Pastor's Blog

James Harrington, seven year old son of Eric & Leslee, has been admitted to the hospital with breathing issues.  Pray for James and his family.

Nina Stringfellow sent me a message this morning to share that her husband, Ray, is now in a critical condition in his battle against the malignancy in his body.  The doctors have determined that the only option now is in home hospice care.  So, Ray could be discharged from the hospital today and will then be under hospice care.  Pray for Ray, Nina, Shane, Brannan and the entire family.  Nina assures me that Ray is at peace and prepared for Heaven.  I assured Nina of the Friendship family’s continued prayer support.

Well, I was wrong!  I know that statement surprises probably eleven or twelve of our thirteen readers which equates to like seventy-one percent or so.  Our attendance in all three services was much, much better than my expectations – oh me of little faith!  We actually had more folks in our early service then we had last Sunday morning.  I was blessed!  I am giving God the glory and saying a huge “thank you” to the Friendship family for their faithfulness!  God is good!

Pray for the situation in Ukraine.

Aninha Barrett’s Aunt Ruth celebrated her ninety-third birthday yesterday.  She is seemingly lingering near death’s door.  Pray for Miss Ruth!

Speaking of Aninha, she and Keith will travel to Atlanta, GA today in order to attend a memorial service and then will drive back to Grand Bay tonight.  Pray for traveling mercies for them.  Pray for the memorial service too.

Speaking of traveling, Andy & Betty Hamil will travel to Gadsden, AL tomorrow in order to visit their friend, Pat Patterson.  I “think” they are returning home on Wednesday but I could be wrong.  Pray for them to have traveling mercies as well.

Lisa arrived in Guatemala safe and sound early Saturday afternoon.  She had a good day yesterday which obviously included attending the morning service at Iglesia JET and listening to the message from the Word by Pastor Adan.  If all goes as planned, she will return home late Wednesday night.

I went into the weekend having nineteen pounds of coffee beans from Guatemala.  Offering those for only six dollars per pound – what a great deal!  I am happy to announce that I now only have twenty-one pounds left!  (Talk about fuzzy math!)  What, no one any longer cooks coffee beans?  I am going to extend this deal through August 31, 2031 or while this supply lasts – whichever comes first!

I am not a grammar expert so I need some help.  Which is correct – “me and my spouse are praying” or “my spouse and I are praying”?  (Asking for a friend)  These tough ones always confuse I!

I have always said that Katie Tillman is one of the sweetest young ladies I have ever known.  After this past week, I take that back!  Yes, she is Diane Brinkman’s daughter!  Just saying!

Personally, I had a tough Sunday as I had to pick out my own suit to wear.  Then, I had a cheese and mayonnaise sandwich for lunch.  Once again, just saying!

March Gladness!  Join us each Sunday!

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

Aninha Barrett’s Aunt Ruth is seemingly nearing her homecoming to be with Jesus.  I ask you to join me in praying for Aunt Ruth.

Here is the deal of the weekend – I have nineteen pounds of coffee beans from Guatemala that I would like to move yesterday.  My supplier sent me home with beans even though I only ordered ground coffee.  I have been had!  “Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me!” 

So, any order submitted either today, 2/26, or tomorrow, 2/27, will receive a pound of beans for six dollars!  (Normal cost is ten dollars per pound)  Lisa and I are covering the extra four dollars per pound so the ministry is receiving the full benefit of the sale. It is a win/win situation of the ministry and for the buyer.  You will not beat this price any where!  This offer is only good today and tomorrow!  (Or until we sell out of these beans!)

Place your order by sending me an email at pastor@friendshipfamily.net.  First come, first served.  If any one person steps up to buy all nineteen pounds then the cost will be one hundred dollars.

But wait, if you order within the next five minutes, the cost will be two pounds for twelve dollars!  Unbelievable!  Email now!

Heading to the airport very soon in order for my wife, Lisa, to fly to Guatemala in order to spend a few days with Soy, Deidra and the girls.  A very, very last minute decision.  Lisa is thrilled to be going and Deidra is thrilled that she coming.  Me?  No comment – LOL!  Soy?  Disappointed that it is Lisa and not me!

We have a number of folks who have already left for “out of town” and others who will be leaving today.  I am praying for traveling mercies for all of them and for some great family memories to be made.

Meanwhile, I am encouraging those of the Friendship family who remain in town to be faithful to our classes/services.  Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  Lord willing, I will be preaching in all three worship services.

Continue to pray for the situation in Ukraine.  Pray for those for whom we have been listing on our prayer list.

I am going with Auburn over Tennessee in their basketball game today.  Auburn has a really good team.  Will Alabama beat South Carolina today?  Depends on which Bama team shows up but I am going to say “yes!”

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

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday,2/27 – morning and evening.  I know that the public schools are out Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday which means some folks will take advantage of the break and leave town.  That will hurt our attendance which has been on the increase the past two Sundays.  So, if you attend Friendship and will be in town this Sunday morning and/or evening, please attend our services/classes.

Our 8:00AM service will be streamed live.  A password is required.  The password can be gotten from me by sending me an email.

Continuing to pray about the situation in Ukraine. Praying for all involved.

