Pastor's Blog

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 107-109; 1 Corinthians 4
Tuesday, August 22 – Psalms 110-112; 1 Corinthians 5
Wednesday, August 23 – Psalms 113-115; 1 Corinthians 6
Thursday, August 24 – Psalms 116-118; 1 Corinthians 7:1-19
Friday, August 25 – Psalms 119:1-88; 1 Corinthians 7:20-40
Saturday, August 26 – Psalms 119:89-176; 1 Corinthians 8
Sunday, August 27 – Psalms 120-122; 1 Corinthians 9

Tina Wilkinson was admitted to the hospital on Saturday.  Rhea Rhea told me last night that she would be there for a couple of days. As I have written before, Tina is complicated!

Robert Baria remains in the hospital.  It now appears that he will need to be on the vent from this point forward according to the medical folks.  Pray for Robert and his family.

Craig Kirschenman should be moved to a rehab facility at some point early this week.

We had a good day in our services yesterday.  Praise the Lord!

Prayer time tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the auditorium.  Use the West side door to enter and exit, please.  Prayer changes things.

There will be an important Sunday School workers meeting tonight beginning at 7:00PM in the fellowship hall.  All Sunday School workers are asked/encouraged to attend.  Contact Bro. Jerry for more information.

The Alabama women’s soccer team won again yesterday!  2 – 0 and on a roll!  How exciting!

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 103-104; 1 Corinthians 2

Probably was not going to blog this morning but was asked to remind folks of the student ministry car was taking place today in front of State Farm on Highway 90.  It is from 9:00AM until noon.  Donations accepted.  I may go by and make a donation to keep them from washing my car!  I mean really – do you want Byrd, Grant, Elizabeth, Sofie, Kaleigh, et cetera washing your vehicle?  Just saying!  LOL!

Robert Baria’s procedure went well.  Hopefully, this will be a huge step in his recovery.  Roseanne is encouraged.  Keep praying!

Conner Ferguson’s surgery did not take place.

Craig Kirschenman will most likely be moved to a rehab facility early next week.  Should be the twenty one days thing.  Keep praying for Craig.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.

Logan Wainwright spent yesterday working for me.  Let me give the guy a huge endorsement.  Logan is presently between jobs.  I have never known a young man who knows so much about small engines.  I think the dude invented the small engine!  He is fast at what he does and his rates are really low based on his expertise.  So, if you have a mower, weed eater, chain saw, garden tiller, whatever that needs work, servicing, et cetera then you need to give Logan a call to do that work.  He makes house calls and since he is presently unemployed now is the perfect time.  (Please send eleven percent of whatever you pay him to me as a reference fee – LOL!).

The Alabama women’s soccer team opened their regular season with a win over Jax State last night – I am stoked!  Bobby who?

Fourteen days!  (Sound like Rita Broome counting down the days until her next birthday!).

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 100-102; 1 Corinthians 1

Robert Baria will have a tracheotomy today.  Pray that all goes well.  Keep praying for Robert.

Conner Ferguson will have all four of his wisdom teeth surgically removed today.

Craig Kirschenman’s family has some decisions to make as far as his rehab is concerned.  Pray for wisdom and for Craig to do well.

Tina Wilkinson remains “complicated” but was in hopes of going home yesterday.  Not sure if that happened or not.

Regular schedule this Sunday morning and evening.

Randall Broome and the ad hoc committee are actively working on purchasing a new sound system.  They met with a company yesterday and hope to meet with one more soon.  If that happens, they will have three different proposals to consider as they make a final decision.

Fifteen days!

The Nationals won again last night.  Is that Bobby amazing or what?  Dusty Baker is the manager but we all know who is really calling the shots!

Was on the mower until dark thirty yesterday and have more to do today.  Charles has done the lion’s share of the grass cutting on the hill this Summer.  I have to give him his due.

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 97-99; Romans 16

Roseanne Baria shared in our service last night that Robert’s doctor said he is doing all he can for Robert.  Robert is a very sick man. Please pray fervently!

Greg Boutwell did not have a good day yesterday.  Keep praying for Greg!

Courtney Hubbard has been at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston.  Not sure of the latest test results but do know Courtney needs our continued prayer support.

We clear the hospitals of folks from the Friendship family with the exception of Robert and then folks seemingly say, “let’s give the pastor something to do today!” and they get admitted to the hospital!

That was not Craig Kirschenman’s thought process as he fell on Tuesday afternoon and broke his hip.  He had surgery yesterday morning to repair it.  Surgery went well.  Craig should be discharged today.

Well, Tina Wilkinson obviously wanted me to be busy so she puts another kidney stone in motion.  She was admitted to the hospital and they went in and got the stone.  (What Tina did not know was that, because of our morning service, Bro. Jerry was covering the hospitals yesterday)  However, she got the doctor to keep her overnight which means I will have to visit this morning – LOL!  BTW, the doctor told Raymond that Tina is “complicated” to which I say “amen!”  Just saying!

