Pastor's Blog

Today’s Bible reading – Malachi 3:1-4:6 Revelation 22:1-21 Psalm 150:1-6 Proverbs 31:25-31

Today is the final day that I will be posting the Bible readings.  When 2014 started, we had more than one dozen folks pledging to read the Bible through in one year.  I only know of two who have kept that pledge.  There are probably more but only two have stayed in touch.  Thank you to each person who has read the Bible through and congratulations!

Rachel Jackson’s nephew, Timothy Key, age 24, was involved in a automobile accident which took his life.  He lived in the Dothan, Alabama area.  His brother, Phillip, is battling leukemia and has been on our prayer list.  Pray for the Key family.

Ruby Gulley’s granddaughter, Faron Steiner, is in ICU with a heart condition.

Remember, no services this morning or tonight.  Regular schedule on Sunday with the exception of no 8:00AM worship service.

Any year end financial gifts to the church must be taken by the office today (open until 5:00PM) or postmarked today or earlier.

Lisa and I visited my Aunt Pauline Turrentine in Comstock, MI yesterday morning.  She was married to my Uncle Ray and it was through them that my dad met my mom.  We were blessed to see some snow as there is probably a half inch on the ground this morning.  We got to Tom & Shari’s yesterday afternoon and spent some time with them and Ross & Queen Genzink last night.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Malachi 1:1-2:17 Revelation 21:1-27 Psalm 149:1-9 Proverbs 31:10-24

Tommy Johnson will be having a stress test today and not a heart cath as I wrote yesterday morning.  My mistake.  My apology.

Tena Hovel had a first cousin to pass away very unexpectedly on Saturday night.  I do not know the arrangements but do ask that you pray for the family.

Joe & Jamie are registered at Bed, Bath & Beyond, Target and the Singing River Hospital Gift Shop.  (I could only remember Target as I wrote yesterday’s entry)  The shower is this Saturday, 1/3, from 2:00 – 3:30PM in the fellowship hall.

Last night, Lisa and I were joined by twenty family members (2 aunts, 1 uncle, 1 aunt-in-law, 2 first cousins, 1 first cousin-in-law, 8 second cousins, 2 second cousins-in-law, and three third cousins) for supper.  It was a wonderful night of fellowship.  I had never met three of those twenty and had not seen some of the others in forever.  It was especially good to see Aunt Nancy, Aunt Alice and Uncle Mike.  Thanks to my first cousin, Tony, for setting the whole thing up and to Jemma for organizing everything at the restaurant.  (By the way, Tony was so envious of my new flip phone.  Offered me $20 for it but I declined!)

It is 17 degrees and spitting snow here this morning – perfect!  (Betty Hamil – I may even have to wear socks today!)  Folks, this is my kind of weather!

Lisa and I leave Kzoo today and head to the Holland area for a quick visit with some friends.

Rumor has it that Soy & Deidra are hosting “gatherings” at our house in our absence.  It sure is good to have hidden security cameras in place as you can learn much from them!

SEC, SEC, SEC!  They are 3 – 0 out of the gate in the bowl games.  Good stuff!  Hoping for two more victories today.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Zechariah 14:1-21 Revelation 20:1-15 Psalm 148:1-14 Proverbs 31:8-9

Good Monday morning from Kalamazoo, Michigan.  Lisa and I drove through the night after leaving the Turrentine Christmas arriving in K’zoo around 7:15AM.  God blessed us with great traveling weather, very little traffic and enabled me to stay alert until Lisa took over driving at 5:00AM.  We give Him thanks!

The worship service yesterday morning was blessed.  We had a nice crowd.  Could have been larger but the house was almost filled so that was a blessing.  Abby & Leslie did a really nice job with the special music.

Donnie Felps’ mother was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon.

Tommy Johnson will have a heart cath tomorrow.

The wedding shower for Joe & Jamie (Hall) Carter takes place this Saturday, 1/3/15, from 2:00 – 3:30PM in the fellowship hall.  I think I remember that they are registered at Target (Brianne, correct me if I am wrong, please)

We will have bus service, Sunday School, Discipleship Training and two worship services, 10:30AM & 6:00PM, this Sunday, 1/4/15.  Please note that we will not have the 8:00AM service (this Sunday only).

Family time tonight in Kzoo and then we head to the Holland area for a couple of days.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Zechariah 12:1-13:9 Revelation 19:1-21 Psalm 147:1-20 Proverbs 31:1-7

The last Sunday of 2014 is now here – wow!  As has been our custom for the past several years, we are only having one service today and nothing else.  That service begins at 10:30AM.  My prayer is that many members of the Friendship family will join us for this service.  We will receive our last special offering of 2014 for the LMCO.

