Hope Through Hilarity

Well, I am home from NC and will be here for a while. My next scheduled concert is not until July 29th in Loganville, GA. But keep checking the schedule, for I might book something before then.

My back is still in pain. I still can't bend to my shoes. It is getting better though. I will keep you posted.

One thing I am looking into is "Podcasting." Apple iTunes just released their new version today and you can now find and subscribe to "Podcasts" from all over the place.

Basically a "Podcast" is like a radio show, or whatever you want it to be in the way of audio, that is uploaded to iTunes. Then you can subscribe free and whenever you open iTunes it will update the new "radio" program into your iTunes so that you can listen there or put it on something like your iPod. It is really cool.

So, I am investigating on how to do this so that I can bring even more fresh content to my web site and to you! I was thinking of during interviews with celebrity friends or with pastors and others on the road.

I will keep you updated on how this works!

Scott

Well, Eric and I saddle up for a road trip to Pilot Mountain, NC at 8 AM in the morning. I will be doing a concert tomorrow night at the Brim's Grove Baptist Church and then with them on Sunday for their morning services. Then it's off to lunch and back on the road to be home by Sunday night. So, if you think about it, please pray for us!

Speaking of prayer, I am designing a really nice Hope Through Hilarity bookmark. I call it a "Prayer Bookmark." It will be 2" wide and 8" tall, printed in full color on a really nice super thick card stock and then coated with a really slick, shiny UV coating. It will serve as a great bookmark but also a prayer reminder for you to pray for this ministry more often.

They are going to be free and if you would like to pre-order some now, simply email me at scott@hopehilarity.com with your mailing address and I will send you 5 of them when they come in. This way if you read a lot you will have one for each book or you can give them to someone who needs a nice bookmark.

Thanks,
Scott

Well, it's 4.25 AM and I just got up to take some aspirin for my back pain. It is much better, but still painful. Please pray it is better than this before Saturday and my trip to NC.

Norma, pastor Ed's wife from this past Sunday, sent some more pictures from Sunday's service that I've added to the NEW HOPE Gallery, so be sure and check them out.

Well, I am back to bed! I have to get up bright and early at 10 AM!! :)

Scott

Well, I got back from the Doctor about 2 hours ago. I am still in pain and have to go back tomorrow. He put me on some natural muscle relaxors and gave me a special diet to follow. (This doctor is older but in GREAT shape and is a huge proponent of "natural" treatments).

They did an x-ray, and the good news is that I don't have any disc injuries. That is a blessing. But my weight is a cause and how I sleep as well. He told me to NEVER use heat on my back and to sleep on my side with 2 pillows between my knees. He said if I do sleep on my back to NEVER put pillows under my legs but to lay flat.

I have to go back tomorrow for a follow-up and he is giving me a special belt/brace to wear that will hopefully help me get through the weekend since I have to go to Florida on Saturday for a concert.

So, please keep me in your prayers! I truly do appreciate that!

Scott

I am going to the doctor today about my back. Please pray for me!

Thanks,
Scott

Yesterday my back was much better, so I got out and did some stuff, but I think I pushed it too much. Today it is worse. It is 4 pm and I just got out of bed at 3 pm, (slowly!). I now have ice on my back. Thank you to all who have sent emails with your advice on what to do. I am trying it ALL!!

Anyway, I wanted to tell you that the new HOPE Store is now on the web site, so be sure and check it out. We've added some really nice, cool t-shirts!

Thanks for praying for me and please continue.

Scott

I hope you are doing well. It is cloudy and rainy here in Georgia and all I have to do is stay here and rest my back. It turns out that I have a disc that is bulging out and causing the pain. I found this out on WebMD. What a great web site. It is really cool.

So, all I can do is take my over the counter medication, use a heating pad, and get plenty of bed rest! Boring I know.

But I am getting up now and then to do some email work and phone work. I have booked several new Hope Through Hilarity concerts so be sure and check out the schedule on the web site.