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

This entry is late.  Tough day yesterday followed by a long night.  Sorry for my tardiness.

Ray Stringfellow is having a surgical procedure today.  Pray that all goes well.  Pray for Ray’s family too.

Donnie Felps is home recovering from his surgery.  Keep praying.

Miss Connie Hardy is in the rehab center.  Debbie told me that her mom has a good attitude.  Keep praying!

Jeanette’s surgery is now scheduled for March 22.  Pray for Jeanette during this interim time period as she is having much pain and discomfort.

Eddie Albritton’s nuclear stress test will take place next Tuesday, 3/1.  Pray that all goes well.

I have several unspoken prayer requests that have been shared with me.  Pray.  God knows the needs.

Pray for the situation in Ukraine.

Wow, our Wednesday morning attendance was really good yesterday.  Our evening attendance was good but not as good as the morning.  We need our younger families to get more involved on Wednesday evenings.

Mission of Hope service tomorrow night, 2/25, at 7:00PM in the chapel at the mission.

There will be a soccer’s officials training this Saturday, 2/6, from 9:00AM until 10:00AM.  That will be followed by a coach’s meeting from 10:00AM until 11:00AM.  Need more information?  Contact Bro. Abel.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday – morning and evening.

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

Marisa sent me a message at 4:00AM saying they were simply waiting on discharge papers so Donnie could go home.  She is very grateful for the prayer support.  Keep praying.

Miss Connie Hardy was discharged from the hospital but she was sent to a rehab facility instead of home.  So, she will spend the next two or three weeks in rehab before going home.

Jeanette Bates learned yesterday that her hip replacement surgery scheduled for 3/1 has now been moved to 3/22.  Pray for Jeanette as that hip is really bothering her and three more weeks is a long time to wait.  Keep praying for Sonny too.

Eddie Albritton did have the stress test yesterday and, toward the end, something showed up.  (It is not the first test Eddie has failed in his life – just saying!)  So, he will now have a nuclear stress test next week.

Bro. Andy’s & Miss Betty’s friend, Mr. Pat, has been (still?) in the hospital.  Pray for Mr. Pat.

I do not have a recent update on Ray Stringfellow but do ask that you keep praying for him and Nina.

The team in Guatemala (Moline, MI) will spend tonight wrapping up before heading home tomorrow.  Pray for today to be the proverbial icing on the cake for this team.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.  Friendship family, please be there.  (Hey men, today we are looking at the role of women in the church!  Just FYI.  LOL!)

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

Donnie Felps did undergo surgery on his left leg yesterday.  The doctor found a blockage in the upper portion of that leg and corrected it.  They will not need to do anything to his right leg at this time.  He “could” be discharged from the hospital today.  Keep praying for Donnie.

Eddie Albritton will have a stress test this afternoon.  There is a history of heart problems in Eddie’s family so the doctor wants to be certain even though earlier tests have come back good.  Pray for Eddie.

I was driving a big part of yesterday so I do not have updates on others.  I do ask that you continue to pray for those whom we have been mentioning over the past few days especially Miss Connie Hardy.  Also, Jeanette’s hip replacement surgery is scheduled to take place next Tuesday, 3/1.  Pray for Jeanette.  Keep praying for Sonny.

Lisa and I are praying for Mr. Pat Patterson too!  Join us!

Leslee Harrington sent me a video yesterday relating to Eric’s brother-in-law and his battle with glioblastoma.  Inspiring stuff!  If you want to receive a copy via email, contact me personally.  Pray for this family as they walk through this time.

A very limited amount of ground Guatemala coffee remains available at Lisa’s office.  Get it while you can.  Ten dollars per pound.    We have around twenty pounds of beans available.

The deadline for signing up for our June 16 – 23, 2022 GRACE Ministries trip has come and gone.  Looking forward to what God is going to do during those days through the team going to serve.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  I continue to encourage the members of the Friendship family to be faithful!

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

Donnie Felps will have a surgical procedure today.  This will be the first of two procedures.  Pray for all to go well.  Pray for Marisa.

Miss Connie Hardy was not discharged from the hospital yesterday.  Maybe today.  Keep praying for Miss Connie.

We enjoyed a blessed day in our services yesterday.  Our attendance was strong in the morning services and very good in the evening service.  We had a lady come forward in the evening invitation and Bro. Jerry led her to pray to receive Jesus as her personal Savior.  Amen!

Thank you to those who responded regarding the June GRACE Ministries trip.  A no response or reply simply means that your name has been removed from the list.  If you change your mind later and there are spots available, you can join us but I am certain the cost will be more simply because of the airfare cost.

Lord willing, I will be driving a few hours today in order to meet with some fellow pastors about the work in Guatemala.  Pray for traveling mercies for me please.

The coffee from Guatemala is available at Lisa’s office today (9:00AM until noon; 1:00PM until 5:00PM).  We only have a few pounds of ground coffee left and around twenty pounds of beans left.  Great coffee.  Great gift.

What happened following the Michigan vs Wisconsin basketball game yesterday afternoon was not good.  Our society seemingly grows worse by the day.  Lord, please help us.

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