Pastor's Blog

We were blessed in our service yesterday morning as one young lady came forward during the invitation accepting Jesus as her personal Savior.  Praise the Lord!  God is good!  The Spirit in our service as excellent!

Nanette Fontenot will have surgery in the morning.  This relates to a hiatal hernia.  It should be outpatient if all goes as planned.  Pray for Nanette.

Howard Brinkman, Katie’s Tillman’s maternal uncle, will have quadruple by-pass surgery in the morning.  Pray for Howard.

Carol Lucky remains in the hospital.  Lord willing, I will visit with her today.  Keep praying!

I also plan to see Andy & Betty at some point today.  Continue to pray for Andy & Betty.

Early tomorrow morning, 7/14, I am scheduled to board a plane heading to Guatemala to lead a mission trip.  Oddly enough, I will fly to Guatemala and then Deidra and the girls will fly to Alabama.  Different for sure.  Bro. Abel will be on call in my absence, will preach in my place and will be assisted by our deacons.

The annual cake auction went well.  It seems the heavy rains hurt our attendance some but it was a good afternoon.  I will not list names for fear of missing someone but suffice it to say that I am very grateful to each person who helped in any way which includes attending, providing items to be auctioned and working in any capacity.  How much was raised for the emergency food fund?  Too early to know for certain but it will be North of fifty thousand dollars.  Eventually, hopefully this week, I will have an exact figure to share.  These funds will provide food for hungry children and adults.

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

Looking forward to this morning’s worship service.  Sabrina from Guatemala will be our special guest as she will sing one song and share some words about GRACE Ministries.  Jackie Davidson will be sharing the message in song.  Pray for it to be an awesome day in the Lord!

Carol Lucky remains in the hospital.  She has such a sweet spirit!  Keep praying for Carol & Terry!

The 2026 GRACE Ministries cake auction begins today at 4:00PM.  The meal (cooked by Stacey & Gayle Dyess) will be served beginning at 3:30PM.  All cakes should be in the CAB no later than 3:00PM today.  Praying for this auction to raise thousands of dollars to help feed the hungry in Guatemala.

It is not about the cake but rather about the cause!

It is not about the cow but rather about the cause!

It is not about the condo but rather about the cause!

It is not about the corn beef hash but rather about the cause!

It is not about the cost but rather about the cause!

I am told that at least one person from another church gave online yesterday.  You can do the same if the Lord so leads you.  Simply go to aglimpseofgrace.com, click on donate, and then choose “cake auction” from the pull down menu of categories (under purpose).  Each cent raised through the auction goes directly to an emergency food fund helping feed the poor.

You can mail a check made payable to GRACE Ministries and send it to P.O. Box 223 Grand Bay, AL 36541.

A quick shout out to Henry & Sue Wyse, Paul & Denise Davila, Eddie Albritton and Logan Hatcher for their help setting up the tables & chairs yesterday morning.  Likewise, a shout out to Bro. Abel for cleaning the CAB floor.

Read Matthew 25:35-40.  Jesus is the one primarily speaking in those verses.

We respectfully ask that there be no video or audio of the auction today.  Thank you for understanding and cooperating.

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

Major problems connecting this morning.  Sorry!

First, we are going to set up some of the tables this morning at 9:00AM for tomorrow night’s auction.  Any available folks are asked to meet us at 9:00AM today!  Thank you in advance for any, and all, help.

Carol Lucky remains in the hospital.  Pray for Carol & Terry.

Keep praying for Bro. Andy.

Pastor Alfredo Garcia attended the service for V.R. Broome yesterday.  How nice is that!

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning.

Auction meal (cooked by Stacey & Gayla Dyess) will be served beginning at 3:30PM tomorrow.  Actual auction begins at 4:00PM.

Cakes not needing refrigeration can be brought to the CAB before Sunday School or the morning service.  All cakes should be in the CAB no later than 3:00PM, please.

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

I am biased but he blog entry Deidra posted today is, in my opinion, spot on.  You can find it on shininglightabroad.com.  Just FYI.  Blessings!

Lisa, Deidra and Daphne are hosting a baby shower for our daughter, Dana, and her unborn daughter at our house on Saturday, July 18, from 10:00AM until noon.  All ladies from the Friendship family are invited to attend.  This is your invitation.  It will be a come and go event.  No expectation just an invitation.  My only request is that you pray for Dana during the remainder of her pregnancy and for a safe delivery of her baby girl.  Thank you!  Blessings!

