Pastor's Blog

Wow, our Wednesday was wild!  “Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape” is a staple saying on our mission trips and we had some “flexible” folks last night – thank you!  I am not even sure that I went to the right building!  I was so messed up that I wore one brown shoe and one black shoe!  How embarrassing is that?

The greatest news is that we had 40 something students make public decisions last night!  Those 40 came from a total of 273 students in attendance in the “Hunt for 200” emphasis.  That is correct – 273 students in addition to the adults.  Glory to God!

By the way, it has nothing to do with last night’s service but we will be observing the ordinance of baptism as a part of our evening service this Sunday, 4/3.  Baptismal candidates need to meet in the office at 5:30PM.

Lisa did an awesome job with our first “Potluck with the Pastor PM” meal.  I appreciate Lynne Watson giving her an assist.  You did great in bringing the sweets!  I did not get enough feedback to know if it was a success or not but it seemed to be.

So, “thank you” to everyone who attended last night and for your willingness to be flexible in order for us to reach folks with the Gospel!

Our grandson, Titus, will have minor surgery this morning as he will have tubes placed in his ears.  Too many sicknesses in the first sixteen months of his life.

I am taking another vacation day today in order to help my brother, Eddie, and his wife, Sue, unload the contents of the U-Haul truck into their Orange Beach home.  This power of attorney stuff is killing me!  LOL!

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

“Potluck with the Pastor PM” takes place tonight beginning at 6:30PM.  Lisa & I are furnishing everything except the people and the desserts!  You come & bring the desserts!  What is the main course?  Great question!  IDK!  This is designed for the adults who attend our 7:00PM service and we will have that service sitting around the tables tonight.  Do not want to join us for the meal?  No problem – just come at 7:00PM for the service in the fellowship hall.  Folks, this is our first time to try this.  It could be a great success or it could be another one of my “great” ideas!  Time will tell!

The “Hunt for 200” will be taking place in the auditorium beginning at 6:00PM tonight.  Bro. Chris is looking for 200 students to be in attendance.  It should be pretty wild in a good kind of way!

Soy & Deidra have moved to their new house so the 8:00PM Bible study will take place in that house tonight.  Those attending need to arrive via Longview Drive (road before Skateland) as Charles will be guarding his driveway with a shotgun!  (Personally, I think the “No Trespassing” signs are bit too much!)  Or, you can park in Eddie Hall’s yard and just walk over but that option would probably be better on a really rainy night – LOL!

Karla Cooper’s mother, Francis Howard, remains hospitalized with a staph infection.  Doug & Diane Cordelle are grandparents again as Natasha (I probably spelled that incorrectly) & Grant welcomed Myles Edward Smith into this world on Monday.  He checked in at seven pounds & fourteen ounces.  They are doing fine.  Congratulations!

Bro. Jerry & the folks who have been working in the CAB have some “stuff” to sell!  Remember, the yard sale/auction/meal all take place Thursday, Friday, & Saturday.  I hope you will support this effort.

Larry Whitehurst got us a new oven yesterday and Tony Hacker installed it last night.  We can now put the Christmas gifts back in their proper hiding place!  Thanks guys!

Bama is in the finals of the NIT!  Joe David Bailey is looking for tickets to the VCU vs Butler game to be played on Saturday night.  He does not care anything about the UConn vs UK game.  Can someone help him?

Normal Wednesday today as far as times are concerned.  The rest will be anything but normal!  Join us!  I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus!

The funeral service for Mr. George Douglas will take place this morning at 10:00AM from Serenity Funeral Home.  Pray for the family as they go through this time of sorrow.

As far as I know, Karla Cooper’s mother remains hospitalized.  I learned yesterday of someone else being in the hospital but I do not think I am supposed to share that info but do ask you to pray.  Karen McGriff (4/4), Belinda Skelton (4/11), and Chuck Rockwell (4/25) are scheduled for surgery in April.  Carla Kyser continues to receive treatments.

The CAB is quickly becoming full of “stuff” for the yard sale and auction.  It was a beehive of activity yesterday.  Remember, that yard sale, auction, and meal all take place this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  All of the proceeds help the April (Bro. Chris) and July (Bro. Jerry) GRACE teams do ministry in Guatemala.

There were at least 18 folks from the Friendship family in attendance at the Women’s Resource Center’s annual dinner/fundraiser in Mobile last night.  Bruce Wilkinson (Prayer of Jabez) was the guest speaker and it was really good.  I appreciate those who stand for life!  (I apologize to those who had to wait on the train – wow!)

