Pastor's Blog

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

The funeral service for Miss Bessie Fernandez’s sister takes place this morning at 11:00AM.  It will take place in Gulfcrest.  Pray for Miss Bessie and the family.

Lisa and I have a friend, Lin, who lives in Tuscaloosa.  He is having surgery on his back today.   Pray for all to go well.

My dad’s platelet counts remain too low for him to receive his chemotherapy treatments.  They will do more blood work next Monday and go from there.

My mama is basically in isolation due to an infection.  The medical folks are monitoring her situation daily.  Personally, I think they have overreacted but they did not call to get my opinion.

Pray for Tammy Womack!

Regular schedule for the Friendship family tomorrow morning and evening.

Someone sent me a message yesterday after reading the blog entry and said I needed a Snickers.  What does that even mean?

Bobby and the boys have now lost two in a row and sit five and one half games behind the Phillies and Leslie Hacker’s Braves in the NL East.  The Dodgers won last night and are now one half game behind the Diamondbacks.

The World Cup semi-finals begin today.  I cannot wait!  Probably should have closed the church office!

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  We welcome Ryan McKenna into the Friendship family by transfer of letter.  The Spirit was good in our services as was the attendance in our morning services.  The attendance was good in our evening service but we have room for improvement.  Thank God for His blessings and thank those who are faithful.

The service for Miss Bessie’s sister takes place tomorrow at 11:00AM at a cemetery in Gulfcrest, AL.  Pray for the family.

Pastor John & Tammy continue to need our prayer support as Tammy battles a very serious malignancy.

We are on a regular schedule this Wednesday morning and evening.

Bobby & the boys lost yesterday but so did everyone else!  The standings remain the same.

On Sunday night, June 10, during our VBS family picnic in the CAB a couple of our guys talked to me about red snapper fishing.  Told me how many they had been catching, how often they were going, et cetera.  They then told me that they had mentioned this to Lisa and she had expressed a real interest in going snapper fishing at least once this season.  I said, “that would be nice!”  Their words to me were, “pastor, we are going to take her fishing real soon!”

Fast forward to this past Friday, July 6.  I am talking to one the men from the Friendship family who tells me that these same two guys had taken him out last Wednesday, July 4, and they caught some of the largest red snapper he has ever seen.  Could not even get down before the fish hit the bait!  Let’s see – Lisa’s office was closed on July 4 which means she was free that day.  Of course her office has also been closed the four Saturdays since these guys told me they were taking her fishing “real soon!”  Has she been invited to join these two guys on a fishing trip?  I think you know that answer.

Who were these two guys?  No way I would ever share their real names.  Let’s just call them “Jay Baby” and “Jay Five” for name’s sake.  All I know is that my wife has basically cried every night since June 10.

I feel Lisa’s pain.  Back in the day there was a guy who was faithful to take me deep sea fishing.  We had some great times.  He sold his boat and that ended that.  However, he has since bought another boat and has gone fishing like one million times.  How many times have I been invited to join him?  If you guessed zero then you guessed correctly.  He has opted to take a couple of French folks instead of me.

Does these snubs bother me?  Absolutely not!  Can you not tell?  One day these folks will need the pastor and will come running to me like the elders of Gilead.  I am not Jephthah!

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

The youngest sister of Miss Bessie Fernandez passed from this life on Friday.  Pray for Miss Bessie and her family as they walk through this valley.

Pastor Max Lara lives in Guatemala and works with Bro. Danny Lafferty.  He has been a friend for many years.  Yesterday afternoon his father passed from this life.  I “assume” there will be a service today as that is normally the custom there.  Pray for Pastor Max and his family during their time of grief.

Keep praying for Pastor John & Tammy Womack.

Regular schedule on the Friendship campus this morning and evening.  Finance Committee meets at 5:00PM.

Let me give props to Rick Bradley, Bobby Broome, Coley Johnson, Josh Nelson, Levi Seymour, Phillip Turner and Dylan Westbrook for trimming the hedges around the auditorium and office yesterday morning.  Rick teaches the 20-29 year old Sunday School class and Bobby is a deacon.  The other five guys mentioned are in the 20-29 class and they joined Rick & Bobby in doing a great job and doing it quickly.  This was a direct result of last Sunday’s Sunday School lesson.  Simply making practical application.  Thank you men for a job well done!

Also, the aforementioned crew was joined by Kendall Falana but he did not trim hedges.  He was power washing every thing in sight and he did a great job.  I appreciate the work Kendall did yesterday and all he has been doing up to this point.

No significant changes in the MLB races.  Bobby & the boys, Leslie’s Braves and the Dodgers all won yesterday.  How about Bob’s Yankees?  Who cares about the Yankees!  LOL!

