Pastor's Blog

Today’s Bible reading – 1 Chronicles 16:37-18:17 Romans 2:1-24 Psalm 10:16-18 Proverbs 19:8-9

My mother-in-law’s surgery went well yesterday.  She has been in a lot of pain since the surgery and the damage to her knee was greater than anticipated due to ligament damage.  She will have to wear a special brace for at least three weeks.

Beth Bradley’s mother’s surgery also went well.  If nothing changes, she will be discharged from the hospital today.

Brian Amonett continues to make improvement little by little.  Miracles are happening in his life.

Anthony Havard was admitted to the hospital yesterday.  He is back in a Mobile hospital.

Pastor Rodney Coleman will have a surgical procedure today as will Betty Evans’ mother.

Eula Mae Blackmon continues in her rehab.  She is at seventy percent movement and she needs to be at ninety percent in order to be discharged.

Rusty did come home yesterday.  I think he read yesterday’s blog entry and decided to “man up” and come home.  All I can say is “about time!”  LOL!

Prayer meeting tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  I am asking all of our prayer partners from previous times to show up tonight.  We really need to begin to pray for revival.  Wade Morris will be with us the dates of Sunday, 8/16, through Wednesday, 8/19.  Pray without ceasing!

No TNBA tonight!

I was able to spend a couple of hours late yesterday afternoon mowing.  Yes, Soy & Charles mowed in my absence over the weekend but our grass is growing enough to literally need mowing almost daily.  I am trying to stay ahead of the hay i.e. I do not want to rake!

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

Today’s Bible reading – 1 Chronicles 15:1-16:36 Romans 1:18-32 Psalm 10:1-15 Proverbs 19:6-7

Tuesday, 7/14 – 1 Chronicles 16:37-18:17 Romans 2:1-24 Psalm 10:16-18 Proverbs 19:8-9

Wednesday, 7/15 – 1 Chronicles 19:1-21:30 Romans 2:25-3:8 Psalm 11:1-7 Proverbs 19:10-12

Thursday, 7/16 – 1 Chronicles 22:1-23:32 Romans 3:9-31 Psalm 12:1-8 Proverbs 19:13-14

Friday, 7/17 – 1 Chronicles 24:1-26:11 Romans 4:1-12 Psalm 13:1-6 Proverbs 19:15-16

Saturday, 7/18 – 1 Chronicles 26:12-27:34 Romans 4:13-5:5 Psalm 14:1-7 Proverbs 19:17

Sunday, 7/19 – 1 Chronicles 28:1-29:30 Romans 5:6-21 Psalm 15:1-5 Proverbs 19:18-19

The Lord blessed and we had a really good day in our services yesterday morning and last night.  God is faithful!  We give Him the praise as He blessed us with another addition when Brianna Sims made a public profession of faith in our first service.  Her parents led her to the Lord a couple of weeks ago after she attended a Girls In Action class on a Wednesday night.

My mother-in-law, Ann Clark, will have knee replacement surgery early this morning.

Rick Bradley’s mother-in-law will have a surgical procedure done today as well.

Ashley Crawley will have surgery on her rotator cuff (or cup as we say in these parts) on Tuesday.

Betty Evans’ mother will also have surgery on Tuesday.

Pastor Rodney Coleman will have surgery on one of his carotid arteries on Tuesday.

Robert Baria will have surgery on his back on Friday.

(Folks, they must be running a special on surgeries this week!  So, if you need an operation you may want to call your doctor today!)

Brian Amonett’s family was told yesterday that he was better then than he has been in over a week.  Still critical.  Still has a very long way to go but each “step” forward is a blessing!  The family is grateful for the continued prayer support.

I did not get to talk to Christy Wynn yesterday but I assume Hunter remains hospitalized.  I will find out today.

Eddie Whitmore & Becky Sellers both had treatments last week so they are “off” this week.

Eula Mae Blackmon continues to rehab from her knee replacement.

Rusty Suthoff is milking his surgery of last week to the fullest!  Folks, it was done with a scope!  He is staying at Bernard & Pattie’s so Pattie can wait on him at his every beckoning call.  Really!  We had a woman go to Guatemala with us last year who went on the trip with a torn ACL and a torn MCL and worked the whole week there before coming back to the States for surgery.  She was down for a couple of days and then right back at it.  Come on Rusty!

