Pastor's Blog

“Prayers outlive the lives of those who uttered them; outlive a generation, outlive an age, outlive a world.” (E. M. Bounds)

Prayer band – day five of forty.  Be consistent in your prayers.

Tim Knighten’s brother, Mark, continues to need our prayer support.  He remains in the hospital and his situation is very serious.

Carol Lucky was taken to the hospital yesterday, was treated, and then sent back home.  Terry was not a “happy camper” with the decision to take Carol to the hospital.  The ultimate move of sending her back home seems to prove that Terry was correct in his opinion.  Regardless, Carol is home and that is where she wants to be if at all possible.  Keep praying for Carol & Terry.

It was so good to see Edna Pearl and Phil Morgan in our morning service this past Sunday.  Edna has had such a great attitude throughout her whole ordeal.  Thank you Edna for being such a good example of how to handle physical adversity.  Keep praying for Pearl and Phil.

I am missing my friend and brother in Christ, Andy Hamil.  The visitation with Andy’s family will take place tomorrow, 8/27, from 10:00AM until the 11:00AM celebration of service begins.

Brothers in the Friendship family, this is an eleventh hour request.  I need some help.  I know Andy and I know what would please him.  Gary Walton and his crew will work this morning to spruce up the flowers and shrubs around the auditorium.  The shrubs in front of the office building were trimmed this past Saturday thanks to Bro. Abel and his soccer workday.  I need three or four guys to help me today beginning around 11:30AM to weed eat, edge and mow the front lawn.  We have the mower and a weed eater.  Just need another weed eater or two and we should be finished in an hour or so.  Any volunteers?  Contact me or just show up at 11:30AM today.  I want the place to look good in honor of Bro. Andy and Miss Betty.

Regular schedule today for everyone except our students (6th – seniors) as they will begin at 5:30PM.  Everyone will dismiss at 7:00PM.  Join us!

Our Sunday School Rally and Ice Cream Fellowship is this Sunday evening, August 30, from 5:00–6:00PM in the CAB.

This special evening is open to everyone—young and old—whether you already attend Sunday School or are considering becoming part of a class. We will enjoy homemade ice cream with all the toppings, have some fun together, and discover the importance of being connected to Sunday School.

Come on your own or bring your entire family! We will begin promptly at 5:00 PM and finish by 6:00 PM. This event will take the place of our regular Sunday evening service.

Strong Christians don’t drift—they stay anchored in God’s Word! Come learn how Sunday School can help you and your family become Anchored in Truth through God’s Word, community, service, and mission.

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

I will post the obituary for Andy once it has been posted by the funeral home.  Here are the arrangements:  everything will take place in our church auditorium this Thursday, August 27.  The visitation will begin at 10:00AM and will conclude when the service begins at 11:00AM.

The family will have a private, family only time prior to the public visitation.  I simply ask that folks who are not family please be respectful of this time reserved just for family.   This is not a “well, I am just like family” situation.  Thank you for understanding and being cooperative.

“Pray without ceasing.”  I Thessalonians 5:17

Early this morning Bro. Andy Hamil departed this life and entered Heaven.  Obviously, I am calling on you to join me in praying for Miss Betty, Anita, Marjorie and the family.  Arrangements pending.

“Continuing instant in prayer”  (Romans 12:12)

Today is day three of our forty days of prayer.  I am very thankful to those who are joining me in this opportunity.  Pray for God’s will in our lives individually and our church family’s life collectively.  We are one body with one Head, Jesus.

Andy Hamil continues to decline physically but he is alert mentally and spiritually.  Both of their daughters are now with them and this is a comfort to Andy & Betty.  Keep praying!

Tim Knighten’s brother, Mark, remains in ICU and on life support.  Pray for Mark, the doctors and Mark’s family.

Carol Lucky is home and happy!  Keep praying for Carol & Terry.

Zack Brown’s sister, age forty, is battling a malignancy.  Pray for her, the family and the medical folks involved.

Jonathan Jordan’s best friend, age forty-four, has been diagnosed with a malignancy.  Pray for him!

This is Bro. Abel’s anniversary week as a staff member with the Friendship family.  He received the call on Sunday, 8/4/19, and his first Sunday back was August 18, 2019.  We will receive a love offering for Bro. Abel this Sunday, 8/30, in both services.  Pray and give as the Lord leads.  I appreciate Bro. Abel as a person and a staff member.

