Pastor's Blog

Today’s Bible reading – Genesis 48:1-49:33 Matthew 15:29-16:12 Psalm 20:1-9 Proverbs 4:20-27

Phil Sims’ mother-in-law, Miss Perry, passed away yesterday.  I do not know the details but do ask that you pray for the family.

As I suspected, Stella Brinkman was not admitted to the hospital.  Surprisingly, I got information from Nicole Taylor and Katie Tillman in the same day.

I do not have an update from Miss Jackie Goff’s situation.

As far as I know, Miss Bryant and Shirley Patrick both remain hospitalized.

I ask you to keep praying for Amy Huhn’s mother.  She is at home under hospice care but is doing good all things considered.

Bobby Broome and Ann Clark’s brother, Gene, is also at home and is now under hospice care.  He lives in Sand Hill, MS.  Where?  If you had to ask, never mind!

“It’s a great day for baseball. Let’s play two!”  Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks, is known for that phrase.  He passed away last night at 83 years of age.  He was a great baseball player.

IMO, yesterday was a very sad day for the state of Alabama!  I am also of the opinion that federal judges are a big part of the ruination of the United States.  He does not know this yet but Bill Kendrick will be sharing in both of our morning services tomorrow as to how you can hopefully make a difference in the upcoming Supreme Court’s decision on homosexual marriage.  God forgive us!

I continue to receive e-mails, iMessages, et cetera from members of the Friendship family thanking me for asking Pastor Jack to be with us this past week.  God did, and is doing, a work among us.

Regular schedule tomorrow.  Baptism tomorrow night.

Yesterday was an off day so I used a big part of it to take care of some personal business (I always try to do personal business on off days and not on company time) – I got another cell phone!  What does that mean?  Not much as I probably will not even have it on much.  It is a used iPhone 4S.  Is that smooth or what?

We have an illusionist within the Friendship family (whom I will not name out of respect for his privacy) who receives financial support from the Friendship family.  I wonder who led the church to support him monthly in this manner?  He gets to preach/share at Friendship from time to time and even sometimes gets a love offering.  I wonder who arranges that?  He gets recommended to other places like Danville Baptist’s block party which in turn allows him to garner more financial support.  I wonder who makes those recommendations?  When he is in a pinch and needs an assistant for his ministry he calls for help from  within the Friendship family.  I wonder who he calls to help?  I will simply say this – one hit wonder, Pastor Jack Bailey, waltzes into town and leaves with one of this ministry’s t-shirts!  I am not envious, jealous, bitter or forgiving!  Just saying!

Upward basketball and bus visitation today.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Genesis 46:1-47:31 Matthew 15:1-28 Psalm 19:1-14 Proverbs 4:14-19

Stella Brinkman was taken back to the hospital yesterday due to a problem with her blood pressure.  I “assume” she was admitted but do not know that for a fact.  (That Nicole is slow on the info front!)

Miss Jackie Goff is having an injection in her back for a deteriorated disc today.  She is experiencing much pain.  Pray this injection works.

Miss Lucine Bryant, Morris’ mother, is in the hospital.  They drew fluid from her lung and she was feeling better yesterday when I visited.

Merwyn & Earl Gunter’s sister, Shirley, and her husband, Robert, were both in the hospital yesterday.  Shirley still is.  Robert was moved to a convalescent home facility yesterday afternoon.  I was able to have a good visit with both of them in their respective hospital rooms yesterday.

Rachel Jackson’s nephew, Phillip Key, has been battling leukemia.  They learned Wednesday that he is in remission.  However, he will be in the hospital next week as they do some things until he can have a bone marrow transplant.

Pastor Jack & Miss June arrived home safely yesterday afternoon.  They send their appreciation for everything done for them during the days of revival.

Mission of Hope tonight at 7:00PM.  I believe Dale is the speaker.  Do not know if that will involve any of his show or not.  Pray for this ministry and attend if you so desire.  Bus leaves the church at 6:15PM.

The Nelons will be with us on Sunday, 2/1, in the 10:30AM & 6:00PM services.  Pass the word, please.

Lisa and I had supper last night with my first cousin Rachel, her husband Pastor Roy, and their three children, Titus, Isaac and Lydia Grace.  It is always good to see Rachel and the children!

Read last night where a guy from California will run his seventh marathon today in Sydney, Australia.  You say, “so?”  This will be his seventh marathon in seven days on seven continents!  Are you kidding me!  He has already run marathons in Antarctica, Chile, Miami, Madrid, Morocco and Dubai.  Has cost him $37,000.  Up to this point, I have been impressed with Ross Hatcher and Phillip Turner and their running efforts – I am not so sure now!

Upward basketball tomorrow at 8:00AM.

