Pastor's Blog

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)

Good Saturday morning from the Decatur Morgan Hospital in Decatur, Alabama.  More on that later in this entry.

Well, I have not spoken to Ethan & Brittney since Charleigh’s celebration of life service ended but I feel it went well.  I was very impressed with Ethan & Brittney and the sense of peace that they possessed before, during and after the service.  I cannot begin to list all of those who helped with the service and those who ministered to this family but I can say a huge “thank you” to each person.  God knows who you are!  There were probably seventy or so folks who stayed for the meal following the service and there was sufficient food for everyone to enjoy.  Witney Edwards made an awesome “celebration of life” cake.  Thank God for a church family who knows how to minister!

I also want to say thank you to each person who contacted me prior to the service to assure me of their prayer support.  Very meaningful.  Likewise, I received a good number of messages yesterday afternoon and last night of folks complimenting the service itself.  All I can say is “only God!”  To Him be the glory.

I did not visit with Miss Dollie Trout yesterday but I did speak to her son, Bob, on the phone.  There was basically no change in Miss Dollie’s condition and Bob graciously told me to get on the road to visit with my dad.  Very kind and thoughtful of him.  I am grateful.

I am also grateful to those who contacted me telling me to go see my dad and to stay as long as needed.  The support has been most encouraging.

Lisa, Titus & I left Tillman’s Corner at 1:00PM yesterday.  We stopped in Cullman to purchase pizzas for Titus to take to his Aunt Jamie’s as she is not that great of a cook.  Titus loves staying with Grayson & Jace.   We dropped Titus off around 6:30PM and then headed for the hospital in Decatur.  Wait, we did do a drive through in Hartselle for a bar-b-que pork sandwich – oh my!  So, we were in the hospital room by 7:15PM and around 8:30PM Lisa would leave along with mama, Eddie & Sue.  Yes, I had the night shift!  I told the nurse that if she would give dad something to knock him out and then give me the same thing then we would be great!  Dad is pretty confused as he does not believe he is in the hospital.  He says this is a nice camper but it really needs a refrigerator to keep the drinks cold.  I just agree and go on.  Dad’s physical condition is some better but he will be in the hospital until at least Monday.  He is scheduled to begin his radiation treatments on Monday.  That will be the first of the fifteen scheduled.  I appreciate those who are praying for dad.

I am told that the service at the Mission of Hope went well last night and that Dylan Westbrook did a very good job of sharing the Word.  Good stuff!  Thank you Dylan!

Bus workers’ meeting this morning at 8:30AM.

Bro. Abel closed on a house in West Mobile yesterday afternoon.  I have a plan to help Bro. Abel and will be sharing that this Sunday morning in our services.  Hopefully, in a couple of years Bro. Abel will be able to relocate to Grand Bay.

We are now in a stretch where the average daily high will be in the seventies and the lows in the fifties.  Winter 2020 is over in South Mobile County.  Sad!

Tomorrow is the second weekend of the MCPSS schools being out for a week.  We need all available members of the Friendship family to be in attendance for our morning services, Sunday School, Discipleship Training and the evening service.  Important!

I pray that you will have a great Saturday with Jesus.  Lord willing, I will be in the pulpit Sunday morning at 8:00AM!

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)

We will gather with the Ethan Nelson family this morning at 10:00AM to celebrate Charleigh’s life.  Yes, that will be a tough service but I pray that God will be glorified through it all.  Ethan & Brittney are very grateful for all of the prayers offered on their behalf.  I have had fellow ministers and long distance friends reach out to me via electronic means to let me know that they are praying and I am also most thankful.  So, if you cannot attend the service today, please stop at 10:00AM and voice a prayer for Ethan, Brittney, the boys, the rest of the family and the service.  Thank you.

I want to say “thank you” to those who helped with the food last night and to those who will be doing likewise today.  I also want to thank Raymond Wilkinson and James Mareno for their help in handling the audio and video last night.  Today, Rhea Wilkinson will also be providing assistance.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Miss Dollie Trout remains about the same.  Keep praying.

My dad was admitted to the hospital last night as he is battling with pneumonia, a UTI and other issues.  I am struggling with whether to head that way later today or to simply stay put for the time being.  My older brother, Eddie, and his wife, Sue, continue to do a marvelous job of giving care to our parents.  My sister, Melissa, is there too but Eddie & Sue are the mainstays.

