Pastor's Blog

Our work day II was a huge success too!  What work day?  Six or seven members of the 40-49 Sunday School class washed the buses this morning.  What a great “missions” thing to do!  I do not know who came up with this ministry project but I appreciate these folks doing this act of service.

Bobby Stork’s great niece did have her baby and the baby was immediately taken to surgery.

Sueanna’s father remains in ICU.  Pray for these needs.

We are on a regular schedule tomorrow.  Hope to see many members of the Friendship family in attendance.

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

Truett Edward Taylor checked into this world today at 10:45AM weighing 8 pounds 5 ounces and is 22 3/4 inches long.  As far as I know, mother and son are doing great.  Congratulations Bro. Chris & Nicole!

I have to give a shout out to the men and women who showed up for our work day.  Not just for the fact that they showed up but the fact that they worked so hard and efficiently.  I was about forty-five minutes late arriving and they had things going full steam ahead by the time I arrived.  They really did a nice job!  I appreciate all of the men and women who gave of their time and effort!

Today is the big day for Bro. Chris & Nicole Taylor.  Nicole was admitted to the hospital last night and they will induce labor this morning.  So, at some point today their son should make his grand appearance into this world.  Pray that all goes well.

Carla Kyser received a chemo treatment yesterday.  Keep praying for Carla and all those who are battling cancer.

I spoke to Diane Bryant via the phone early yesterday morning.  They were planning on doing a CT scan on Sueanna’s father and then going from there.  He remains in ICU.  Keep praying for him and the family.

Bobby Stork’s niece was supposed to give birth yesterday.  It was already known that the baby would have physical problems.  Pray for that situation too.

After I get through at the hospital this morning, my plans are to spend the rest of the day working in the yard and garden.  The Lord has blessed and the garden has done well up to this point i.e. most everything has come up!    I hope to be finished with all of my studying by tomorrow afternoon late so I can watch the basketball games.  Hopefully, the UL/UK game will be a classic.

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

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  The “potluck with the pastor” went very well.  It is really good to sit around the table enjoying fellowship with your brothers/sisters in the Lord.  It is much more about the fellowship than it is about the food even though the food was great.

Our evening service was well attended and we have been having guests in that service too.  I thank you for your faithfulness.

It is a little after 5:00AM and I have not gotten an update from Kyle & Sue yet.  I just ask you to keep praying for Sue’s father.

Our granddaughter, Emmy, is having tubes put in her ears this morning.  Simple and quick procedure but I appreciate your prayers.

Our work day begins at 8:00AM.  We hope to finish around 10:00 – 10:30AM if all goes well.

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

Sueanna Bryant’s father fell today and suffered some trauma to his head.  He is in a hospital in Dothan, AL and is in ICU.  Kyle & Sue are traveling to Dothan now (6:30PM).  Pray for Sue’s dad and the family.

Christie Wynn called the office this afternoon to say that her daughter, Sarah, continues to have seizures.  Christie is very concerned and rightfully so.  Pray for Sarah.

Important inquiry – I mentioned a few weeks ago the possibility of a few folks going to Guatemala for five or six days to help ready the mission house for the summer season.  Then the airfares went crazy high.  They have now dropped to a much better price.  The dates are Monday, 4/30, through Friday, 5/4, or Saturday, 5/5.  If you are interested and ready to ticket, contact me immediately if not sooner!  You would be asked to cover the cost of your airfare.  Airfares can change at any moment so please move on this now!  Thanks!

Korie Fontenot was able to go back to class at UM yesterday.  She must have thought I was preaching as she slept through her first class.  Nanette has called me no less than twelve times a day since Sunday night to give me updates on Korie.  Honestly, do I need an update every twenty minutes?  I am glad that Korie is doing better!

Carla Kyser will receive another chemotherapy treatment tomorrow.  Pray for her!