Well, please pray for me that my back will heal up this week!

Thanks,
Scott

I am back in town, but can hardly walk! My wife Donna, (who is a nurse by trade, but now makes her living as a great graphic artist), thinks I may have a slipped disc. All I know is that it is sharp, shooting pain in my lower left back that goes down through my left leg. I am taking lots of medicine and trying to just get rest. She says that is the best thing to do.

Well, the good thing is that I have this weekend off, so I will be able to get plenty of rest. Please pray for me that it will heal soon.

Thanks,
Scott

All day Sunday at Macedonia Baptist was wonderful! What a great church with a great group of people who know how to worship and how to have a good time! There is NOTHING wrong with laughing in church and enJOYing our relationship with the Lord....and they did!

Donny and I did about 15 minutes in the main worship hour, then at 6 that night, we did our whole concert. It was just as much fun for us and for them. We really had fun on stage enjoying the fellowhship of the people. And of course, (it is a Baptist Church), we had a food fellowship afterwards with lots and lots of fine food made by the people. There was even "baptist bird," (fried chicken, for those who don't know).

Another great thing Sunday night was having my brother-in-law, Jon Gates join us on stage and play the piano during the offering. He was great and received a standing ovation! I am hoping he will record a solo piano CD some day soon. I know it will be great. If he does, I will let you know and keep you informed so that you can pick up a copy.

On Monday morning, we headed to the Jacksonville, FL airport. We got home around 2 pm. I had time to wash a load of clothes and repack before I headed back to the airport.

My flight to Houston was supposed to leave at 6:30 pm....then they changed it to 7:50, then 8, then 9:16, and then finally 10:15. They loaded half the plane and I was the VERY next one to get on the plane and they stopped me and said "don't let anyone else on."

It turned out they didn't have a co-pilot. So, they ended up making everyone get off the plane and canceled the flight! Now, I am writing this blog from my (free) hotel (very fancy too) that Delta is paying for. So, I am catching the 11:10 am flight in the morning and will get there around 12:16 pm, (HOPEFULLY)!

It is more of a little vacation anyway. Mark Lowry has a home in Houston and he invited me out for 3 days just to visit, (well, now it will be 2 days), and just relax. I am looking forward to it and need it.

Well, that is about all I can type tonight. I am tired and want to enjoy this nice bed in this fancy hotel that Delta is paying for!! :)

Stay in touch!

Scott

Well, I am sitting at my brother-in-law's kitchen table here in Jacksonville, FL writing you and having a cup of coffee. Donna's brother lives here with his wife and 2 great kids.

Last night Donny, Eric, and I were in Dallas, TX for the EPIC International Banquet. That was a great time, for I got to see Dr. Sumner Wimp and his wife, who I've not seen in years. He was a professor and one of the Vice Presidents of Liberty University when I was in college. What a GREAT soulwinner and preacher.

Anyway, we had to get up at 4 am this morning to catch our 6:30 am flight to Florida. So, it was great that my brother-in-law, Jon, allowed me to take a nap. So, that is why I am here at the kitchen....waking up from my 3 hour nap and having some coffee.

Pray for us tomorrow as we will be in the AM & PM services at Macedonia Baptist Church here in Jacksonville. I am looking forward to a great day. I will let you know how it goes.

Scott

This is going to be a really busy week! Tomorrow I am flying to Dallas to meet my friend Donny to perform at the EPIC International Fundraising Banquet. Then we get up early on Saturday morning to catch a 6:30 AM flight to Jacksonville, FL where we will be all day at Macedonia Baptist Church. Then we fly back to Atlanta and get here around 2 PM, only for me to catch the 6:30 PM flight out to Houston, TX. I will be visiting with a friend of mine from Monday through Wednesday. I get back to Atlanta Wednesday night.

So, please pray for a wonderful time at each place and that the Lord will bless! Stay in touch!

Scott