Speaking of love offerings, thank you for giving yesterday to support Johnny & Sharlene and their mission trip to Tennessee.  They leave tomorrow and will be gone for ten days.  Pray for them!

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

Happy birthday to Miss Judy Tucker.  I met Miss Judy when I was eleven years old and she has been such a blessing to me many, many times.  I hope her birthday will be special!

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16)  Day two of our forty days of prayer is today.  Our tribe increased a bit Saturday although our band remains small in number.  Note that James says that one person praying can make a huge difference.  Prayer band members, thank you!

Visited Andy & Betty late Saturday afternoon.  If anything, Andy seemed to be slightly better.  Very clear mind.  My visits are very brief so I am not getting a great read on things.  Keep praying!

Regular schedule on our campus today:  morning and evening.  Come join us!

Thank you to each person who helped Bro. Abel at the soccer work day yesterday.  Yes, “many hands make light work!”

Special thanks to Jerry Poiroux for helping get some things done at the office building.  He “highly” insulted me with something he said but the dude can work so I am good!  LOL!  Thank you, Jerry!

Coming to our services today?  Friendship family, stick a few dollars in your pocket and bring them with you.  I have a plan.

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

“Pray without ceasing!”  (I Thessalonians 5:17)

Today, 8/22, marks the call for brothers and sisters to join me in praying for the next forty days (8/22 – 9/30).  Praying for?  God’s wisdom and His will for the Friendship family.  For His presence and power to be made known, and shown, among us.  This band is very, very small numerically but I am most thankful to each one who has chosen to join in this privilege!

Here is what I am asking of this small band of prayer warriors:  spend a minimum of fifteen minutes in prayer each day seeking God.  Pray for God to reveal Himself to you individually and to us collectively.  Pray for others!  Pray for me!  Pray without ceasing!  Personally, I plan to begin each day during these forty days in prayer and then to end each day the same.  Being very intentional!

Please know that I am not assuming anything especially that I know you have made the decision to join this prayer band.

I visited with Andy & Betty late yesterday afternoon.  Andy seemingly gets lower each time I see him.  I think he is beginning to see “the lights of home!”  Only God knows how much time he has left on this earth.  In reality, that is true for all of us.

Keep praying for Tim’s brother, Mark, as well as Carol Lucky and all the others on our prayer list.

Pray for Johnny & Sharlene Sessions as the leave Tuesday, 8/25, to do mission work in Tennessee.  There is a great need for mission work in Tennessee!  Just saying!

Soccer work day on our campus this morning beginning at 8:00AM.  Yes, I plan on being there some and hope to trim the hedges in front of the office building and trim some low hanging tree limbs too.  Maybe plant some ants on the soccer fields along with using grass killer?  LOL!

Meeting this Monday night, 8/24, for those interested in being a part of our June 17 – 24, 2027 GRACE Ministries team.  We will meet at our house beginning at 6:00PM.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow.  Join us!

I want to close by wishing Miss Judy Tucker an early “happy birthday” tomorrow, 8/23/26.  I hope her day will be great!  I love Miss Judy!

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

P.S. – Must be nice to only have to work five months a year!  Just saying!

Carol Lucky was not discharged from the hospital yesterday but the thought process is “maybe this afternoon.”  They changed one of her medications yesterday and want her to take it for twenty-four hours making sure no unexpected complications arise.  Plus, they want her to have dialysis today before discharging her.  So, while she and Terry wait, we continue to pray!

Andy Hamil’s situation basically remains about the same.  His voice was a little better yesterday afternoon.  Andy has told me that he does not want company for various reasons and all I can do is ask folks to respect his request.  But you visit him!  I do and my entire visit is three minutes or less.  Folks, please.  Betty was not feeling well yesterday afternoon but she is still Betty which is a good thing.  Their daughter, Anita, arrived yesterday afternoon and that is a very good thing.  Keep praying!

Will Pearl be able to attend our Sunday morning service this week?  I hope so but I also hope she will not overdo it!  Pray for Edna & Phil.

Missionary Mark Mast has had eye surgery and his more to come.  Pray for Pastor Mark!