“Potluck with the pastor” takes place today.  Special thanks to Betty Creech for setting up the tables and chairs.  Ditto to Marisa Felps for cooking the roast and helping coordinate the entire meal/fellowship.  Of course, my wife is a huge plus in this ministry opportunity.  The meat, potatoes, rolls, and drinks will be provided.  You are asked to bring the trimmings and desserts.  Why not join us for this time of good food and great fellowship?  We are always finished well before noon.

If some goofy pastor had not postponed the workday last Saturday, we would not be asking our retirees and others to attend a workday tomorrow morning beginning at 8:00AM.  Goofy did postpone it so we need your help tomorrow.

There is a need for plastic eggs and candy for the activities scheduled for Saturday, 4/7.   You can bring them to the church office or leave them in the foyer of the auditorium.

We begin our study of the book, “Not A Fan” in tonight’s 8:00PM Bible study.  Should be awesome!

We need a miracle in order to reach our AAEO goal this Sunday.  We can still promote it through April but I would like to be finished before Easter.  I do not want to receive a special offering on Easter!

Dr. Brown gave me a good report yesterday morning.  It appears the infection is going/has gone away.  Praise the Lord!  The only lingering effect is that I can no longer hear my wife unless it is advantageous to me.  Do not ask me to explain that as I am not the doctor!

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

Korie Fontenot saw the eye doctor yesterday and he said the eye (vision) appeared to be okay.  The facial reconstruction doctor decided to hold off on surgery to see if the fractured bone can heal itself.  If so, to God be the glory.  If not, there is a two week window where he will decide whether to proceed with surgery.  He did say the fracture is significant so it will take a miracle to be corrected.  I appreciate Scott keeping me updated.

By the way, Nanette (Korie’s mom) is upset with me because I did not miss church Sunday night and come to the hospital.  She angrily muttered something about our dating back in the day and how we almost got married.  She just cannot let go of the past!

Adam & Shelley Johnson lost everything they own in a house fire this past Sunday morning.  It is my understanding that Cecil Guidry knows the clothes sizes for the family.  Contact her if you can help.  Thanks!

“Potluck with the Pastor” takes place tomorrow morning immediately following the service.  Lisa and I providing the roast beef, rolls, and drinks.  You are asked to bring the trimmings and desserts.  This is always a good time of fellowship so I encourage you to join us!

We need our retirees and others to join us this Thursday, 3/29, beginning at 8:00AM to help get the grounds ready for the Easter weekend.  We will finish before noon.  We need to work the flower beds, rake leaves, mow, et cetera.

Speaking of Easter, Bro. Dale has asked that you help with the children’s ministry by bringing plastic eggs and candy to be used on that Saturday.  You can bring those to any service between now and 4/7.  Thanks!

Do you know how long it takes to build a witness/testimony?  Years!  Do you know how long it takes to lose it?  Seconds/minutes.  A couple of things were brought to my attention yesterday where folks greatly damaged/lost their witness/testimony.

I am taking a vacation day as I have an appointment with the ENT doctor.  Katie Tillman’s sister, Amanda, has been so kind to help me get appointments, to remind me of when those appointments are, et cetera.  With Amanda sweetness, it makes one wonder what happened to Katie?   (Knowing their mom, it is hard to believe either one could turn out to be sweet!)

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

Wow, we were blessed with a very good day in our services yesterday – glory to God!  It was a blessing to have Jason Husband “come home” in the 10:30AM service as he joined the Friendship family by transfer of letter.  It was then a real blessing to have Levi Seymour (on statement), Kenneth Smith (letter), Cory Dickinson & Eva Marino (for baptism) join the Friendship family during our 6:00PM service.    God gives the increase and we give him the glory.

Korie Fontenot sustained an injury yesterday afternoon while playing softball for the University of Mobile.  She spent several hours in a local ER but got home around 11:00PM last night.  She has an exploded orbital socket and fractured nose.  She will see an eye doctor today and a facial reconstruction doctor within the next day or so.  She was batting and a tipped ball hit her.  She is in a lot of pain and will be facing surgery at some point this week.

