I’m here (Enterprise) and she’s there (Yazoo).  Sure wasn’t the plan but not much has gone according to plan.  Our plan, that is.  God’s plan is perfect so here is what He has revealed thus far.

Patty headed out early Thursday morning to get to Yazoo before the big storm arrived.  If you’ve been keeping up with the blog, you know she went in to evaluate everything, line up things that weren’t ready and do anything else that needed doing.  Well, she has found things well on schedule.  God is working everything out in His time.  Mr. Shurley will want someone to come in around noon and stay until 4, preparing one meal and doing some light housekeeping.  That has been lined up now.  Patty found the construction company busy and seemingly “ahead” of schedule.  They are now waiting on the new shower to arrive, having already widened the doorway and framed it out, in essence finishing it.  Mr. Shurley is still scheduled for discharge on Monday the 29th.  We are thankful for your prayers and ask that you keep them going that there be no unscheduled delays to keep things from being completed.  As of now, Patty plans on driving up to the TN revival tomorrow to join me then head back to Yazoo on Thursday.

That brings me to the other part of His plan.  I was scheduled to drive to Yazoo City today and on to the TN revival tomorrow.  Well, while changing the oil in my truck the other day, I was reminded of a tire that needed attention.  I had forgotten about it so I ran my truck out to my tire guy to see if I might be able to make this upcoming trip on it and get things taken care of when I get back.  Nope!  Not recommended, so that was the agenda today.  Get new tires on the truck.  That means that tomorrow I will leave and just drive to TN.  This isn’t a problem, just different.  Patty was going to take her own vehicle anyway since she’ll drive back to Yazoo Thursday and I will hang over a few days to be in another church for Sunday services on the 28th.

I’m thankful that I didn’t drive to Yazoo yesterday on a tire that might not have handled the trip.  A blow out combined with all the storms would have made for a really fun combo.  I would appreciate your prayers on behalf of the revival effort as well.  In this meeting I will be doing the music and the preaching, so vocal strength and message clarity would be my desire.

Blessings,
John

We’re heading out!  We are not really sure how things are going to play out the next several days but we know that God’s plan is perfect.  Here’s how it looks right now.

The remodeling, we think, began today as yesterday the final “t” was crossed in preparation.  We will load tonight and head out tomorrow for Yazoo City.  As well as Patty’s dad and preparations to get him back to his house, my mom is recovering from a virus.  She’s feeling much better. Wouldn’t hurt for me to check in on her.

The news for Patty’s dad continues to be good.  The regional director of Physical Therapy for this facility actually took him to his house the other day and had him go through a series of functions such as lying in bed, getting up and walking to his bathroom, walking to the kitchen and reaching to an upper shelf to retrieve a coffee cup…etc, etc.  She called Patty and told her that there was no doubt he was not ready for a long term care facility but could live at home.  This is a man of 91 years.  What a blessing!  So, now Patty is busy lining up someone to come in for a few hours each afternoon, do a little light housekeeping, and cook a meal.  He will handle everything else.  The scheduled discharge from the rehab/swingbed facility is April 29th.  We are so thankful for this and appreciate your prayers.

On Saturday, Patty will make a final judgement as to whether she can travel up to TN for the revival meeting that begins Sunday.  There are several factors that will be weighed.  I will be leading the entire service, doing both the music and preaching.

I will be blogging results of services as well as prayer requests as the week goes along.

Blessings,
John

Max Lucado said that sometimes we as Christians expect our days to be the desserts.  Because we are followers of Christ we feel our days should all be sweet and easy going.  To be enjoyed…….  He goes on to say that although we may think that way, it certainly isn’t so.  No, there will be days where vegetables are served.

The scripture says; “He causes His rain to fall on the just and the unjust”.  Well, today was a brussel sprout day.  Oh, don’t get me wrong, hardly as bad as all that…we just got a kick out of everything.

As you are aware, Patty got that phone call telling us that her dad was to be discharged from the swingbed facility next week.  This after we had been told it would be the middle of May at the earliest and were in the process of getting a contractor lined up to remodel his bath in order to make things easier for him.