Bobby and the boys took it on the chin last night.  However, the highlight of the night was seeing Aaron Judge of the Yankees hit a blast into the third deck at Citi Field in New York.  They say it came off of his bat at one hundred and seventeen miles per hour and traveled four hundred and fifty seven feet.  An amazing shot!  Have not seen one hit like that since the days of Sammy Bowden!

Phil Sims and Bobby Stork went fishing on Tuesday.  My sources tell me that they caught around twenty fish with Phil catching twenty one of those.  Is my source reliable?  As Dub Ladnier used to say, “if I tell you a chicken dips, check under her wing for a can of snuff!”  I appreciate Phil working with Bobby!

Nanette Fontenot called me yesterday to ask if we were going to have a baby shower for Levi & Brianne Seymour.  Do I look like “Shower Susie?”  I said, “I do not know” and Nanette said, “why don’t you and I give them one?”  Odd!  Katelyn Johnson has since assured me there will be a baby shower and Nanette or my help is not needed.  Thank God for Katelyn!

Jason Husband and I are taking on all challengers in the Friendship bowling fellowship on Sunday, 9/3, from 8:00 – 11:00PM.  We have never lost a doubles match.  Jason reminded me yesterday that we have been knowing each other for over fifty years!  Plus, it is no one’s business where we plan on going after bowling!

Sixteen days.  Got my tickets to the opening game in Atlanta yesterday.  Am I going?  Great question!

One final word – Deidra is not nearly as consistent in blogging as I am.  Just the facts!  (Plus she makes many more grammatical mistakes!)

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 94-96; Romans 15:14-33

Good news in the fact that both Cameron and Alex were discharged from the hospital on Monday afternoon.  I know they are happy campers!

Visited with Robert Baria yesterday afternoon.  He remains in CCU but was able to open his eyes and talk to me some.  He still has a long way to go but each step forward is a blessing.  Keep praying.

Regular schedule this morning and tonight.  Praying for a strong attendance in all of our services/classes.  The fare for the 7:30PM Bible study is ham, green beans, macaroni & cheese, et cetera.

Our students will be having a “free” (donations accepted) car wash this Saturday, 8/19, from 9:00AM until noon in front of State Farm Insurance on Highway 90.  What does this really mean?  A typical student car wash means that you go get your vehicle washed which then means you have to go home and wash it yourself because the students miss so many spots that now stand out like the proverbial sore thumb.  LOL!

Well, now we get six weeks of more campaigning in the election of a senator.  A lot of negative advertising took place in the primary but I not so sure that can be the case in the runoff.  I did predict a runoff (boy, that was hard to predict with a field of nine candidates) and that the workers in our fellowship hall were bored.  I was in there twice and they were certainly not busy.  Twice?  Did I vote twice?  No, went and voted early and then went back with Nanette Fontenot when she voted.  Said she needed me to help her understand the ballot.  Just trying to be a good pastor.

Seventeen days!  Still do not have tickets in hand.  Something about the seat configuration in the new stadium.

Bobby and the boys continue to roll beating the Angels last night.  I trace their success back to the third base coach.  Just saying.

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 91-93; Romans 15:1-13

Robert Baria remains in CCU but was taken off the ventilator on Sunday afternoon.  Roseanne was with him whenever I visited yesterday and he opened his eyes and talked some.  I am joining Roseanne in praying for a complete healing.  Pray.

Cameron Watson was sitting in a chair and looked bored!  He is ready to go home.  There is a good possibility that will happen today.  He still has soreness around the area where they went into his chest but otherwise is doing well.  Did I mention he is ready to go home?

Alex was bouncing off the walls.  Amazingly, they were talking about sending him home yesterday.  Not sure if that happened or not. He will not be going to Birmingham for therapy.

Bro. Benny McGath called yesterday afternoon to let me know that Hansel Gray passed from this life on Sunday night.  We have had him on our prayer list as he battled against cancer.  Hansel was very actively involved in his church and in going on mission trips.  Pray for his family.

Bro. Jerry & Gloria Whitmore allowed me the privilege of taking Pastor Alex to lunch and then to the airport in Gulfport.  Who knew that a man from India would love the dollar menu at McDonalds?  I guess we are all kids at heart.  Anyway, I enjoyed my time with Alex.

We had a better number (basically double last Monday) at our prayer time last night.  I appreciate those who come to pray.

Today is voting day in Alabama as we vote in the primaries for a new senator.  I will make two predictions – both parties will have a runoff and the folks manning the polling place in our fellowship hall will be bored to tears today.  I am considering writing in Bill Kendrick’s name on my ballot.

Yesterday was a good day!  Why?  Because Nanette Fontenot called me!  Just kidding!  Because we received our Alabama football season tickets!  Eighteen days away!  (BTW, Nanette basically calls me every day – just saying!)

