Pastor's Blog

In reality, nothing new to report today.  The folks who have been on prayer list have not seen any significant changes in their respective situations since yesterday.

We were blessed with two pretty good services yesterday.  Thank you, Jesus.

Do not forget – time changes this Sunday, 11/3.  Fall back one hour.

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

Late entry.  Sorry!  About to head over for our morning Bible study.  I always enjoy our Wednesday morning service – great people.

Stacey Dyess’s surgery was deemed a success.  The doctor has ordered him to lie flat on his back for the first forty-eight hours following surgery.  Suffice it to say that he is not a happy camper but drill sergeant Gayla is enforcing the rules!  LOL!  Keep praying for Stacey as he recovers!

Carla Parker is about to go into surgery.  Pray for everything to go well.  Pray for Mike and family.

Spoke to Darrell McMann this morning.  Things remain basically the same with Miss Betty.  Keep praying.

Dottie Clark’s outlook is not great from man’s view.  “But God!”  Continue to pray for Miss Dottie & Dr. Mike.

Fall back this Sunday, 11/3/24.

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

I had to get several spy agencies involved but I finally got the details on Stacey Dyess’ surgery.  His surgery is scheduled to begin somewhere around 6:30AM today.  He has chosen to have the less invasive surgery.  Pray that it works!

Carla Parker’s surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning.  Pray for Carla’s physical and emotional state.  Pray that the malignancies will be contained.  She will be undergoing chemotherapy treatments in the days to come.  Pray for Mike and the family.

The neurologist has determined Dottie Clark’s problem.  Surgery is a possibility but it only has, at best, a fifty percent chance of being successful.  Miss Dottie has chosen to not have the surgery.  Pray for Miss Dottie and Dr. Mike.

I spoke briefly to Darrell McMann yesterday morning and he said Betty’s condition was basically the same.  Keep praying for Betty, Darrell and family.

Time changes this Sunday, 11/3, as we fall back one hour.  Praise the Lord!  My favorite Sunday of the year when it comes to time.

We still need more folks to help with our “Trail of Truth and Treats” this Sunday afternoon, 11/3, from 3:00PM – 5:00PM.  Donations of candy needed too!  Pray for this ministry.

Last day of our flag football this Saturday, 11/2.  This has been a good first season.  Pray for this last day of the season.

Lisa, Deidra and the girls are scheduled to arrive home today.  Pray for traveling mercies.

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

A one day belated happy birthday to my youngest brother, Freddie.  He turned sixty years old yesterday.  In my opinion, Freddie is a great guy.  I hope he had a great day yesterday!

The Lord blessed us with a good Sunday.  We are seeing altar decisions in each service but not seeing as many public decisions I would like to see.  Join me in praying for a greater response.

Carla Parker (Clubhouse Guatemala) will be having surgery this Wednesday related to the malignancies recently discovered.  Pray for Carla, Mike, their family and the medical folks involved in Carla’s surgery.

Stacey Dyess either has had surgery, is in surgery or will have surgery later this week.  Stacey & Gayla do not want to be a bother to anyone.  They drive me crazy!  LOL!  Regardless, pray for Stacey and his surgery.  Stacey & Gayla are great folks!

Miss Dottie Clark is hopefully seeing a neurologist today. Pray for this doctor to be able to help her.  Pray for Dr. Mike too.

I visited with Darrell & Betty McMann yesterday afternoon.  I have spoken to Darrell this morning.  Miss Betty is about the same.  Keep praying.

I talked to Decker Terry on Saturday.  He remains very positive and is asking God to take him home.  Decker is a great friend and supporter of many mission organizations including GRACE Ministries and Shining Light Abroad Ministries.  Pray for Decker.

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

Happy fiftieth birthday to my sister, Melissa!  I hope her day will be AUsome!  Love and prayers to Melissa!  (Her day will be complete if AU can beat UK tonight!)

Visited with Darrell & Betty yesterday.  In my opinion, Betty has declined a good bit since last Sunday.  Keep praying!

The decision has been made that Carla Parker will have surgery on Wednesday.  Chemotherapy treatments to follow.  Pray diligently for Carla & Mike.

Miss Dottie Clark continues to struggle physically.  She has an appointment with a neurologist on Monday.  Pray for Dottie and Dr. Mike.

Our good friend in Montgomery, Decker Terry, has made the decision to be placed on hospice care.  Decker is a great follower of Jesus and a great friend to GRACE Ministries, SLAM, Lisa and me, Deidra, Norman, and the list goes on.  Decker is a man of prayer!  Pray for Decker!

Our flag football leagues continue today beginning at 8:00AM.  Pray for this ministry and for Bro. Abel as he coordinates them.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  Lord willing, I will be in the pulpit both services.  (Not sure if that is good or bad but it is what it is!)