Speaking of Guatemala, keep praying for the team that is there now.

Prayer meeting tomorrow night from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  Come join us!

No TNBA for the immediate future.  (Waiting on Rusty to recover – will resume in 2021?)

While in Michigan, I was treated to a meal Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday morning and Saturday lunch.  Ross Genzink, Dean Kapenga, Tony Gettig and Tom Compagner picked up the respective tickets.  Nice of them.  However, I must come clean.  Dean & Tony allowed me to order whatever I wanted – no limits.  Nice!  With Ross, I was only allowed to order an appetizer (chips and dip).  Tom followed suit by only allowing me to order dessert (piece of pie).  I speak the truth!  (In a round about way)  Those Dutch boys are tough!

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

Today’s Bible reading – 1 Chronicles 12:19-14:17 Romans 1:1-17 Psalm 9:13-20 Proverbs 19:4-5

It dawned on me last night that I never posted an entry yesterday.  I apologize.  In my mind, I did.  However, you cannot read my mind so that did you no good!

Brian Amonett remains in critical condition in MICU.  There has been slight improvements over the past few days and that is a good thing but the remains critical.  Pray for Brian and his family.  I appreciate Bill & Debbie keeping me updated.

Keep praying for those folks battling cancer.

Pastor Terry Rainey’s wife, Miss Cookie, had surgery this past week.  She did well.  No chemo and no radiation.  They do believe she has cirrhosis of the liver.  Pastor Terry expresses his deepest gratitude for the prayer support.

Lisa’s mother, Ann Clark, will have knee replacement surgery tomorrow.  Pastor Rodney Coleman will have surgery on a carotid artery in his neck on Tuesday.

Last I heard, the team in Guatemala is doing well.  Keep praying for them.

Regular schedule this morning and tonight.  I hope to be joined in our services by many members of the Friendship family.

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

Today’s Bible reading – 1 Chronicles 9:1-10:14 Acts 27:21-44 Psalm 8:1-9 Proverbs 18:23-24

Good morning from a cool Michigan!  It is presently 53 degrees – hallelujah!  The temperature was in the 70’s yesterday but there was an absence of humidity which made it feel wonderful!

The team made it safely to Guatemala.  They were in two groups and the largest of those two groups came out of the airport in Guatemala City around 10:15PM (Grand Bay time) last night which means they probably got to the mission house around 11:15PM.  Long day of traveling!

Young Anthony Havard came home from the hospital this past Wednesday.  This comes after about three months of being in three different hospitals in two different States.

Pray for Chase Chambliss’ family as they gather for the visitation tonight and then the service for his maternal grandfather tomorrow morning.

We are on a regular schedule this Sunday.  Lord willing, I will be in the pulpit for all three services.  I sure hope to be joined by many members of the Friendship family.

There is a group of some wonderful doctors and businessmen working on the proposed medical clinic for Guatemala.  I had the privilege of joining them in a meeting last night.  God is doing some great things through GRACE Ministries and I believe the best is yet to come.

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

Today’s Bible reading – 1 Chronicles 7:1-8:40 Acts 27:1-20 Psalm 7:1-17 Proverbs 18:22

Good morning from about 30,000 feet in the air somewhere between Mobile and Atlanta.  Lisa and I are flying to Michigan today as I will be attending a meeting with a few doctors and some businessmen tonight relating to GRACE Ministries and the proposed medical clinic.  Tomorrow night we will attend the wedding of Caitlin Mast, daughter of Kurt & Carla Mast.  Hopefully, we will get down to Kzoo on Saturday morning early to see family before heading home.

We were able to see the GRACE team in the airport this morning.  They were all good to go.  (Well, Bernard was crying.  I am not sure if he was missing Pattie, Rusty, Charles or the dog.)  Pray for that team to have a great trip and for them to get much done to the glory of God!  By the way, thanks to Carl Ray Moulds for taking the team to the airport this morning.

Debbie Kendrick’s nephew, Brian, remains in critical condition and in the MICU.  Pray!

