Pastor's Blog

9/11 – that date and the way I (we) view it forever changed fourteen years ago.  You may think “you are giving the terrorist what they wanted in part by writing about that day.”  That is not my concern.  My concern is for the Americans and others needlessly killed on that Tuesday morning.  My concern is for their families today as they recall the horrific events of that morning.  I have prayed for those families this morning.

My concern is for where we have gone in our own country since that horrible day.  Police officers being attacked and killed.  Shots being fired into vehicles as they travel I-10 in Arizona.  High school football players needlessly tackling a game official from behind with the intent to hurt him.  The list goes on.  We, as a nation, are not getting better.  We are on that proverbial “slippery slope” to destruction as far as I see it and terrorists will not be required to push us off as we are handling that ourselves.

So, that is it for this entry.  Pray for the families of those killed in the 9/11 attacks.  Pray for the USA!  Pray for the church!

Today’s Bible reading – Isaiah 6:1-7:25 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 Psalm 54:1-7 Proverbs 23:1-3

This entry is way late and for that I apologize – blame Kayla Hatcher!  I am sitting in the surgery waiting room with Ryan & Debbie.  Was going to wait until after I had prayed with Kayla before posting figuring that would happen around 6:30AM – wrong!  As a matter of fact, they started the surgery without letting anyone go back to see Kayla.

Eddie Whitmore had a bit of a tough time getting his chemo on Tuesday.  He was also diagnosed with a blood clot and has been giving himself shots to combat it.  He will go back to the doctor today.  Pray for Eddie.

Carla Kyser continues to do not do so well and needs our prayer support.  The doctor has stopped the chemo treatments and has ordered a couple of scans for next week.  Pray that Carla can feel better.

Rusty told me last night that Becky Sellers is scheduled to begin her radiation treatments on Monday, 9/21.  Pray for Becky as she begins this new phase of treatment.

Rusty’s grandmother was moved to a rehab facility yesterday.  Not sure how long she will stay there as she is anxious to go home.

TNBA tonight at 7:00PM.

Men’s breakfast this Saturday, 9/12, from 8:00 – 9:00AM in the fellowship hall.

Good day in our services yesterday/last night.  I appreciate Brianne Seymour going to get the pizza for our 7:30PM Bible study last night.

Three of my four missing chickens mysteriously showed up last night.  Now, I have no proof of anything but they did come from the direction of John Milton’s house – just saying!  (I did receive a message yesterday morning saying that John Milton was known for being a chicken thief)  Need to find one more to get the flock back together.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Isaiah 3:1-5:30 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 Psalm 53:1-6 Proverbs 22:28-29

Regular schedule this morning (10:00AM) and tonight – children & preschool choirs at 5:30PM; classes, Bible studies and service at 6:30PM, young adult Bible study at 7:30PM.  Hope to see many members of the Friendship family in attendance.

Not sure what the fare is for the 7:30PM Bible study.  Lisa returns home today.  I am thinking pizza but we shall see.

The student ministry has t-shirts for sale in the fellowship hall.  Good shirts, good deal and a good cause.  Why not buy one or two this morning or tonight?

Men’s breakfast this Saturday, 9/12, from 8:00 – 9:00AM.  Spanish flavored but you do not have to speak Spanish in order to attend!  All men invited.

I have plans to visit Rusty’s grandmother and Brian Amonett today on my way to the Gulfport airport.

It is a sad day here.  I let my chickens free range during the day.  Have lost four of the six over the last two days.  Have they run away?  Did a predator get them?  Or did one of my neighbors decide to call them their own?  Where is Columbo when you need him?

However, it is my glad than sad as Lisa will be home – hooray!  Plus, the Dodgers are up by a nice margin in the West and Bama has a game this weekend.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Isaiah 1:1-2:22 2 Corinthians 10:1-18 Psalm 52:1-9 Proverbs 22:26-27

Spoke every so briefly to Rusty yesterday afternoon and learned that his maternal grandmother is doing a good bit better.  She is supposed to be moved to inpatient physical therapy.

Bill Kendrick told me at church this past Sunday that Debbie had seen her nephew, Brian, on Saturday and had a wonderful visit/talk with him.  She and Bill were impressed with how well he is doing.  He still remains in ICU and has a long road in front of him to complete recovery but progress is progress.

