Pastor's Blog

Today is my older brother’s (Eddie) birthday.  Cannot remember if he is 55 or 65 today but he is somewhere in that neighborhood!  Happy birthday Eddie!

Today’s Bible reading – Exodus 37:1-38:31, Matthew 28:1-20, Psalm 34:11-22, Proverbs 9:9-10

Tomorrow’s Bible reading – Exodus 39:1-40:38, Mark 1:1-28, Psalm 35:1-16, Proverbs 9:11-12

Sunday’s Bible reading – Leviticus 1:1-3:17, Mark 1:29-2:12, Psalm 35:17-28, Proverbs 9:13-18

Scott Fontenot is having surgery today.  Nanette is mad that I am not there as she had made reservations for the two of us to have a Valentine’s Day lunch together!  Said she wanted it to be like old times!  Wow, maybe that is why I am still in Guatemala!  Pray for Scott in more ways than one!

Sara Ladnier’s test results came back good.  Kathy posted a comment on yesterday’s entry.  We join them in giving God the praise.

Arlene Meredith’s mother passed away.  Arlene was not able to make it to the coast due to the bad weather.  Trish Blackwell will keep us posted on the arrangements, I am sure.

Trish’s mother, Carolyn Blaylock, has actually shown some improvement.  Not promise it will last but it is a very good sign.

Bill Unrue is improving too.

Amber Sessions grandfather is in the hospital and has been given blood.  His blood loss is related to medications.

Miss Luthene Herston did not have surgery yesterday.  She was having some discomfort in her chest so they are addressing that issue first.

Judy Whitehurst’s first cousin, Bonnie Clark, had surgery yesterday.  It went well.  Bonnie’s mother, Helen Jarvis, is not doing well physically either.  Pray for Helen.

We are on a regular schedule this Sunday, 2/16.  Lord willing, I will be in the pulpit for all three services.  Hope many members of the Friendship family will join me.

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

P.S. – Bill, I am just not computer savvy enough to know how to order things via the internet!  Lisa will just have to understand!

Today’s Bible reading – Exodus 35:10-36:38, Matthew 27:32-66, Psalm 34:1-10, Proverbs 9:7-8

I am told by Bro. Jerry that the attendance in our services yesterday morning and evening was good.  I always appreciate the members of the Friendship family who are faithful regardless.  What a blessing!

My understanding is that Sandy Felps has been cleared by the doctors to be discharged from the hospital.

Carolyn Blaylock is going home as well.  As far as I know, she will be under hospice care.  I have known for several days that the doctors believe her time on this earth is limited.  Trish has been very gracious to keep me informed and has now given me permission to share this via the blog.  Pray for Carolyn, Kent and the family.

Bill Unrue remains hospitalized.

Sara Ladnier will undergo a test this morning.  Pray for wisdom on the doctor’s behalf.  Kathy posted a comment on yesterday’s entry that gives more details.

Gail Bishop (Sue Blodgett) will have some tests done.

Miss Luthene Herston will have surgery today.

Scott Fontenot will most likely be having surgery on Friday morning.

Kevin Lunsford will have hip replacement surgery on Monday, 2/17.

According to Trish B, Arlene Meredith’s mother is at the point of death.  The winter storm basically has Arlene trapped in the mountains.  Pray she can get to her mother’s house before she passes.

My flight from Guatemala has been delayed until tomorrow afternoon.  Lord willing, I will arrive in Mobile tomorrow night.  Pray for those who are traveling today.

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

P.S. – Husbands, remember tomorrow!  (I would but I will still be out of the country!)

Today’s Bible reading – Exodus 34:1-35:9 Matthew 27:15-31 Psalm 33:12-22 Proverbs 9:1-6

I am told that the memorial service for Nikki Burwell went very well last night.  I appreciate everyone who attended and those who helped in any way.  Keep praying for the Burwell family.

No significant change with anyone in the hospital.

We are on a regular schedule today/tonight.

There is a baby shower for Gauge & Mary Holmes this Sunday, 2/16, from 2:00 – 4:00PM in the fellowship hall.  I do not know where they are registered.  It is either a boy or girl.  Of course, Mary is the daughter of Danny & Liz Cole.

The Friendship Food Festival takes place on Saturday, 2/22 from 5:00 – 7:00PM in the CAB.  Tickets are $10 each with a maximum of $40 per immediate family.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Exodus 32:1-33:23, Matthew 26:69-27:14, Psalm 33:1-11, Proverbs 8:33-36

First, happy 78th birthday to my dad today and happy 75th birthday to my mama today.

The memorial service for Nikki Burwell takes place tonight beginning at 6:00PM in the church auditorium.  The visitation will follow the service for those interested in seeing the family.

Sandy Felps, Bill Unrue, Carolyn Blaylock and Gail Bishop all remain hospitalized.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Exodus 30:11-31:18, Matthew 26:47-68, Psalm 32:1-11, Proverbs 8:27-32

Tomorrow’s Bible reading – Exodus 32:1-33:23, Matthew 26:69-27:14, Psalm 33:1-11, Proverbs 8:33-36

IMO, the Friendship family is amazing!  You gave a special offering to the Gideons in yesterday morning’s services and then gave $3,360 in last night’s service to help with the memorial service for Nikki Burwell – amazing!  I will be very honest in saying that I did not anticipate that amount of an offering but you proved me way wrong.  I am happy about being wrong in this instance!  Thank you for giving and glory to God!