The Friendship family will host a service at the Mission of Hope tonight beginning at 7:00PM in their chapel.  Everyone invited.  Pray for that service.

One source says it is thirty one degrees right now while another source says it is thirty three degrees.  I hope the thirty three degrees is correct as I did not cover Lisa’s palm tree last night and feeling her wrath would not be good for me.  Just saying!

Regular schedule this Sunday morning and evening.

June GRACE Ministries mission trip meeting following the evening service this Sunday.  Important!

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

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)

Today is a day that will tough for Ethan, Brittney and their family along with the members of the Friendship family and many others.  However, today is also a day when these folks will be able to show a total reliance on God.  Would you take some extra time today and pray for the Nelson family?

Visited with Miss Dollie yesterday.  She is very, very soft spoken now but expressed her gratefulness for the prayers being offered on her behalf.  Honestly, I did not do much talking as Beth Wright was in the room and when Beth is around you do not talk you listen as Beth has the gift of gab!  LOL!  Keep praying for Miss Dollie.

I am taking Bob Evans to the hospital this morning for a test.  He told me that he has a #2 pencil and a notebook ready to take with him.  I am thinking he may be confused about what this “test” is all about.  Pray that all goes well for Bob.

The students are out of school all week in the MCPSS but the teachers have to go back to work today.  I did not realize that until this past Tuesday.  What is up with that?

My sources tell me that it reached thirty seven degrees in Grand Bay last night and the forecast is for thirty three tonight.  I hope they are correct!

Today is Joey Bosarge’s last day on the job in his present job as he will be “retired!”  The call of the bayou was just too strong for him to resist.  Congratulations, Joey!

Do you remember when Billie Jean roamed the tennis courts?  Just curious!

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

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)

Miss Dollie Trout remains in the hospital.  There is no major outward appearance change in Miss Dollie’s condition but she is not improving.  Miss Dollie is a sweetheart of a lady and continues to need our prayer support.  Lord willing, I will visit her in the early afternoon today.

Ethan & Brittney completed the arrangements yesterday afternoon.  Those have been posted on this site.  The Friendship family will have the privilege of ministering to the family by providing a meal following the celebration of life service on Friday.  We will have a sign up list in our services this morning and tonight.

Our students, 6th – 12th, were scheduled to have a movie night in the CAB tomorrow night, 2/27.  That has been cancelled due to the visitation with the Nelson family.  Ethan & Brittney were ok with it taking place but Bro. Abel has wisely cancelled it.

The forecasters are calling for a low of thirty six degrees tonight and then thirty four degrees tomorrow night.  I will take it.  Sadly, these may be the last two nights in the thirties for us this calendar year.

I am a University of Alabama sports fan.  I like Coach Nate Oats.  However, I am tired of reading about the basketball team’s chances of making the tournament.  They will not be in the tournament unless they win the SEC conference tournament and that is not happening this year.  It is what it is!

As I mentioned yesterday, Alabama lost a football coach to UGA.  Would it not be strange if that said coach continued to show up at UA for things that interested him even though he is now at UGA?  It would.

One of our daughters is leaving her four children with a new sitter today.  What kind of mother raises her daughter to be like twenty years old and yet the girl has never been a sitter previously, cannot cook, et cetera?  Just asking for a friend!

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

Charleigh Nicole Nelson, age 2, passed away on Wednesday, February 19, 2020. She is survived by her parents, Ethan and Brittney Nelson; brothers, Eli, Cade and Ian; maternal grandparents, Charles and Maria Wainwright; paternal grandparents, Marlene and Timmy Seaman; other relatives and many friends. Visitation will be held at Friendship Baptist Church on Thursday, February 27, 2020 from 5 pm until 8 pm. Church service will be held at the church on Friday, February 28, 2020 at 10 am. Interment will be in Grand Bay Cemetery.

The visitation with Charleigh’s family will take place on Thursday, February 27, in the auditorium of Friendship Baptist Church from 5:00PM until 8:00PM.

The celebration of life service for Charleigh will take place on Friday, February 28, beginning at 10:00AM and will also be in the church auditorium.

