Pastor's Blog

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading –  1 Samuel 9-12

As far as I know, Miss Ann Collins remains hospitalized.  Keep praying for her.

Joey Switzer asked me to convey his thankfulness to each person who prayed for him this past week.  He is a happy camper and knows that God did a good work in his life.

We are on a regular schedule this morning and evening.  It is the first weekend of the public schools Spring break and we do have a good number of folks out of town.  My simple prayer is that those of us who remain in town will be faithful to attend the services this morning and tonight.

The men’s breakfast yesterday morning was well attended.  I appreciate the guys who cooked and those who attended.  Lord willing, the breakfast next month will be “different!”  More details to come.

I give props to Aaron Chinners for sharing the Word with us at the breakfast yesterday.  He did a very nice job.  Very poised.  Good Word!

What can I say?  We had a really strong attendance for our work day yesterday.  The front part of the back forty is looking good!  The guys came and they worked hard and efficient.  We were gone by 10:30AM.  Thank you to each guy who helped in any way – awesome!

Here is a need – we could use some folks to come and mow the front part of the back forty before that grass grows much higher.  Just help yourself at any time.

I did not get any reports on yesterday’s soccer leagues.  No news is good news?  I really appreciate Larry, Curly & Moe along with everyone else who is helping with these leagues.  Good stuff!

My day was full yesterday – men’s breakfast and work day followed by planting “some” of the garden and then mowing until almost dark thirty.  Charles readied the ground for the garden and laid out the rows.  Amazingly, he only charged me $531.18.  Here is the list of all of the other family members plus Rusty who helped plant the garden:

Honestly, I found myself literally singing, “I come to the garden alone” as I planted snap beans, peas, okra and corn.  Now, if the crop comes in and the food goes in the trough. . . .

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading –  1 Samuel 1-3

Miss Ann Collins is in the hospital.  The thought was that she would be discharged tomorrow but that is not longer the thinking.  Pray for her as she battles an infection.

R.B. “Pat” Patterson is a dear friend to Andy & Betty Hamil.  He lives in the Gadsden area and was taken to the hospital last night.  Not sure of the outcome but do ask you to pray for him.

Men’s breakfast in the morning from 8:00 – 9:00AM in the fellowship hall.  All men are invited to attend.

Work day on the back forty tomorrow from 9:00AM until no later than noon.  The main focus will be cleaning around the trees, cutting low hanging limbs, mowing, et cetera.  The more hands on deck then the faster we finish.  Thank you in advance to those who will help with this ministry opportunity.

Attended Titus’ t-ball game last night and, yes, Umpire Pee Wee was there.  Did he miss any calls?  Are you serious?  He calls “ball on the tee” many times when the ball is not actually on the tee – how confusing!

Lord willing, I will get something in the ground today and/or tomorrow.  Got a ton of yard work to do as well.

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading –  Ruth 1-4

Joey Switzer’s heart cath results were perfect.  Doctor said that Joey’s arteries looked like those of an eighteen year old with absolutely no signs of blockage.  He was thinking the initial test was faulty.  (I may start lifting weights)

Holly Lybarger received another chemo treatment yesterday as well as her daily radiation treatment.

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday/last night.  Really good attendance in the morning service.  Haley Rae Garnett did a nice job of sharing about Guatemala.

Men’s breakfast this Saturday, 4/9, from 8:00 – 9:00AM in the fellowship hall.

Work day on the back forty this Saturday, 4/9, from 9:00AM until.  No need for tractors with bush hogs as that part has been/will be finished before Saturday.  Trucks/trailers to haul stuff to the burn pile, chain saws, other cutting tools to clean from around the trees, rakes, mowers, et cetera are needed.

Soccer on Saturday at the middle school.

Looks like some more beautiful days weather wise are in store for the next few days.  What a blessing from the Lord.

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading –  Judges 19-21

Joey Switzer is scheduled to have a heart cath this afternoon.  Yes, Joey Switzer.  The one who looks like the picture of perfect health.  Pray that all goes well.  (Folks, this is exactly why I do not lift weights!)

