Pastor's Blog

“When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Here he is! God’s anointed!” But God told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.” Jesse then called up Abinadab and presented him to Samuel. Samuel said, “This man isn’t God’s choice either.” Next Jesse presented Shammah. Samuel said, “No, this man isn’t either.” Jesse presented his seven sons to Samuel. Samuel was blunt with Jesse, “God hasn’t chosen any of these.”  Then he asked Jesse, “Is this it? Are there no more sons?”  “Well, yes, there’s the runt. But he’s out tending the sheep.  Samuel ordered Jesse, “Go get him. We’re not moving from this spot until he’s here.”  Jesse sent for him. He was brought in, the very picture of health—bright-eyed, good-looking.  God said, “Up on your feet! Anoint him! This is the one.”  Samuel took his flask of oil and anointed him, with his brothers standing around watching. The Spirit of God entered David like a rush of wind, God vitally empowering him for the rest of his life.”  (I Samuel 16:6-13)

Bro. Jerry Hovel used these verses as part of his message this past Wednesday.  As I read them the Lord spoke to my heart.  By all rights, legal and otherwise, Eliab should have been anointed as the second king of Israel.  If not him then Abinadab.  Surely Shammah!  However, God said “no” even though it “had” to be one of the oldest seven sons of Jesse.  But God (I love those two words) had other plans and his name was David.

Some folks have questioned my choice of filling the pulpit in my absence during the month of July.  I prayed, thought, prayed and then prayed some more.  I felt the Lord speak to my heart confirming that Bro. Mack Morris, Bro. Jerry Hovel and Bro. Abel Garcia were the men to be used and He gave me the order.  That in no way, shape, form or fashion takes away from anyone else or any other rotation.  I felt God say, “I have already set the order!”  Upon hearing that I just did the best I could to obey Him.  (Bro. Jerry told us Wednesday night that “to obey is better than sacrifice!”.

My prayer is that the Friendship family will come to the services prayed up and expecting.  I am praying that God will empower Bro. Mack, Bro. Jerry & Bro. Abel in a way that only He can do.  May they all three be used by Him to powerfully preach the Word!

Remember, this Sunday, July 5, will see us have one worship service which will begin at 10:30AM.  No Sunday School classes.  No evening service.  If you are a member of the Friendship family and are in town this Sunday morning then I pray you will be in the worship service.

Keep praying for Belvin McDonald, Tim Knighten & Larry Crawley.

Our leadership will be meeting to discuss our service plans for last three Sundays in July.  This could be a fluid situation so please know things could change on very short notice.  I suspect we will continue in person worship, have a live stream for at least one service and have the radio feed available in all services for those who are not comfortable entering the buildings.  This will pretty much allow folks to be involved at whatever level they choose to be involved based on their individual situation.  Pray for wisdom on behalf of our leaders.

I pray that you will have a great Fourth of July!

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

Joe & Kathy Ladnier’s daughter, Shawna, had her gall bladder removed yesterday.  The surgery was a success and she came home yesterday afternoon.

Keep praying for Belvin McDonald, Tim Knighten & Larry Crawley.

Remember, one service on our campus this Sunday, 7/5, and that service begins at 10:30AM.  Hope you see many members of the Friendship family in attendance.

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)

We received the following from Josh & Kristi (Bradley) Nelson regarding the gift card shower this past Sunday: “Josh and I want to extend a thank you to the church family. We were overwhelmed at the generosity we received through cards and gifts Sunday! Thanks to each and every one of you. We read all of your kind words and advice, and we appreciate each person that said they were praying for us. We feel so blessed to have such support from our church family. Thank you so much for thinking of us!”

The church office is closed today in observance of the Fourth of July holiday.  The office is closed on Fridays thus the reason for today’s closing.  Bro. Jerry & Bro. Abel are both on call in the event of an emergency.  I would ask that you not contact them unless it is a bonafide emergency.

Larry Crawley received a shot yesterday and will be taking medication orally.  Per Larry, this is a long term preventive medicine to help slow the growth of the cancer.  He has another test this Tuesday, 7/7.  Keep praying for Larry.

Tim Knighten got home from the hospital on Tuesday evening around 6:30PM.  He did not sleep Tuesday night or at all yesterday.  So, pray for Tim to be able to get some rest and for his body to heal from the surgery.  Again, he is supposed to hear from the pathology report on Monday.

Belvin McDonald remains in ICU.  As of last night, he was doing better per his daughter, Karen.  Of course, she is getting her information via the phone from one of the nurses since Karen cannot be in the hospital with her dad.  Keep praying for Belvin.

Lisa and I attended the service last night.  Bro. Jerry taught us from I Samuel 16.  I appreciate those who attended the service and I appreciate the message.  By the way, Lisa and I were on time unlike Bibbi Bosarge!

The weather folks are calling for South Mobile County to have highs ranging in the upper eighties to the low nineties for the next ten days.  Yes, Summer weather for South Alabama.  We are going to have those scattered thunderstorms too.

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)

Regular schedule on our campus this morning at 10:00AM and tonight at 6:30PM.  I pray that the members of the Friendship family will be faithful to attend.  Bro. Jerry will be leading/teaching the two services in the auditorium.

The church office will be closed tomorrow, July 2, in observance of the Fourth of July holiday.  It will reopen on Monday, July 6, at 8:00AM.  (Please note that the office is open today, 7/1)

Keep praying for Tim Knighten, Larry Crawley, Belvin McDonald and Andy Hamil.

Colegio JET in Guatemala is going outside during the month of July.  The teachers will be volunteering to teach classes remotely to students who will also be attending voluntarily.  The students will also be receiving meals.  Pray for this to be a productive time for all involved.

Remember, this Sunday, July 5, there will be one service on our campus and that service will begin at 10:30AM.  Please pass the word!

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