The alarm in the auditorium goes off last night.  I walk over to meet the sheriff’s deputy only to find he is Justin Joyner – that will make you rest easy!  LOL!  Seriously, I appreciate those who serve in law enforcement!

The “Final Four” is set.  If they would allow me to “set” the brackets then I would put VCU and Butler in a position to play each other in the final game.  I do not think either of them will win it all but I do think it makes a great story to see them as two of the last four standing.  Joe David Bailey is elated!

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

God is good!  He blessed us with another good day in our services yesterday.  I appreciate those who helped with the service last night.  I am also thankful to those who helped Bro. Benny & Bro. Dale with the skating fellowship for the children yesterday afternoon.  I am told the shower was well attended too.  Manolo & Mildred Padilla sang/preached in the 2:00PM service and did a very good job.  Yes, God is good!

Karla Cooper’s mother, Mrs. Howard, was admitted to the hospital this past Saturday.  Bro. Jerry will be preaching the funeral service for Tena’s great niece this morning.  The visitation with Dee Dee’s family will take place tonight from 5:00 – 8:00PM at Serenity with the funeral service taking place tomorrow at 10:00AM.  Carla Kyser continues to receive treatments.  One of the residents at the Grand Bay Convalescent Home, Mr. McNorton, is not doing well physically.  Please pray for all of these needs.

“Potluck with the Pastor PM” takes place this Wednesday, 3/30, beginning at 6:30PM in the fellowship hall.  Lisa & I are providing everything except the desserts which you are asked to bring.  This is designed for the adults who attend our service on Wednesday nights.  We will remain around the tables for the Bible study beginning around 7:00PM.  Will it work?  We will see.  Folks, if it does not work, it will not be the first thing I have tried that has failed i.e. “Souper Super Bowl Fellowship” but you never know until you try.

The yard sale/auction/yard sale combo takes place this week (Thursday – Saturday) in the CAB.  You can contact Bro. Jerry and/or Bro. Chris for more details.

I had mower problems over the weekend.  I need to give a shout out to Bobby Broome & Scott Older for not only helping me but for repairing my mower.  My only other option was to take it to the shop at $65 per hour or rent Charles’ mower at $95 per hour.

My brother, Eddie, and his wife, Sue, are scheduled to arrive from China today.  Soy went with me on Saturday to do some last minute things at their house in Orange Beach.  Can you say huge mistake?  It cost me much more to feed Soy than he was worth!  He did prove that a person can take a two hour nap in a house with zero furniture!

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

Dee Dee added some nice comments to my most recent blog entry.  Her dad’s arrangements are as follows:  visitation with the family Monday night, 3/28, from 5:00 – 8:00PM at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore.  Service on Tuesday morning at 10:00AM from the chapel at Serenity.  Pray for Dee Dee and her family!  Thanks!

I want to remind the ladies of the Friendship family about the wedding shower for Andrea Creighton that takes place tomorrow afternoon, 3/27, from 3:00 – 4:30PM.  Andrea is registered at Target and is the bride elect of Drew Timberlake.

I have not talked to Dee Dee about the definite arrangements but they were thinking maybe Monday night visitation and Tuesday funeral service.  Dee Dee will most likely add a comment here once things are set in stone.  Pray for the Douglas family.

It was so nice to see UK send “the” Ohio State Buckeyes to the house last night!  SEC baby!  I was also glad to see VCU continue their winning ways.  Today I will be pulling for Butler but fully expect the Gators to win.  I will be pulling for Zona over UConn much to the dismay of my good friend, Jack Ciak.  Tomorrow’s game between UK & UNC could be a classic (I think UNC gets ’em b/c of an emotional let down by the Cats).  Kansas should literally crush VCU as the Rams will not be able to find the proverbial slipper.  Now, I would love to be wrong on that one!

I pray that you will have a great Saturday.  Go to church tomorrow!

Mr. George Douglas, Dee Dee’s dad, passed from this life around 8:00AM.  Lisa came and got me off the mower and I have come home to get ready and go see the family.  Pray for Dee Dee and her family as they walk through this valley.  We will post the arrangements once they are set.

The funeral service for Tena Hovel’s great niece will take place on Monday morning.  Keep praying for that family.  Otherwise, I do not have any updates on the others mentioned in yesterday’s post.

