Pastor's Blog

Happy birthday to Miss Judy Tucker.  I met Miss Judy when I was eleven years old and she has been such a blessing to me many, many times.  I hope her birthday will be special!

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16)  Day two of our forty days of prayer is today.  Our tribe increased a bit Saturday although our band remains small in number.  Note that James says that one person praying can make a huge difference.  Prayer band members, thank you!

Visited Andy & Betty late Saturday afternoon.  If anything, Andy seemed to be slightly better.  Very clear mind.  My visits are very brief so I am not getting a great read on things.  Keep praying!

Regular schedule on our campus today:  morning and evening.  Come join us!

Thank you to each person who helped Bro. Abel at the soccer work day yesterday.  Yes, “many hands make light work!”

Special thanks to Jerry Poiroux for helping get some things done at the office building.  He “highly” insulted me with something he said but the dude can work so I am good!  LOL!  Thank you, Jerry!

Coming to our services today?  Friendship family, stick a few dollars in your pocket and bring them with you.  I have a plan.

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

“Pray without ceasing!”  (I Thessalonians 5:17)

Today, 8/22, marks the call for brothers and sisters to join me in praying for the next forty days (8/22 – 9/30).  Praying for?  God’s wisdom and His will for the Friendship family.  For His presence and power to be made known, and shown, among us.  This band is very, very small numerically but I am most thankful to each one who has chosen to join in this privilege!

Here is what I am asking of this small band of prayer warriors:  spend a minimum of fifteen minutes in prayer each day seeking God.  Pray for God to reveal Himself to you individually and to us collectively.  Pray for others!  Pray for me!  Pray without ceasing!  Personally, I plan to begin each day during these forty days in prayer and then to end each day the same.  Being very intentional!

Please know that I am not assuming anything especially that I know you have made the decision to join this prayer band.

I visited with Andy & Betty late yesterday afternoon.  Andy seemingly gets lower each time I see him.  I think he is beginning to see “the lights of home!”  Only God knows how much time he has left on this earth.  In reality, that is true for all of us.

Keep praying for Tim’s brother, Mark, as well as Carol Lucky and all the others on our prayer list.

Pray for Johnny & Sharlene Sessions as the leave Tuesday, 8/25, to do mission work in Tennessee.  There is a great need for mission work in Tennessee!  Just saying!

Soccer work day on our campus this morning beginning at 8:00AM.  Yes, I plan on being there some and hope to trim the hedges in front of the office building and trim some low hanging tree limbs too.  Maybe plant some ants on the soccer fields along with using grass killer?  LOL!

Meeting this Monday night, 8/24, for those interested in being a part of our June 17 – 24, 2027 GRACE Ministries team.  We will meet at our house beginning at 6:00PM.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow.  Join us!

I want to close by wishing Miss Judy Tucker an early “happy birthday” tomorrow, 8/23/26.  I hope her day will be great!  I love Miss Judy!

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

P.S. – Must be nice to only have to work five months a year!  Just saying!

Carol Lucky was not discharged from the hospital yesterday but the thought process is “maybe this afternoon.”  They changed one of her medications yesterday and want her to take it for twenty-four hours making sure no unexpected complications arise.  Plus, they want her to have dialysis today before discharging her.  So, while she and Terry wait, we continue to pray!

Andy Hamil’s situation basically remains about the same.  His voice was a little better yesterday afternoon.  Andy has told me that he does not want company for various reasons and all I can do is ask folks to respect his request.  But you visit him!  I do and my entire visit is three minutes or less.  Folks, please.  Betty was not feeling well yesterday afternoon but she is still Betty which is a good thing.  Their daughter, Anita, arrived yesterday afternoon and that is a very good thing.  Keep praying!

Will Pearl be able to attend our Sunday morning service this week?  I hope so but I also hope she will not overdo it!  Pray for Edna & Phil.

Missionary Mark Mast has had eye surgery and his more to come.  Pray for Pastor Mark!

Bro. Abel has called for a soccer work day tomorrow from 8:00AM until noon.  If enough folks do not show up does that mean no soccer season?  I can only dream!  LOL!  Seriously, help is needed.  Questions?  More information needed?  Contact Bro. Abel personally.

Today is the last day to sign up for our forty days of prayer – August 22 through September 30, 2026.  Contact me personally if you want to join us for this spiritual journey.

Lisa and I are traveling to see my Mama today.  We hope to be home before dark thirty.  Pray for traveling mercies.  Thank you!

Regular schedule this Sunday, 8/23.  Hope to see you in our services.

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

Visited with Andy & Betty a couple of times yesterday.  In and out with both visits totaling maybe five minutes.  Sick folks do not need company.  Andy’s voice is very weak.  Mentally, still very alert.  Keep praying for Andy & Betty!

Carol Lucky “may” be discharged from the hospital today.  One doctor has given his approval.  Waiting on three others to do the same.  Carol looked better to me yesterday.  Keep praying for Carol & Terry!