Edwin Williams’ aunt, Margaret Smith, is in the hospital and the doctors did not feel she would live through the night.  I do not have an update this morning.  Miss Margaret used to be the organist at Friendship many years ago.  Pray for her and the family.

Christie Wynn’s daughter, Sarah, continues to have seizures.  Pray that Christie can get her in to see a doctor.

“Potluck with the Pastor” takes place this Wednesday, 3/28, immediately following the morning service.  Lisa and I are providing roast, rolls, and drinks.  You are asked to bring the side dishes and desserts.  It will be good food and great fellowship.  Join us!

What dummy postponed this past Saturday’s work day?  It was a beautiful day!  My bad!  We are going a different route this time as we are going to have a work day this Thursday, 3/29, beginning at 8:00AM.  Obviously, those folks in the work force will not be able to attend so I am asking those who are retired and/or off on Thursday to join us.  We need to do some pre-Easter stuff which will include working the flower beds, raking, mowing, et cetera.  I have every confidence that this group of people will show up and do a great job.

Evangelist Ken Freeman will be in the youth service on Wednesday, 4/4, beginning at 7:00PM.

Louisville and Kentucky in a national semifinal game for the NCAA championship?  Is that crazy or what!  I imagine the state of Kentucky will be wild this week.  I am thinking Kansas and Kentucky in the final game.  I just do not see UK losing.

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

The work day originally scheduled for today, 3/24, has been POSTPONED due to the wet conditions!  We will make an announcement in tomorrow’s services about the “when” of our next effort.

“Friendship Food Festival” tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM.

Much to do today.  It is almost 4:00AM and Lisa is demanding that I get to Wal Mart or else!  Wow, talk about tough!

I look forward to seeing many members of the Friendship family in our services tomorrow.  The folks in our SS class are asked to bring a “can” of any food item for the crisis closet.

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

Attempted to visit Miss Kathleen Henderson in the hospital yesterday but there were three or four folks in her room working with her.  So, I had to leave a card and do not have an up to date report.

Dale Bosarge will be preaching at the Mission of Hope tonight.  The service begins at 7:00PM.  I am told that the mini bus will not be making the trip.  I would “assume” that means no bus but that is merely an assumption.  Usually, when I assume I assume wrong!  The important thing is that the service begins at 7:00PM and you are invited to attend.

The “Friendship Food Festival” takes place tomorrow from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the CAB.  It should be good.  Tickets are $10 per person.  If you leave hungry, it will be your choice.  Come support our student ministry.

The work day scheduled for tomorrow morning has been postponed due to the wet conditions.  We have tried to contact folks to let them know but please help us pass the word.  (It basically has not rained since I announced the postponement which is par for the course for me)  Regardless, the decision has been made and we will stick with the postponement.

Lord willing, I will be preaching in all four services this Sunday.  Chad Blakeney and Jim Chinners have been teaching/preaching in the Spanish service which has helped me  on Sundays.  However, I look forward to sharing with these folks this Sunday.

Gary Siler from Michigan surprised me with a visit yesterday at noon.  Nice!  Gary went on a GRACE Ministries trip last November and was saved while on that trip.  (He has signed up for the trip this November too)  God really used that trip to change Gary’s life in more ways than just his salvation although that is the most important way.  It was really great to see Gary!

Speaking of Spanish speaking folks, we received an e-mail from Pastor Carlos Portillo yesterday expressing great joy over his church becoming our daughter church.  Good stuff!  God stuff!

The okra and peas are up with a pretty good stand.  Not so with the corn and snap beans yet.

MSU went down hard last night.  I felt for the many MSU fans that I know.  I am not a Gators fan but am glad to see a SEC team advance to the Elite Eight.  UF will be joined by UK tonight.  The SEC could have two teams in the Final Four.

I do not plan on posting this weekend but you never know.  I pray you will have a blessed weekend with Jesus!