I am ready to celebrate my 45th anniversary on June 15th, 2019. Irma and I have seen many things in those years, from Savannah to Marietta and now Acworth, Ga. We now have three grandchildren, Savannah, Jackson, and Gabriel. They really add spice to our very active lives.

Irma and I are very active in the Children's Ministry at The Church at Liberty Square in Cartersville, Ga. We have know Pastor Lynn Miller for about sixteen years, starting at Mount Paran North in Marietta and now in Cartersville. What a great church...Pastor Ray Looney and the choir are such a treasure to our church, the orchestra and multi-media personnel add so much to the total worship experience. Pastor Jacob King is a phenomenal preacher and teacher, has a true shepherd's heart and loves his congregation.

I am so blessed with a great job at Costco Town Center store, I get paid to meet the nicest people in Kennesaw, my insurance and other benefits are top notch. I have two rebate checks every year, one from Costco and one from my Costco Citi Visa credit card. Those two checks usually cover our vacations to Hilton Head or other nearby attractions.

Did I mention how blessed I am to be living "on the green side of grass"? I am celebrating almost twelve years with my liver transplant. The medicine I take is now generic and costs me about $3.00 a month (family and Costco members say I'm worth it). Hey, I have those grandkids to help raise, I have to hang around for awhile. I'm going to borrow this from my daughter..."People will stare, make it worth their while".

Catching up on some news.....

I didn't realize it had been so long since I had posted. December 2014 will be seven years since my liver transplant. Everything is going well, my two medicines are now generic, my cost is only $6.00 a month. I now have a one-year old granddaughter to spoil and take pictures of. We see her about twice a week, and she seems to grow in between visits. I will start in April to collect a little of the money I have contributed for the last forty-eight years to Uncle Sam. I might just find a new little sports car to cover the streets of Atlanta. The jury is still out on that one (I hear from the peanut gallery). Keep the faith, be good to your family, make friends for the present and the future and we'll see you on the flip side.

Heaven vs. Hell - Which One Have You Chosen?

I was wondering, not having seen either heaven or hell, how to describe them in marketing lingo. I have decided on these two slogans...Heaven: Pre-paid unlimited sky miles...Hell: The ultimate non-refundable late fee. If you go to heaven, it's not because of anything you have done except receive Jesus Christ as your personal savior. You can't work hard enough, give enough money, or depend on who your parents are. Salvation is the ultimate personal decision, everyone has to make it for themselves. On the other hand, the decision on hell is yours too. All you have to do is nothing, not to make the decision to accept Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. This plan of salvation was put into place long before Jesus was born, He was the perfect lamb, slain from the foundation of the world. We were born into sin because of the original sin from the garden of Eden, but God already had a plan. When Jesus was on the cross, He cried "It is finished". That did not mean He finally died, it meant "the plan" was finished, the plan to bring mankind back into fellowship with the Father. Heaven or hell, have you chosen yet?

Orlando Holy Land Experience

I have sent two audition DVD's to Orlando for possible employment at the Holy Land Experience operated by the Trinity Broadcast Network. I have done numerous plays and musicals at the various churches I have attended over the last thirty years. I am also working on a program using Wolfman Jack's voice to tell the story of the life and ministry of Jesus. It is a bit unusual but the premise is a brand new convert, ex disc jockey giving his unique observation of the New Testament account of the miracles and travels of "JC of Galilee". The working title of the story is "Consider The Price". I hope I can tell this story and perform in some of the other productions as well. I am looking forward to hearing from Orlando soon.

Every Day On The Green Side of Grass Is A Good Day

It's been two and a half years since my liver transplant and everything is going well, my medicine levels are good, my glucose readings are good, I have lots of energy and haven't missed a day since going back to work in March of 2008. Irma and I do speak occasionally at local churches, and have recently been invited to do bilingual services at two Portuguese churches in the Marietta area. I am always humbled when someone calls to invite us to speak at their church. I always wonder what my subject should be for a particular occasion at a particular church...but by the time comes to go, we always have our answer and people comment on how it was what they needed at that time in their life with what they had been going through or questions they had been asking, or direction in decisions that were facing them in the near future. I am always amazed at God's direction in these situations, but then again I'm not amazed at the results He brings. We have had multiple testimonies that it was a just what people needed and they were glad their pastor had called us. In the Kingdom of God, there are no coincidences, just servants obeying the voice of God for a particular time. It's fun to watch, and especially fun to be a part of it.

The Big 6-0

         Yes, I finally made it to my 60th birthday...it sure beats the alternative (not making it to my 60th birthday).  With the new liver working properly, I have more energy than I know what to do with.  Irma does keep me pretty busy though, wives have a way to do that don't they?  I am enjoying my days off from Costco, going with her to Ellijay and Dalton while she is doing transports for kids going to the doctor, seeing their parents for supervised visits, etc.

         My 96 Nissan truck just went over 200,000 miles so we are both doing well, looking out for each other.  New tires from Costco with nitrogen in them, regular oil changes, a wash job every six months...you get the picture.  I bought it from a lady at Gulfstream Aerospace in Savannah when it had 43,000 miles so I have driven it for 157,000 over the last eleven years.  It runs good, idles at 900 rpm, and it's PAID FOR!  My life has been pretty good, now that I look back on it.

