Pastor's Blog

Miss Vivian was taken off the ventilator at 6:30PM last night.  She has now breathed on her own for 12 1/2 hours which is amazing.  Pray for her and pray for the family as they are physically tired. 

Miss Joyce Bosarge was admitted to the hospital with some problems with her legs.  Miss Kathleen Richards remains hospitalized too.  Pray for these ladies.

Larry Ferguson was admitted to the hospital last night with heart problems.  Pray for Larry, Donita, and their family.

It is my understanding that Janie English has not been taken off the ventilator yet.  I don’t know enough of the details to share much.  Pray for her.

We will receive the offering for Haiti tomorrow.  I pray that many members of the Friendship family will give as the Lord leads. 

Hope that you have a great Sunday with Jesus!

It is 4:45AM and I have not heard from Miss Vivian since around 5:30PM last night which means nothing has changed.  The family will continue to prayerfully consider the options regarding her condition.  Pray for Miss Vivian and for the entire family.

The oldest member of our church, Miss Kathleen Richards, was admitted to the hospital last night.  She has been battling a sickness for the past two weeks or so.  Pray for Miss Kathleen! 

Jeff Camp came through his surgery well but was still having some problems late yesterday afternoon.  Time will tell.  Pray for Jeff.

Janie English seems to be in good shape.  They just need to get her off of the ventilator and then awaken her.  They will attempt to do that today.  Kendall Wayne is in good spirits regarding her situation.  Pray for Janie.

Nelva Huff, Hilda’s sister, continue to be hospitalized and in need of our prayers. 

Jack & Carolyn Ciak continue to get discouraging news in that the adoption process for Olga keeps getting prolonged.  Pray for them.

Carlton Brouwer is a really good friend and supporter of GRACE Ministries.  He lives in Michigan and is 84 years old.  He and his wife, Lorraine, have been on several GRACE trips as have many of their family members.  Mr. Carlton is having health issues and the doctors cannot pinpoint the problem.  He sees a cardiologist again on 2/4.  Pray for Mr. Carlton.

Mark & Courtney Hubbard went to M.D. Anderson for another treatment.  Courtney’s surgery is just around the corner.  Pray for her complete healing.

Please don’t forget to pray for Carla Kyser, Miss Joyce Bosarge, Miss Merle Phillips, Pelham McGehee and the others battling cancer.

The Moline CRC team left Guatemala yesterday and, as far as I know, arrived home safely last night.  It appears they had a great week of ministry.  The Friendship CRC team leaves today.  Pray for them.

Hugo Chavez says that the US has an “earthquake weapon”  which caused the quake in Haiti.  It was a test for the quake we will soon send to Iran.  This shockwave system can create “weather anomalies to cause floods, droughts, and hurricanes.”  Are you kidding me? 

Joe David, the score in the Vikings/Saints game will be so bad that Favre will be back in Kiln, MS before the game ends.  Again, Saints by 20.  The Colts will beat the Jets too as Joe Willie is too old to play! 

Friendship family – don’t forget the special offering for Haiti this Sunday and the opportuity to sign up for “Lottie’s Legion @ Friendship”.  We will have our regular services including the evening service even though the Saints will be playing. 

I will be updating throughout the weekend if any situation warrants it.  No update means no change. 

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

It is now 1:00PM.  Miss Vivian is in an ICU and is on a ventilator.  The doctors are of the opinion that she could not survive without the life support.  They don’t know what happened but are going to watch her for the next twenty-four hours and then go from there. 

Cecil, Myrtle, John and their families are doing well.  Emotional & exhausted but strong in their faith.  Keep praying for Miss Vivian & her family.

I will not post again until tomorrow unless there is a significant change in Miss Vivian’s condition.

URGENT – IT IS 2:30AM AND I’VE JUST BEEN CALLED TO THE HOSPITAL AS MISS VIVIAN LADNIER IS BEING TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE.  SHE IS NOT RESPONDING.  PRAY!

First, please take the time to read the comment left on yesterday’s entry. 

Second, please take the time today to pray for Jack & Carolyn Ciak.  They are good friends from Casa Aleluya and they have been trying to return to Arkansas since last June.  They have been in the process of adopting Olga for a couple of years now and they just seem to hit one wall after another.  They are discouraged and need our prayer support. 

Hilda Gunter’s sister, Nelva Duff, has taken a turn for the worse.  Pastor Travis Northcutt’s grandmother, Mrs. Phillips, has gotten a not so good report from the doctor regarding her cancer.  Janie English has not been able to be weaned from the ventilator.  Miss Vivian is having some struggles but is at home.  Miss Camp’s son, Jeff, is having surgery on his back this morning.  Pray for these folks!

We had a good Wednesday but the 7:00PM service was hindered by the torrential rain.  Our morning attendance was good and our 8:00PM attendance was normal.  I didn’t get a report on the Bible studies and classes. 