Carol Lucky was admitted to the hospital yesterday.  I mentioned Carol & Terry in yesterday’s entry but I had no idea of her situation.  Just knew that the Lord spoke to me and told me to ask prayer for this fine couple.  I did because He knows!  Keep praying for Carol & Terry.  Lord willing, I will see them this morning.

Ann Clark’s and Bobby Broome’s brother, V.R. Broome’s celebration of life service will take place this afternoon in Richton, MS.  Visitation begins at noon and the service begins at 2:00PM.  Pray for the family.

Edna Pearl Morgan arrived home yesterday afternoon.  What a tough day of travel for her.  Phil is an excellent driver but the pain was very real to Pearl.  Pray now for a complete healing of both ankles.  I cannot imagine!

Nanette Fontenot (7/14) and Jeanette Bates (7/21) are awaiting their respective surgeries.  Pray for each of these ladies.

Continue to pray for Andy & Betty Hamil.

I am praying for my favorite cousin, Rachel Crouch.  Such a special young lady!  (Just like her Mama!)

I am praying that our cake auction will be a huge success to the glory of God!  Thank you to each person who will help in any way.  The stories that can be told about the ministries (food) done in years gone by because of this opportunity.  Recent events have simply added to those stories.  My constant prayer is that lives will be positively affected and God will be glorified.  You do know the forces of hell absolutely hate it when God is glorified, right?

Regular schedule this Sunday morning, 7/12.  Cake auction meal begins at 3:30PM and the actual auction begins at 4:00PM.  I pray we will have a strong attendance and great fellowship while receiving funds for the emergency food fund in Guatemala.

Speaking of Guatemala, Sabrina Galvez arrived safe and sound yesterday afternoon.  She will be with us this Sunday for the morning service and the cake auction.  Sabrina is a sweetheart!

It is 3:30AM and the weather says it is partly cloudy.  Here at our house that partly cloudy is being manifest in a pretty strong rain.  I have much to do outside but I trust God when it comes to the weather.  He knows what He is doing!

Bill & Debbie Kendrick, thank you for allowing God to use you!  What a blessing!

Blake Jenkins graciously worked in Lisa’s flower beds yesterday.  It was hot!  He did an awesome job!  Is he the better of the twins?

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

The test on Addison Tillman were negative.  Praise the Lord!  She will still have surgery at some point later this Fall.  Thank you for praying and please continue to do so.

Edna Pearl Morgan had surgery on her ankle and says she is coming home today.  Keep praying for Pearl!

The service for V.R. Broome will take place tomorrow in Richton, MS.  Pray for his family.

Nanette Fontenot will have surgery on Tuesday, July 14.  Pray all goes well.

Jeanette Bates will have surgery on her rotator cuff on July 21.  This will sideline her for six weeks.  Pray Jeanette!

Keep praying for Andy & Betty Hamil.

Miss Annette Williams has a ton on her plate and needs our prayer support.

Keep praying for Carol & Terry Lucky.

Continue to pray for Lisa Brinkman’s mother, Miss Joyce Cherry.

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  Praise the Lord!

Regular schedule this Sunday morning, 7/12.  Cake auction Sunday afternoon.

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

First, I needed to do some additional entries yesterday but I am having computer issues.  My laptop has been hacked.  I have had to order a new one but it will not be available until July 28.  So, I am doing the best I can but if I go “silent” then you will know the “why?”  Yes, I do have a red truck but that is not relevant in this situation.

Please note that I will most likely not be sending any emails as I do not want to take the chance of spreading any viruses.  I know nothing about all this stuff but I do know my laptop is not running a fever!

Phil & Edna Pearl Morgan were in Louisiana visiting Barney & Linda.  Hold that thought!

Early (3:30AM) yesterday morning Eddie Brinkman began to have pains and it appeared he was having a heart attack.  Lisa called 911 and then called Phil & Pearl to come to be with them.  She had forgotten they were in LA.  Phil & Pearl jumped up, got ready and were heading to their vehicle in order to come be with Eddie & Lisa.  All was well until Pearl missed the final step as she was leaving which caused her to fall breaking both ankles as she fell.  One was placed in a boot but the other was broken so badly that the surgeon in LA is operating today.  Pray for Edna Pearl and Phil.  Not sure when they will get to come home.

