Pastor's Blog

Josh Nelson & Kristi Bradley were recently married.  They did the legal stuff at the courthouse and then had a private religious service.  Congratulations to Josh & Kristi.

This Sunday, June 28, there will be a “gift card” shower for this couple.  The gift cards can basically be to the store of the giver’s choosing – Walmart, Lowes, a restaurant, et cetera.  A basket will be in auditorium foyer for these cards.

Friendship family, please respond and bless this couple.  Thank you.

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

My heart and mind have been on Larry Crawley and his situation all night.  Pray for Larry to have wisdom as he seeks direction in his life regarding this malignancy.

Mary Jackson has been discharged from the hospital.  Praise the Lord!  Keep praying for Miss Mary.

I received this message from one of our members yesterday:  “You know how some days you go to church and then some days you go to CHURCH?! Well yesterday was a great day in a thousand ways.”  What an encouraging word!

I also received an email on Sunday evening that was personal about a previous experience.  One of the most powerful emails I have ever received.  Again, very encouraging!

Regular schedule in our services tomorrow – morning and evening.  Lord willing, I will be preaching/teaching in both services.

If all goes as planned, I will be preaching a message titled “On The Mountain” this Sunday morning and then one titled “In The Valley” this Sunday evening.  Pray for me as I prepare these messages.

I have a meeting this morning but then will have to use a vacation day as my corn has decided it is ready to be pulled.  Yes, I am about a month behind John Milton Ladnier, Jason Taylor & Norman Richerson but I cannot change that fact now.  (I plan to plant on 1/1/21 next year – just saying!). I will be pulling, shucking and silking and then Lisa, Ann & Daphne will put it up.

The rumor is that the airport in Guatemala “could” open to US citizens in mid to late August.  Do I think that will happen?  Probably not but at least it gives a little hope.  I pray that it will soon open.  God knows.

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

The doctor confirmed that Larry Crawley has advanced prostate cancer that is also in his hip bones.  Larry is doing some research on potential treatment options.  Keep praying!

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

Well, praise the Lord!  God blessed and the Friendship family enjoyed an awesome Sunday!  Bro. Abel led Martin Brinkman to Jesus last Wednesday night and Martin made that decision public yesterday morning.  Rita Broome led Danielle Morrison to the Lord last Friday night and Danielle made that decision public yesterday morning too.  Angie Oakwood came forward during our 10:30AM service yesterday to share that she had just confessed her sin and ask Jesus into her heart.  Many folks made altar decisions!  God gives the increase and we give Him all of the glory!

I do not know if I have ever heard Evangelist Michael Mason preach any better than I heard him preach yesterday morning and last night.  I am absolutely serious!  His message on wrestling with God was spot on.  The statement “it is easier to run than it is to wrestle” resonated with me big time.  Then his call for folks to empty themselves in order to be filled with the Holy Spirit was so Biblical.  Dr. Michael can preach and seems to be getting better with each passing year.  Thank you Friendship family for blessing him with a financial love gift too!

Al Stokes and the six others from the Grand Bay Ministries Church of God did their usual great job of leading our musical worship last night.  I am very thankful to Al for his spirit of “how can we serve/help” when it comes to ministry.  Great stuff!

This pastor also was blessed by the piano duet played by Jeanette Bates and Becky Hatcher in yesterday morning’s services.  Great job ladies!

Let me give a very well deserved shout out to Rhett Butler and James Mareno for a job well done with our audio/video yesterday.  They were on our campus before 7:00AM yesterday morning and back again at 3:00PM yesterday afternoon.

I am calling all twelve of our blog readers to prayer this morning.  Larry Crawley is scheduled to meet with the doctor at 9:30AM today to get the results of his biopsy and test.  Will you stop and pray right now and then again at 9:30AM?  I will blog what I can when I can.

Thank you to each member of the Friendship family who was involved in our bereavement ministry last week.  You did well!

Tim Knighten’s surgery is scheduled for one week from today.  Pray without ceasing!

Lord willing, I will be teaching in both of our services this Wednesday.  I plan on that being true for this Wednesday and the next one, 7/1.  I will be asking the church to take action on a couple of matters this Wednesday if all goes as planned.

I cannot say enough about the support that has been given to me by our deacons over this past week.  They are giving me great freedom in regard to my own physical, emotional and spiritual well being.  I am working through this process and they are helping me formulate a plan.  Bro. Michael met with them yesterday afternoon too.  I am very grateful!

By the way, please note that the church office will be closed on Thursday, July 2, in observance of the Fourth of July holiday.

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)

Regular schedule (except for evening service starting time) on our campus tomorrow – morning and evening!

Evangelist Michael Mason will preach in our 8:00AM service.

Sunday School classes at 9:15AM.

I will preach in our 10:30AM service.

Evangelist Michael Mason will preach in our 5:00PM service.

Al Stokes and the praise team from the Grand Bay Ministries Church of God will be our musical worship leaders in our 5:00PM worship service.

We will receive a love offering for Bro. Michael Mason in all three of our worship services.  I am asking the Friendship family to attend, pray, and then give graciously to the love offering.

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)

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.