The folks from Moline CRC go home tomorrow after a good week of ministry in Guatemala.  Pray for their safety in travel.  Don & Ruth Nederhood will lead a team from the Friendship CRC from Byron Center, MI that leaves tomorrow bound for a week of ministry.  Pray for them too. 

My brother Eddie has been released by the doctor and heads back to China next week.  Thank you for your prayers!

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

I had been hearing for the past two weeks or so that Scott Brown could possibly win the special election for the U.S. Senate seat from Massachusetts that had been held by Ted Kennedy since 1972.  My initial thoughts were, “whatever!”  However, as yesterday’s election drew even closer more and more folks said it was going to happen and it did by a 52 to 47 percent margin.  Folks, that is amazing!  I hope Washington is hearing what the people are saying about big government!  Pray that the U.S. Senate will seat Senator Brown quickly – that is important!

Louis Reyer came home yesterday and is doing well.  Janie English was to have an EEG done yesterday afternoon.  She seemed to be making improvement.  Bill Unrue went to the hospital due to pain in his foot.  He injured it a couple of weeks ago.  Miss Vivian was taken back to the doctor because of some problems with her oxygen level, et cetera.  Pray for these folks! 

My good friend, Spencer Cole, had an uncle to pass away in Double Springs, Alabama.  Spencer will be singing and speaking at the funeral service today so pray for him as he ministers. 

Four more folks joined “Lottie’s Legion @ Friendship” yesterday bringing our total pledges to $9,271.  Remember, our goal is 100 members and $40,000 by 11/30/10.  Will you pray about joining us?  Thanks!

U-G-L-Y!  It got so ugly that I stopped watching the UT vs Bama basketball game last night.  I found myself surfing for a girls’ high school soccer game!  Of course, Mike Parker will think it was a thing of beauty since UT won but he is delusional when it comes to UT anything! 

Regular Wednesday for the Friendship family today.  I am looking forward to meeting with our morning crowd at 10:00AM and finishing the day with our 8:00PM young adults while doing the 7:00PM service in between.  I love Wednesdays!

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

The doctors cleard a major blockage in Bro. Louis Reyer’s carotid artery yesterday and said it probably would prevent a major stroke.  He also said that the damage to his eye was, medically speaking, irreversible.  Bro. Louis should come home from the hospital today. 

Janie English suffered a heart attack Sunday and is in an ICU.  It is my understanding that she is in a drug induced coma and they will keep her on the ventilator until one of her lungs (pneumonia) clears up.  They placed a stent in her heart and said that her heart is no longer a problem.  Pray for her, Kendall Wayne and the entire family. 

My brother, Eddie, got a favorable report from the doctor yesterday and, if he gets another good report tomorrow, he will be headed to China next week.  Thank you for your prayers.

Raymond Johnson leaves at 7:30AM today for the beginning of his duty with the National Guard.  Pray for him.  I appreciate Bro. Jerry’s many acts of kindess to Raymond in recent months.

Continue to pray for the people of Haiti.  Some of the news agencies are reporting a death toll of 200,000 with 1.5 million survivors being homeless.  Remember, we will receive a special offering this Sunday, 1/24, in all three of our services.  Give as the Lord leads. 

Speaking of earthquakes, Guatemala had one yesterday that registered 5.8 – 6.0 but no damages or injuries.  The team from Moline out building houses didn’t feel it but their cooks at the mission house did. 

We had 21 folks (17%) join “Lottie’s Legion @ Friendship” this past Sunday and they have pledged $8,371 (21%) of our $40,000 LMCO 2010 goal.  We will keep signing folks up through January. 

We also had 19 “Who Did You Miss” cards submitted.  We are in the process of following up on those.  These cards are available in all three of our Sunday services. 

Pastor Jack Bailey & I are happy today as our beloved Lakers beat the Magic last night to run their record to 32 – 9 at the halfway point of their season.  By the way, K-State beat Texas last night too – sorry Gene & Gena!  (Have I mentioned that the Cowboys got beat Sunday?)  Lori Bailey – Saints by at least 20 as Favre’s ride is over! 

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

Good weekend.  We praise the Lord for His blessings.  Archie Watkins did a nice job of sharing the message through song last night.  We had a good crowd thanks to our students. 

Our RA basketball teams all have games today.  I am not certain of the locations or places but you can check on this website for that information.

Bro. Louis Reyer is having a surgical procedure this morning to clear any blockage in one of his carotid arteries.  He should be in the hospital for one night and discharged tomorrow. 

Docia Thompson’s sister is seemingly near death’s door.  Docia went to be with her yesterday.  Pray for Docia, her sister, and the entire family during this time. 

I received a nice e-mail message from John Meredith last night telling me about his experience in church yesterday.  He met a man who grew up in Pascagoula, MS – imagine that! 

Thanks to Al and the marvels of the internet, John is teaching his SS class via the net.  I appreciate Arlene handling things in the classroom and John’s being willing to study, prepare, and then teach.  I appreciate the class members being willing to “help” in this situation.  Chris has been the lead computer tech in putting all of this together. 

