Pastor's Blog

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

Pray for Ethan Nelson and his family as they will be involved in the visitation and service for his sister, Carissa, today.  The visitation will be at Oddfellows beginning at 10:00AM and the service will begin at 2:00PM.

Jennifer Brinkman had a “Maw Maw” in her life pass away.  While she was not blood related this lady, Mrs. Cobb, was very instrumental in Jennifer’s life and the life of her sons.  There will be a graveside service this morning at 11:00AM so pray for the family.

Evangelist Michael Mason will be our guest this Sunday morning at 8:00AM and then again at 5:00PM.  Please note the earlier starting time for the evening service.  The praise team from the Grand Bay Ministries Church of God will be leading our musical worship in the 5:00PM service.  Pray for these services and make plans to attend.

We will receive a love offering in all three services for Bro. Michael.  Please pray and then give as the Lord leads.

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

I had to get a final confirmation before I could publicize our special Sunday night service.  Our evening service will begin at 5:00PM and will feature the musical worship of Al Stokes and the praise team from the Grand Bay Ministries Church of God.  I am very excited to have these folks coming to lead us in worship before Dr. Michael Mason brings us the Word.

So, please note the earlier starting time and pass the word.  I expect that we will be out around 6:30PM.

Remember, we will receive a love offering for Michael Mason in all three of our worship services this Sunday.

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

Obviously, there was not a blog entry yesterday.  No problem.  Just not an entry.

Let me begin by reporting that Jo Nell Barnes surgical procedure went well on Tuesday.  Praise the Lord!

Mary Jackson remains in the hospital but is doing better from what I understand.  Keep praying!

Ethan Nelson’s sister, Carissa, passed from this life last week.  The visitation will be tomorrow, 6/19, from 10:00AM until 2:00PM at the Oddfellow’s Lodge in the bayou.  I “think” the service begins at 2:00PM.  I have been asked to lead the graveside portion of the service.  Pray for the family.  If you are helping with the food for the family, you can contact Lindsey Vice if you have questions or need information.

Jonny Gaston and his family definitely need our prayer support.  Jonny is struggling with this whole situation.  Lift him and his family up in prayer consistently.

Several folks have asked about Larry Crawley.  Larry is not going to know anything new or different until he meets with the doctor this Monday, 6/22.  Just keep praying.

Tim Knighten’s surgery is still scheduled for Monday, 6/29.  Pray for Tim!

I did not attend the morning service yesterday as Bro. Abel preached/taught in my absence.  As a matter of fact, I have not spent much time “on the job” this week.  I did attend the service last night and Dale Bosarge did a nice job teaching us.  I was near the front so I did not get a look at the numbers but Bro. Abel tells me the morning attendance was really good.  I appreciate these brothers filling in for me.

Evangelist Michael Mason will be our special guest this Sunday in our 8:00AM and evening service.  (I am working on a possibility that could change our evening service time)  I will be preaching in the 10:30AM service.  We will recognize the oldest father and mother present in both of our morning services.  We will receive a special offering for Dr. Michael in all three of our services.  Pray and then give as the Lord leads.

Wow, I have received so much correspondence since the service this past Sunday night.  Folks have written some really powerful stuff.  I do not believe all of it but I am very thankful for the many kind and encouraging words.  I have always said that some of the finest folks I know are members of the Friendship family and that is proving to be true to me through this chapter in my life.

Received some really great news last night!  Will not provide a spoiler alert but will say “to God be the glory!”  You will know soon enough.

Lisa and I are very proud of our daughter, Dana, as she passed the test yesterday to become licensed in insurance.  The test is administered by the State and is tough.  So, congratulations to Dana!

Special thanks to Will Reynolds for a helping hand in another situation.  We are blessed.

I will not be in the office today.  I have a lunch appointment but otherwise will just be around.  Bro. Jerry & Bro. Abel are available, if needed.  The church office is open from 8:00AM until 4:00PM.

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)

Jonny Gaston and his family are in desperate need of our prayer support.  I will not go into the details but Jonny’s brother and another person have passed from this life.  Difficult time for Jonny’s family so please pray.

