Pastor's Blog

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

The church office is open today from 8:00AM until 4:00PM.

Mary Jackson remains in the hospital and needs our prayer support.  She is having some issues that have the doctors confused.

Debbie Kendrick’s mother appears to be at the point of her physical death.  Family members are traveling in to be able to be with her and the rest of the family.  Pray for traveling mercies.  It goes without saying that we need to pray for God to be merciful to Mrs. Amonett.  The family is being allowed to visit two at a time while following strict protocol regarding the virus.

The memorial service for Stella Brinkman will take place this Saturday, June 13.  There will be an hour of visitation from 11:00AM until the noon celebration of life service.  Everything will take place in our auditorium.  Keep praying for the Brinkman family.

We need a ton of food to feed the Brinkman family following the service.  Please call the church office today, tomorrow or Thursday if you will help.  The secretary can either take your information or put you in touch with Tina Wilkinson.  All food will need to be at the church no later than noon on Saturday.

How did the dividing of the adult Sunday School classes go this past Sunday?  In my opinion, very well.  Each class had a good number even though we were down due to the stormy weather.  Remember, we now have a class for 30 – 37; one for 38 – 44; and one  for 45 – 49.  All three classes meet in the adult building.  The 50 – 59 class now meets in the youth building.  Sunday School is the place to get into a deeper study of the Word and to develop relationships.  Not involved?  Why not start this Sunday at 9:15AM?

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

The Cracker Barrel restaurant is contemplating selling alcohol.  The brass is supposedly listening to their clientele as to whether or not to implement this plan.  If you are against it, contact their customer service.  I will try to provide that contact information in another post.

I ventured out into my garden late yesterday afternoon and almost had a meltdown.  Lots of damage.  The ground is very wet.  It is supposed to rain today and tomorrow but I am going to use a vacation day today to try and salvage some of my plants.  The corn will straighten up once the sun comes out.  It will take some surgery to fix some of the other plants.  I will most likely have to either dodge the rain showers or just grin and bear it!  I have been dealing with stress lately and now this!  I am literally laughing out loud.  It is a garden which means it is not life or death and does not have any eternal significance.

Pecan trees tend to lose many limbs when the wind blows more than one mile per hour.  Such is the case on this hill following Sunday’s winds.  Special thanks to Steve Morris for providing a huge help to me yesterday and today.

Let me give a shout out to Joey Switzer’s lube shop.  Lisa took her vehicle there yesterday for an oil change and all they did was change the oil.  No new engine, transmission, tires or anything!  See, miracles do still happen!

I also want to give a shout out to Joey’s gym – WOW!  If you are not presently a member, why not consider joining and get some physical exercise.  I try to go at least once a day to do cardio.  A lot of you were thinking I have been doing weight training but that is not true.  My guns are natural!  Any way, Joey & Amy are members of the Friendship family, WOW is local, and many of us need to do a better job of taking care of our bodies.  (Please note that I am not a paid endorser!  Not yet anyway!)  WOW is open 24/7.

I loved the state trooper in Georgia who was asked to take a knee in support of the protesters.  His answer was that he only bows to One – God!  (I am assuming he means the same God I serve)

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

There will be a wedding shower this Sunday, June 14, for Zach Huhn and his bride to be, Mary Anne Goolsby.  This shower will take place in our Preschool Building from 2:00PM until 4:00PM.  All ladies of the Friendship family are invited to attend.  Questions?  Contact Rita Broome or Amy Huhn.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

The church office is closed today, Monday, June 8, due to the weather.  We will open tomorrow at 8:00AM.  I am available today in the event of an emergency.

Debbie Kendrick’s mother is not doing well physically.  The medical folks feel she could very well be in the final hours of her life.  They were trying to make arrangements for the family to be with Mrs. Amonett.  Pray for all involved.

Keep praying for Mary Jackson.  As far as I know, she remains in the hospital.

The memorial service for Stella Brinkman will take place this Saturday, June 13.  I will share the specifics regarding the visitation and service once I have spoken to the family in more detail.

What a different Sunday!  First, I want to say a huge “thank you” to each person who braved the wind and rain to attend one of our morning services and Sunday School.  Yes, our numbers were down but that was totally expected with the weather we were experiencing.  I do know that some members of the Friendship family took advantage of the live stream which allowed them to not have to get out in the elements.

I sought advice from our deacons and then made the call to cancel our evening service yesterday.  I never like to cancel a service but felt it was the right move for us at this time.  Turns out it was the correct call as the weather was not good, not good at all, come 6:00PM yesterday.

I was blessed to have my nephew, Josh, his wife, Tracey, their two children and another family of four with us in our second service yesterday.  They are staying in Orange Beach and drove over for the service and lunch.  Josh’s sister, Jamie, and her family were also in OB recently over a weekend but they did not attend our service.  Just saying!

