Latest Doctors Visit

I know … it’s been a while since I left a note.  But, I actually have been busy with things at the church:  Repair of a water problem and replacing drain pipe, pointing my finger as the landscaping was done, watching the men as they sanded the block wall in the basement, then I watched as Robert and Adam applied hydraulic concrete to the inside wall, then I almost broke a sweat as Anthony pulled the old carpet up, finally this week I checked on the progress of the new carpet installation.

Man, now that I think about it, I’ve been really busy!!

All kidding aside, the Lord has allowed us to get a lot done in the past few weeks. We praise Him for that.  Keep praying as we complete the work with painting the basement next month.

 

Now for the doctor visit update…

I returned to the back doctor yesterday.  The level of nerve pain in my leg has been much worse in the last 6 weeks since I was last at the doctor’s office.  Part of that may be the increase in activity, but part is the nerve “waking up” since the surgery.

Last spring and summer, the doctor and the physical therapist both said it could take 1 to 2 years for the nerve pain to completely dissipate.  But last August, the disc re-ruptured on the nerve again for another 4 months before the fusion surgery was done.  That added pressure and rubbing on the nerve and most likely it prolonged the length of time I may have to live with chronic pain.

 The current situation is this: 

I can only walk about 15 to 20 minutes without a cane, or 30 to 40 minutes with a cane, before the pain in my left leg begins to build. 

I can have reasonable days if I am not very active, but if I do much at all, I will have significant pain for as many as 2 to 3 days. 

I realize I could sit around and do nothing, but life goes on!  I am only preaching Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights as it is.  I need to be preaching Sunday nights also, but I just can’t do 2 services in one day.

Yesterday, we evaluated the nerve pain and the mobility in the leg.  After considering the level of chronic pain and the amount of pain medicine I have to take to get relief, we had some serious discussions about “Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy”, where a device is implanted under the skin that has “wires” that run up the spine and deliver electrical impulses to the spinal cord masking the pain signals coming from the damaged nerve. 

The process to have this device approved and implanted is very long and can take as long as 4 months.  We considered starting the process and if the pain began to improve, we could stop.  However, after further discussions, we have decided to wait a few months to see what happens.  It has only been 3 months since the surgery.  It is possible that the nerve is going through a healing phase now and may begin to improve in the next couple of months.

So, we made an adjustment to the type and amount of medicine I am taking and scheduled another appointment in 1 month to monitor the situation. 

Please keep me in your prayers. 

Preacher Randy

A Wintry Morning

 

Wintry Morn

 

What a beautiful morning at the preacher’s house. The Lord blanketed our area with a coat of snow last night. 

Snow on the Barn

We were still able to have our worship service last night.  Brother David Epps stirred our hearts Sunday Morning, then he returned last night to give us another dose of classic Epps preaching. If you are familiar with Brother David, you know what I mean.  He is fun and exciting, but he also has a tender heart for the things of God, people of God and Word of God.  We had a wonderful day at the Lord’s House.

Well, I just thought I would drop a note this morning, leave a picture of the snow and let you know we are still serving the Lord.

If I get a chance, I’ll leave a few more pictures.

Preacher Randy

Rose!, The Preacher's Dog Having Fun

Getting Back In The Pulpit

Well, I’m finally getting back behind the sacred desk.  I preached my first Sunday morning last week on February 22.  I preached again on Wednesday night.  I hope to be able to preach Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights for a little while, and then eventually add the Sunday night service in later.  Right now, I just don’t think I can handle both Sunday services.  I also have to try to keep my message time down to no more than 30 – 35 minutes.  This past Sunday I went 45 minutes, but the message was really burning my heart and the Lord helped me get through without too much pain.

Other things around the church are keeping me busy as well.  We had a water problem in the basement due to poor drainage from our gutters.  The men have gotten together and done a terrific job.  New pipe has been put in, plastic was put under the ground next to the church wall and landscaping was done to direct the water away from the church.  I want to thank all the men that have helped out.  It is a blessing to have men in the church willing to give their time to keep God’s house honoring to Him.

Go check out the pictures of the job.  If you look under “News & Events“, then click on the link to “Working on the Water Problem“.

God gave me a new message, borrowed from Steve Wagers that I was excited about preaching this Sunday.  But I had totally forgotten that I had scheduled Brother David Epps to preach Sunday morning and night. Not only will I not be preaching that message, but I had also scheduled a missionary that the church is praying about taking on.  I had to call him and reschedule for next week and put my message on hold.  I felt terrible for the missionary, but those things happen sometimes.