Lord willing, I will leave immediately following today’s service and drive to Hartselle where my family will gather for their Christmas fellowship tonight.  Lisa and I then plan on driving to Michigan where we will have time with family in Kalamazoo on Monday and time with friends in the Holland area on Tuesday and Wednesday.

So, I will be on vacation this week.  The other staff members will be in town and the office will be open regular hours Monday through Wednesday.  (I delayed making a final decision about vacation time for several reasons but it is a go)  I will be back in the pulpit next Sunday, 1/4/15, for all three services, Lord willing.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Zechariah 10:1-11:17 Revelation 18:1-24 Psalm 146:1-10 Proverbs 30:33

Believe it or not, I spent most of the day yesterday shopping.  Yes, shopping!  However, before you think I have either lost my mind or gone soft please know it was shopping with a purpose.  It was GRACE Ministries shopping.  Lisa and I were able to get some really good deals on items for next Christmas.  All sixty children who will be a part of the feeding center ministry already have one gift in hand.  Lisa has great ideas and knows how to find a bargain!

Of course, moving from store A to store B in Birmingham yesterday only took about five hours as the traffic was heavy!  We celebrated a special day with Dana & Gina last night and the restaurant was packed too.  All in all, we enjoyed a good family day.

I will be driving home today while Lisa and the girls will head to Hartselle.  Eddie & Sue are graciously coming to Birmingham to get them which saves me well over two hours driving time.  I am grateful.  I will drive to Hartselle tomorrow afternoon for our family Christmas tomorrow evening.  Lots of driving but I am young!

Lord willing, I will be in the pulpit tomorrow morning for our only service of the day which begins at 10:30AM.  We will received another special offering for the LMCO during that service.  (Jeanette, we will do back to back offerings so please be prepared.  She always is!  Have I ever mentioned what a great pianist we have been blessed with?  Keyboardists too!)  Folks, the house ought to be filled in the morning.  If you are in town, join us!

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

Today’s Bible reading – Zechariah 9:1-17 Revelation 17:1-18 Psalm 145:1-21 Proverbs 30:32

Good morning from Birmingham, Alabama.  Lisa, Dana, Gina & I left around 2:30PM yesterday headed this way making two stops on the way.  Lisa and the girls will leave from here heading to Hartselle, AL while I leave heading to Grand Bay so I can be in the pulpit this Sunday, 12/28.

I trust your Christmas Day was blessed.  I enjoyed a restful day of just spending time with family and enjoying a very nice Christmas Dinner at Charles & Ann’s.  Ann cooks the best dressing of anyone I have ever known.  Good stuff!  (I would have enjoyed even more of it but Charles was charging $9.95 per plate so I decided to pass)

Would you pray for Martha Terry as the Lord brings her to your mind?  She and her husband, Decker, are friends from Montgomery and she very nearly left this world just the other day.  She has health issues and is basically confined to the house.  Great couple!

Used my cell phone a couple of times yesterday – works like a charm!  Life is good!

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

Merry Christmas!

Today’s Bible reading – Zechariah 8:1-23 Revelation 16:1-21 Psalm 144:1-15 Proverbs 30:29-31

This entry is late.  I apologize.  Been doing the family thing this morning and just have not taken the time to post.

Wow, what a great Christmas Eve service!  To God be the glory!  Bro. Kerry, accompanied by Jeanette & Tena, did a nice job in leading the congregational musical worship; Sarah, Lynda, Randall, Rita, Brianna, Jeanette and Brad all did great in sharing the musical specials; the deacons did a very good job in serving the Lord’s Supper; Sammy & Myrtle, Blo Joe & Cecil did their usual good job in preparing the elements for the Lord’s Supper and Dale’s presentation of the Gospel through the spoken word was spot on!  What a crowd – the house was filled!  Thank you Friendship family for being faithful!  We were also blessed with guests which is always great!

Why not go ahead now and make plans to take part in next year’s Christmas Eve service?  (Courtney C sent me an e-mail earlier today asking what will be the date of next year’s Christmas Eve service so she can plan accordingly!)  What a great tradition for your family!

I have spent time the past two days praying for those who are struggling emotionally today.  Join me in praying for the God of all comfort to come alongside and help them.

Lisa, Dana, Gina and I wish each of you a very Merry Christmas!