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Mrs. Bonnie Eyler passed from this life on Tuesday.  The visitation with the family takes place today beginning at noon and lasting until the 2:30PM service time.  Everything takes place at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore, AL.  Miss Bonnie’s sons are Randy, Gary & Kelly.  Kelly is married to Sonni who is the daughter of Edna Holifield Glover.  Pray for the Eyler family.

Soy & Deidra are heavily involved in providing help to those families in Guatemala adversely affected by the eruption of the volcano on Sunday, June 3.  They are taking food to families in the affected areas.  It takes them about seven hours driving round trip because of having to take the alternate routes due to the main road being closed.  You can read Deidra’s blog at shininglightabroad.com for more details.

By the way, remember “bless Tess?”  That was first mentioned in April which seems like yesterday.  Well, this Wednesday, 7/11, will see Tess leave Guatemala after helping at the feeding center for a little over two months.  Tess has done a great job of teaching  reading skills to the children, building and leveling a library for the feeding center and being a great support for Deidra.  Pray for Tess as she seeks the “next” in her life.  Thank you Tess for a job well done!

We are on a regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.  Lord willing, I will be preaching in all three services tomorrow.  Is that exciting, or what?  Hey, at least the music will be good!  I am in hopes that the members of the Friendship family will be faithful to attend, bring others, give, et cetera.  Let us not forsake the assembly of ourselves together!

The baby shower for PT & Claire Belle takes place tomorrow afternoon in the fellowship hall.  I only mention this again because Claire Belle was upset at me following yesterday’s entry.  She is not registered at Bay Tire & Lube – I was wrong!  She is registered at Greer’s, Grand Bay Pharmacy and Sessions Fruit Stand!  How could I not know that?

Our Finance Committee meets tomorrow afternoon at 5:00PM.

The guys in our 20-29 year old Sunday School class will meet at 6:30AM today to trim the hedges around the auditorium.  I am not going to call anyone out but let me just say that “they all with one consent began to make excuses!”  One guy had his wife contact me to say “we would be there but we already have plans to do yard work!”  What do they think our guys will be doing?  Another guy says, “I would be there but this overtime is killing me!”  I am good with that – send your wife!  By the way, we will not discriminate against anyone regardless of their age so if you want to lend a hand then come join us!

Speaking of yard work, the “boss” had me going full steam ahead around here yesterday.  I was on the backside of a weed eater basically from 8:00AM until 1:00PM.  (Did take a few breaks to eat some of the watermelon provided by John Milton!).  I was then on a mower until around 5:00PM.  The boss then said, “go buy groceries!”  The tough part is that I still have more yard work to do today.  Our grass is growing faster than we can mow it!

I did encounter my first snake of the Summer while eating weeds yesterday.  It was a young black racer so no harm.  He minded his business and I kept eating weeds.

Bobby and the boys won their second game in a row last night and now find themselves five games behind the Phillies and Leslie Hacker’s Braves.  The Phils have won five straight while the Braves have dropped four in a row.  Meanwhile, the Dodgers blew a lead in the bottom of the ninth to fall one game behind the Diamondbacks.

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Tammy Womack had a scan done this past Tuesday and met with the doctor yesterday.  As of Wednesday, she was still experiencing pain.  Pray for Tammy, Pastor John and the family.

Larry & Judy Whitehurst have a two year old great niece who has an unusual physical malady.  Pray for the doctors and the family to have wisdom as to how to proceed.

I am asking the guys in our Sunday School class to meet me at the church this Saturday morning, 7/7, at 6:30AM.  We are going to trim the hedges so we need trimmers, extension cords, rakes, ladders, et cetera.  We may even ignite the burn pile.  Our class is the 20-29 years old but we will take all comers.  Plans call for us to finish by 8:30AM or so.

There will be a baby shower for Phillip & Claire Belle Turner in the fellowship hall this Sunday, 7/8.  I am not sure of the beginning or ending time.  It is a girl!  I think they are registered at Greer’s, Grand Bay Pharmacy and Bay Tire & Lube – I could be wrong.  Claire Belle is an absolute sweetheart.  She and Phillip are going to make great parents!

We are on a regular schedule this Sunday morning and evening.

So our skeleton crew handled the office ok yesterday.  The phones were basically silent even though there was one prayer request taken and the fellowship hall reserved for a shower in October.

Bobby and the boys scored two touchdowns last night while holding the Marlins to a touchdown, field goal and a safety to pull out a 14 – 12 win.  Leslie Hacker’s Braves took it on the chin for their third consecutive loss so the Nationals are now only six games out of first place in the NL East.

Meanwhile, over in the NL West, the Dodgers had the night off.  However, the Diamondbacks lost their second in a row which means that they now share the top spot with the boys in blue.  Go Dodgers!