On the other hand, I can’t wait to hear brother David Epps.  He is a great preacher that out church really loves.  He has a real sense of humor but he balances that with a love to see people come to Christ.  If you are within an hour drive from Community Baptist Church of Roxboro, it would be worth the drive.

Well I have a lunch meeting with Pastor Chad Branch so I had better run.  God bless you all and have a good day.

Preacher Randy

It’s Been A While

It’s been a while since I blogged.  I’ve been really busy and it seems that time just slips away.

We have had some good services and the Lord has blessed us.  I still have not been back in the pulpit since my surgery in December.  The doctor told me last week to wait until the end of February at least.  I am trying to be patient, but I will have to get back in the pulpit soon.  I am hoping to try a Wednesday night at the end of the month and see how that goes.  I know waiting a couple more weeks will not hurt the church since the attendance and faithfulness of the people is still really good, but I also know that the sooner I get back the better.  Not that I am any better preacher than the men that have been preaching, but the church is familiar with me and my style.

Other things going on – We had our annual Trustee Finance meeting last night.  I really appreciate the men that take time to help in making decisions for the church.  I also praise the Lord for his blessing on the church.  We have been abundantly blessed in the last year.  Even though we are not always good stewards, God still blesses us.

February has turned out to be missions month for us.  Since I have to be out of the pulpit, I have scheduled several missionaries that have been asking to present their ministry to the church.  I would love to see the church take on one or two more missionaries this year.  ( If you are a missionary, please do not contact me through this forum or by email.  I only consider those missionaries with mission boards that we are familiar with.  Sorry, but that’s just my policy. )

Well, I’ve got to go make some slaw and cook some hot dogs for supper.  Looking forward to going to church tonight and hear the burden of a missionary to Brazil.

Also, if you’re reading this today (Wednesday, February 4th or there abouts, please pray for my son.  He has been sick since Saturday with a fever and cough.  After two visits to the doctor, they say he has ear infections and sinus infections.  Please pray for God’s touch on him.

God Bless,

Preach Randy

Great Revival

The Lord was good to us during our revival meetings this week.  Brother Tony Finney did a great job of allowing the Lord to direct his messages to the heart of the people.  It was not a meeting that caused a lot of shouting and running, but it was a “Lord help us” meeting.  Brother Tony preached with passion and poured his heart out.  I believe the Lord sent the messages especially for several people that came to the services.  We had some young people there that have never been broken over their sin.  They have lived in the world and have refused to bow to God’s authority.  I believe by seeing Brother Tony show that their is a brokenness and passion in the heart of a saved person, the Lord tried to show them that what they claiming as salvation is just not real.  Please pray that the lost folks in the services are troubled until they settle their sins with God.

I was pleased with the way our folks supported the meeting.  We had several each night that were unable to come, but for the most part, our church family supported the meeting well.  They also gave generously to the offering and we were able to take good care of Brother Tony.  I want to thank the church for their faithfulness.

Thanks for your prayers for my back but please continue to pray for my recovery.  I was able to be at the services this week, but it was a little difficult.  I am getting better, slowly.  I pray that I will be able to get back in the pulpit in the next month. 

God bless and have a great week end.

Preacher Randy

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!  I pray today will be a great day for everyone.  I also hope you will take a moment to reflect upon the real meaning of Christmas.  Take time today to think about the eternal blessing and most wonderful gift ever given to mankind.  To think that the God of this universe gave his only begotten Son so that sinful man could be saved from their sin and have their fellowship with God restored.  What an amazing thought! 

Jesus came to be a substitutionary sacrifice.  He came to live a perfect sinless life to fulfill the law that we could not do.  Jesus came to shed His innocent blood on the cross of Calvary.  Then, His resurrection from the grave and His ascension to heaven to be our intercessor.  All these things were part of His earthly ministry and His earthly ministry all started that day in the little city of Bethlehem.  That is why we take time to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Praise the Lord for the gift of His Son.

I would also like to thank everyone for all the calls and cards since my surgery.  We appreciate everyone for your love and concern.  I know the Lord will bless you for your kindness and generosity.

As far as the surgery goes, I am recovering very well.  I am able to get up and walk for 15 to 20 minutes at a time now.  I am sleeping most of the night and the pain is manageable.  I have my first follow up appointment next Wednesday, December 31.  I will let you know how that turns out.