I did not get to speak to Tim or Peggy last night.  Keep praying for Tim’s brother, Mark.  Still in tough shape.

We had a good day in our services yesterday.  Thank God for His faithfulness.

Lisa and I hope to slip up to Hartselle tomorrow in order to visit Mama.  Just depends.

Work day on the soccer fields/area on Saturday beginning at 8:00AM.  Contact Bro. Abel for details.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday.

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

Andy Hamil is certainly near the top of our prayer list as he continues to decline physically.  However, his mental awareness remains sharp.  So, his decision to not have company or to talk on the phone is his exclusively and we should all be respectful of his decision(s).  Honestly, his voice has gotten so physically weak that talking on the phone is difficult for him.  Could that get better?  Sure.  Will it?  Only God knows but it does not seem likely based on the current situation.  Let me say this, when Andy will not allow “the boys” singing to be played due to the noise factor then you know Andy does not feel well at all!  Keep praying for Andy & Betty.  Remember, per Andy’s request, no visitors/company.

Personally, I commend Clara Broadus for being such a loyal friend to Andy & Betty for years.  Thank you, Clara.

Carol Lucky is not happy about being in the hospital but knows that is where she needs to be for the time being.  Carol has such a kind and sweet spirit about her.  Keep praying for Carol & Terry!  She is faithful to pray for others and is deserving of our prayer support.  She should receive another dialysis treatment today.  Pray without ceasing!

Want to talk about a person with a positive attitude even in a less than ideal situation?  Go visit Edna Pearl Morgan!  She is making good progress in her recovery and has plans to be in our morning service this Sunday, 8/23.  Wow!  She is blessed with a great husband who is right there beside her!  Pray for Edna & Phil.

Tim Knighten’s brother, Mark, remains in ICU and needs our prayer support.  It has been a confusing week plus for Mark and his family regarding exactly what is taking place in his body.  Continued prayers appreciated.

Pastor Roy Crouch has a paternal Aunt, Lisa Crouch, who is in the hospital and is in need our prayer support.

I have a friend who has been told they have cancer in one kidney.  They meet with the doctor today to make some decisions.  Pray for wisdom on behalf of the doctors.

The donkey is being shipped out.  Still waiting to see the outcome of the surgery on Chino’s finger.  Deidra is in a cast for four weeks.  What?  You did not read any of this on this blog!  I could speculate on which one is the most stubborn – the donkey or Deidra but suffice it to say that Deidra is just like her Mama!

The story of four females.  One with a broken wrist who has done everything as ordered and now needs no PT; one with two broken ankles and the therapist is so impressed with how she is following instructions and doing so great in her rehab; one with a surgically repaired shoulder who initially had to be be reprimanded by her doctor for not following instructions; one with a fractured wrist who refused to have an x-ray because she knows more than the medical folks (or her dad or her doctor sister) but is now sporting a cast for four weeks.   Interesting the difference in people.  What is the moral of this story?  IDK!

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.  Remember, 6:00PM starting time tonight.  Come join us!

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

Andy Hamil has gotten very weak and, at least for the time being, is in the bed all of the time.  Andy has requested that he and Betty have NO company as he is too weak to talk and does not want folks seeing him in this condition.  If you know Andy then you know that he loves company so you know he is not feeling well when he makes such a request.  Folks, please honor Andy’s request and pass the word to others.  Pray for Andy & Betty!

Today marks Soy’s forty-fifth birthday.  It brings many good memories.  Soy was Soy!  I will spend much time today praying for Deidra, Lizzi, Sydney & Audrey.  Soy was a good husband (probably better than me) and he was a great father (way better than me)!  I truly believe that he did not live a long life but he did live a full life!  The best news is that he still lives!  All because of Jesus!

Carol Lucky was doing “better” yesterday when I visited with her but she probably has a ways to go before being discharged from the hospital.  She had not gone to dialysis when I visited so I pray that went well.  Keep praying.

I do not have an update on Tim’s brother but do ask that you continue to pray for him, the medical folks and his family.

I hope to visit with Andy & Betty today, Lord willing.  Pray for Andy & Betty.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow.  Service at 10:00AM and 6:00PM.

Amy, the intern who has been on GRACE Mountain since January, received a surprise visit from her boyfriend late yesterday afternoon.  He lives in Memphis and she had no idea he was coming to see her.  He dropped to a knee and asked her to marry him.  She either said “yes” or “no”!

Deidra and crew went to a lot of trouble to provide distractions so Amy would not suspect anything.  It included donkey bites (literally), a sprained wrist, a tip of a finger being bitten off, emergency surgery, a hospital stay, et cetera.  I am not behind the pulpit but I am telling the truth!  Oh my!

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

Carol Lucky remains in ICU.  She had dialysis yesterday will have it again today.  They drained a significant amount of fluid from her lungs yesterday (I think).  Her blood count is a bit higher than it was upon admission to the hospital.  Keep praying for Carol & Terry.