Remember, the memorial service for Nikki Burwell begins at 6:00PM tomorrow (Tuesday) night.

Sandy Felps suffered an apparent stroke yesterday afternoon and is in NICU in a local hospital.  Bro. Kerry & Bro. Jerry visited with Bobby Jack after last night’s service.

Carolyn Blaylock remains hospitalized and in need of our continued prayer support.

Sue Blodgett’s sister is in an ICU in a local hospital.

It was a joy to hear that Rob Nevin was in our services yesterday.  Keep praying for Rob!

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

We are on a regular schedule today and tonight.  I pray that the Friendship family will be faithful!

A memorial service for Nikki Burwell will take place this Tuesday night, 2/11, beginning at 6:00PM.  There will be no visitation prior to the service.  The family will be available following the service for those who wish to speak to them individually.  Everything will take place in the auditorium of the church.

A meal will be served to the Burwell family prior to the service.  If you would like to help, please contact Miss Vinnie Brewer.

Bill Unrue is in the hospital.  Art Elliot had a test and will be getting the results perhaps as early as tomorrow.  Carolyn Blaylock remains hospitalized.  Ginny Easterling’s son was released from the hospital but will go back in a couple of weeks for more testing.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Exodus 28:1-43, Matthew 25:31-26:13, Psalm 31:9-18, Proverbs 8:12-13

Tomorrow’s Bible reading – Exodus 29:1-30:10, Matthew 26:14-46, Psalm 31:19-24, Proverbs 8:14-26

The arrangements for Nikki Burwell have not been finalized as of this writing.  It appears there “could be” a service early next week.  Again, we will post the arrangements here as soon as they are completed.

Debbie Kendrick got a “no cancer” report from her biopsy and is giving God thanks and all of the glory.

The President mentioned the American pastor being held in an Iranian prison as a part of his comments during a prayer breakfast this week.  His release looks more possible now than ever before.  Pray.

Caryn Hyatt has a friend whose young daughter is battling cancer.  Just recently diagnosed and it is not good.

Keep praying for Carla Kyser.

As far as I know, Carolyn Blaylock remains hospitalized with no significant change.

We are on a regular schedule for tomorrow.  I pray the members of the Friendship family will be faithful!

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

Today’s Bible reading – Exodus 26:1-27:21, Matthew 25:1-30, Psalm 31:1-8, Proverbs 8:1-11

Helping cook breakfast so this will be short and sweet.

Nikki’s service has not been set as of this writing.

I will update later today or tonight if we have internet service.

Bro. Jerry, I am good with whatever you decide.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Exodus 23:14-25:40, Matthew 24:29-51, Psalm 30:1-12, Proverbs 7:24-27

It is almost 4:00AM and the GRACE team being led by Pastor Bob Harvey left the mission house shortly before 3:30AM headed for the Guatemala City airport.  At the same time, folks have gathered at the airport in Grand Rapids to head this way.  They will do so later this morning from Chicago and Mobile too.  Pray for all of these folks as they travel.

I did not get an update from anyone so I have no news on any of the folks for whom we have been praying.   I am fairly confident in saying that the funeral arrangements have not been finalized for Nikki Burwell.

I do know that we still need folks from the Friendship family to sign up to have their picture taken for the pictorial directory.  You can call the church office today and they will direct you in how to sign up.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Exodus 21:22-23:13, Matthew 24:1-28, Psalm 29:1-11, Proverbs 7:6-23

Greetings from Guatemala.

They are doing an autopsy on Nikki Burwell so the funeral process is being delayed.  Bro. Jerry will notify me once the arrangements are finalized and they will be posted here.  Pray for the family.

Debbie Kendrick posted two comments on yesterday’s entry.  Read them and pray.  Thanks Bill & Debbie for keeping us updated.

Marisa left me a voice mail and sent me an e-mail yesterday.  Carla’s scans were good – praise the Lord.  She had to have some more tests done yesterday and those results will come soon.  Pray for Carla.

Hilda Gunter had a nephew pass away in South Carolina.  Of course, that would mean he is Joey Switzer’s first cousin.  Pray for the Switzer family during this difficult time.

Ginny Easterling’s son, Brian, has a brain bleed somewhere.  The doctors are deciding a course of action.

Rob Nevin and family went to the Lighthouse for a meal yesterday.  That is good news!  He still is not able to communicate verbally so keep praying.

No significant change in Carolyn Blaylock’s situation.

God blessed me with two awesome flights yesterday.  As a matter of fact, it only took me twenty minutes from the time the plane stopped at the gate in Guatemala until I was on the outside of the airport which included having my luggage searched. For me personally, fastest time ever!  God is good!

Our missions committee will be able to appreciate this the most – this morning I get to go sit in a long line at the electric company because they need me to sign some papers!  LOL!  Then it is on to the gas company for the same.  (I think that I will drop Larry Whitehurst’s name and see where that gets me!)  (Maybe I should have dropped Chuck Rockwell’s name at the power company?)

Bro. Jerry will be preaching in the service this morning and again tonight.  We are on a regular schedule.  I pray that the Friendship family will be faithful in attending these services.

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