Ladies from Friendship – there is a wedding shower for Andrea Creighton, bride elect of Drew Timberlake, this Sunday, 3/27, from 3:00 – 4:30PM in the fellowship hall.  Drew is the son of Mark & Brenda Timberlake.  Drew & Andrea are registered at Target.  I hope that this shower will be well attended and I appreciate those who will support this young couple.  Please know the time as it differs from the “normal” times for showers.

Our staff, minus me, led the way in getting the east end rooms in the CAB ready for carpet.  I appreciate that!  My hope is that the carpet can be installed either today or tomorrow.

Les & I had a good time driving over to New Orleans and back yesterday afternoon/last night.  Good fellowship.  Les screamed like a little middle school girl each time Jimmer ran onto the court.  He slumped to the floor when the final horn sounded ending Jimmer’ season/career.  LOL!  I had never seen any of those four teams play in person so it was good.  I appreciate Les letting me tag along for his “Jimmer” time!

Charles found out I was “on vacation” yesterday morning so he called to see what I as doing before leaving for New Orleans.  He casually mentioned that he had been “looking at” his will in recent days and that his yard sure needed to be weed eated (is that a word?).  So, I spent all morning working in his yard.  Called Soy to help me but he had school – at 10:00AM.  This was 7:00AM but Soy said he hated to leave “Myrna from Smyrna” home alone!

By the way, I was unable to watch any other NCAA tourney games last night.  Does anybody know if Duke won?  LOL!  Way to go Wildcats!  I also think Butler’s march ends tomorrow at the hands of the Gators.  I am good either way.

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

Tena Hovel’s niece delivered her baby around 10:00PM last night.  There will be a funeral service either tomorrow or Monday.  Pray for the family and for Bro. Jerry as he preaches that service.

Word at church last night was that Jack Sims “may” come home from the hospital today.  Carla Kyser receives another treatment today.  Dee Dee’s dad remains at home battling his cancer.  Chuck Rockwell has been diagnosed with cancer and will be having surgery in three or so weeks.  Karen McGriff will be having surgery in two weeks in Birmingham.  Betty Clair Hatcher has been placed on “bed rest” as she is at the 22nd week or so of her pregnancy.  Pray for all of these needs.

John Curl finished painting the rooms on the east end of the CAB yesterday.  That is the good news!  The “bad” news is that the doors did not come in as they will be here Monday.  However, the classes can use those rooms this Sunday – individual teacher’s decision.

I have asked Bro. Jerry, Bro. Kerry, & Bro. Chris to be responsible for getting the existing carpet out of those rooms today so the new carpet can be installed hopefully prior to this Sunday.  If you can help today, please contact Bro. Jerry.

Lisa & I are hosting an evening “Potluck with the Pastor” next Wednesday, 3/30, beginning at 6:30PM.  This will be for the adults attending the evening service.  We ask that you bring the desserts and we will furnish the rest.  We will begin our Bible study in the fellowship hall right around 7:00PM.  (The students will be using the auditorium)

If you will listen closely tonight around 8:15PM or so, you will hear a loud wailing sound coming from the West.  That will be Les Hacker bemoaning Jimmer being sent to the house by the Gators.  I am burning a vacation day to go with Les to the New Orleans Arena to watch tonight’s games.  I will have my hands full consoling Les on the way home.

Bama basketball to NYC for the NIT and supper with T. Garrett & Johna.  I would assume T. Garrett has already instructed their personal maid, chef, et cetera on what to do in preparation for the team’s arrival.

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

P.S. – I am not pulling for the Gators tonight but will be cheering for the Butler Bulldogs.

Barbara Kelley’s heart cath revealed extra “pressure” in the heart which led the doctor to mandate daily exercise to help lessen that pressure.  She was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon.

Jack Sims remains hospitalized and is having several physical problems.  One thing seems to be working against the other.  Lisa & I visited with Jack, Annette, & Todd last night.

Learned yesterday that Chuck Rockwell has been diagnosed with cancer.  Mr. George Douglas remains at home under the care of hospice.  Carla Kyser continues to receive treatments.  Pray for all of these folks.

We are on a regular schedule today with the morning service and the evening service/Bible studies.  I hope to be joined by a large number of the Friendship family members.

John & Jordan Curl were in the CAB last night painting the rooms on the lower east end.  John, Kenny, & now Jordan have done an awesome job of painting all of the CAB up to this point.  I am grateful!

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