The visitation with the Lula Amonett family will take place this morning beginning at 10:00AM and lasting until the service begins at 11:00AM.  Pray for Debbie Kendrick and family as they walk through this time.

Jo Nell’s surgical procedure takes place this morning.  Pray that all goes well.

Linda Green had a scan done yesterday that showed she did have a stroke.  She meets with her doctor today.  Pray for Linda.

Mary Jackson remains in the hospital.  We need to not forget Mary but to just keep praying.

The visitation and service for Ethan Nelson’s sister, Carissa, takes place this Friday.  I will share the details later this week.

Larry Crawley meets with the doctor this Monday, 6/22.  Pray without ceasing.

Tim Knighten’s surgery is scheduled for Monday, 6/29.  Pray fervently.

Found out yesterday that my mama, my older brother and his wife and my sister and her husband will all be in our 10:30AM service this Sunday, 6/21.  Folks, the rapture must truly be near!

Evangelist Michael Mason will be preaching in our 8:00AM and 6:00PM services this Sunday, 6/21.  I will be preaching in our 10:30AM service.  I am going to ask Dr. Michael to sing a special during our 10:30AM service.  Please note that we will receive a love offering for Dr. Michael in all three of our services this Sunday.

The outpouring of support shown to me since Sunday night’s service has been nothing short of amazing!  I mean when Charles Clark hands you $10,000 cash and tells you to get way for a few days then you know it is amazing!  (Ok, so that did not happen but it never hurts to dream!)  I appreciate all of the heartfelt messages I have received.  Very humbling.  Very considerate of the senders.  Folks, I am going to be fine!   Deidra basically dressed me down last night sharing her opinion – oh my!  It was definitely heartfelt but I think it was a sermon more than support.  Just saying!  I am most thankful to the Lord for the Friendship family!

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.

John Milton Ladnier brought like one thousand pounds of tomatoes to the house yesterday afternoon.  The guy can flat out grow some vegetables.  Thank you John Milton.  By the way, Daphne made a tomato pie over the weekend that was a “wow, this is really good!”

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)

This entry is late and I apologize.  I have to be honest in saying that my heart has really not been into blogging for the past month or so.  You can obviously tell by my entries.

Jo Nell Barnes will have a surgical procedure in the doctor’s office tomorrow.  Pray that all goes well.

Linda Green had some episodes yesterday but would not let her family take her to the hospital.  Pray for Linda.

Larry Crawley was in our services yesterday and we prayed specifically for him in our first morning service.  He will meet with the doctor next Monday, 6/22.

Mary Jackson was doing better yesterday per her daughter, Dana.  Keep praying.

The celebration of life service for Debbie Kendrick’s mother will take place tomorrow with a visitation from 10:00AM until the 11:00AM service time.  Everything will take place at the Heritage Funeral Home in Escatawpa, MS.  Pray for Debbie and her family.

There will be a celebration of life service for Ethan Nelson’s sister later this week.  Details forthcoming.

Good day in our services yesterday.  We saw one profession of faith and two baptisms.  Praise the Lord!

Our Father’s Day services will see Evangelist Michael Mason preaching in our 8:00AM & 6:00PM services.  I will be preaching in our 10:30AM service.  That is different!  You think?

I want to say a huge “thank you” to our deacons for standing with me.  If you were in the service last night then you understand.  I also appreciate the folks who spoke to me following the service or contacted me afterwards with encouraging words.  I am a very grateful pastor.  Blessed to serve with some of the finest folks I know.

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

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

Word from Dana F is that her mother, Mary Jackson, remains in the hospital but has shown some improvement.  Keep praying.

Nanette sent a message last night saying that Kristin is doing well and will be discharged from the hospital today.  Baby Noah will have another blood test today.  If the numbers are good then he will be discharged today as well.  Pray for Baby Noah Woods.

I do not have an update on Larry Crawley’s situation but do ask that you keep praying for him.

The visitation with the Stella Brinkman family takes place this morning from 11:00AM until the noon service time. Visitation and service will take place in our auditorium.  Pray for the Brinkman family.