P.S. – Our out of town readers (both of them) are thinking, “do they really have a guy named Blo Joe in their church?”  Yes.  We also have one name Cooter!

P.S.S. – Bobby Stork and Bill Kendrick are so envious of my new phone!  Guys, eat your heart out!

Today’s Bible reading – Zechariah 6:1-7:14 Revelation 15:1-8 Psalm 143:1-12 Proverbs 30:24-28

The church office will be open today from 8:00AM – 12:00PM and from 1:00PM – 3:00PM.   Please note the earlier closing time as this will allow the staff time to go home and get ready to be back at 5:00PM for the service.  Office is closed tomorrow and will re-open on Monday, 12/29, at 8:00AM.

It is my prayer that many members of the Friendship family will join us for the service tonight which will begin promptly at 5:00PM and will end no later than 6:00PM.   We will observe the Lord’s Supper, singing Christmas carols, have special music by at least four different individuals/groups.  Why not make this a family tradition?  If you are in town, I hope you will give the Lord this hour.  He is worthy of it!  O come let us adore Jesus!

Speaking of tonight’s service, I have been asked to see if there are a few folks who would be willing to keep the nursery tonight for children two years of age and younger?  If so, will you call the church office by noon today and I will post that by 2:00PM so parents will know?  At this point, we do not have plans to provide a nursery.  If you do not see another entry by 2:00PM then you will know there will not be a nursery for tonight’s service.  This would be a ministry of sacrifice.  Any takers?

Bro. Chris has twenty-five 2015 calendars available.  (Think he got them while visiting China town in Bham on Monday)  They are $6 each and would make an excellent gift.  Great picture and Bible verse (KJV) featured each month.  You can get those through the office today or following the service tonight.

Remember, only one service this Sunday – 10:30AM!

Went last night and got a new phone!  Flip phone for $9.88 at Walmart.  Listen to these features – 3G speed, 1.3MP camera/video recorder, bluetooth, internet & e-mail access, MP3 player – wow!  I can sense the envy coming across the web even as I type this entry.  Bro. Chris, Tony Gettig and my other “computer genius” friends are going to so try to get it from me but that is not happening!  I have not even taken it out of the box and already I feel a bond with it – amazing!

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.  Friendship family, hope to see you this afternoon at 5:00PM.

Today’s Bible reading – Zechariah 4:1-5:11 Revelation 14:1-20 Psalm 142:1-7 Proverbs 30:21-23

Bro. Chris Taylor went to Birmingham yesterday to visit with Levi Westbrook (home) and Pastor Alben Gaston (hospital ICU).  Basically he said that both men are doing ok all things considered but have a long road to recovery.  Keep praying for them.

(He also said that the Galleria was really crowded and that Jim & Nick’s has really good bar-b-que!)

I continue to encourage members of the Friendship family to attend the Christmas Eve service tomorrow beginning at 5:00PM and ending at 6:00PM.  Make it a family tradition!  It is going to be a special service with the Lord’s Supper, lots of singing, special music (including the specials from this past Sunday morning) and some brief thoughts on Christmas.  I am praying for a full house.  The weather is supposed to be pretty nasty today but then be beautiful for tomorrow.  O come let us adore Him!

I failed to receive a special offering for the LMCO this past Sunday morning.  Therefore, we will do so in the service tomorrow night.  Pray and come prepared to give.  Thanks!

I was thinking about Billy Bon Smith yesterday.  Why?  Just thinking about folks like Miss Janice who will spend another Christmas without that special someone in their life.  I encourage you to remember someone who will be in that situation this year and to pray specifically for them today.  By the way, Billy Smith was a great Christian, church member, friend & supporter, and a very proud Marine!  I miss him!

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

P.S. – Friendship family, remember that we will only have one service this Sunday and that service begins at 10:30AM.  Hope to see you there!

Landon Joyner came through his tests fine.  It appears he has food allergies.  The final results will come back in a few days but all is good at this point considering.

Pastor James Messer had one small blockage that the doctor was not worried about.  He is good to go!

Andrea Timberlake’s tests came back good and she and the baby are good to go as well.

Joe Carter & Jamie Hall will be married in a private ceremony this afternoon.  May they have a blessed life together.

Failed to mention this morning that Soy, Rusty & Alan took their usual “beating” in Hearts last night.  Soy & Rusty cannot seemingly understand that it matters not how many times you “run” but rather who wins!  I am a bit embarrassed to say that it took me about eight hands to finish them off.  Obviously, I was not on my “A” game.