Again, thanks for everything.  I am so blessed to have such a loving church family.

Merry Christmas, I pray the Lord blesses you and your family.

 

Preacher Randy

Surgery Update…

Wednesday’s surgery went well.  The doctor said they were able to do everything they expected to do.  They removed the whole disc at the L4/L5 vertebrate and replaced it with a spacer and filler.  I now have pins & rods in my back that will stabilize the vertebrate until the bones can grow together and the spinal fusion will be complete.  The doctor was exactly right — I hurt!!  I told my wife that I definitely don’t want to go through this again.  But I praise the Lord that the surgery went well and that High Point Regional has some of the best nurses and assistants I have ever dealt with.  They have been so very kind to us and extremely helpful in all areas, even the workers in the cafeteria and soda shop/gift shop have been wonderful.  If you ever have to have surgery, this is the hospital I recommend!!

I started physical therapy yesterday here in the hospital — getting up and walking a little bit.  Today the physical therapist came back and gave me a whole list of exercises to do when I get home.  Yeah, yeah — I just love exercises!

We hope to be home some time Saturday and looking forward to being home.  Thanks so much to all who have prayed for us and I ask that you please continue.  Recovery will be slow and many days long, but with the Lord’s help, we’ll certainly get through.

Preacher Randy

Good Day In The Lord’s House

We had a good day in the Lord’s House yesterday.  The attendance was down, but the Lord showed up.  I preached about the decisions we make in life.  Every decision we make reveals our character.  Sometimes those decisions seem like the right thing at the moment, but can be made for selfish reasons, ignoring the will and desire of God.  When we make those kind of choices, we eventually pay a price.  There are always consequences to walking out of the path God has for us.  Unfortunately, many times the consequences of our decisions also cost those we love.  When we make choices that take us out of God’s will, like the engine of a train, all those connected to us follow in our tragedy.

In order to stay on the right track, we must make a point of seeking God’s guidance and direction even for the “little” choices of life.  Too often we only turn to God for the “big” decisions like our job, our mate, our church home - but it’s the little choices that lead us to the big ones.  It’s the little choices, like who we fellowship with, and the friends we make, that lead us to the big choices, like who our mate will be.

Of course, we know that the most important decision in our life is whether or not we will choose Jesus as Lord and Savior.  You can try to make all the other choices of life right, but if you miss the choice of accepting Christ, then eternity will be a long time to suffer regret.

We should make our decisions carefully – the consequences may cost you more than you are willing to pay.

Got a Surgery Date

I am scheduled for surgery December 17th.  Please keep me in your prayers, but especially pray for my wife and the church. 

I have already started scheduling men to fill the pulpit.  Dr. Joe Bryant, an evangelist from Tennessee will be preaching December 21st.  Brother Joe is a great man of God and a powerful preacher.  The church is blessed to have someone of his caliber filling in. 

I have also talked with Brother Tony Finney about our annual winter revival.  He plans on coming January 5 – 8 even though I may not be able to attend.  He has been coming to our church for 7 years now is very comfortable holding revival without me there.  I told him that my folks wouldn’t really care if I was there knowing that he was showing up!  Our folks love Brother Tony and he is always a help.

I will be talking with several other men about filling in for me while I recover.  I am most thankful for men like Brother Bill Ferguson who is always faithful to fill in for me.  He is a blessing and Community is privileged to have him and Elva as part of our church.  My son Josh will also be filling in for me and I’m grateful that the Lord is using him in our ministry.

Well, I have some more studying to do for Wednesday night service.  Just wanted to drop a note to anyone who might stumble by.

Need Your Prayers

Had another appointment with the back doctor today.  It appears I need to have a spinal fusion on my lower back.  I had a microdiscectomy in February to repair a ruptured disc.  Sometime in August the disc re-ruptured.  The disc wall is deteriorated and will continue to rupture so the doctor recommends removing the disc and fusing the vertebrae.  The surgery will most likely be scheduled within the next 3 – 4 weeks.  Recovery will take a couple months. 

Please pray for the surgery, but especially pray for my wife since a lot of the household burdens will fall to her.  Also pray for our church.  I have some good men to fill the pulpit for me but it is still hard on the church.  I know the Lord will provide and protect, but knowing folks are praying brings comfort.

Thanks for stopping by this preacher’s blog and I hope you have a blessed week.

Randy