I am an Alabama football fan.  I am not a big fan of Eli Gold calling their games.  However, I did like Phil Savage doing the color.  He has stepped down from his position due to being a GM in the new professional football league.  I will miss Phil.  I am submitting Pee Wee Roberts’ name as Phil’s replacement.

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

This entry is late.  Again, no excuses.  It seems that I am getting more like Deidra daily when it comes to blogging – Lord help me Jesus!

The church office will be open today with a skeleton crew – me!  What?  Who made that call?  Me, with the blessings of the Personnel Committee.  Lord willing, I will be in the office from 8:00AM until 4:30PM with one exception.  I will be attending a graveside service in Mobile beginning at 1:00PM so it will probably be 2:00PM before I return from the lunch hour.  So, if you need something from the office I will be there.  However, when I give you that “deer in the headlights look” please do not laugh! LOL!

The graveside service for Kerrie Lastorka’s paternal Aunt takes place at the Springhill Memorial Gardens cemetery today at 1:00PM.  Where is that, you ask?  Basically sets across from Baker High School.  The only reason I know is because I have had services there in past years.

Really have no updates today so let’s go with the “no news is good news” philosophy.

Today marks my brother-in-law’s fiftieth birthday (7/5/68 – 7/5/18) which is unbelievable!  Michael Clark passed from this life on September 2, 1986 at the young age of eighteen.  He is Charles & Ann’s only son.  So many memories.  So many “what ifs” too.  I only knew Michael for about seven and one half years but he had a profound impact on my life.  He did not live a long life on this earth but I do believe he lived a full life.  Today, he lives but now in a much better place.  Folks, death stings even after almost thirty two years.

Bobby & the boys are struggling big time having now lost five in a row.  They were swept by the Red Sox and then called for a players only meeting.  I am in hopes they can turn this thing around quickly.  By the way, Jerry & Gloria Whitmore were at the Nationals game yesterday.  Their seats were not too far away from the third base coaching box and they sent me a picture of Bobby.  (I am assuming Gloria was there but I know Jerry was)

The tally after the three game series in New York:  Bobby Gene – 2; Leslie Hacker – 1.  Bob wins!  Bob wins!  Bob wins!

The Dodgers have moved to within one half of a game of the first place Diamondbacks in the NL West.  Let’s go Dodgers!

Someone wrote yesterday and said, “it is a beautiful day.  Enjoy this weather with your family!”  I did.  We all got the same sun – the family out by the pool while I was on the back side of a weed eater most of the day followed by being on the mower.  Same sun!  Disclaimer – I would rather work in the yard than to be in the pool.

Gina Bug arrived safely in Guatemala last night.  Thanks to Ryan for taking her to PNS and to Soy & Zach for getting her from the airport in Guatemala City.

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Our church office is closed today in observance of the fourth of July.  However, I am in town and readily available in the event of an emergency.  The office will be open tomorrow, 7/5.

Thank you to each person who visited with the Petersen family on Monday night and those who attended the celebration of life service yesterday.  Oscar will be greatly missed by the members of the Friendship family!

I think I am correct in saying that Bill Goff now assumes the role as the oldest male member of the Friendship family.  I “think” I know who the oldest member is but I want to confirm before declaring any thing publicly.

Kerrie Lastorka had an Aunt to pass from this life on Sunday.  The service will take place tomorrow.  Pray for the family.

Kelly Eyler’s mother passed from this life yesterday.  Pray for the Eyler family too.

Norman Richerson brought us some beautiful tomatoes yesterday afternoon.  What a kind gesture on his part.  We are grateful!

Gina, Titus, Ryan and I left late yesterday afternoon and drove to Jim n Nick’s in Prattville.  We were met there by my older brother, Eddie, my dad, and two of Eddie’s grandsons, Grayson & Jace.  We enjoyed a great meal and even greater fellowship.  It was great seeing family and enjoying fellowship.

This afternoon, Lord willing, Gina will board a plane in Pensacola and fly to Guatemala where she will be for the next month.  Traveling alone does not phase her one bit.  Soy & Deidra’s girls will be happy to see her.  I am very grateful to Phillip Dixon for allowing her time off work in order to be involved in ministry.  I encourage you to support Sam’s Super Burger as often as you can.

The tally now stands at one each for Leslie Hacker and Bob Evans as the Yankees won last night.  Bobby & the boys are in a bit of a mire having lost four in a row.  The Dodgers remain a game and a half back of the Dbacks.  The Twins did not record a single out at first base in last night’s game – how about that!

My plan (actually Lisa’s plan for me) is to work in the yard the better part of the day.  Of course, I would be happy with an all day rain!