I hope to celebrate my 70th, 80th, 90th, and 100th.  Hey, Bob Hope and George Burns did it, so why not me?

We're Back In Marietta

We spent two months in Ozark working with the Children's Department at Glory To Him Church and met some of the most gracious people you could ever hope to worship with. We helped train the volunteers there and left reams of material for the department to use. Irma helped design a new check in/check out and safety procedure for this rapidly growing church. Bishop Scott Hannen has recruited many new workers for this expanding part of the church and new facilities are being planned to accomodate the increasing crowd of nursery, pre-school and grade school children. Irma will be assisting in their continuing training in the coming months. We are seeking God's perfect plan for our lives now that both of us are back in Marietta. Keep us in your prayers for our continued service to the Kingdom.

Brand New Citizens of Ozark, Alabama

Well, we finally made it to Ozark, AL for our first service there with the children's ministry. Bishop Scott and Pastor Aneesa Hannen welcomed us officially before the full congregation and the response was incredible.  Irma and I want to thank Matt and Holly Mendenhall for doing such a good job with Children's Church until we could arrive.  If you look up "choice servant" in the dictionary, their picture will be there.  We look forward to being a part of the growth and vision that God has given to the leadership at Glory To Him church.  I am thrilled, honored, and awed by the opportunity to work with such gifted and anointed ministers and congregation.  We trust that God will continue to use us as we labor in His vineyard.  The church website is: 

glorytohim.org

When you are visiting L.A. (Lower Alabama) come by and see us.  We are one mile from the gate of Ft. Rucker, located at 6193 Andrews Avenue in Ozark.  It might not show it on the map, but this is God Country.

Three Month Anniversary Of The New Liver

I won't be having a cake to celebrate, but today is a special day for me.  Three months ago I received a new liver at Piedmont Hospital.  I am back at work, feeling wonderful, and having a good time with the Costco members as they come in the door and leave with their purchases.  

Many have commented how well I'm doing, how glad they are to see me, and their wishes for a continued good recovery.  I am fortunate indeed to have so many good friends at work, at church, friends from Savannah who have called my name before the throne.  I pray that I never take my good fortune for granted...I still have some work to do and I'm approaching each new day with hope and determination.  I have been given a second chance, I intend to use my time and talent to encourage someone else who is facing transplant surgery.  When my six month anniversary rolls around, I will be in the mentoring program at Piedmont...telling others to face the surgery as a new beginning, to be as healthy as possible going into their transplant.  Chicken and fish are tasting better every day, flounder and talapia are my two "under the sea" favorites.  Thank God for Truett Cathy and Chick-fil-A...I love the calendar coupons.  The best sweet tea in Georgia...let the church say "Amen". 

Thank You Lord and Piedmont Hospital

Some may know already, some may not....I had liver transplant surgery December 15th, 2007 at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta. Two months later I'm doing "exceedingly, abundantly, above all" that anyone could hope for. The team on duty for my 4 1/2 days there were hand-picked by the Father to take care of me. My surgeon, nurses, physical therapist, all have commented on how well I have done. They have called me the unofficial "poster boy" for the transplant unit.
My lab work is doing better every week, they have reduced the dosage on one of the anti-rejection medicines already, my glucose readings are great, blood pressure is staying in the 128/70 range, my pulse is around 68-72, and I weigh now the same as when I was in high school (no fluid on the tummy). God is great and greatly to be praised....I have lots of bragging to do, Him first, then Piedmont, then Costco Wholesale. Costco has kept my job open until I can return March 1st, my pharmacist there saved me some money on two prescription substitutions that Piedmont agreed to (insurance matter). SunTrust Bank might not know it, but I am one wealthy man. When you have your next doctor's appointment, ask them to do the liver enzyme test. If they are higher than normal, lose some weight, exercise more, eat more fish and chicken, and ask questions about any prescriptions given. A lot of the medicines given now have liver concerns and the disclaimers given will mention "not to be taken by liver patients". Do your homework and don't be afraid to tell the doctor "Find something else that will do the same job".
I wish I had done that with my diabetes and cholesterol medicines, both had listed liver side effects...too late for me, but not for you.

My Wife The World Traveler

Irma is returning from Germany, France, and Spain after ten days. She went with a team of ministers to the European Theological Seminary to do a week-long seminar on Children's Ministry. We will be posting pictures soon....digital cameras have come a long way, thank you Canon and Nikon. Teaching and training children (and children's workers) has been a passion for us for 20+ years. I do puppets, lights and sound...you name it. Irma does object lessons, illusion, chemistry tricks, balloon animals. Seeing children accept the Lord and then watching them grow is something that money can't buy. The rewards here are great but to hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant..." it is the most fun a grown person can have, trying to stay one step ahead of a bunch of elementary school children. It keeps us young....I'm the youngest guy with grey hair you'll ever meet. One person asked me recently if Dick Clark calls me for daily encouragement.