We need donations of candy for our ministry opportunity set for Sunday, 11/3.

Congratulations to the Alma Bryant football team on their win last night.  (By the way, the Bryant girls flag football team continues on their undefeated season and are playoff bound!  Good stuff!  Congratulations!)

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

The tests performed yesterday revealed that Carla Parker has a malignancy in her other breast.  So, they are now consulting with the doctors as to the next step in this process.  Pray for Carla, Mike, their family and the medical folks involved.

Pastor Terry Rainey is in the hospital.  He is battling a UTI and has MRSA.  He has been a sick man.  Pray for Pastor Terry!

Yesterday, 10/23, was a good day for the Alabama pastors doing ministry in Guatemala.  Pastor Doug did a great job of preaching at the pastor’s conference.  Pastor Leroy did likewise as he shared in the evening revival service.  Will Campbell did well in leading the musical worship in the revival service.

One of the greatest things about this trip was seeing that Pastor Doug does have legitimate staff help.  Will & Leroy were great.  Michelle has always been great.  Three out of four is not bad!  Just saying!

I had the wonderful opportunity to visit with Dr. Mike & Miss Dottie late yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon.  Dr. Mike and I talked for an hour or so.  The man is so interesting to listen to.  His one glaring flaw is that he is a diehard LSU fan.  Pray for him to see the light!

Deidra did an awesome job of coordinating the feeding of the church folks following each service this week.  Of course, she had help serving, cleaning up, et cetera.  She coordinates such events very well.

She also did a great job of coordinating the two “in church” conferences that took place Monday and Tuesday.

A huge “thank you” to Chino Galindo for getting me to the airport this morning.  There was a motorcycle accident with a fatality on the main highway so everything was shut down.  Chino took the back route which was also very congested so we made it with very little time to spare.

This entry is way late due to the fact that there was no internet on the plane.  I had plans to blog from the Guatemala City airport but those plans obviously got changed.  Sorry for being tardy.

I pray you will rest well tonight.

Let’s begin with great news – Tim Knighten received an “all clear” report from his latest scans.  Praise the Lord!  He and Peggy are rejoicing big time!  Tim did find out that he is now a diabetic but that can be controlled.

Carla Parker will have a biopsy today on a spot they found through the MRI on Monday.  Pray, pray, pray.

Stacey Dyess is facing back surgery.  The plan is for next week but if there is a cancellation in the schedule he could be having surgery this week.  Pray for Stacey & Gayla.

As far as I know, Miss Betty McMann remains about the same. Pray for Betty, Darrell and the family.

Continue to pray for Miss Maxine Dupont as she rehabs.  Pray for Anthony & Valori too.

Pray for Andy Hamil’s son-in-law.

Keep praying for Miss Dottie Clark.  She continues to struggle physically.

Regular schedule on our campus today – morning and evening.  Bro. Abel will be teaching.

Jackson County fair tomorrow morning for our senior adults.  Contact Bro. Abel for more information.

Deidra and the girls will fly to Alabama today arriving in Mobile late tonight.  Pray for traveling mercies.  Thank you to Scott Fontenot for being their transportation today.

Pastor Spencer Bailey-Bell did an excellent job of preaching in the conference yesterday morning and last night in the revival.  Pastor Doug’s worship leader, Will, did an excellent job of leading the musical worship in the revival service.  Good day.  Thank you for praying.

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

Morning greetings from GRACE Mountain.  More on the happenings here in a bit.

Tim Knighten’s scans were finished earlier than expected yesterday.  He and Peggy will meet with the doctor at 10:00AM today.  Pray for a great report.

I heard from Elizabeth Westbrook yesterday afternoon and there is no significant change in Miss Betty’s situation.  Keep praying for Betty, Darrell and the entire family.

Valori Ervin sent me a text yesterday afternoon.  Here is how she started her message: “today, Maxine seems to have made a turn for the better.”  She got a hard cast on one arm and a Sarmiento brace on the other one this past Friday.  She will most likely be discharged on 10/28 and will go to a skilled nursing facility for twenty days where she will receive daily rehab.  Pray for Maxine to sleep better and for continued healing.  Valori told me that the cards Maxine has received have been a huge blessing and they brighten her day.  Obviously, she is most thankful for the prayers.  Here is the address for where Maxine is presently staying:  ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Harker Heights 750 W Central Texas Expressway Harker Heights, TX 76548.

The MRI with contrast yesterday revealed something on her right side.  A biopsy will take place tomorrow.  Pray for Carla, Mike, their family and the medical personnel.

Miss Dottie Clark continues to have physical issues that are serious.  Keep praying for her and Dr. Mike.