The interment will take place in the Grand Bay Cemetery.

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)

Visited with Miss Dollie Trout yesterday morning and will do the same today.  Her situation basically remains the same.  Bob & Laura are faithfully remaining by her side 24/7.  Keep praying.

Larry Whitehurst left yesterday traveling to Jacksonville for tests and consultations.  Pray for Larry to get good reports.

Ethan & Brittney will meet with the funeral directors today to make the arrangements for the visitation with the family and the celebration of life service for Charleigh.  Pray for them as they take this next step in this painful journey.  I should be able to post the completed arrangements at some point late this afternoon.

We have had Ellen Creal’s name on our prayer list for months.  She passed from this life last Friday.  There will be a visitation at Serenity Funeral Home tomorrow from 11:00AM until the noon service time.  Pray for the family.

Eddie Hall’s mother, Miss Jimmie Hall, passed from this life this past Sunday morning.  There will be a visitation/graveside service in the Grand Bay cemetery tomorrow from 3:00 – 4:00PM.  Pray for Eddie, Mary, Jamie, Jessica and the family.

Pastor Fred Wolfe’s wife, Anne, passed from this life last Friday.  There will be a visitation with the family this Friday and a service on Saturday.  Everything will take place at Luke 4:18 Fellowship.  Pray for Bro. Fred and family.

We are on a regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.

Bro. Abel, the youth group and some others went roller skating last night in Grand Bay.  I think they enjoyed themselves.

If the weather folks are correct, today should be a cloudy day, tomorrow a partly cloudy day and then we should have three almost picture perfect days of weather.  Beginning tomorrow night we should see lows of 36, 34, 39 & 43.  If you are like me and enjoy the cooler temperatures then you had better enjoy these because they may very well be the last cool ones this calendar year.  By cool I mean temperatures in the thirties.

If you plan on joining us for the December 1 – 8, 2020 GRACE Ministries mission trip to Guatemala then please send me an e-mail (pastor@friendshipfamily.net) soon.  This includes folks within the Friendship family and all others.  Pass the word.

Scott Cochran left the Alabama football team yesterday and is now with the Georgia football team.  He reportedly left without even addressing the Alabama team.  I have often wondered why men cannot be men in situations like this?  Man up!  Same applies in church life.  Kirby left Alabama and has been trying to raid their program ever since.  Not good.  Same applies in church life.  I just find it interesting.  I grew up in a day when men were men and a man’s word was his bond.  That day has apparently passed!

Bibbi is upset with me as she did not want folks to know that she is older than Joey.  Really?  Like we could not tell!  Just saying!

Have you ever seen the BYU Cougars football field in Provo, Utah?  Nice setting.

Someone else has a meeting with their employer today to seriously discuss their retirement.  I wish them well regardless of their decision.

Yes, I am totally aware of the situation within the Southern Baptist Convention as it relates to the ERCL.  Keeping a close eye on it and am thankful to Pastor Joe David Bailey for his insights and information.

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

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)

Miss Dollie Trout remains hospitalized.  Keep praying!

Ethan, Brittney and the boys arrived in Grand Bay just before 1:00PM yesterday.  They are doing “good” all things considered.  They will get more information today as to how to proceed with the arrangements.  Keep praying for the Ethan Nelson family.

I love the music ministry of our church!  The Lord blessed and we had a baker’s dozen folks join the adult choir yesterday during our 10:30AM service invitation.   I thank Charles Grant for leading the way!  These folks made a seven weeks commitment and will be part of the Easter musical at 10:30AM on Easter Sunday which is April 12.  My hope is that even more folks will join the choir and that we will have a packed choir loft that morning.

By the way, our Easter schedule will be Sunrise service, worship at 9:00AM and worship at 10:30AM featuring the choir musical. We will not have an evening service that day.

I want to say “thank you” to my wife, Lisa, daughters, Dana & Gina, and their friend, Steve, for taking care of feeding the men from the Mission of Hope yesterday.  There were around fifty men present and they were served in about five minutes.  Their meals consisted of burgers & fries from McDonald’s, a canned soft drink, and a slice of Lisa’s homemade pound cake.  The men seemed genuinely thankful.

