Straight No Chaser - Carol of the Bells

Merry Offering

Return Visit To Surgeon

I made my first visit back to my orthopedic surgeon yesterday afternoon (Monday). He said that I will need four more weeks of "touch down weight" precautions. This basically means no actual weight being placed on the hip that was revised (replaced). I must admit that I hoped for a quicker lifting of this restriction, but he did tell me following the surgery that it would be eight weeks, so I was forewarned. My next appointment with the surgeon will be on Monday, January, 26, 2009.

I am doing fine and actually feeling pretty good. I have made a couple of trips away from home for various reasons. It felt strange touring businesses in a wheel chair. I can also use my walker to make short walks (no pun intended). Riding in my car using my normal cushions that I would drive with works great and I do the travel part very well. Of course, I'm not allowed to drive at this point. Finding a comfortable chair for sitting seems to be my biggest issue. Let's face it, most chairs aren't made to fit me, even when healthy. You know, I really have no complaints because it could always be so much worse.

I'm still looking forward to kicking-off my revival season on Sunday, February 15, 2009 at Huntsville Baptist Church in Lake City, Florida. I'm not sure if I'll be sitting, standing, or walking the aisle, but I'll be preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ with His help and strength.

I ask you to continue to lift me and this ministry before the Lord in your prayer time. Please pray for me physically, spiritually, emotionally and financially. I also want to thank all of you that have been praying for me, sending cards & e-mails, and calling with words of encouragement. May God richly bless you for ministering to me.

Fun Christmas Video

Here's a Christmas video that I posted last year. I hope you enjoy it again. It's called "Feeding Reindeer And Singing Jingle Bells".

Sarah and Alexx feed the reindeer and sing Jingle Bells at Olustee Park in Lake City, Florida in 2004. Oh, the simple pleasures of Christmas.

Top Selling Stroller

What Child Is This?

Our Daily Bread

READ: Luke 2:25-35

This Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel . . . that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. —Luke 2:34-35

One of our most beloved Christmas carols was written in 1865 by William Dix, an Englishman who managed a maritime insurance company and loved to write hymns. Sung to the English melody “Greensleeves,” some versions use the latter half of the first verse as a chorus for the other verses:

This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard
and angels sing;
Haste, haste to bring Him laud—
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

But in other versions, each stanza is unique. The second verse, rarely sung today, looks beyond the manger to the cross:

Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear, for sinners here,
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Simeon said to Mary, “This Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34-35).

The Child of Christmas came to be our Savior. “Joy, joy for Christ is born, the Babe, the Son of Mary.” — David C. McCasland

The birth of Christ brought God to man; the cross of Christ brings man to God.

Given In Love?

The Back Pew

I'm Home

I was released from The Health Center of Lake City (FL) today after a two week stay for physical rehab following my hip replacement. I've got a few photos to share in coming posts on this site. Right now I'm trying to get acclimated to maneuvering in my home with a walker, etc.

I return on Monday for my first visit with the orthopedic surgeon since the November 25th surgery. I may also begin outpatient physical therapy on Monday. Please pray for me as I make this transition to the next phase of my recovery.

Hip Rehab With A Special Roommate

James Croft, 3'10" tall evangelist from Olustee, Florida, gives an update on his recent hip replacement surgery and rehab. He also introduces his roommate at the The Health Center of Lake City, Florida.



NOTE: View previous surgery updates here.

Health Center Of Lake City, FL

I wanted you to know that I am currently in the rehab section of The Health Center of Lake City, Florida. I arrived here late Friday afternoon (December 5th).

Therapy is going well and the therapist's have been impressed with my progress. I feel stronger each day and can see improvement with each passing day. The staff are very good to me and very helpful and dedicated.

I was able to shoot a brief video update about my surgery and my stay here on Sunday afternoon. I hope to have it uploaded to all of the usual outlets by the end of the week. It will also be posted on this site.

I have been ministered to by so many people during this surgery and rehab process. I'm not going to try to mention them all, because I know someone would be left out. I will be mentioning a few of these in future posts that have touched my heart tremendously. Please, know that the Lord is really working in this process, but I still need your prayers asking for God's Perfect Will in every area of my life. I earnestly desire you to join me in this prayer. Also, pray for those unnamed folks that are ministering to me, some of which have no idea the depth of my heart thay have reached with encouragement.

I'll update again soon. God bless you!!!

Leaving Hospital Soon

First, let me apologize for not posting updates from the hospital in a more timely fashion. My access to the "laptop time" has been limited. I've also been blessed with some visitors during some of my free times. Plus, to be honest, there's just been some times I didn't feel much like typing. Again, please forgive me.

Since my last post God has blessed with some great improvements:

• I've not needed any additional blood transfusions.
• Pain has become even more manageable.
• A bladder infection from the weekend has now been overcome.
• Physical Therapists say I've made great improvements.
• Several Saints have made financial donations to this ministry and countless others have offered prayers for me, family and medical staff.

The latest news is that, baring unforseen circumstances, I will be released from the hospital on Friday, December 5, 2008. It looks as though I will be transferred to a physical therapy rehabilitation hospital in Lake City, Florida. I'm not sure how long this stay will be, but my doctor anticipates the stay should be 1-2 weeks. Look out! With the Lord's help I'll be ready to run, walk (or drive) to a church near you in early 2009! 8-)

I'll try to keep this site updated (I promise). To quickly find posts on this site concerning my recent surgery, just click the "Hip Surgery" category in the left-hand column of this site.

Please continue to take this ministry before the Lord in prayer in the weeks to come. Please know that I appreciate each one of you so much and pray that God's blessings shower you on a daily basis!

Redneck Play Station

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