Have not heard directly from Carla K but did hear that she may have been a little better yesterday.  I certainly pray that is true and that today will be an even better day for her.

Keep praying for Eddie Whitmore, Becky Sellers, Lisa Thompson and all those battling cancer.

Kayla Hatcher will be having surgery this Thursday, 9/10.  It is scheduled for early morning.

Prayer time tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the auditorium.  As always, this will be a come and go happening.  Use the West side door to enter/exit.  Since we did not have any activities at the church last night, I hope we have a really good number come and pray tonight.

There will be a men’s breakfast this Saturday morning, 9/12, from 8:00 – 9:00AM in the fellowship hall.  I am told this is going to be a Spanish breakfast.  What does that mean?  Not sure.  The men will meet in the fellowship hall and all men are invited and encouraged to attend.

How was your Labor Day holiday?  I hope it was good.  Mine was uneventful.  I did learn something though – the Cracker Barrel in Escatawpa, MS is extremely crowded at 1:00PM on Labor Day!  Wow!  (I was able to purchase gasoline for $1.78 while in Escatawpa)

Bro. Jerry Hovel is on vacation through next Monday, 9/14.  I do not know his plans but do ask that you not contact him in order to let him be off.

Lord willing, I will be using another vacation day today.  I had this planned before Bro. Jerry asked to be off but it is not a problem as Bro. Kerry & Bro. Chris will both be available.  I am in town and readily available, if needed in case of an emergency.

I only caught bits and pieces of the OSU/VT game last night so I am in no position to give much of an opinion.  However, it seems to me that OSU is going to be very difficult to beat this season.  I know VT lost their quarterback.  Remember, OSU had about four or five guys suspended too.  I will not crown OSU national champions just yet but do know they will be in the hunt.  BTW, good for Braxton Miller on his return as he stuck with the program and had a great game in the second half.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Song of Solomon 5:1- 8:14 2 Corinthians 9:1-15 Psalm 51:1-19 Proverbs 22:24-25

Tuesday, 9/8 – Isaiah 1:1-2:22 2 Corinthians 10:1-18 Psalm 52:1-9 Proverbs 22:26-27

Wednesday, 9/9 – Isaiah 3:1-5:30 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 Psalm 53:1-6 Proverbs 22:28-29

Thursday, 9/10 – Isaiah 6:1-7:25 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 Psalm 54:1-7 Proverbs 23:1-3

Friday, 9/11 – Isaiah 8:1-9:21 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 Psalm 55:1-23 Proverbs 23:4-5

Saturday, 9/12 – Isaiah 10:1-11:16 2 Corinthians 12;11-21 Psalm 56:1-13 Proverbs 23:6-8

Sunday, 9/13 – Isaiah 12:1-14:32 2 Corinthians 13:1-14 Psalm 57:1-11 Proverbs 23:9-11

Wow, we had a really blessed day in our services yesterday.  Yes, it was a holiday weekend and we had a good number of folks out of town.  However, the Spirit was present, we saw two folks follow Jesus in believers’ baptism and the attendance was really strong.  I was especially blessed by the attendance in the 8:00AM and 6:00PM services.  God is good!  Thank you Friendship family for being faithful!

Happy Labor Day!  I pray that your day will be one of rest and relaxation and that you will have a great day with Jesus.

Today’s Bible reading – Song of Solomon 1:1- 4:16 2 Corinthians 8:16-24 Psalm 50:1-23 Proverbs 22;22-23

Visited with Brian Amonett yesterday morning.  It was not visitation time in the unit so his family was not at the hospital.  Brian was asleep so I just prayed and left.  Really do not have an update.

Rusty’s grandmother did not seem to be any better but really wants to go home.  She is in hopes of getting home health care.  I am not sure what the options are at this point.

Herbert’s niece, Ann, seemed to be better.  They are trying something new to help her bladder and kidneys.  She was in hopes of maybe going home yesterday afternoon but her nurse said probably not happening for at least a couple more days.

We are on a regular schedule this morning and evening.  Translated – both morning services, the evening service, Sunday School and Discipleship Training.

