It was a good day at Hillcrest. We were home before heading out tomorrow and were able to worship with our home folks. Tomorrow we will wrap up home stuff and head to Yazoo City to see parents briefly before heading to south MS and a kids camp.
Thanks for the continued prayers,
John

It was a great time in Baton Rouge with our friends and the ministry of Parkview Baptist Church. We are home now and that feels really nice. We’ll try and get to bed early tonight and get as much rest as possible before doing all the “household tasks” waiting for us tomorrow.
Church Sunday the driving to Yazoo City on Monday.
I’ll be in touch!
John

Thank you for continuing to check in each day. Been extremely frustrating with the lack of internet access, knowing you are trying to check in to pray for us.
We have finished the work for today. Today was “decision day” at the camp and we rejoice at the 16 professions of faith this morning. Thank you for your prayers. Our plan is to finish up tomorrow, have lunch with our hosts then head home so you can pray for travel safety and the usual things you are so kind in remembering.
On the health front, my knee is a good deal better but still experiencing some discomfort. That’s about it!
Blessings,
John

Well, shoot!!! I had a pretty good workout yesterday where I walk/run the golf course. When I got home my right knee was swelling. I began a regiment of Advil and tried taking it easy but still had things to do.
I had to cut the yard this morning and with sore/swollen knee and all, I headed out to do the work. Stupid knee got increasingly more sore.
Got through before noon, took a shower, and started the ice treatments. Really aggravating. I’m trying to take it easy most of the afternoon knowing I must pack a suitcase and most of the truck in order to be able to leave immediately following the service tomorrow around noon.
Sure would appreciate the prayers.
John

Hi gang,
It’s been a very busy week off the road as we expected it would be. I have managed to get in my workout but a great deal of time and effort has gone into the planning of next weeks’ services at camp in Baton Rouge.
Patty’s been doing home stuff as well as monthly books for the ministry so she has stayed out of trouble, relatively speaking!
Tomorrow we’ll be wrapping home stuff up as I cut the yard, Patty finishes laundry and we both pack. I’ll be leading worship Sunday morning and immediately following that we will head out to LA.
Thanks for the prayers!
John

Happy 4th, my friends. I began the day by getting on up early to have my quiet time before cutting the yard. I wanted to get an early start for two reasons. One to beat the 97 degree heat and two, we had been invited to a cook out with friends.
Anyway, I woke to rain. Thankful, for sure, but a delay. It wasn’t bad or too long so I got started around 9:15. It was closer to 10:15 when I set off the fireworks by disturbing a yellow jackets nest. Whew…….
I only got stung once so that was an extreme blessing.
We then went over to friends and the fellowship and food was outstanding. So much fun.
Now it’s back at the house for a little rest time then I’ll continue the work I began very early this morning. The order of worship for Hillcrest on this Sunday and the camp in Baton Rouge that is next week.
Blessings,
John

Hi gang. It was a nice day at home. We arrived home last night and I played my horn at church today. This week will be a busy one at home as I prepare for 3 big events.
I will be leading worship at Hillcrest (home church) this Sunday so I have to get the order to the office pretty soon so all the vocal and instrumental music can be prepared.
Then I will prepare for the camp I am doing this next week. I will be in Baton Rouge, LA, for the Spiritual Emphasis Week of their summer day camp program. I will be covering various character traits they are touching on this summer so I appreciate your prayers as I begin my preparation.
If I have the opportunity, which I think is going to be remote at best, I will put together the camp worship for the Brookhaven camp that begins on the 20th.
Thanks for the prayers,
john

Well, I realized that I didn’t blog for Wednesday in Long Beach so let me catch you up on things. It was a pretty good crowd at the closing service and although there was no movement at the conclusion, the pastor felt that what God led me to preach was right where the church is. Thank the Lord!
On Thursday, we loaded equipment then headed to Mathews, LA, for a couple of reasons. You remember how we had computer issues due to the virus we got while in Yazoo City and we did get the computer running with the help of the media ministry of the church but the computer has never been the same and had many malfunctions regularly so we ordered a new laptop and had it shipped to my buddy down here in south LA to set it up for me.
We took time to come down and get the computer then went fishing today and have had a great, though short, visit with our friends.
We will head out tomorrow for home and will be in next week and will be quite busy getting things ready for the following couple of weeks.
Appreciate your prayers!
John

Well, here’s the funny thing about it all. Not funny (ha ha) but funny in the so so kind of way. Folks have been praying for rain. They have been in a drought and today in the mail came a notice from the city that there was a water ban on yard upkeep as well as car washing and the like.
Around 6’ish, a large thunderstorm moved in with heavy downpours early followed by a slow steady rain. It was wonderful for the area. It seemed, however, that many of the church folks decided to show their thankfulness to the Lord by staying away from the service. The pastor kinda pointed that out at the beginning of the service. Ouch! So true and so very frustrating. We had about half what we have had the other services.
The faithful were a blessing and the service went fine with a little movement during the invitation. We appreciate, as always, the continued prayers as we close things out tomorrow night.
Pray that God breaks through and does a miraculous work in the hearts and lives of North Long Beach Baptist Church.

Blessings,
John

It was a quiet night tonight in the service. Not sure what battles were going on but everything was a bit of a struggle tonight. I delivered the message I believe God had for the church but there was no response.
I appreciate your prayers as we continue the work He has for us here at Long Beach. Wonderful folks that long to hear a fresh Word from the Lord. Pray they will receive it and respond accordingly.
Blessings,
John