Pastor's Blog

On the prayer point today – Tim Knighten, Deidra Taylor, Teddie Turrentine.  jack@danvillebaptist.org

Andrea Timberlake’s father has made improvement.  The family is grateful for your prayer support.

The second day of Upward basketball yesterday seemed to go well.  The Upward league at Friendship is now off until Saturday, 1/4/14.  Kyle Bryant saved the day for me yesterday.  I am grateful!

We are on a regular schedule this morning.  Lord willing, I will be preaching in both services.

We will receive a special love offering in the  morning services to help a Friendship family member in need.  Anonymous situation.  Pray and give as the Lord leads.

Tonight, Miss Tena Hovel and the children’s choir will present their Christmas musical.  Pray for them and attend this special presentation of the Gospel.

Wow, this warm weather makes it seem so not like Christmas!  Charles tilled the ground for the garden this past Thursday.  Really?  Really.  (Not planting but getting the soil ready)

I have witnessed folks being Jesus this past week.  Good stuff!  Keep it up!

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

On the prayer point today – Clara Broadus, Courtney Cavin, Soy Taylor.  jack@danvillebaptist.org

Welcome Maverick Paydon Adkinson!  Maverick was born this past Thursday morning, 12/12, around 9:30AM checking in at 5 pounds 15 ounces.  Proud parents are Tanner & Candace and big brother is Titan.  Congratulations!

Andrea Timberlake’s father remains in ICU.  Ed Whitehurst remains in a Jackson, MS hospital.  David McElwee is in a Birmingham hospital.  Bob Henley remains at home.

The second Saturday of Upward basketball takes place today in the CAB.  Pray for Kristy and all those involved in this ministry.

Our children’s choir under the direction of Miss Tena Hovel will present their Christmas musical tomorrow night beginning at 6:00PM.

We will be receiving a love offering in tomorrow’s morning services for a member of the Friendship family.  This will remain anonymous.  Pray and give as the Lord leads.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning.  Hope to be joined by many members of the Friendship family in our services and Sunday School.

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

On the prayer point today – Jim Chinners, Marisa Felps, Lynne Tillman.  jack@danvillebaptist.org

Andrea Timberlake’s father in ICU in a local hospital.  Not sure all of the details but someone did tell me yesterday that he is a very sick man.

Mr. Pat Patterson, Andy & Betty Hamil’s dear friend, had surgery yesterday.  Pat is 93 years old.  The doctors had discovered that he had some “old” blood on his brain.  They removed one quart of blood during the procedure yesterday.  He is expected to make a full recovery.

Sandra tells me that David is feeling rough which is exactly what the doctors had told him would happen.  If you were shut up in a hospital room with Sandra 24/7, you would feel rough too!

Talked to Paul Leytham via the phone late yesterday afternoon.  We were disconnected twice.  The cancer Miss Cristy has is a very aggressive cancer but her attitude is very positive.  They are appreciative for all of the support they have received up to this point.

Kevin Sprinkle’s brother remains in a Birmingham hospital.

Visited the folks in the convalescent home yesterday morning.  Wow, that place was a beehive of activity with the GBMS students there and the Alma Bryant chorus came too.  (Lynda Sims leads that chorus)  Everyone was doing well.  Miss Jackie Goff is going home from there too and she is a very happy camper!

Linda Redder’s mother (Michigan) and our friend in Tuscaloosa both continue to battle their respective cancer.

John & Laurie King leave Guatemala in the morning for a few days of rest before heading to Canada for Christmas.

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

On the prayer point today – Rita Boutwell, Nanette Fontenot, Tony Hacker.  jack@danvillebaptist.org

The person who has been on my mind the most since yesterday late morning is Miss Cristy Leytham.  Received news that she has been diagnosed with cancer in her esophagus and upper stomach.  On the surface, it does not look favorable.  However, it did not look favorable for the Israelites when they faced the Red Sea or for David when he faced Goliath.  So, we know God is able!

Kevin Sprinkle’s brother, Archie, has leukemia and is in a Birmingham hospital.  He is receiving chemotherapy and will undergo a bone marrow transplant once a matching donor is found.

Andrea Timberlake’s father is in a local hospital.  I do not know all of the details but will find out this morning in a visit.

Ed Whitehurst continues to make improvement.  Larry & his mother had a good visit with him yesterday.  Still has a long ways to go but he has come a long ways since last Thursday too.

Edna Glover’s brother is in a Hattiesburg, MS hospital.

Bob Henley is at home and continues to decline physically.

David McElwee remains hospitalized in Birmingham.  Sandra will send me an update in a day or two I am sure.

So, our prayers are needed big time in these situations and others too.  Pray without ceasing.

Our young adult Bible study groups get an A+ for their mission work last night.  The sorted and packed medicines last night for the February 2014 trips.  Outstanding job!  Some of them did not leave the house until almost 11:00PM and they worked up to that hour.  It was a last minute request and I appreciate their great attitudes and work!

We have a member of the Friendship family with a financial need.  A love offering will be received this Sunday, 12/15, during the morning service.  This is an anonymous situation.  Pray and give as the Lord leads.

Pray for the American pastor who is imprisoned in Iran.  Read the comment on yesterday’s entry for more information.