The Lord blessed me with a good day of travels yesterday as I arrived on GRACE Mountain around 3:00PM.  Pastor Doug Chappelle and two of his staff members, Will & Leroy, along with Pastor Spencer Bell traveled to the Tecpan (West) area and hosted a pastor’s conference for some local pastors.  I am told that went well.

Last night, we all attended a service here on the mountain at Iglesia JET.  Will was involved in leading the musical worship and then Pastor Doug did a masterful job of sharing a message from the Word.  Afterward the service, we were able to serve a delicious meal that Deidra, Daisy, Delmy & (D)Irma had cooked earlier in the afternoon.  A great first day of ministry.

This morning, Pastor Spencer “Bailey” Bell will preach at the conference being held on the seminary campus.  Then the group will travel two hours in order to host a lunch/conference for another group of local pastors.  Dr. Bell will then preach at Iglesia JET tonight.  It is going to be a full day.

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

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our services yesterday.  Praise Jesus!  What a blessing to have Harold & Mary Ann Dueitt officially join the Friendship family yesterday morning.  Great family, great friends.  FYI, Isabella is in charge in that house!  Just saying!

Our children’s choir did a great job sharing the message in song last night.  Thank you to Dede & Ian Tagert for working with these children each week.  What a blessing!

Tim & Peggy Knighten left yesterday heading to M.D. Anderson in Houston, TX for Tim’s annual check up.  Scans today and then consultation with the doctor tomorrow.  Join me in praying for another “all clear” report on Tuesday.

Betty McMann is at home under hospice care.  She is seemingly declining physically but she was awake and alert when I visited her yesterday.  Darrell is a great caregiver to her.  Pray for Betty, Darrell and the family.  (By the way, it was good to have Elizabeth and the kids in our services yesterday)

Yancey Hall was admitted to the hospital Friday night.  I attempted to visit him on Saturday and did so yesterday morning.  He told me that he was going home yesterday and, knowing Yancey, he probably did.  His physical issues are related to his heart.  Pray for Yancey!

Miss Dottie Clark continues to have health issues.  She is at home in Guatemala.  Pray for Miss Dottie and Dr. Mike.

Carla Parker (Clubhouse Guatemala) is battling an aggressive malignancy.  I “think” she will have a MRI with contrast today.  Pray for Carla, Mike and the family.

Word came to me last via Pastor Eddie Burdette that Pastor Terry Rainey is in the hospital with MRSA.  Please pray for Pastor Terry!

I do not have the total of folks who gave and/or pledged to buy shoes for the students at Colegio JET.  I hope Daphne can give me a total today.  Thank you to those who are helping with this effort.  Also, special thanks to Pastor Joe David Bailey for leading this effort.  Pastor Joe is a great friend as well as a great pastor.

As the Friendship family knows already, today marks the thirty-fourth anniversary for me as your pastor.  Wow, where has the time gone?  Deidra was eight years old and Daphne was six years old when I became your pastor.  I am thankful to have served all these years with some of the finest folks on God’s earth.  I am blessed!  Thank you for affording me the privilege of being your pastor and the eleven years before that as a staff member.  Glory to God!

Special thanks to those responsible for the fellowship last night.  Totally unnecessary but truly appreciated.  A special “thank you” for the love offering.  Again, not necessary but appreciated.  I have no idea of the amount given but please know I am grateful for every cent (especially the five dollars from Lee Fore).  Pray for the Lord to give me wisdom in using it to His glory.

I am sitting in the Pensacola airport about to board a plane to Atlanta and then one to Guatemala City.  A very special thank you to Bro. Chris Scofield for brining me to the airport this morning.  Totally above and beyond the call!  Why Bro. Chris?  Eddie Albritton’s rates have gotten way too high!  Just the facts!

Pray for the pastors’ conference in Guatemala this week.  Pastor Doug Chappelle and Pastor Spencer Bell will be preaching.  Two of Pastor Doug’s staff members will be joining him.  Those four guys flew in last night and I look forward to joining them later today.

By the way, I did get to spend some quality time with my Mama on Friday.  Precious memories!

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

You cannot fix stupid!  I am living proof.  Yesterday, I posted about folks registering and being evaluated.  Ok.  The problem is that I did not identify the reason for the registration or evaluation.  Hello!  One of our thirteen readers caught my mistake and simply asked the question that begged to be answered.  Basketball!  Which reader?  Anonymous.  However, here is a hint – Rollie Fingers.

So, flag football in the morning followed by basketball registration/evaluation from 1:00 – 3:00PM (come and go) in the CAB.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.

Keep praying for Robert Baria.

Also, remember to pray for Maxine Dupont.

If I understand correctly, Carla Parker meets with her surgeon this afternoon.  Keep praying.

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