I am typing this entry on Sunday night and it is raining really hard.  I do not know how many inches have fallen since early Sunday morning but it has been a lot.  My garden has taken a huge hit.  All of the corn is down as are other plants.  I staked some plants Saturday but that did not help.  (I may be applying for a farmer’s loan once this thing ends)  The Lord gives and the Lord takes away – blessed be the name of the Lord!

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

Happy birthday to our oldest daughter, Deidra!  Obviously, we are disappointed that at least or me cannot be with her on this special day but we cannot control that.  I hope that Deidra has a really good day in spite of the circumstances.

It was a Sunday morning and I was doing my regular routine having left the house around 7:00AM to get ready to make sure the buses would start and then run my route.  I would then teach Sunday School followed by leading children’s church.  Lisa was pregnant with our first child and we had been told three weeks earlier that the baby (gender unknown before birth) could be born at any moment.  Moments turned to hours, hours turned to days and days turned to weeks.  I was beginning to question if Lisa was really with child?  Then it happened – my office phone rang and Lisa said, “it is time!”  I placed a quick call to Anna Carol Bosarge to get her to cover children’s church and then called Bro. Robbie to tell him of our situation.  Off to Singing River Hospital we went and in less than three hours Deidra Ann Turrentine made her grand appearance into this world.  The world has never been the same since – just saying!  It was one of the greatest days of my life as we welcomed our first child into our family.  Lisa and I are very proud of Deidra as we are proud of all of our daughters.

It appears the memorial service for Stella Brinkman will take place next Saturday, June 13.  That is not set in stone yet but it will most likely happen.  Keep praying for Stella’s family.

Continue to pray for Mary Jackson.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning.  It appears that it is going to be a very wet one!  Remember, we now have a 30 – 37 year old class, a 38 – 44 year old class and a 45 – 49 year old class.  Please work with us and be patient and flexible as we work through these changes.  Thank you!

Teachers, those of us using SBC literature will teach the March 1, 2020 lesson tomorrow.  We are going to use the literature this quarter that is dated March, April & May.  Just does not make financial sense to lose a quarter of literature.

Yes, we are allowing pre-packaged food and individual drinks in Sunday School.  No “buffet style” food and no community drinks.  Coffee is allowed.

Ladies, there will be a bridal shower for Zach Huhn’s bride to be next Sunday, June 14, from 2:00 – 4:00PM in the Preschool Building.  All ladies of the Friendship family are invited to attend.  Zach & Mary Anne are registered at Greer’s.

I have to step up my game when it comes to my garden next year.  I am getting crushed by John Milton, Jason Taylor, Riley Glass and many more!  How embarrassing is that!  January 1, 2021 is my targeted planting date!

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

Stella Brinkman departed this life around 6:30PM last night and is now in Heaven.  All five of her children and other family members were with her when she passed from this life.  Obviously, the arrangements are pending.  Pray for the Stella Brinkman family.

I do not have an update on Mary Jackson but ask that you pray for her.

We are going to leave our 50-59 Sunday School class intact for the time being.  They will be meeting in the youth building beginning this Sunday, 6/7.

We are going to now have a 30 – 37 year old Sunday School class; a 38 – 44 year old Sunday School class and a 45 – 49 year old Sunday School class.  This is a trial and error scenario and we may have to make some adjustments following this Sunday.  Bro. Sonny Bates will teach the 45 -49 year old class and they will meet in the same room as the 40 – 49 years met.  We will have signs for the other two classes.  These classes will meet this Sunday, June 7.

We are going to allow drinks in Sunday School beginning this Sunday, 6/7.  However, we ask that the drinks be individual i.e. not two liters, et cetera.  Coffee will be allowed as well.  Food can be served if it is pre-packaged.  No buffet, serve yourself food will be allowed at this time.

We will be on a regular schedule this Sunday morning even though it may be wet and windy.  Stay tuned to this blog for updates.

Evangelist Michael Mason will be our guest on Sunday, June 21.  He will be preaching in our 8:00AM and 6:00PM services.  Since it is my first Father’s Day without my dad I will be preaching in the 10:30AM service.

I had to meet my nephew, Josh, at Buc-ees last night.  I needed to get some cargo from him and to also get Titus who has been in Hartselle since last Sunday.  Eddie Albritton took me there and back so I could have use of his truck.  I appreciate Eddie doing this for me.  Very nice of him.

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

Howard Brinkman sent me a message around 9:30PM last night saying things with his mama, Stella, are about the same.  He, and the family, asks for continued prayers.

Miss Mary Jackson has been admitted to the hospital again.  Please keep praying for Miss Mary.

Warren “Blo Joe” Guidry had a surgical procedure yesterday morning and all went well.  Thank you for praying.

The Lord blessed and we had a really good day in our services/classes yesterday.  Our morning attendance was down a bit but it was raining and you know how Baptists and rain do not mix.