I will give an update on our 2010 Lottie’s Legion @ Friendship tomorrow.  We will be using our “WDYM” cards to make contacts this week.  Thanks to all who participated! 

The J-E-T-S and Vikings won yesterday.  I really don’t care but the Vikings win means that the Cowboys lost.  I liked Tom Landry but it pretty much ends there as far as Dallas is concerned for me.  I am sorry for our one Cowboys fan in the church!  Congratulations to the Saints on their win.  Could this be their year?

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

Pam Lewis did well through her surgery and was home shortly after noon.  I appreciate Bro. Kerry being there to pray with her before surgery and Miss Vinnie Brewer for staying with the family through the surgery. 

I am not sure if Jesus Segura was discharged or not.  Hilda’s sister remains hospitalized.  Miss Vivian is doing okay but is having a problem staying awake.  Pray for these folks!

I gave some “wrong” information yesterday on Louis Reyer.  (Imagine that – me making a mistake!)  He will have his carotid artery cleaned out this Monday but it isn’t related to his eye.  This is a precaution to perhaps fend off a stroke since he most likely had a stroke in his eye.  Pray for him!

Keep praying for the people in Haiti.  I read yesterday where they are estimating 50,000 deaths as a result of this earthquake. 

The Moline CRC team arrived safely in Guatemala.  They send their thanks for your prayer support. 

I went to the printers today and got our “Lottie’s Legion @ Friendship” and our “Who Did You Miss” cards so they will be available this Sunday. 

Friendship family, don’t forget that Archie Watkins will be our guest this Sunday evening, 1/17, beginning at 6:00PM.  Our students have a late night bowling fellowship too.  Our RA teams (3) play tomorrow as do our Upward teams. 

I have to begin training for The Foundation’s 5K race on April 10.  My goal is to finish in less than three hours.  No, my goal is to finish! 

I was reading from a Beth Moore devotional this morning (don’t tell Lisa that I read Beth’s writings) where she said that we must take the sword of the Spirit in one hand and the shield of faith in the other hand.  Yep, she’s right!  The forces of hell keep charging.  They just don’t understand that we win thanks to Jesus! 

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

Elsie Lherission, Brooklyn Tabernacle’s missionary to Haiti, is safe with only minor injuries.  Her apartment building was completely destroyed.  Their mission house was damaged but Elsie is staying just outside. 

Praise the Lord for His watchcare over her.  Pray for the people of Haiti especially those still trapped alive beneath the rubble.  Pray for the rescue teams and thier safety.  Pray for the families who have lost loved one.  Pray without ceasing!

The nation of Haiti is obviously in serious trouble.  The Friendship family is praying and last night it was decided to receive a love offering for the relief effort.  This offering will be received on Sunday, 1/24, in all of our services.  We will send this money directly to Haiti through the Brooklyn Tabernacle as they have a missionary/church there.  At this time, they do not know if their missionary survived the earthquake.  Her name is Elsie Lherisson. 

Folks outside of the Friendship family can give to this offering by making a check payable to Friendship Baptist and mailing it to P.O. Box 756 Grand Bay, AL 36541.  Please clearly indicate that it is designated for Haiti Relief. 

Pam Lewis is having surgery today.  I am not sure what time but do ask that you pray for her.  Jesus Segura is supposed to come home today but Lisa & Lynne visited him yesterday and said he wasn’t doing real well.  Miss Nelva Huff (Hilda Gunter’s sister) is off the vent but remains in an ICU.  The doctors found a problem with one of the carotid arteries in Bro. Louis Reyer’s neck and think his eye problem could be related.  They will try to correct the artery problem.  Pray it will help his eye.  Savannah (Edna’s granddaughter) was involved in an accident yesterday afternoon and was taken to the hospital but was going to be okay.  Bro. Lewis Jackson is battling a kidney stone.  Pray for these folks and keep praying for those battling cancer. 

The Moline CRC team left Detroit this morning bound for Guatemala.  Pray for them and, if interested, you can follow them at www.molinecrcmissionteam.blogspot.com. 

Don’t forget that Archie Watkins will be ministering through song this Sunday evening beginning at 6:00PM. 

We had a good Wednesday and it ended with about 30 of our young adults gathered for Bible study.  I appreciate my mother-in-law, Ann Clark, cooking soup to feed that crew.  Lisa did potatoes and Deidra did cornbread & brownies so the meal was great. 

Jason “Little Wayne” Bowling and Joe David Bailey commented on yesterday’s post.  I like Joe David!  It does warm my heart to know that Mandy is using my blog entries as her bedtime reading for Jason.  Sweet!

Pastor Jack Bailey says his blog readership has now topped the 47,000 mark (I am holding solid at 18) and he thinks that he may be in the running to lead the IMB as Rankin’s replacement.  He also thinks Rex Looney is reading his blogs for theological reasons – not so fast my friend!  Rex is reading and waiting on “Big Mama” to post an entry!  Miss June is his personal favorite amongst the Bailey couple!

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