Bus ministry workers meet at 8:30AM tomorrow.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Genesis 44:1-45:28 Matthew 14:13-36 Psalm 18:37-50 Proverbs 4:11-13

I cannot tell you how many people have shared with me what God has done in their life as a result of the past four days of services.  God used Pastor Jack Bailey to share the Word with us and it penetrated  hearts.  The message last night on Hell was thought provoking and hopefully a call to evangelism.

I want to say a huge “thank you” to each person who was faithful to attend the services.  Some came to each service and I appreciate that!  Thanks to Bro. Kerry, Miss Jeanette, Miss Tena and each person who shared in the musical worship.  Thanks to each person who stayed in the nursery watching the babies and the pre-schoolers.  Thanks to our greeters/ushers for a job well done.  Thanks to Dale for helping last night.  Thanks to those who brought others to the services.  Thanks to the tellers for counting the offering each night.  Thanks to anyone who had any part at all in the services!  May God bless each of you!

You blessed Pastor Jack & Miss June with a very good love offering.  I am grateful.  The Friendship family is a giving family.  One of the signs of knowing God is at work is seen in the offering total.  Thank you for giving to the Lord!

Mission of Hope tomorrow night at 7:00PM.  Bus leaves at 6:15PM heading to the mission.

Regular schedule on Sunday.  Baptism Sunday night.

Today marks Caryn’s 25th birthday.  I miss that girl tremendously!  Take a moment and pray for Rusty, Debbie and the family.  Death hurts!

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

Today’s Bible reading – Genesis 42:18-43:34 Matthew 13:47-14:12 Psalm 18:16-36 Proverbs 4:7-10

Stella Brinkman was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  They are going to do more testing in time but need to get her off some medications first.  Pray for Stella.

The Friendship family is hospital free at the present moment.  Praise the Lord!  We do have several Friendship family members battling various illnesses i.e. flu, et cetera but they are all at home.  Pray for one another!

Good message and good service last night.  Our attendance was better last night.  We were blessed with some guests from First Baptist and I appreciate their attending.  I do not know what last night’s offering was but I do pray that tonight’s will be a banner one.  Our past history shows that the Friendship family always gives well on the final night of a revival.  I simply ask each of us to pray today, attend tonight, and then give as the Lord leads.  We should have a strong attendance from the Friendship family tonight.  Come and bring someone with you.

Our second TNBA went well as sixteen guys participated.  We hit the proverbial hardwood again next Tuesday night at 9:00PM.  The only requirement is attendance in one of our three worship services this coming Sunday, 1/25.  Joey Guidry probably stole the show last night as he was in dominant fashion.  Says it is just like riding a bicycle!

The Nelons will be with us on Sunday, 2/1, in our 10:30AM and 6:00PM services.  The will have the entire 6:00PM service.  Pass the word!

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.  Friendship family, attend the service tonight.  Pray fervently!

Today’s Bible reading – Genesis 41:17-42:17 Matthew 13:24-46 Psalm 18:1-15 Proverbs 4:1-6

The Lord blessed in the service last night.  IMO, that was the best of the four messages Pastor Jack has preached the past two days.  Will we retreat or take a risk and see revival?  It was a joy to see Chad Reeves come forward desiring to follow Jesus in believers’ baptism.  I think there are others who need to do likewise.

We will observe the ordinance of baptism as a part of our service this Sunday evening, 1/25, and then again as a part of our 10:30AM service on 2/1.  Remember, our IE3 goal is at least fifty two baptisms in 2015 so we need four for this Sunday night’s service in order to be on track to reach our goal.

As far as the Friendship family is concerned, we only have one member in the hospital and that is Stella Brinkman.  Not real sure of all that is taking place as the doctors are somewhat confused.  Stella is having severe pain.  Pray for her.  Pray for the doctors to be able to properly diagnose her case.

I am very grateful to each person who attended the service last night.  We had a good crowd but we should have had a great crowd.  The holiday hurt us more than I imagined.  So, our goal is to do much better tonight.  Friendship family, attend and bring someone with you.

We will be having TNBA after the service for all guys who attend tonight’s revival service.  We should begin around 8:00 and finish around 9:30PM or so.

Pray for revival.  Pray for Pastor Jack.  Pray without ceasing.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Genesis 39:1-41:16 Matthew 12:46-13:23 Psalm 17:1-15 Proverbs 3:33-35

Tuesday, 1/20 – Genesis 41:17-42:17 Matthew 13:24-46 Psalm 18:1-15 Proverbs 4:1-6

Wednesday, 1/21 – Genesis 42:18-43:34 Matthew 13:47-14:12 Psalm 18:16-36 Proverbs 4:7-10

Thursday, 1/22 – Genesis 44:1-45:28 Matthew 14:13-36 Psalm 18:37-50 Proverbs 4:11-13

Friday, 1/23 – Genesis 46:1-47:31 Matthew 15:1-28 Psalm 19:1-14 Proverbs 4:14-19

Saturday, 1/24 – Genesis 48:1-49:33 Matthew 15:29-16:12 Psalm 20:1-9 Proverbs 4:20-27

Sunday, 1/25 – Genesis 50:1 – Exodus 2:10 Matthew 16:13-17:9 Psalm 21:1-13 Proverbs 5:1-6

The Lord blessed and we enjoyed a really good day in our services yesterday.  The Spirit was excellent, the music and preaching were spot on and the attendance was very good.  God gave the increase as we saw young Journey pray to receive Jesus as her personal Savior in the 10:30AM service.  We give God the glory!