We will observe the ordinance of baptism as a part of our evening service.  Baptismal candidates need to speak to me personally this morning for instructions.

The church office will be close tomorrow, 9/7, in observance of Labor Day.  It will reopen on Tuesday morning at 8:00AM.  I am in town and available in the event of an emergency.

You just cannot get one past that Bill Kendrick.  He quickly realized that Utah & Michigan played on Thursday night which meant I was certain in my pick on Saturday morning.  What a sharp Mississippi Black Bear fan he is!  LOL!  BTW, I was four for four on my picks.  (Courtney C is upset because I did not pick the USM game but she had better be glad even though the Golden Eagles played much better than last year against MSU)

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

Today’s Bible reading – Ecclesiastes 10:1-12:14 2 Corinthians 8;1-15 Psalm 49:1-20 Proverbs 22:20-21

Our student ministry has some t-shirts left from this year’s GO camp as well as The Foundation.  They will be selling these during the month of September or until the supply is exhausted.  Sizes range from Small – 2X and the cost is ten dollars each of two for fifteen dollars.  All money goes back into the student ministry.  They will be available in the fellowship hall.

Speaking of our student ministry, a CDL driver is needed for the late night bowling fellowship tomorrow night.  Must have the “P” endorsement.  Available and willing?  Contact Bro. Chris, please.

Baptizing as a part of tomorrow night’s service.  Any interested baptismal candidate should contact me personally today.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.  I sure hope those of us in town will be faithful to attend!

We got a brief, albeit nice, rain shower yesterday afternoon.  God is good!  (He is good whether we get a rain shower or not!)

Congratulations to Coach Collier and THS for their third win of the season last night.  As I wrote in an earlier entry, I am a fan of Coach Collier.  (He pays me to write this stuff!)  The Hurricanes are still looking for their first win of the season and I hope they can get it soon.

College football begins full steam today – hooray!  I am going to go with Utah over Michigan, South Alabama over Gardner Webb (trying to get on Kim’s good side early this year by mentioning USA basically first), Auburn over Louisville and Bama over the Badgers.

Speaking of USA, I possibly have some extra tickets and a parking pass available.  Interested?  Send me an e-mail or call 251 445 5416 and leave me a voice mail.

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

Today’s Bible reading –  Ecclesiastes 7:1-9:18 2 Corinthians 7:8-16 Psalm 48:1-14 Proverbs 22:17-19

Carla Kyser received two bags of fluid yesterday.  She was feeling some better.  She and I talked and have set aside the 10:30AM service on Sunday, October 18, as our “Hope” Sunday.  Courtney Hubbard has agreed to join us again this year.  Other plans are in the works.  It is going to be a great day so mark it on your calendar!

Received word that Herbert’s niece had a rough night on Wednesday.  Keep praying for her.

Debbie K sent me an e-mail saying that Brian is making improvements again.  What a roller coaster ride for him and his family.

Did not talk to Rusty about his grandmother’s situation.

Our first night of TNBA on a Thursday went ok.  We had one newbie, Kenny Cooper, and seven veterans.  Folks like Levi Seymour, Kyle Bryant, Randall Broome, Johnny Five, Joey Guidry, Rusty Suthoff, Bradley Phillips, Ryan Hatcher, et cetera were obviously afraid to show up – something about bringing their “A” game.  Phillip Turner literally waited until I had removed my shoes before making an appearance.  TJ Vice, Dylan Westbrook, James Mareno and I were on the same team.  I am not going to say that we dominated but. . . .

Did catch some college football last night.  Watched the second half of the Utah/Michigan game.  Saw a little of the UNC/SC game before going to TNBA.  I will write more about Saturday’s games in the morning (if I do not forget).

It is 3:30AM and Lisa is demanding that I get to Walmart and have groceries bought and put away before daybreak – wow!  She is complaining about things that she is out of and is criticizing my grocery buying abilities!  She got up to demand/complain and went back to bed.

What did I do on my day of vacation?  Had a meeting, set up our Sunday School room, did some financial stuff, and then mowed for a couple of hours (stress relief) before going to TNBA.  It was a good day.