Tucker Vice was discharged from the hospital.  Per the message I got from his mother, Lindsey, he went home with Goober?  I am not exactly sure who Goober is but at least Tucker is out of the hospital.

Carla sent me this message last night which she had posted on FB – “Today was round 2 of chemo. Everything is going great and I feel wonderful!! As you can see radiation took all my hair but I have been bald many times before and it makes summer so much cooler!! No major side effects from last week’s chemo treatment so we are praying for the same this week. Thank you all for the messages, the texts, the food (wow, what some fabulous meals), the flowers, visits, cards, quilts, prayer shawls, etc. Most importantly for all the prayers. We know this is a GOD thing!! We are trusting and believing!!”

Continue to pray for Holly Lybarger, Jimmy Moates, Lisa Thompson, Courtney Hubbard, Maxine Dupont and all of the others battling cancer.

Haley Rae Garnett is with us today.  I plan on her sharing briefly in both services.  She is the assistant director of our feeding center ministry in Guatemala.

Still looking for at least twenty five men to join us for breakfast this Saturday, 4/9, from 8:00 – 9:00AM in the fellowship hall.

Someone did some major bush hogging work on the back forty yesterday.  I did not do a thorough check but we may not need any tractors on Saturday for our work day?  I will check it tomorrow.  We still need to cut/remove a ton of brush around the trees but it should not take us long if we have ample help.

Lisa and I were out of town Monday afternoon and yesterday as I had an important meeting yesterday.  We were actually able to meet Dale Bosarge at Jim & Nick’s barbecue for supper on Monday night.  The server thought Dale was our son – are you kidding me?  Why did she think that?  Simply because we all three ordered the same thing (not tacos).  Dale was pretty excited!  Folks, I am 5’8′ 220 and Dale is 6’12” and 120 – really?

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading –  Judges 16-18

Visited with Tucker Vice and his mother yesterday.  “If” he could keep some solid food on his stomach they were going to discharge him late yesterday afternoon.  I do not know if that happened or not.  (What I do know is that Lindsey “borrowed” ten dollars from me for lunch!  I thought the hospitals gave courtesy trays to the parents of in patient children?)

Everyone I visited in the convalescent home seemed to be doing ok.  Miss Jimmie Hall was asleep so I did not get an update on her.  Miss Barbara Nevin was moved to a different room and seemed happy with the move.

Claire Belle’s mother has been released to come home from Atlanta so they will do so today.  They did the tests yesterday and now they will wait on those results.

Carla K will have her chemo today and Holly L continues her radiation.

Wow, what some beautiful weather the past two days.  Thank you Jesus!  Getting some garden fever!

What a game last night.  My gut was correct.  You just knew that one was coming.  That was a big time shot to win it all!  Now we enter into a really boring time of year when it comes sports as MLB is the only game in town.  Of course there is always SNBA at Friendship!

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Judges 13-15
Tuesday, April 5 Judges 16-18
Wednesday, April 6 Judges 19-21
Thursday, April 7 Ruth 1-4
Friday, April 8 1 Samuel 1-3
Saturday, April 9 1 Samuel 4-8
Sunday, April 10 1 Samuel 9-12
Monday, April 11 1 Samuel 13-14
Tuesday, April 12 1 Samuel 15-17
Wednesday, April 13 1 Samuel 18-20; Psalms 11; 59
Thursday, April 14 1 Samuel 21-24
Friday, April 15 Psalms 7; 27; 31; 34; 52
Saturday, April 16 Psalms 56; 120; 140-142
Sunday, April 17 1 Samuel 25-27

We were blessed with another good day in our services yesterday.  God is faithful!  We praise Him!

TJ & Lindey Vice’s youngest son, Tucker, was admitted to the hospital yesterday afternoon.  He is dehydrated as the result of what appears to be a virus.  I will check on him this morning.

Claire Belle’s mother will have some tests and a biopsy today in Atlanta.  I am not sure when they will be traveling home.  Just keep praying.

Carla Kyser will have her chemotherapy treatment tomorrow as they moved her schedule to Tuesdays.  She will then be off for one week.  It was good to see Carla in our first service yesterday.