So, the phone calls begin and through a series of calls, we are halfway there.  The contractor begins work on Monday.  We are waiting to hear from the facility as to whether we can stretch his stay to the end of the month.  If we had one prayer that would be it.  His file will be reviewed on Monday and a decision will be made.  The administrator said she would do what she could but the best would be to give us the rest of April.  So, PRAY!!

Other odds and ends, “vegetables”, one might say were sprinkled or served throughout the day.  Nothing much to complain about, for sure.  God is in control and we are reminded of this daily.

I’m working now, feverishly, on my messages for the upcoming meeting in TN.  Thanks for checking in!

Blessings,
John

It was a good trip home today as we got ahead of some pretty serious storms.  We were warned of them last night and decided that we would make our travel plans depending on the weather once we got up and going.  We were able to pull out of northeast MS about 10 min before 8:00 a.m.

We give thanks for any remembrance of us and this ministry that you may exercise on our behalf.  Last night’s closing service was full and we saw 3 professions of faith.  We are so grateful to see God work this way.

On our way home today, with Patty following me (remember she had her car because of a Yazoo trip earlier) she got a call from the swing bed/phys therapy unit her dad is in telling her they may be discharging as early as next week.  This has floored us.  As of last week, we were told we should be planning on, at the earliest, the first of May but more than likely it would be the second week of May.  We aren’t ready, gang.  We are trying to arrange some remodeling of the house there in Yazoo City to help him better live by himself and this hasn’t gotten off the ground good yet, let alone ready for his return.  Please pray that we make the right decisions as we move forward.  Time is off the essence but these decisions are not easy ones.  We are thankful that we have this opportunity and know that God is in control.

We will continue our “at home” schedule this week.  I’ll be concentrating on the next couple of events and Patty will be handling her dad’s stuff from here and making decisions as we talk it all out.

Thanks for the prayers!
Blessings,
John

Here in Golden, MS, where cell service is “one bar” at best, I’ve managed to grab onto a wireless network in another location just long enough to give an update.

Things have started off pretty well and attendance has been good. There was a bit of non communication leading up to the event…things that would have helped just a bit in my planning, but as things have settled in, it’s going well. Continue to pray for the Holy Spirit’s leadership. Tonight is a youth/salvation emphasis so join us in praying for the harvest, please.

On the other side, the pollen here is causing a few health issues in both Patty and me so if you would lift this up to the Lord, we would appreciate it. Pray for clarity. Pray for my voice, and most importantly pray for His will and way.

Blessings,
John

I keep waiting to get the call.  On April 1, 2001, Hillcrest Baptist Church voted to take me on as Staff Evangelist.  The call might go something like this; “April Fools”!!!!

Well, they haven’t done that and God has blessed us so very much.  We are so thankful for these years and count each a wonderful blessing.  Prior to moving to Enterprise, I had heard a few (very few) situations where an evangelistic ministry had been “adopted” by an individual church as that church exercised obedience to the Lord in taking care of God’s man and I often imagined what that must be like.  Well, we’ve seen that over and over and it’s more than we ever imagined.  The church that is Hillcrest Baptist Church has been so supportive in their prayers and support and this has enabled this ministry to go to many places.  What a blessing!  Sure hope that call never comes!

This week I’ll be busy wrapping up all the loose ends for my upcoming revival meeting.  Patty is doing her best to finally shed any sign of infection with her sinuses and that’s going well.  She’s about ready to finish up things here and head to Yazoo City, still aiming for Wednesday.  There will be lots to do in handling her dads business as well as getting him to his oncologist appointment.  The dr has been wanting to see him about every 6 weeks not for treatment but to just check up on him.  The follow up will be on Friday.  So, Patty’s plan is to drive in, do what she can until Saturday, then drive to northeast MS and join me for the meeting before heading back to Yazoo City on Thursday if not before.  We appreciate your prayers as we continue this balance of life and ministry.