I will be on vacation the week of September 14 as Pastor Terry Rainey and I will be traveling to Guatemala.  Going to watch the children from the feeding center march in the Independence Day parades and to just enjoy some down time.  I go on mission trips to work but this trip is intended to be a time of relaxation – even going to Lake Atitlan one day.

Got to get to Walmart before she wakes up!  Hope you have a great Friday with Jesus.

Today’s Bible reading – Ecclesiastes 4:1-6:12 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:7 Psalm 47:1-9 Proverbs 22:16

The doctor decided to not give Carla Kyser a chemo treatment this week.  Hopefully, next week.  She has been receiving fluids daily to help her.

Rusty’s grandmother seemed to be worst yesterday.  They were calling in a lung doctor as they suspect she may be on the verge of pneumonia.

Herbert’s niece is making improvement and thinks she may get to go home in a few days.

Visited with Brian Amonett in the unit but he was sleeping.  Prayed with him but do not have an update.  Debbie will send me one later as she has been so very faithful to do so.

It was good to see Eddie Whitmore in yesterday morning’s service.

Bubba & Judy Benefield’s granddaughter, Jamie, is scheduled to give birth today.  Pray for her.

Really good day in our services yesterday.  Our 7:30PM Bible study has shown really good growth since the beginning of this church year.  I am meeting with the older group and we had a really good discussion last night.  God is good!

TNBA tonight beginning at 7:00PM.  Any man who has attended at least one of our services this week is eligible to join us.

I am on vacation today but am readily available if needed in an emergency.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Ecclesiastes 1:1-3:22 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 Psalm 46:1-11 Proverbs 22:15

Today, September 2, is etched into my mind as long as I live and have my memory.  It was on this date in 1986 that Lisa’s only brother, Michael, passed from this life into Heaven.  Twenty nine years.  Seems like yesterday.  Seems like an eternity ago.  Deidra told me this past Sunday of some memories she has of Michael even though she was only four years old when he passed from this life.  Precious memories!

Michael and John Milton “Dub” Ladnier, Sr. were big buddies.  Ironically, just three years later on the same date, God would call Dub home so I always recall his passing too.  Bro. Dub was only in his sixties if my memory serves me correctly.

I am concerned about Carla Kyser.  I got an iMessage from her last night and she is not feeling well at all.  If she feels as badly today, she is most likely going to be admitted to the hospital.  She probably should already be in the hospital but remember that part about her being hard headed!  I am about to put my foot down!

I will be visiting the hospitals today and will give an update in tomorrow’s entry.

Our Sunday School class, under the leadership of Dylan & Elizabeth Westbrook, minister at McKemie Place on the first Tuesday of each month.  They had a good number of folks go with them last night including Randall (singing) & Rita (preaching?) Broome.  (Not sure if Lynda Sims got to join them or not)  I appreciate those who went to minister as they also provided a meal.  I will get details from Dylan & Elizabeth tonight.

Speaking of tonight, our menu for the 7:30PM Bible study is tube steak with all of the trimmings i.e. ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, sauerkraut, relish, jalapeños, chili, et cetera and a couple of sides.  Those in our older group need to read the introduction and chapter one in order to be ready for tonight’s discussion.

Regular schedule this morning (10:00AM) and tonight (6:30PM).  Children’s choir and preschool choir at 5:30PM.  Adult choir at 6:30PM.

If you are on the Missions Committee, please check your e-mail this morning and then reply accordingly.  Thank you!

I was blessed by those who attended our prayer meeting last night.  Can I just mention one person that really blesses me?  She was in both services Sunday, taught Sunday School, was a part of our GROW ministry on Monday night as she went out and made visits, came to prayer meeting last night, and will be in our morning service today.  Her name is Miss Kittie Camp and she is only a little over two months shy of her 88th birthday!  Are you serious?  Absolutely!  Wow!  (And your excuse for not being faithfully involved was?)  Thank God for Miss Kittie and for all others who are faithfully involved!

TNBA returns tomorrow night beginning at 7:00PM.  Attendance in at least one of our Sunday/Wednesday services is an absolute in order to pay in this league.  All men, high school graduates and older, are invited to join us.  The competition is stiff!  Men like Bob Evans who played professional baseball have tried but simply could not match up to the intensity!  Again, bring your “A” game!

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