Let me say a good word about the McDonald’s in Grand Bay.  I went and talked to the manager, Barbara, on Saturday about a “deal” on the meals and then called later and placed the order with a young lady named Jessica.  They both were very accommodating.  When Lisa went to get the food yesterday morning she said that the employees there could not have been any nicer or more helpful.  It was a most pleasant experience for Lisa.  So, “thank you” Grand Bay McDonald’s!  Ray Kroc would be proud!

Thank you to Bro. Abel and the workers who took the students late night bowling last night.  I am sure they had a good time.

We were blessed with a good day in our services even though we were missing a good number of our regular attenders.  Obviously, having the men from the Mission present was a big help.  I appreciate Becky, Jeanette, Kim, Levi & Randall being flexible in the morning services.  I felt the Lord blessed.  To God be the glory.

Found out last night that Joey Bosarge is retiring.  This is his last week on the job.  I was surprised as I did not think Joey was that old.  I knew that Bibbi was getting on up there in age. . .  Congratulations Joey!

The forecast calls for rain today and in the morning.  That will be followed by six days of really nice weather i.e. mild temperatures and low humidity.  Maybe I can get some seeds in the ground this weekend?

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

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)

I did not get the chance to visit Miss Dollie Trout yesterday but do ask that you keep praying for her.  Pray for Bob & Laura too.

Ethan, Brittney & the boys are scheduled to arrive at the Mobile airport just before noon today.  I have been asked many times as to what the arrangements are and the answer remains the same – arrangements are pending.  There are several factors involved but I think it is safe to say the celebration of life service will not take place before the latter part of this week.  Just keep praying for the Nelson family.

The following businesses have made donations to help Ethan, Brittney & the boys:  D’Michaels, Foosackly’s, Kitchen by the Sea, Little Monkey Toes, Rock & Roll Sushi, Sam’s Super Burgers, Southern Shells & Zaxby’s.  What a blessing!

We are on a regular schedule this morning and evening.  The morning message will be “I Love. . .”  I imagine we will have a number of folks out of pocket today because of the public schools being out this week.  So, I implore those of us in town to be faithful to attend the services.  If you are out town, remember that we have online giving – just FYI!

I mowed our lawn on the afternoon of January 27.  Yesterday afternoon I was blessed with the opportunity to mow it again.  As a matter of fact, it had to be mowed as it was looking very shabby.  Lisa put her proverbial foot down yesterday morning and said, “I am going shopping and I when I return this yard had better be mowed and looking good!”  Folks, you really should not have to mow in January and February!  Just saying!

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

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)

Visited with Miss Dollie Trout yesterday morning.  The doctor just wants her to rest so there is on continual pricking, sticking, et cetera.  Her children, Bob & Laura, are faithfully staying beside their mother 24/7 as she has now been hospitalized for around three weeks.  Keep praying for Miss Dollie.

Spoke to Brittney yesterday morning and Ethan yesterday afternoon.  Their plans changed and they will now be flying home tomorrow.  The opportunity was presented to them to fly instead of drive and their boys have always wanted to fly so that is what they will be doing tomorrow.  Charles & Maria drove one vehicle home and Ethan’s cousins drove the other one home.  Arrangements are still pending as far as the celebration of life service is concerned.  Keep praying!

Eventually, I am going to list the businesses that have reached out to Ethan & Brittney and have shown extreme kindnesses to them and their family.  It is a very good thing!  The Friendship family has done well up to this point too.

Want to hear something that was music to this pastor’s ears?  I was told not once, but twice, yesterday of two different occasions where someone said, “we do not know this family but once we heard they were members of Friendship Baptist then we knew they would be loved, ministered to, and taken care of!”  One of these came from a person who lives in Grand Bay and the other came from someone who lives outside of Grand Bay.  I am very thankful to God for these comments!  May all the Friendship family does in this situation, and all other situations, be done to the glory of God.  Folks, it is truly all about Him.  Praise Him!

The men from the Mission of Hope are scheduled to be our guests in our 10:30AM service tomorrow.  Let’s welcome these men with open arms and encourage them!

Word came to me that Gideon Garcia showed out last night in the Faith Academy soccer game.  He had five goals! Way to go Gideon!

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  The morning message will be “I Love. . .!”

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