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 89-90; Romans 14
Tuesday, August 15 – Psalms 91-93; Romans 15:1-13
Wednesday, August 16 – Psalms 94-96; Romans 15:14-33
Thursday, August 17 – Psalms 97-99; Romans 16
Friday, August 18 – Psalms 100-102; 1 Corinthians 1
Saturday, August 19 – Psalms 103-104; 1 Corinthians 2
Sunday, August 20 – Psalms 105-106; 1 Corinthians 3

I will be visiting the folks in the hospital this morning.  Word is that Alex may not be moved to Birmingham simply because he is making good progress here.  I will update Cameron Watson’s and Robert Baria’s situations either later today or in tomorrow’s entry.

Really good day in our services yesterday.  Pastor Alex did a very nice job of sharing the Word and reports in all three of our services. I appreciate Pastor Alex and the ministry God has given him.  It is always good to see him and have him fill our pulpit.  Lord willing, I will be taking him to the airport this morning in order for him to catch an early afternoon flight.

Two baptisms were the highlight of our evening service.  We thank God for the increase!

It was a joy to see the entire front of the auditorium filled with our Hispanic friends yesterday morning.  Jeff Holifield is presently serving as their preacher/teacher and I appreciate him doing so.  I am grateful for our Hispanic ministry.

Our prayer time will take place today from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the auditorium.  Enter and exit through the West side door.  Come and go or come and stay.  The main thing is to pray!

Our GROW visitation will take place tonight beginning at 6:00PM.  Meet in the church office.

Bobby & the boys got good news yesterday on Bryce Harper’s injury and then won the split of a double header on a walk off grand slam!  Way to go Bobby!

I am ready for the football season to begin.  So much so that I even watched some preseason NFL and some CFL games last night.  The emphasis is on “some” as I got bored pretty quickly.  Nineteen days!

Someone told me this weekend that I was not keeping folks updated on my garden this year.  Hello!  My garden was in and done basically by the end of May!  Now John Milton has planted more stuff but I am not John Milton.  I do not enjoy it when the temps are in triple digits and the humidity is above one hundred.  The garden did very well as the Lord blessed.

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

Our Hispanic ministry marks the eighth anniversary of their existence today.  Congratulations to each participant and worker.  We have had a number of folks work with/in this ministry over these past eight years and I am very grateful to each of them.  However, the one constant in all of this has been Rita Broome.  In my opinion, she has been the proverbial glue that has kept it all together from a human perspective. Thank you Rita! Of course, we give God the glory for all that he has done and and through this ministry.

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Today’s Bible reading – Psalms 84 – 86; Romans 12

Continue to pray for Robert Baria as he is back in ICU.  As has been said many times, the road to recovery is going to be a long one for Robert.  Keep praying for Robert, the medical staff, and Robert’s family.

Lisa and I visited Alex and his mother, Regina, yesterday.  They will be moving Alex to Birmingham first thing Monday morning.  He will be undergoing more intensive physical therapy while in Birmingham.  Pray for Alex!

We also visited Cameron Watson who remains in ICU.  He had some issues yesterday morning that kept them from moving him out of the unit.  I “think” he will probably be moved into a regular room today.  Pray for Cameron!

Saw Charles Wainwright at the church on Thursday afternoon.  He had just gotten back from seeing his doctor and was sporting a cast on his arm.  Charles is a worker and they continue to have a hard time keeping him still.

Lisa and I drove to Montgomery yesterday afternoon to visit Josh, Mandi & Ruby Fortner.  Ruby was born on Thursday.  Josh & Mandi are really good friends.  They were all doing well and are extremely happy and blessed.  It was good to spend about thirty minutes with them.

When we got to Montgomery yesterday we stopped to visit with Decker & Martha Terry.  Folks, you talk about a sweet, godly couple! We were able to visit with them for about forty five minutes or so.  What a blessed time!  Martha is confined to the house but you talk about woman of prayer – wow!  Decker & Martha have such a heart for ministry and missions.  They have become some of our dearest friends and partners in ministry.  Decker has been having some health “issues” over the past few days so please pray that all is well when he sees his doctor next week.

Ok, confession time.  Yes, we did visit with the two families mentioned but our real reason for going to Montgomery was to eat at Jim & Nick’s Bar-b-que!  We both enjoyed a “pig in the garden” salad and those small biscuits.  As a matter of fact, I ate an extra couple of the biscuits in honor of Dale Bosarge.  It was the least I could do in his absence!

Today, Lord willing, we are going to Big Mike’s in Orange Beach.  This is a Sunday School outing for the 20-29 and one of our senior adult classes.  Can taste that steak already!  Could it be that a stop at Hope’s Cheesecake on the way home is in order?

Pastor Alex will be our messenger in tomorrow’s services.  Pray for him.  Attend the services.  Alex is one of the good ones!

Remember, benevolent offering in the services tomorrow.  We will meet a need and then, if received, hold any extra for future ministry needs.

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

Was unaware when I posted earlier today that Robert Baria has been placed back in ICU and is on the ventilator again.  Talk about a roller coaster ride!  Pray for Robert and family.