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

Bobby Ray Hardy
7/26/1940-12/9/2013
Bobby Ray Hardy, age 73, a native of Newton MS and a life long resident of Laurel MS passed away in Mobile County on Monday, December 9, 2013. He was preceded in death by his parents, Malcolm Hardy and Nellie Rowell. He is survived by his wife, Conway Ann Hardy, children, Deborah (Richard) Adkinson, Nicholas (Barbara) Nassar, Andy (Nancy) Nassar, grandchildren, Nathan Miller, Nicole Nassar, Michael Nassar, Chase Nassar, Gage Nassar, 1 great grandchild, Ava Grace Miller, sisters, Patricia Parker, Candace Peavy, brother, Rodney Rowell, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Funeral service will be held at Serenity Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at 3 pm with visitation from 1 pm until service time. Interment will be in Pine Crest Cemetery.

On the point today – Greg Boutwell, Cecil Guidry, John Ladnier.  jack@danvillebaptist.org

Lisa and I left early yesterday morning headed for Birmingham to visit with David & Sandra McElwee.  (We made a one hour stop along the way for a counseling session with a young couple)  It was great to see David & Sandra and we got there just before he finished his transplant.  We watched the last few minutes.  David was doing well!  I received an e-mail during the night saying that his sugar is very high from the medicines which makes him feel yuk!  He will be in the hospital for at least two weeks.

We quickly made our way from B’ham to the Mulberry Church in Wayne County, MS to attend the visitation with the Stevison family.  It was “good” to see folks related to me via marriage whom I do not have a clue!  Wow, what a large family!  We will be heading back to Wayne County today for the funeral.  Pray for the Stevison family.

One of Kevin Sprinkle’s brothers is looking at the possibility of a bone marrow transplant too.  He will need a donor and the family was to have met this past Sunday to discuss possible donors.  He will need to go back to Birmingham for consultation and the the procedure.

Larry Whitehurst left me a voice mail saying that his brother, Ed, has been taken off the ventilator and is doing “well” all things considered.  Still on dialysis and having some problems with his liver.  Larry will take his mother to Jackson today for a visit.

I have plans to be in the pulpit this morning and tonight.  We need a really strong number present for the 7:30PM Bible study at the house.  We will be doing something that we have never done before!  Menu is poppy seed chicken and the trimmings.  Attendance is important tonight!

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

On the point today – Jerry Hovel, Carl Moulds, Brenda Poiroux.  jack@danvillebaptist.org.  E-mail me for text information.

Speaking of text, I cannot send or receive texts on my cell phone.  It has malfunctioned and I have not been able to do so for the past three months or so.  If you have sent me a text and I have not replied, that is the reason why.  The absolute best way to reach me is via e-mail or by calling 251 445 5416.  If I do not answer, leave a voice mail and it goes directly to my e-mail.  I will eventually get a new phone which will receive texts but, for right now, my bag phone works well except for this one area.

The visitation and funeral service for Coley Johnson’s aunt will take place today at Serenity Funeral Home.  Visitation begins at noon and lasts until the 2:00PM service time.

Sandra McElwee wrote to say that David was doing well but is apprehensive.  The transplant takes place today.

Bob Henley needs our prayer support in a big way too.

There will be a visitation with the Lokie Stevison family (Bobby & Ann’s sister) tonight from 5:00 – 9:00PM in Wayne County, MS.  The funeral service will take place at 2:00PM tomorrow.  Both visitation and service will take place from the Mulberry Church.  Pray for the family.

Lisa and I will be out of pocket today due to the funeral visitation and other matters.  The rest of the staff are available, if needed.

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

Here is the “on the point” schedule for this week and Sunday, 12/15:

Monday, 12/9 – Tyrone Crawley, Peggy Knighten, Julie McGath

Tuesday, 12/10 – Jerry Hovel, Carl Moulds, Brenda Poiroux

Wednesday, 12/11 – Greg Boutwell, Cecil Guidry, John Ladnier

Thursday, 12/12 – Rita Boutwell, Nanette Fontenot, Tony Hacker

Friday, 12/13 – Jim Chinners, Marisa Felps, Lynne Tillman

Saturday, 12/14 – Clara Broadus, Courtney Cavin, Soy Taylor

Sunday, 12/15 – Tim Knighten, Deidra Taylor, Teddie Turrentine

jack@danvillebaptist.org

P.O. Box 70 Danville, AL 35619

Call me for text information

On the point for today, 12/9 – Tyrone Crawley, Peggy Knighten, Julie McGath.

On the point for tomorrow, 12/10 – Jerry Hovel, Carl Moulds, Brenda Poiroux

The Lord blessed and we had a really good day in our services yesterday.  The “My Hope America” video was used by God.  What a joy to see Yancey Hall come forward to accept Jesus as his personal Savior last night.  Hallelujah!  God gives the increase and we Him the glory!

Coley Johnson had an aunt pass away on Saturday.  The visitation will take place tomorrow from noon until the 2:00PM service time.  Everything takes place at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore, AL.

Bobby Broome’s and Ann Clark’s sister, Lokie Stevison, passed away last night.  Arrangements incomplete.

Larry Whitehurst’s brother, Ed, continues to be hospitalized and in need of a miracle.

Debbie Adkinson’s father, Mr. Hardy, is at home (as far as I know).  He is under hospice care.

David McElwee goes back into the hospital today.  He will receive chemo which will take him very low physically.  Tomorrow, they will begin the transplant.

Join me in praying for all of these needs.

As far as missions are concerned, our focus this month is the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions.  Our church goal is $30,000 and we are about halfway there.  Pray and give as the Lord leads.

I am encouraging folks to sign up to receive these blog entries via e-mail.  I am strongly encouraging folks to sign up for the text alerts which will begin in January.  I remind you that you can access your personal contributions to the church via the internet.  To sign up for any of these things, contact Bro. Chris at chris@friendshipfamily.net.

Regular schedule this Wednesday.  Convalescent home Christmas party beginning at 6:00PM that day.

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