I pray that you will have a great Fourth of July holiday with Jesus.

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

The celebration of life service for Bro. Oscar Petersen will take place today, 7/3, beginning at noon from the chapel of the Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore, Alabama.  Pray for the Petersen family and pray for the service.

If you are helping minister to the Petersen family by bringing food or drinks then please have them in the fellowship hall no later than 11:00AM today.  Thank you for being a part of this ministry.  Special thanks to Tina Wilkinson for coordinating this meal.

Phil Sims is scheduled to have eye surgery today in Hattiesburg.  Pray that all goes well.

I spoke to Larry & Judy Whitehurst last night and they told me that Tammy Womack has been really sick.  Would you stop right now and voice a prayer for Tammy, Pastor John and family?

Can you believe this?  I received an e-mail from Steve Morris yesterday apologizing for not contacting me about his surgery.  Said he knew I was in Guatemala and had a lot going on so he did not want to bother me!  Also, told me that he has a set of mower blades sharpened if anyone is going to mow the back forty!  Are you serious?  Steve was in tough shape, spent several days in ICU and is apologizing for not contacting me!  Wow!  I think Steve understands the part about “it is not about me!”  What a blessing!  Keep praying for Steve!

Our church office will be closed tomorrow.  No services, classes or activities morning or evening.  Regular schedule on Sunday, 7/8.

Bobby and the boys lost again last night which now drops them seven games behind Les Hacker’s Braves.  The Dodgers bombed the Pirates 17 – 1 while the Dbacks lost so the Dodgers are now only one and a half games behind in the West.   Those young Braves are on a roll!

Leslie Hacker – 1

Bob Evans – 0

John Milton Ladnier made good on his promise to give us some watermelons.  He came over Sunday afternoon with two big melons.  Lisa says we cannot cut them until the 4th!  John Milton is a really good gardener.  He gives more of his garden stuff away than any person I know.  He has kept us in in tomatoes, cucumbers and now melons this Summer.  I very much appreciate his generosity.

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

The visitation with the Oscar Petersen family will take place from 5:00 until 7:00PM tonight, July 2, at Serenity.  Please note the earlier ending hour.  Thank you.

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Good morning!  Sorry this entry is a bit late.  No excuses.  Just late!

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our services yesterday.  As I said yesterday morning, I could not decide if this past weekend was a holiday weekend or this coming weekend gets that designation.  The attendance in our morning services was good.  We would have been at capacity plus if we had combined the services.  The preaching was not much but you had heard good preaching the previous Sunday.  It was a joy to welcome Josh Nelson into the Friendship family by transfer of letter.  Josh has been faithful to attend for the past several months since moving to Grand Bay.  Welcome Josh!

The visitation with the Oscar Petersen family will take place tonight, 7/2, from 5:00 – 8:00PM at the Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore, AL.  The celebration of life service takes place tomorrow, 7/3, beginning at noon.

Tina Wilkinson has coordinated the post service meal for the Petersen family.  Thank you to each person who is helping with that meal.  I am “guessing” that the food needs to be in the fellowship hall no later than 11:00AM tomorrow.

Steve Morris is recovering at home.  Keep praying for Steve & Virginia.

Phil Sims did not have eye surgery last week but is now scheduled to have it tomorrow in Hattiesburg.  Pray for Phil.

Scott told me yesterday morning that Nanette is in a lot of pain.  Keep praying for Nanette.

Kendall Falana told me yesterday that his other will find out the results of a spot on one of her lungs next Monday, July 9.  Pray for Kendall’s mother.

I have not printed this in my blog up to this point.  At least not as far as naming the person.  However, I now have permission to do so.  Pastor John Womack’s wife, Tammy, was diagnosed with a malignancy some time ago.  She had surgery and treatments.  A couple of weeks ago they found a couple of spots that seemed suspicious.  The malignancy has returned and it is termed “aggressive” by the doctors.  So, please join me in praying for Tammy, Pastor John, their children and their grandchildren.

Our church office will be closed this Wednesday, July 4.  Also, there will be no services, classes or activities on Wednesday.

My niece, Jamie, sent me a message last night telling me that LeBron is now a Laker!  I am excited!  The Lakers have struggled for the past five years.  It will be tough getting past the Warriors in the West but LeBron is the best in the game right now.  If Jerry West will come out of retirement then maybe they can win it all at least one more time!

Bobby and the boys have fallen six games behind Les Hacker’s Braves in the East.  The Dodgers seem to be stuck on staying two and one half games behind the Diamondbacks in the West.  However, tonight none of that matters as Les Hacker’s Braves travel to New York to take on Bob Evans’ Yankees.  Les vs Bob – who ya got?

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