Infant Hunter Brewer remains in the hospital.

Jimmy Tagert’s mother is in the hospital.  I “think” they did a surgical procedure on her yesterday.

The visitation with the family of Chase Chambliss’ grandfather takes place tomorrow night, 7/10, from 5:00 – 8:00PM at Radney Funeral Home on Dauphin Street in Mobile.  The funeral is at 11:00AM on Saturday and will also be from Radney.  Pray for the Walter “Jack” Rosen family.  Deacon John Milton Ladnier will cover the visitation for me and I do appreciate him doing so.

The captain says we are landing so I have to get off line.

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

Today’s Bible reading – 1 Chronicles 5:18-6:81 Acts 26:1-32 Psalm 6:1-10 Proverbs 18:20-21

Chase Chambliss’ maternal grandfather passed from this life yesterday afternoon.  Arrangements pending.  Pray for the family.

Bill & Debbie Kendrick’s nephew, Brian, is in critical condition.  As a matter of fact, he took a turn for the worse late yesterday afternoon and was not expected to live through the night.  It is a little after 4:00AM as I write this entry and I have not heard from Bill since around 10:00PM last night when we spoke via the phone.  Brian is thirty nine years of age.  Pray for Brian and his family.

Obviously, Laura & Sawyer remain hospitalized.  I have plans to visit them this morning immediately following our 10:00AM service.

As far as I know, Stella came home.  I will get an update tonight as her granddaughter, Katie Howard Tillman, has promised to be in the 6:30PM service.

Dylan & Elizabeth Westbrook, along with some girls from our Sunday School class (20-29) ministered in downtown Mobile last night at a shelter for abused women.  I appreciate everyone who helped by cooking and/or going with them.

Our prayer time was good last night.  We were missing some of our “regulars” but we did have one new person join us.  Prayer is so very important!  Why not consider joining us next Tuesday from 5:00 – 7:00PM?

A GRACE team leaves early in the morning heading to Guatemala.  Pray for them as they make final preparations to leave and then in their travels.

Regular schedule today/tonight.  The fare for the 6:30PM Bible study is roast, mashed potatoes, beans, rolls, apple cobbler, ice cream and drink.  Lisa does this feeding thing right!

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

Welcome to this world Sawyer Jaxson Cole son of Doug & Laura Cole.  Younger brother of Dillon.  Sawyer checked into today at 12:02PM weighing an even 7 pounds.  He is 20 1/4″ long.  As far as I know, mother and newborn son are doing well.

According to the doctor, the procedure on Stella went very well.  She will come home from the hospital later today if she is not at home already.  (BTW, her granddaughter, Katie T, was not with her during this most serious procedure – just saying!)

Bill & Debbie Kendrick’s nephew is in critical condition.  He will be moved to a different hospital as soon as possible.  It is my understanding that he picked up a bacteria from an unknown source.  Pray!

Speaking of prayer, why not come join us today between 5:00 – 7:00PM for a season of prayer?

Today’s Bible reading – 1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17 Acts 25:1-27 Psalm 5:1-12 Proverbs 18:19

Stella Brinkman is scheduled to have a heart ablation this morning.  This can be a serious procedure so pray that all goes well.

Rusty Suthoff did well through his surgery yesterday afternoon.  As a matter of fact, they took him back early and started shortly thereafter.  His ACL was completely torn and they used a patellar tendon graft to replace it.  (Isn’t the patella that thing that hangs in the back of your throat?)  Rusty is staying with Bernard & Pattie for at least a couple of days until he can get around on his own.  (Bernard wants our SS class to feed them for the next few days but that is not happening!)

Bill & Debbie Kendrick’s nephew, Brian, underwent major surgery yesterday.  He is now in ICU and plans are to move him to another hospital.  He is in very serious (critical?) condition and it was a life or death situation yesterday.

Keep praying for Eula Mae Blackmon.  I am not sure if she remains in the rehab facility or has come home.  I know her daughter, Diane, was supposed to have gotten to Grand Bay on Sunday.

Becky Sellers had chemo treatment number eight yesterday.

Keep praying for infant Hunter Brewer.