The arrangements for Debbie Kendrick’s mother, Lula Amonett, are as follows:  visitation on Tuesday, June 16, from 10:00AM until the 11:00AM service time.  Visitation and service will take place at the Heritage Funeral Home in Escatawpa, Mississippi.  Pray for Debbie and the other members of her family.

Ethan Nelson’s sister, Carissa, passed from this life this past Tuesday night.  Arrangements are still pending.  Pray for Ethan and his family during this time.

Marvin drives the luggage truck for our mission teams in Guatemala.  His father, Salomon, used to drive the truck.  Kirk Lightfield sent me word that Marvin wanted me to know that his dad passed away – I think on Wednesday.  He had renal failure and was only fifty seven years old.  Pray for Marvin and his family.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  Baptism and the Lord’s Supper in the evening service.

Deacons, please meet with me tomorrow afternoon at 5:00PM.

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)

The Lord gives and the the Lord takes away.  Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Yesterday afternoon at 3:33PM Scott & Nanette became grandparents to their fifth grandson as Noah James Woods entered this world weighing six pounds and fifteen ounces.  He is twenty inches long.  They kept Noah in the nursery overnight as some of his blood work is off so they are monitoring him closely.  Congratulations to Josh & Kristin, Scott & Nanette, Kerry & Sherry and all of the family.  Big brothers Isaiah & Micah are excited to have a baby brother join them.

Around 10:30PM last night, Debbie Kendrick’s mother, Lula Amonett, passed from this life.  Pray for the family.  Arrangements pending.

The visitation with the Stella Brinkman family takes place tomorrow beginning at 11:00AM in our auditorium.  The celebration of life service will begin at noon.  Pray for the family.

Keep praying for Mary Jackson, Case Brewer and Larry Crawley.

Regular schedule on our campus Sunday morning and evening.  We will observe the ordinance of baptism and the Lord’s Supper as a part of our evening service.

The wedding shower for Zach & Mary Anne will take place Sunday afternoon from 2:00 – 4:00PM in our Preschool Building.  All ladies from the Friendship family are invited to attend.

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)

I was told right before our service last night that Larry Crawley had been diagnosed with bone cancer.  So, I called Larry once I got home and he confirmed that he does have cancer in his hip bones.  They are waiting on the results of a biopsy of his prostate to determine if that is the origination point.  Pray for Larry!  By the way, he is in Key West, FL fishing!  That would be Larry!

Debbie Kendrick does a nice job of keeping me updated on her mother’s condition.  She has declined even more physically and it appears the end of her earthly life is very near.  Keep praying!

Andy Hamil will begin his radiation treatments in July.

Miss Mary Jackson remains in the hospital so keep praying.

Young Case Brewer could be discharged from the hospital today.  Keep praying.

Regular schedule this Sunday morning and evening.  We will observe the ordinance of baptism and the Lord’s Supper in our 6:00PM service.

I am asking folks to bring their offering to the services this Sunday but wait before placing them in the offering receptacles.  I will explain as the service progresses.

It appears the rain is gone for the next nine or ten days.  Going to be hot.  It is called June in South Alabama!

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

Continue to pray for Debbie Kendrick’s mother and the entire family.

Andy Hamil will begin a series of twenty eight radiation treatments at some point in July.

Thank you notes have been sent to the Friendship family from the Kent Blaylock family and the Joe Hill family.  These two families are grateful for the support they received during the passing of their respective loved ones.

A thank you note has also been received from Sharon Jardee expressing appreciation for the men and women who helped her move on Saturday, May 30.

Wedding shower for Zach & Mary Anne this Sunday, 6/14, from 2:00 – 4:00PM in the Preschool Building.  Ladies, take note, please.

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

This entry is late.  I apologize.

Miss Vinnie Brewer’s great grandson, Case, had surgery in New Orleans last night.  The surgery was successful.  Pray for Case and his family.

Mary Jackson received two units of blood and dialysis yesterday.  They will do scope today and then a treatment tomorrow.  Keep praying for Miss Mary.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and tonight.

It appears the rains have more or less passed us now so we can begin the drying out process.

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