We will see how the Friendship family responds tonight as the service begins at 6:30PM.  (That beginning time will remain true for the next three nights)  Are you willing to give the Lord 1.095% of your three hundred sixty five days of 2015?  I believe you are!  Join me in praying for a mighty move of the Holy Spirit in tonight’s service.

It was wonderful to see Bill Unrue in our 10:30AM service yesterday.  He looked good and said he is doing great.

It was also good to have Pastor Jeff Switzer in our 6:00PM service.  Pastor Jeff is a good one!

Folks, we need to begin praying fervently now for the Supreme Court’s decision regarding same sex marriage.  They are scheduled to debate it in April and reach a decision in June.  Major, major decision!  God help us!

I am not a big NFL fan but I do keep up with the playoffs.  I still am not clear as to how the Packers lost their game yesterday?  (It almost appeared rigged)  Super Bowl Sunday is February 1.  We have the Nelons scheduled to be with us in our 10:30AM and 6:00PM services that day.  Their coming is not tied to the SB in any way, shape, form or fashion.  It just fell that way.  Spread the word to your friends who like Southern Gospel.

I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.  Hope to see you in the service tonight at 6:30PM!

Today’s Bible reading – Genesis 37:1-38:30 Matthew 12:22-45 Psalm 16:1-11 Proverbs 3:27-32

It is my understanding that Art Elliott is in the hospital.  I did not see him yesterday but hope to visit him at some point today.  If not today, definitely tomorrow.

Stella Brinkmann remains hospitalized.  Lisa visited with her yesterday afternoon.

Andrea Timberlake and baby Andrew were discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon.  Happy campers!

Debbie Kendrick went for her annual cancer check up this past week and got a “all is good” report – praise the Lord!

Jeanette Bates’ friend, Bob Moore, passed away yesterday.  I shared the Gospel with him several months ago and he assured me he was ready to meet the Lord.

Miss Kittie’s son, Luther, has a friend, Steve, who had heart surgery on Thursday.  That did not go well and he had two subsequent surgeries.  The doctors were given permission by a long distance relative to remove him from life support.  I do not know the ultimate outcome of his situation at the time of this writing.

Pastor Jack’s friend, Kenny, continues in his battle against cancer.  Pastor Jack & Miss June arrive safely in Mobile at some point last night.  Pray for him as he prepares to preach to us three times today.  Pray for revival!

My prayer is that the Friendship family will be faithful to pray, faithful to attend, and faithful to invite others to the services over these next four days.  Four days – that is 1.095% of 2015.  Lord willing, Wade Morris will be with us again in August for four days which will obviously be another 1.095% of 2015 for a total of 2.19%.  Is it too hard to expect that we can give God 2% of our time for these special services?  Yet, sadly, many will not be willing to make that “sacrifice” of time.  Is 2% a sacrifice?

Regular schedule today and tonight.  Services at 8:00AM; 10:30AM and 6:00PM.  Our students will go bowling after the evening service.  Attendance in the service is obviously a must.  TNBA on Tuesday night following the service for all of the men who attend that night’s service.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Genesis 35:1-36:43 Matthew 12:1-21 Psalm 15:1-5 Proverbs 3:21-26

Carl Ray Moulds did a really nice job of sharing in the funeral service yesterday.  I appreciate him doing so.  The family was grateful as well.

I also appreciate Bro. Benny McGath, Dale Bosarge, and Dylan Westbrook for attending the service to show their support for Layla.  Bro. Kerry came and ran the sound and that was appreciated too.

Special thanks to Miss Vinnie and those who helped serve the food.  They did well.  Friendship family, God used you to do it again as you ministered to another family by providing the food.  Miss Vinnie assured me that we had plenty and I am sure we did.  I was encouraged yesterday!

I saw Stella’s son, Howard, at the service yesterday afternoon.  He said they have diagnosed Stella’s problem.  I “think” I remember what he said but I had better not post it just in case I am wrong!

Pastor Jack & Miss June are traveling south today.  Pray for them.  Pray for revival.  He will be preaching in the 8:00AM, 10:30AM and 6:00PM services tomorrow.  Pray without ceasing!