Back to Eddie Brinkman.  He was taken to the hospital and it was determined that he has an upper respiratory infection.  They treated him, gave him medications and sent him home.  Thank the Lord it was not heart related.  Pray for Eddie & Lisa.

As you are praying for Eddie & Lisa, pray for her mother, Miss Joyce Cherry, too.  She has a number of health issues and is with Eddie & Lisa so they can take care of her.  She has a pick line for antibiotics, has to have wound care, et cetera.  Pray for Miss Joyce!

Word came yesterday afternoon that Ann Clark’s and Bobby Broome’s brother, V.R. Broome, passed from this life.  I think VR was eighty-six years old.  Arrangements pending.  Pray for the Broome family.

She “appears” to be fine but Addison Tillman continues to need our prayer support.  To look at her and to be around her you would never know she is having some health issues.  Keep praying for Addison and her parents, Grant & Katie.

Andy Hamil continues to need our prayer support.  Betty too.  So, join me in continuing to pray for them.

Kayla Hatcher is recovering from her surgery of last week.  She cannot drive which the biggest bummer for her.

My sweet cousin, Rachel Crouch, is at home and is better but I could hear it in her voice that she is not feeling one hundred percent.  I could diagnose her problem but I do not speak ill of fellow pastors – LOL!  Pray for Rachel.  She is my favorite cousin.

Our students are preparing for camp the dates of July 20 – 24.  Pray for this to be a great week spiritually.

Spoke to Dr. Rex Looney yesterday and he is doing well.  Praise the Lord!

Regular schedule on our campus today and tonight.  Bro. Abel will be teaching our students and I will be teaching in the auditorium.  Of course, we have others teaching the children.  Pray for us to have a great day in the Lord!  May He be glorified.

Anyone wanting to help with the cake auction this Sunday is asked to attend a meeting in the auditorium tonight, 7/8, immediately following the service.  I hope it will be short and sweet.  Thank you in advance for your help!

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

Our third, and final, watch party for the USMNT was a success.  Lisa says we had twenty-six students in attendance.  We had a few defectors (attended other watch parties, events) which is probably why the USA lost!  Just saying!  Once again, Lisa did a great job of hosting the event.  Stacey & Gayla provided a great meal.  Daphne & Emmy provided the desserts.  Brad served as the life guard which gave me a great peace of mind.  The best part of all of the watch parties was simply seeing our students come together for fellowship, food, laughter and more.  My opinion of soccer has not changed but a good time seemed to be had by all.  The next World Cup comes in four years and I will be either too old to host a watch party or already in Heaven.  So, I survived!

Keep praying for Andy & Betty Hamil.

My cousin, Rachel Crouch, spent Sunday afternoon, Sunday night and most of yesterday in the hospital in Laurel, MS.  She seems to be good although she will have a follow up visit with a doctor.  Rachel is an absolute sweetheart!  Thank you for praying for Rachel!

Anyone wanting to help with this Sunday’s cake auction is asked to attend a meeting tomorrow night immediately following our 6:30PM service.  We will meet in the auditorium.

Bro. Abel will be teaching our youth Bible study tomorrow night beginning at 6:30PM in the youth building.

Our students will be attending camp in Birmingham the week of July 20.  Pray for them.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow – morning and evening.

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

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our worship services yesterday.  We praise Him!  Thank you to those who were faithful to attend either, or both, services.

Andy Hamil sent me a text (just received it this morning) thanking us for the “special” addition to our morning service.  Friendship family and musicians, thank you for being flexible.  Keep praying for Andy & Betty!

Larry & Judy Whitehurst hosted nineteen of our students for a fellowship following our 5:00PM service yesterday.  They had enough food (pizza, Foosackly’s chicken, desserts and drinks) to feed Carter’s Army!  I really appreciate them hosting this fellowship.  Excellent job!

Tonight, Lisa will host another watch party for our students.  Swimming will be available too.  Stacey & Gayla Dyess will provide the food – how nice is that!  Fellowship begins at 6:45PM and ends when the game does.  Honestly, I do not even know who the USMNT is playing.  For Lisa and me, it is all about our students.

I just received word this morning that my cousin, Rachel Crouch, is in the hospital in Laurel, MS.  Possible complications from vertigo?  She will see a cardiologist at some point today.  Rachel is a sweetheart.  Pray for her, please.

Regular schedule this Wednesday – morning and evening!

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