Pastor's Blog

Ryan Hatcher will undergo surgery on his back this morning.  Pray that all goes well.  If so, he will go home later today.

Myrtle Bowden has been admitted to the hospital.  I will visit her later today.  Keep praying for Myrtle as she is experiencing much pain.

Pastor Tim Cauley’s mother passed away last week.  The second visitation and the celebration of life service takes place today from the Forts Lake Assembly of God church building.  Pray for her husband, Bro. C. D. and the family during this time.  Bro. C.D. & Mrs Cauley were married for almost seventy-nine years.

Our women’s ministry will be giving away diapers and wipes tomorrow morning.

Really good day in our services yesterday.  We give God the glory!  I am very thankful for those who remembered the time change and were present for our services.

Special thanks to Blaine & Blake for coming to the aid of a damsel in distress yesterday afternoon.  Much appreciated.

Special thanks to Debbie Hyatt for the special food “treat” last night.  Good stuff!

Regular schedule on our campus this Wednesday, 3/15.

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

I sure hope that you have remembered that today is time change Sunday!  You should “spring forward” meaning you lost an hour during the night!  (Members of Congress and Mr. President, fix this!)

Myrtle Bowden is struggling right now.  Pray fervently for her, please.

Liz Whalen sent me a message yesterday.  She got a “best case scenario” from the doctor.  No chemo needed.  She and John are praising the Lord and are very thankful to everyone for the prayers.  Amen!

A huge “thank you” to John Milton Ladnier for using his tractor and planter yesterday to get most of our (Blake, Blaine & me) in the ground.  Hiring Blake & Blaine was about like losing four good men but at least they were here!  Again, thank you to John Milton for his continued kindnesses to me!

Also, a huge “thank you” to Gary Denbleyker for servicing my mower which I am not supposed to be driving – right!  The past two days have seen a bunch of grass mowed and weeds eaten!  I am blessed with really great neighbors!

The question I have been getting lately is, “how did your sleep study go?”  Got the results this past week which shows I have “mild” sleep apnea which means I am doing nothing regarding it.  Lisa and Daphne agree with me.  Deidra has sent me like a million links as to why I need a machine.  She needs to remember that she is not my mama!  As Lisa said, “it really does not matter what anyone else says, you are going to do what you want regardless!”  Well said!

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

I am going to go with the “late is better than never” theory here.  Sorry!

The priority prayer request for today is for Liz Whalen as she will see an oncologist this afternoon.  Praying for wisdom for all involved.  Pray for John & Liz.  What an awesome couple!

As it stands right now, Clinton Stringfellow is scheduled to have a procedure done on his heart on 3/27.  Keep praying for Clinton.

We had a really awesome day in our services yesterday.  Our morning attendance was strong and is increasing.  The evening folks need to step up their game – LOL!  Thank you Jesus!

Time change this Sunday, 3/12!  Spring forward!  Regular schedule on our campus.

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

Regular schedule on our campus today – morning and evening.  I pray that the members of the Friendship family will be faithful to attend.

Yancey Hall did well through his surgical procedure and should be discharged from the hospital today, if all goes as planned.  Keep praying for Yancey.

Joseph Davila also did well through his procedure yesterday morning and came home.  Pray for him in his recovery.

Brooke Whitehurst was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  All looks good per the doctor but that will not be a definite until the pathology report is returned.  Keep praying for Brooke as she recovers.

Bro. Abel visited with Bill Goff yesterday and learned that Bill has recently spent some time in the hospital.  He is back at the assisted living facility now and is doing much better.  Pray for Bill.

Liz Whalen will meet with an oncologist tomorrow.  Pray that visit goes well!

Keep praying for Clinton Stringfellow and the situation with his afib.

As always, continue to pray for Myrtle Bowden.

The number one question has been, “who are the twins helping with the garden?”  Some have believed that it is Dana & Gina.  Hello, that is way wrong.  Members of my family have never set foot in the garden!  These “two” twins are identical, are in our morning service each Sunday and have a mind to work.  Great young men!  I am in hopes that John Milton Ladnier is going to teach them a thing or two about gardening!

The second question has been, “how did your sleep study go?”  I have heard nothing official from the doctor but let me go ahead and predict a “F” as my grade.  Just saying!  I think that I did not study enough!

I continue to be impressed with Norman Richerson and his dedication to being the gym five days a week.  The man is almost eighty-nine years of age and does not miss a beat.  Impressive!  Great job, Norman.

Want to join us in Guatemala the dates of June 15 – 22, 2023?  Need to hear from you by tomorrow, 3/9, noon.

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

P.S. – Our blog readership has now dipped to nine.  Folks like Katie Tillman and Elizabeth Westbrook has forsaken me.  I call them Demas!  However, I am thankful for the Rex Looneys of this blog world!

Yancey Hall is scheduled to have a surgical procedure today.  Yancey should remain in the hospital overnight and be discharged tomorrow.  Pray that all goes well.

Joseph Davila, son of Paul & Denise, will also have an outpatient surgical procedure today.  Pray for Joseph and his parents!