Our students are going late night bowling tomorrow night following the worship service.  No school on Monday.

We will have GRACE Ministries calendars available this Sunday, 1/18.  The cost is $7 which only covers our cost ($6.92).

I had Upward practice at 4:00PM yesterday which meant I had to slip out a couple of minutes early in order to attend the funeral service in the auditorium.  I asked one of our team mothers if she would be so kind as to lock up the CAB and she graciously agreed.  When I came out of the auditorium after the service the CAB was locked down tight!  Great job!  Wait, why are all of the lights still on?  I called her to ask that very question.  Her response, “you asked me to lock up, not to turn the lights off!”  I am not going to call her out because elementary PE teachers at St. Elmo are easily offended and I do not want her mad at me!

Did I have to buy Charles’ breakfast yesterday?  Are you serious?  I cannot believe you just asked that question!

Can Alabama beat UK in basketball today?  At home with a sell out crowd?  Nah!  Cats by at least ten!

Friendship family – be intentional today.  Share the Gospel.  Encourage someone.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Genesis 32:13-34:31 Matthew 11:7-30 Psalm 14:1-7 Proverbs 3:19-20

A father of a child, Layla, who rides one of our buses to church passed away this past Monday.  The family will be using our auditorium for a service this afternoon at 5:00PM.  Carl Ray Moulds will be sharing briefly as he has been faithful to visit this family during this man’s illness.  Pray for Carl Ray.

Important – we need to feed forty family members after the service.  Miss Vinnie (865 3999) has agreed to coordinate the meal.  We need folks to call Miss Vinnie this morning between 8:00AM  and noon if you will help.  She will give you the instructions but I can tell you that the food needs to be in the fellowship hall by 5:00PM today.  This is an eleventh hour request because we basically got the request at the eleventh hour.  Friendship family, please set up to the plate.  The bus ministry is an important part of our church life and we need to bless this family.

Stella Brinkman was admitted to the hospital last night.  Katie T called to tell me so Lisa and I went to visit.  (Katie’s info is so much more reliable than Nicole’s – just sayin’!)  They are not sure what is wrong with Stella.

Lisa and I also visited Drew & Andrea Timberlake.  It was shift change so we did not get to see Andrew Shane but everyone is doing well.  Andrea & Andrew should be discharged from the hospital in the morning.

Mitchel Fox “may” be discharged today.  (I am still seething at Tiffany Dawn and she knows it!)  Tiff has had a lot on her plate as their youngest daughter, Peyton, has had the flu this past week.   Tiff is one who basically never complains.

Gloria Morrison is being discharged from the hospital today.  She was feeling really good yesterday when I visited.

Juanita McRoy is being moved to the assisted living facility today.  Supposed to be there for twenty days and then she will go home.

Pray for Pastor Jack’s friend, Kenny Holladay.  He is not doing well.  PJ is under stress because of this situation.  God knows.

Bus ministry visitation tomorrow morning.  Pray for this ministry.

Upward basketball tomorrow.  Pray for this ministry.

Regular schedule Sunday morning and evening.

Pray for revival!  Pray for the Nelons as they will be with us on February 1 in the 10:30AM and 6:00PM services.

Charles, Ann, Lisa and I will travel to Richton, MS today to visit Ann’s brother, Gene, in the hospital.  Exactly what I want to do on my day off – travel with Charles!  (I could not find a dentist doing root canals today!)  Guess who is about to get stuck with the food bill for the day?

It is almost 4:00AM and the temperature in Grand Bay is 37 degrees.  Why do I mention that?  Because the temperature in Yankee land (Holland, MI) is 31 degrees.  I hear from my Yankee friends about how “cold” it is there – really?  Six degrees difference?  Please!  Yankee friends, we know cold!

Lisa is hammering me to get to Walmart!  Have to buy Charles some snacks for the trip!  Are you serious!

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

Drew & Andrea welcomed their second child, Andrew Shane, into the world this morning.  I do not know the exact time of his birth but I do know that he checked in weighing seven pounds and eight ounces.  As far as I know, everything is well.

I saw Drew & Andrea earlier today but then got called back to the hospital.  By that time, Andrew had been born.  The reason I got called back was because Mitchel Fox has been in the hospital since Monday.  Do you know how aggravated I am with one Tiffany Dawn Bowden Fox right now?  She is on my list big time!  I have only been to that hospital every day this week!  BTW, Mitchel has an infection.

Miss Gloria Morrison was doing really good today.  She will be discharged tomorrow.

Stella Brinkman is not in the hospital.  My bad!  (Nicole gave me bad info!)

Joey McManus is now in a room.  Slowly but surely recovering.

Vera’s sister, Juanita, will be moved to an assisted living facility until she regains enough strength to go home.

Pray for all of these folks but mainly pray for Tiffany Dawn!