Holly Lybarger continues with her weekly radiation/chemo routine.

David Bosarge’s mother was taken to the hospital yesterday.  An infection was discovered and hopefully this will allow them to treat some problems she has had in recent weeks.

Dale & Karla Bosarge will be traveling to Tennessee and then Virginia this week for ministry purposes.  Pray for them.

Our SNBA went well last night.  Billy Teasley & Eddie Albritton went AWOL on us – what is up with that?  However, Levi had a couple of friends join us which was their first time to be in one of our services.

I am looking for twenty five men, age 40 or older, to attend the men’s breakfast this Saturday, April 9, from 8:00 – 9:00AM in the fellowship hall.  Guys, do me a favor, if you have not done so already, and send me an e-mail letting me know that you will be present.  It would help to have that notice before this Thursday, 4/7.

Work day on the back forty this Saturday, 4/9, from 9:00AM until noon at the very latest.  Tractors with bush hogs, mowers, chain saws, et cetera are needed.  The weather this week is supposed to be really, really good.

It “appears” this may very well be the week for me to get some seeds in the ground.  I know that I am way behind but that is ok.  How about the signs?  All signs point to me being able to take time to plant this week!  Those are the only signs I consider when deciding when to plant.

Who wins – UNC or Villanova?  My mind says UNC but my gut says Villanova.  So, I am going with my gut on this one and taking Villanova in an upset.

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading:  Judges 10-12

It dawned on me about 10:00AM yesterday that I did not post an entry for Saturday.  Nothing earth shattering had happened so I just let it be.  I was full steam ahead with a weed eater by that time and had much more to do.

Two updates:  Claire Belle’s mother will have a couple of tests and a biopsy tomorrow in Atlanta.  Pray for her.

Coach Hubbard sent me a message to say that his wife, Courtney, had qualified for a clinical trial at M.D. Anderson in Houston.  They are excited and thankful.  Evaluation in two weeks.  Pray for Courtney!

Regular schedule this morning and evening.  Lord willing, I will be preaching in all three services and we will baptize as a part of our evening worship service.

Bro. Chris will be preaching this morning at the Higher Ground Baptist Church in Irvington.  Pray for him.

Report from Curly, Larry & Moe is that soccer went well yesterday.  Good deal!

I have had two delightful days the past two days.  I love days like Friday when I am off and can stay at home.  Only wish it would have been about twenty five degrees cooler.   Loved the rain.

Yesterday, I spent about nine hours or so working in the yard i.e. weed eating and mowing.  The weather was picture perfect and I so enjoyed myself.  Yes, I know that is weird but what can I say?

Was able to watch the two basketball games (if you have to ask which two then never mind) last night.  Wow, did Villanova play a great game or what!  UNC played well.  Can Villanova repeat that shooting performance?  I will give you my pick on Monday (or Tuesday).

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading:  Judges Judges 6-7

Saturday, April 2 Judges 8-9
Sunday, April 3 Judges 10-12  

Raymond’s mother was in a lot of pain when I visited her yesterday morning.  Did not ask about being discharged.

Roy Blodgett remains in the hospital too.  He seemed to be doing ok.

Made one other hospital visit and it seemed to be appreciated.  I do not list folks on this blog unless I have their permission.  I just “assume” permission from the members of the Friendship family but I wait on others to give it to me.  Just so you know.

The rains are supposed to come today but be gone by tomorrow.  Larry, Curly & Moe tell me that “the show must go on” when it comes to the soccer leagues.  So, they will begin play at 9:00AM tomorrow at the GBMS.

I am looking for “25/40” for the men’s breakfast and so far have zero!  It least the food costs will be low and the time to prepare the meal will be brief!  Guys, I am waiting!

I was going to enjoy an evening at home last night just doing nothing.  Did not happen!  Lisa came home about 7:00PM and asked my plans.  When I told her she then demanded that I make the Walmart run so that I can do other things today.  I tried to explain to her that it would be raining today but she would not have it any other way.  You folks just do not know!  At any rate, we have groceries!

I would not mind if it rained all day.  Just a nice, steady rain.

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