Speaking of rain, the forecasters are now calling for the worst of our rain to arrive on Sunday and to continue through next Wednesday.  The tropical storm could affect us Sunday and Monday per Kendall Falana who is our resident weather expert.  It now looks like we will be fairly dry through Saturday which will be good for getting the grass mowed.

Bro. Jerry, Bro. Abel and I will meet today to continue discussing the possible division of our adult Sunday School classes.

Someone told me yesterday that they did not want to bother me with their problems because what I am going through is greater than their problems.  So not true!  I am here, ready, willing and able to help in any way possible.  Yes, I grieve the loss of my dad but life goes on.  I cannot do anything to bring dad back.  However, I “might” be able to help someone who is dealing with life and life’s issues.  Please feel free to contact me if I can help in any way.

I picked like four pods of okra late Tuesday afternoon.  Lisa was kind enough to fry those for me as I love fried okra.  I try to stay away for fried foods but okra is a proverbial Achilles heel for me!  My garden is so far behind John Milton’s & Jason Taylor’s that it even is not funny!  I plan on planting mine January 1, 2021 next year to get ahead of them!  Just saying!

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

Visited with Stella Brinkman late yesterday morning and she was pretty much the same.  Stella has a very strong will.  Her family is staying right beside her.  The hospice facility is great.  Keep praying!

I met Ken & Jean Assink from Michigan on my first trip to Guatemala in December of 1998.  They became friends, have attended our church services, stayed in our home, allowed us to stay in their home, hosted our youth group one evening while on a mission trip to Michigan and have been with us to Guatemala several times.  Ken had an aneurysm and passed from this life this past Monday, June 1.  They are going to have a drive through visitation this Sunday, 6/7, and a private service at a later date.  Pray for Jean, their two daughters and the rest of the family.

Regular schedule this morning at 10:00AM and then this evening at 6:30PM.  I encourage the members of the Friendship family to be involved if they are comfortable with doing so.

Bro. Jerry, Bro. Abel and I met yesterday to try and determine the best way to divide our adult Sunday School classes.  Hopefully, I will have some type of an answer in tomorrow’s blog entry.  Stay tuned!

It now looks like the greatest chance of rain for South Mobile County will be Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  Hopefully, I can get all of the grass mowed before the rain comes.

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

The church office is open today from 8:00AM until 4:00PM.  We stagger our lunch breaks so the office is open the entire eight hours.

Lisa and I visited Stella Brinkman yesterday morning.  Her condition was unchanged.  Howard gave me an update last night and said Stella was actually breathing easier.  Her vital signs remain good too.  Keep praying for Stella and all involved in her care.

Learned yesterday afternoon of the passing of a friend in Michigan.  He was very instrumental in the earliest days of GRACE Ministries.  Pray for his family as they walk through this valley.   (I am not mentioning his name until the obit goes public)

I spent much of yesterday reflecting on how good God was to the Friendship family on Sunday.  I have encouraged anyone who has any hesitation or reservation about being in the buildings to stay away i.e live stream or radio.  However, many others are out and about and I encourage you to join us for the services and Sunday School.  Our intent is to divide three of our adult department classes this week to decrease the size now but to position us for growth later.  You multiply by dividing.  (Bro. Robbie would be proud!)

If my memory serves me correctly then today is Bro. Johnny Tucker’s 73rd birthday.  Happy birthday to Bro. Johnny!

Allen Glover graciously came and changed our garage lights from fluorescent to LED yesterday afternoon.  Man, what a difference!  Thank you Bro. Allen!

Well, I finally got the bill from Joey & Seth on my truck.  It was only about double the original quote.  I was fine with that until I saw the itemized breakdown – adjusted back up camera?  Hello, it is a 1991 and last time I checked those models did not come with a back up camera.  Just saying!  Put new cover on back seat?  Hello, it is a single cab truck.  Just saying!

I have now secured Eddie Albritton to go behind the Cracker Jack crew at Joey’s and correct what needs to be corrected.  Why did I not go to Eddie in the first place?  You live and you learn!

If the weather forecasters are correct, we are in for a wet rest of the week.  Friday, Saturday & Sunday look to be very wet.  We shall see.

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

Stella Brinkman’s condition remains basically unchanged.  It seems to be just a matter of time before she passes from this life into Heaven.  Will that be hours?  Days?  A week?  Only God knows.  Her family is faithfully waiting beside her.  Keep praying.

Wow, it felt “almost” normal on our campus yesterday morning!  Praise the Lord!  It was certainly good to be back in Sunday School, to have a nursery, extended session and children’s church.  The attendance was good in all three of our services and we were able to end our day of corporate worship with three baptisms.  To God be the glory!

The President of Guatemala said last night that nothing will change there for the month of June i.e. the borders will remain closed.  This saddens Lisa and me for obvious reasons but I am also saddened by the fact that the country of Guatemala is being hurt severely economically.  Export and tourism are major players in the economy of Guatemala and neither can take place which is definitely a problem.  I am praying that the President will see the bigger picture and change his mind soon.

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