Bro. Abel has called for a soccer work day tomorrow from 8:00AM until noon.  If enough folks do not show up does that mean no soccer season?  I can only dream!  LOL!  Seriously, help is needed.  Questions?  More information needed?  Contact Bro. Abel personally.

Today is the last day to sign up for our forty days of prayer – August 22 through September 30, 2026.  Contact me personally if you want to join us for this spiritual journey.

Lisa and I are traveling to see my Mama today.  We hope to be home before dark thirty.  Pray for traveling mercies.  Thank you!

Regular schedule this Sunday, 8/23.  Hope to see you in our services.

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

Visited with Andy & Betty a couple of times yesterday.  In and out with both visits totaling maybe five minutes.  Sick folks do not need company.  Andy’s voice is very weak.  Mentally, still very alert.  Keep praying for Andy & Betty!

Carol Lucky “may” be discharged from the hospital today.  One doctor has given his approval.  Waiting on three others to do the same.  Carol looked better to me yesterday.  Keep praying for Carol & Terry!

I did not get to speak to Tim or Peggy last night.  Keep praying for Tim’s brother, Mark.  Still in tough shape.

We had a good day in our services yesterday.  Thank God for His faithfulness.

Lisa and I hope to slip up to Hartselle tomorrow in order to visit Mama.  Just depends.

Work day on the soccer fields/area on Saturday beginning at 8:00AM.  Contact Bro. Abel for details.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday.

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

Andy Hamil is certainly near the top of our prayer list as he continues to decline physically.  However, his mental awareness remains sharp.  So, his decision to not have company or to talk on the phone is his exclusively and we should all be respectful of his decision(s).  Honestly, his voice has gotten so physically weak that talking on the phone is difficult for him.  Could that get better?  Sure.  Will it?  Only God knows but it does not seem likely based on the current situation.  Let me say this, when Andy will not allow “the boys” singing to be played due to the noise factor then you know Andy does not feel well at all!  Keep praying for Andy & Betty.  Remember, per Andy’s request, no visitors/company.

Personally, I commend Clara Broadus for being such a loyal friend to Andy & Betty for years.  Thank you, Clara.

Carol Lucky is not happy about being in the hospital but knows that is where she needs to be for the time being.  Carol has such a kind and sweet spirit about her.  Keep praying for Carol & Terry!  She is faithful to pray for others and is deserving of our prayer support.  She should receive another dialysis treatment today.  Pray without ceasing!

Want to talk about a person with a positive attitude even in a less than ideal situation?  Go visit Edna Pearl Morgan!  She is making good progress in her recovery and has plans to be in our morning service this Sunday, 8/23.  Wow!  She is blessed with a great husband who is right there beside her!  Pray for Edna & Phil.

Tim Knighten’s brother, Mark, remains in ICU and needs our prayer support.  It has been a confusing week plus for Mark and his family regarding exactly what is taking place in his body.  Continued prayers appreciated.

Pastor Roy Crouch has a paternal Aunt, Lisa Crouch, who is in the hospital and is in need our prayer support.

I have a friend who has been told they have cancer in one kidney.  They meet with the doctor today to make some decisions.  Pray for wisdom on behalf of the doctors.

The donkey is being shipped out.  Still waiting to see the outcome of the surgery on Chino’s finger.  Deidra is in a cast for four weeks.  What?  You did not read any of this on this blog!  I could speculate on which one is the most stubborn – the donkey or Deidra but suffice it to say that Deidra is just like her Mama!

The story of four females.  One with a broken wrist who has done everything as ordered and now needs no PT; one with two broken ankles and the therapist is so impressed with how she is following instructions and doing so great in her rehab; one with a surgically repaired shoulder who initially had to be be reprimanded by her doctor for not following instructions; one with a fractured wrist who refused to have an x-ray because she knows more than the medical folks (or her dad or her doctor sister) but is now sporting a cast for four weeks.   Interesting the difference in people.  What is the moral of this story?  IDK!

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.  Remember, 6:00PM starting time tonight.  Come join us!

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

Andy Hamil has gotten very weak and, at least for the time being, is in the bed all of the time.  Andy has requested that he and Betty have NO company as he is too weak to talk and does not want folks seeing him in this condition.  If you know Andy then you know that he loves company so you know he is not feeling well when he makes such a request.  Folks, please honor Andy’s request and pass the word to others.  Pray for Andy & Betty!