Tim Knighten’s brother, Mark, has been placed on life support again.  He remains in ICU.  Mark has a number of issues working against him.  Pray for Mark, the medical folks and Mark’s family.

Miss Shawn Grant was able to be in our service last night.  She sent me an encouraging email.  Shawn has been through a lot of stuff over the past few years.  It was good to see her in a worship service.

Keep praying for Edna Pearl Morgan as she recuperates at home.

It was really good to see Witney and the three children over the weekend.  It just seemed “normal” having them in our services last Wednesday and yesterday.  Pray for them to have safe travels back to Boston today.

We had a good meeting regarding camp 2027 with our students and parents yesterday afternoon.  I appreciate each person who attended and the input given.  The dates for camp in 2027 will be Monday, July 26, through Friday, July 30.

We have nine men from the Friendship family and two Yankees who will go on a “men only” GRACE Ministries trip to Guatemala the dates of Sunday, 9/6, through Saturday, 9/12.  The guys from our church met last night and are setting on “R”!  Pray for that to be a good week for them.

Our next scheduled meeting will be for those students (9th – 12th) and others who are older wishing to take part in our June 17 – 24, 2027 GRACE Ministries mission trip.  The meeting will be Monday, August 24, 2026 at our house beginning at 6:00PM.  We will be partnering with our friends from Grand Bay Ministries for this trip.  Pass the word!

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our services yesterday.  Praise Him!

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

This entry is being written and posted late Saturday night, 8/15, as I do not get online on Sundays.  (Please note that I can always be reached on Sundays via Lisa’s cell phone (251) 259 8072 or our landline (251) 865 4912)

Happy birthday, 8/16, to our granddaughter, Nora!  She is now officially a teenager!  Sunday may be her actual birthday but she has been partying since the second Tuesday of last week!  Just saying!  We love Nora and I hope her Sunday will be great!  Happy birthday, Nora!

Tim Knighten’s brother, Mark, remains in ICU.  He has several issues taking place and definitely needs our continued prayers.  Thank you, Peggy, for the update!

Carol Lucky was taken back to the hospital Saturday afternoon and is also in ICU.  She had another issue with afib.  Pray for Carol & Terry.

Regular schedule on our campus today, 8/16.

Youth camp 2027 meeting today at 4:00PM in the auditorium.  Open to students, 6th graders to seniors, their parents.  This will be an informational meeting related to the when, where, cost, fundraisers, et cetera.  Sign up will be available.  Attendance is not mandatory but is strongly suggested for the students.  Remember, attend the meeting = stay for the evening service.

The men on the September 2026 GRACE Ministries trip will meet tonight immediately following the evening service.

GRACE Ministries mission trip June 2027 meeting will take place on Monday, 8/24, at our house beginning at 6:00PM.  Again, informational meeting.

I pray that you will have a great Sunday with Jesus!  Go to church today!

Happy birthday to my niece, Jamie Glenn!  How old?  Exactly!  I hope Jamie will have a great day.  She will as her friend, Mandi Bowling, will see to it!  We love Jamie!  Happy birthday, Jamie!

I thought you were traveling to see your Mama today?  Well, as they say, “the best laid plans of rats and people” and that is our situation today.  We now move to maybe seeing it take place next Friday, 8/21.  (There is a “sketchy” family that is staying next door and. . .)

Major call to the Friendship family which is also extended to any of our thirteen readers of the “blob!”  I am asking the members of the Friendship family to prayerfully consider joining me in forty days of prayer (and fasting as the Lord leads and health allows) beginning Saturday, August 22, and concluding on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.  My hope is to have at least thirty-nine folks join me on this spiritual journey.  It would be great to know who is on this prayer team so, if possible, please send me an email (pastor@friendshipfamily) by next Friday, 8/21.  Praying for a mighty move of God!

Students (6th – 12th) and their parents are invited to join us this Sunday, 8/16, for a meeting regarding youth camp 2027!  The meeting will take place in our auditorium and will begin at 4:00PM.  Those who attend this meeting are expected to stay for our 5:00PM worship service.

We have a group of men traveling to Guatemala the dates of Sunday, 9/6, through Saturday, 9/12.  Those men are asked to meet with me this Sunday, 8/16, following our evening service.  I am asking you to pray for these men as they prepare to take part in this unique mission trip.

Our GRACE Ministries June 2027 mission trip will take place the dates of Thursday, 6/17, through Thursday, 6/24.  All persons (completed 9th grade and above) are asked to meet with me on Monday, 6/24.  The meeting will be at our house and will begin at 6:00PM.  Because of space limitations, only folks who plan on being on this team are asked to attend this meeting, please.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 8/16.  Join us!

Pray for those among us who are battling various illnesses.

Pray for our upcoming soccer leagues.  We had two families in our service Wednesday night as a direct result of soccer.

Jeanette’s doctor contacted me yesterday to ask if she is always so rebellious?  My answer?  The fifth!

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