I did not get an update on Chase Chambliss’ grandfather yesterday.

Prayer meeting tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the church auditorium.  Use the West side door to enter/exit.  Come and go or come and stay.  Just pray!

TNBA tonight at 7:00PM.  Church attendance this past Sunday is the requirement to play.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.

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

Today’s Bible reading – 1 Chronicles 2:18-4:4 Acts 24:1-27 Psalm 4:1-8 Proverbs 18:16-18

Tuesday, 7/7 – 1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17 Acts 25:1-27 Psalm 5:1-12 Proverbs 18:19

Wednesday, 7/8 – 1 Chronicles 5:18-6:81 Acts 26:1-32 Psalm 6:1-10 Proverbs 18:20-21

Thursday, 7/9 – 1 Chronicles 7:1-8:40 Acts 27:1-20 Psalm 7:1-17 Proverbs 18:22

Friday, 7/10 – 1 Chronicles 9:1-10:14 Acts 27:21-44 Psalm 8:1-9 Proverbs 18:23-24

Saturday, 7/11 – 1 Chronicles 11:1-12:18 Acts 28:1-31 Psalm 9:1-12 Proverbs 19:1-3

Sunday, 7/12 – 1 Chronicles 12:19-14:17 Romans 1:1-17 Psalm 9:13-20 Proverbs 19:4-5

Rusty Suthoff is scheduled to have surgery this afternoon.  I suspect it will be a late surgery as he does not have to be at the surgery center until 1:15PM.  He has promised that he will not cry for Bernard this time.  They will be repairing his ACL.

Laura Cole will be admitted to the hospital tomorrow morning (Tuesday) if she does not go into labor before then.

Chase Chambliss’ maternal grandfather is in the hospital.  He has been in a coma since Saturday.

Keep praying for those who are battling cancer.  Our prayer lists on Wednesday mornings and evenings is rather long.

The funeral service for Scott Nations takes place today in Brandon, Mississippi.  Miss Kittie is there with her friend, Miss Monette.  Pray for the family during this time.

Bro. Chris leaves this afternoon to help lead another Wild Week student camp in Texas.  He is scheduled to return on Saturday.

We have a group leaving for Guatemala this Thursday, 7/9.  Pray for them to have a blessed trip.

We had one service yesterday morning and it was a blessed one.  Special thanks to the men who have served in our military.  Also, special thanks for Randall Broome for being “flexible” in regards to the special music.  We had a nice attendance and I appreciate those who were faithful to attend.

Prayer meeting tomorrow night from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  TNBA at 7:00PM.  Regular schedule on Wednesday morning and evening.

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

Today’s Bible reading –  Chronicles 1:1-2:17 Acts 23:11-35 Psalm 3:1-8 Proverbs 18:14-15

Today marks Lisa’s only brother’s 47th birthday.  He, Michael Clark, was promoted to Heaven at the young age of 18 in 1986.  So, it is impossible to remember him as anything but a child/teen but one cannot help but wonder what he would be like today.  Would he still have that same “like” for fireworks as he did as a child/teen?  He loved to celebrate his birthday with fireworks and the 4th provided a perfect set up.  Thank God for memories.  Thank God for Jesus.  Thank God for Heaven!

The visitation with the Scott Nations family takes place this afternoon in Brandon, MS and the service takes place tomorrow afternoon.  Pray for Miss Kittie’s friend, Miss Monette, and her family during this most difficult time.

Mike & Dottie Clark had the service for Ani, 19 years old, yesterday.  Difficult days at Casa Alleluya.

Keep praying for those folks battling cancer.

This will be a “different” Sunday as we will only have one service.  That service will begin at 10:30AM.  Yes, we have members of the Friendship family out of town because of the holiday weekend but we have more than enough of us in town to fill the building to capacity plus.  I am praying for a people to be faithful.

Yesterday was an uneventful day for me as I actually slept in and was basically lazy most of the day.  I did spend about four hours working i.e mowing, weed eating and raking in the yard but that was not bad at all.  We gathered as a family for a late lunch and then Lisa and the girls went to the island to watch the fireworks display.  I did not see any fireworks but I heard plenty by simply staying right here in the house.

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