Thank you for your love and support!
Blessings,
John

Hi friends,

We thank you for your patience.  We know there are several of you, faithful partners in this ministry, that check in on this blog daily.  With the light travel schedule we’ve had this winter and spring, I’ve been hesitant to simply bore you to death with sheer repetition.  Nevertheless, thank you for your patience and understanding.

First a quick report on the ministry.  Last Sunday I had the opportunity to fill in for our Worship Pastor while he was away with our student choir.  I always enjoy leading worship with my home church family and this past Sunday was no different.  A great time of worship in which I’m grateful to share.  I’ve been spending this past week doing advance work for the revival meetings I have coming up in April.  The first will be the week of April 7th so it’s right around the corner.

Patty’s dad is doing pretty well and the therapists and care specialists are pleased with his progress.  She will be heading that way next Wednesday to handle some things before driving up to northeast MS to join me for the revival.  We appreciate your prayers for safe travel, focus, and continued healing.  Patty is fighting off a bit of infection herself and seems to be gaining ground pretty well.  Obviously, this must be non existent before she goes to Yazoo to see her dad.

Again, thank you for all your prayers.  We love and appreciate you!
John

It was amusing to say the least.  Our current life for sure.  This morning I had an early  program in Anniston, AL, so I headed up there yesterday afternoon to set up and be ready for the day.  In the meantime, Patty was driving back to Enterprise after spending that past week in Yazoo City  with her dad.

We talked via cell phones along the way and ended up timing it in such a way as to meet up in a shopping center parking lot.  So, as is this crazy life, we met within about 5 min of each other…spoke and gave a hug or two and said; “Well, be safe and we’ll see each other tomorrow.”  So, she headed south to home, I continued north.

The program went well and we had lots of fun.  120 senior adults at this Easter Banquet.  I arrived back home around 6 tonight and it’s good to have the house back to a semi state of normal.  Both of us in the same house, at the same time.  Patty’s still fighting a bit of a sinus infection and the pollen is not helping but she is feeling better.  Glad she started on the antibiotic so early.

Her dad is doing pretty well.  He is still responding to treatment although not anywhere near returning home but we are grateful for your prayers and what God is doing.

The next engagement is Sunday.  I’ll be filling in for our Worship Pastor at Hillcrest as he’s off at a revival meeting.  I always look forward to worshiping with the home folk!

Blessings,
John

It was a great visit with mom for a few days.  We finished up our visit down here with a day in Destin.  Mom hasn’t been back to Destin since she and dad use to vacation down there back in the 80’s.  Sure don’t have to tell you how overwhelmed she was at the growth.  We had a nice meal and a cruise around then called it a day.

Now it’s back to Yazoo City.  Patty will be checking in on her dad.  The fluid buildup is still an issue and so some doctors appointments are in the future as well as working on his taxes.  I’ll be working on my programs for the upcoming weeks.

We appreciate your prayers and support for continued strength and clarity of direction.

Blessings,
John

i made a turn around trip to Yazoo City yesterday and today to pick mom up and bring her to Enterprise for a few days. She and dad came down a year or so after we moved down and were never able to come back. She has been determined to get down since his death a year ago.

Well, spring break came to the Yazoo schools so my 82 yr old mother took advantage of 21 piano pupils on break and left town. Yes, 21 piano pupils. I can’t even begin to imagine 21 piano students. If there was ever an effective argument for the purgatory crowd, that would do it for me! Anyway, we took advantage of this time and she’s down for a few days. We will explore the next couple of days including some beach time. She has fond memories of going to the beach with dad so that will be fun.

Patty will be taking her back to Yazoo on Thursday whe she goes to check on Mr. Shurley. Even though he is still responding to physical therapy but is once again struggling with a little fluid gain and he’s tired. Tired of the fluid, tired of the nuropathy caused by past chemo treatments, and tired of the daily regiment that is his life right now. Pray for his spirit. Encouragement is needed. Patty will provide a great deal of that as most of you know.

Blessings my friends,
John