Brooke Whitehurst’s surgery was deemed a success and, if all goes as planned, she will be discharged from the hospital at some point today.

Time changes this Sunday morning!  Spring forward one hour!  I am asking each member of the Friendship family to remember this in order to not be late for Sunday School or the morning worship service.

FYI, we are going to have two morning worship services on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023.  These will begin at 8:00AM and 10:00AM.  Nothing else on our campus that day.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow – morning and evening.

Anyone interested in joining the June 15 – 22, 2023 GRACE Ministries trip to Guatemala needs to let me know no later than noon this Thursday, 3/9.  We will have openings after that time but the cost will be considerably higher.  Contact me via email, if interested.

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

The Lord blessed the Friendship family with two good services yesterday.  I am thankful!

Brooke Whitehurst is having surgery this morning.  As a matter of fact, it should be taking place as I write this entry.  Pray that all goes well.

Yancey Hall is scheduled to have a procedure tomorrow.  Not sure of the details but do ask you to pray for him.

Liz Whalen is scheduled to meet with an oncologist Thursday.  Pray for wisdom on his behalf.  Pray for Liz and John as they walk though this time.

Continue to pray for Clinton Stringfellow.  I hope to get an update from him today.

Michelle Fore was in our service yesterday morning but I did not get to ask her about her mother.  Keep praying.

I love Sundays but this coming Sunday will be my least favorite Sunday of 2023.  Why?  We spring forward one hour on Saturday night.  I have always been a proponent of just leaving the time alone as opposed to changing twice a year.  Friendship family, please remember this change!

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

What is this?  A blog entry?  Are you serious?  Do you believe in miracles?  (Al Michaels 2/22/80)

Here are a few prayer requests:

Lee Sessions is at home rehabbing from his work related injury.  Pray for Lee & Elizabeth.

Clinton Stringfellow continues to have problems with A fib.  Trying to sort out some things with insurance in order to have another procedure.  Pray for Clinton.

Liz Whalen got her test results back and she does have a malignancy.  She will meet with an oncologist next week to get a plan in place.  Liz is a lady of strong faith.  Pray for Liz and John.

Keith Barrett continues to be a blessing to me as he continues to trust the Lord regardless of what comes his way.  Keep praying for Keith and Aninha.

Myrtle Bowden had another treatment this past Monday.  As always, keep praying for Myrtle.

Michelle Fore’s mother continues in her battle against a malignancy.  Keep praying for Michelle’s mother.

Our friend, Kristie Potts, in Michigan is battling a malignancy.  She and her husband, John, are great friends.  Pray for them.

The yard sale continues today from 7:00AM until 5:00PM and then resumes tomorrow from 8:00AM until noon.  The appraisals take place tomorrow at 4:00PM followed by the auction which begins at 5:00PM.

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

John Milton Ladnier has done it again!  He has gotten my garden spot ready to plant.  John is an amazing person!  I am very, very appreciative of his continuing willingness to help me over and over again.  What a brother in the Lord!  Thank you John Milton!

I have been offered a ride by an unknown number of folks over the past month.  Very kind and very much appreciated!  Pastor Joe David Bailey has been a most consistent friend to check on me.  Bro. Johnny Tucker has done likewise.  A countless number of folks have assured me of their prayer support.  I am not worthy of such kindnesses but am very grateful!

By the way, Deidra’s latest blog entry is a winner (in my opinion).  shininglightabroad.com

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

Happy birthday to my older brother, Eddie.  I hope his day goes great!  I am very thankful to Eddie and his wife, Sue, for the great care they gave to our Dad and for the great care they continue to give to our Mama.  A huge blessing!

Speaking of Mama, the surprise birthday party for her last Saturday, 2/11, was a great success.  One hundred plus folks attended and that number included four pastors other than me.  Mama was surprised and pleased.  That made me happy.

We were blessed with a really good day in our services this past Sunday.  A great spirit continues to be present in all of our services.  To God be the glory!

Lee Sessions remains in a local rehab facility.  Keep praying for Lee.  He is making small steps in his recovery.

Senior adults fellowship today from 10:00AM until noon.  All senior adults invited and encouraged to attend.

The father of Dr. John Nicely from Michigan passed from this life yesterday.  Pray for Dr. John and his family.

A young father of one our the students at Colegio JET in Guatemala passed away at 3:30AM today.  The service will take place at 3:30PM.  Heartbreaking!  Pray for his wife and children.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

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

Happy eighty-fourth birthday to my Mama.  I hope she will have an absolutely enjoyable day!  It will be a bitter sweet day for me as it also marks Dad’s eighty-seventh birthday.  Yes, they share the same date of birth three years apart.  Lisa and I are only twelve days away from the exact same scenario.  (Only difference is that Lisa is three years older than me – just saying!)

Keep praying for Lee Sessions!

Thank you to those who helped minister to the Judy Hall family yesterday.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow – 9:00AM; 10:00AM; 5:00PM & 6:00PM.  I hope to be joined by many members of the Friendship family and guests in these opportunities to study and worship.

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

Pray for Yancey Hall and family this morning as they host the visitation and then have the celebration of life service for Judy.