!  You need help!  (Rex Looney, can you imagine?) 

I am so shaken by reliving the absolute horror of that event that I now must bring this entry to a close.  Today will be regular Wednesday for us with the morning service and evening activities.  I hope to see many members of the Friendship family present for worship and the Bible studies. 

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus!  Remember, God is in control!

Election Day ’08 is proving to be crazy!  Folks were lined up outside the CAB shortly after 6:00AM this morning waiting to vote.  There are cars everywhere.  On Schillinger Road they have police officers directing traffic at Creekwood Church as that area is so congested.  However, regardless of the long lines, traffic congestion, et cetera, GO VOTE today! 

Billy Smith was placed back in the hospital last Thursday due to a blood clot behind his knee.  I was unaware of this until last night.  I saw him this morning and he is scheduled to go home today.  Curtis Wilkinson had a “not so good” night last night but is still looking at going home Thanksgiving week. 

Pastor J.L. Gore, Desi Lee’s maternal grandfather, had surgery late yesterday to relieve pressure from his brain.  He fell recently and this surgery should correct the problems he has been having as a result of that fall. 

Miss Frances Howard, Karla Cooper’s mother, is having a nuclear stress test today.  This is a continuation of one from yesterday.

Steve Morris is scheduled for surgery in the morning.  This is related to his continual battle with kidney stones.  Clint Clark, Clara Broadus’ brother-in-law, will have heart by-pass surgery tomorrow.  Shea Childress will have her tests on Thursday.  Kristen Whitehurst is still recovering from her surgery.  Phyllis Bush is not doing well.  Joyce Bosarge, George Taylor, & Carla Kyser continue their respective battles against cancer.  Pray for all of these folks! 

You need to be praying for a group of our senior adults – specifically the group that went to TN last week.  I received a “really bad” postcard from them yesterday and they are now on my list!  In tomorrow’s post, I will name names and describe the “horror” of this event!  It is awful, just awful! 

Gotta go check on the ushers we have positioned at the doors of the CAB!  

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

The Lord blessed and we had a good Sunday.  What a joy to see Jessica Walker make a public profession of faith in our 10:30AM service. 

I am grateful to each person who attended and/or ministered to the Henley family yesterday.  The service for Grandma Dunlap was good and her son, Bob, did a great job of sharing about his mother.  Pray for that family. 

Curtis Wilkinson remains hospitalized but the doctor has hopes of getting him home before Thanksgiving Day.  Pray that will happen.  Shea Childress will have a scan and they will then decide on the treatment options.  Miss Joyce Bosarge, Phyllis Bush, and Carla Kyser all continue their respective battles agains cancer.  Billy Smith continues to rehab at home from his knee replacement.  Pray for these folks.

Today looks to be a normal Monday for us.  I have plans to attend the MBA pastors’ conference and we will have our FAITH ministry tonight.  Pray for Bro. Jerry as he leads our FAITH ministry and pray for all of those who will be involved tonight. 

Obviously, we need to pray fervently as the presidential election takes place tomorrow.  Go vote! 

I haven’t heard from Gene & Gena Davis in some time but I know they are using those crying towels today following the UT game Saturday night.  On the other hand, Rex Looney is all smiles today! 

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

I want to remind the members of the Friendship family about Grandma Dunlap’s funeral service this afternoon.  That service will begin at 3:30PM in the auditorium and will be preceded by a time of visitation with the family beginning at 2:00PM.  Pray for Bob, Chris, Bobby, Billy, and the family. 

I want to remind our deacons that we will not meet this afternoon but will meet next Sunday, 11/9, instead. 

Yesterday was a good day as a team from TN and one from South Bend lost their respective games while Bama & Montana State won! 

I did hear that the schedule for next year’s World Series includes at least one game in November if it goes to seven games.  I can’t wait! 

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

Good morning from Vance, Alabama!  Lisa, Dana, Gina, & I are at the home of my nephew, Josh, & his wife, Tracie, Turrentine.  Lord willing, we are going to attend the Bama game this afternoon.  It is an absolutely beautiful morning and promises to be a perfect day for a football game.  If only we can dispose of those Red Wolves in an efficient manner! 

It appeared that we had a really good attendance for the Hallelujah Festival last night.  Again, special thanks to Bro. Benny & Miss Julie for leading that ministry and to all who helped in any way.

I also want to say “thank you” to each person who attended the visitation with the Hanson family last night.  I saw a good number of the Friendship family members and I thank you for ministering to Bro. Sonny & his family.  Please pray for Bro. Jerry today as he preaches that funeral service for Steve Hanson. 

Don’t foget to “fall back” tonight as time changes.  I hope you will go to church tomorrow! 

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