I apologize for being so repetitive but I'm just sharing what bubbles up each day. Thank You Lord!

Good morning and welcome. It is Friday, January 29, 2021, and, I rise up to give thanks for another day. I am saddened to report the longest list of folks we know and love who are dealing with Coronavirus. Because we are not in the younger category, most of those we know are up in years and some are really struggling with the virus. I've talked with some of them and they, like me, are just thankful to still be here as God provided. One fellow in his mid-80's told me he was more than ready to go when God was ready for him to go, but, his reading of the situation says God brought him through this illness and He still has something for him to do. I get that, and, I feel much the same way. I didn't dodge a bullet, I was provided for by the Living Lord of the universe. Some would say, that's emotionalism at work. Sorry. But, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. I do want to acknowledge all the prayers and support shown by so many as they expressed concern for my health and well-being. God uses it all to accomplish His purposes. What about those that didn't make it? That too is in God's providence and under His control. Because of this, I am humbled and thankful for His provision. What it will mean going forward I cannot be sure. But, one thing I know, He has been with me during these difficult days and that's something I am forever grateful for. Amen and Amen.

I do pray you and yours will be in health. I hope you have a great Saturday and that for all who can, I hope we will find our way to the place of worship on Lord's Day Sunday. May God add His blessings. Amen. .....More later.

"It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop." -- Confucius, (551-479 BC), philosopher

Good morning and welcome to today's edition, here on this Thursday, January 28, 2021. It's never been more clear to me that elections have consequences and we are seeing an almost unprecedented unraveling of just about any and all things we believed to have been a return to our founding principles. It's amazing how quickly hard-fought changes can be reversed with just the stroke of the pen. Some say what is happening is outside the powers and boundaries set forth in our constitutional form of government. While that may be true, when you have all three branches of government under the control of one party, pursuing any remedy becomes almost impossible. I am not nostalgic about the Trump presidency, but, I am for seeing our country operate based on Godly principles. I don't think there will be any of that happening over the next four years. Whatever the motivation, whether it was a political calculation or populist rationale, we did see many of these conservative principles restored during Trump's time in office. The reversal of these along with an aggressive liberal agenda will yield the environment in which we all will have to live out our lives. As God provides, within His will and His plan and purpose, therefore, we seek His honor and glory even as we see the things happening around us. Amen. 

For a Flashback memory, here's how I closed out my blog on February 22, 2008: ~Yes, each day will bring its own set of issues, challenges, and often, gut-wrenching experiences, but nothing about any of these things can change the reality for those who are the children of God. No, we don't act as if problems are of no concern to us because they often can be very wearisome and hard to bear. But, what we can do and what I hope we all will do, is to see that we are not alone in facing struggles that come our way. We have the living Lord of the universe Who actually resides in us in the Person of Holy Spirit God, and He will help us in making our way through what often seems like a maze. We also have OTHERS, our loved ones in our family, or dear friends, Church brothers and sisters, meaning we are surely not ALONE! I remember the Psalmist and King, David, once cried out as recorded in Psalm 42:11 with these words:  "Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God." (New American Standard Bible (NASB) That's what David needed to do. That's what I need to do. That's what you need to do. May God bless each one as we deal with all that makes up this journey called life.  ~ Some encouragement then and now!

May God bless each one. Amen. .....More later.

“The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.” – Abraham Lincoln

Good morning and welcome. It is Wednesday, January 27, 2021. I am somewhat at a loss to describe exactly how I am feeling these days. I am so thankful to report that I am no longer dealing with the illness I had for a 10-day stretch. I am no longer ill. Yet, at the same time, I am not well. I think the Brits may have a better term for it. Un-well. My eldest has a fellow in his organization that had a similar bout with COVID. He is close to my age. His experience pretty much parallels mine. He reports many weeks before he was able to regain his strength and vitality. The zapped syndrome. I think vague is the best description of how I feel most of my day. I do not know what the kicked-up version of a couch potato is but I assume I have achieved that and then some. I tell the wife each evening that maybe tomorrow. And, that is my hope, that yesterday's being laid up like a pack of dogs will give way to some productive activity today. Today! As God provides. Amen. 

Mr. Bentley has known things have been out of sync over the past few weeks. He is so happy I am well enough to take him on his inspection tours each morning. Last week he had his annual check-up. He has a few things they wanted to treat him for. ($273.00 worth of annual checkup and medications.) Nothing too serious. He weighs 18-1/2 pounds which puts him above average for his breed. The wife said he was so good as they worked him over. He went to the groomer this past Monday. When I picked him up I tried to get him to go into a nearby field but he was having none of it. He wanted in the truck. Period. He wanted to go home. He rode on my arm all the way, all 18-1/2 pounds, and, it was pretty numb when we got home. One of his favorite toys is a little rubber piggy. It makes the loudest pig sound you ever heard. We step on it by accident and it pretty much scares the daylight out of us. The other morning I was up early with him and he accidentally stepped on his piggy. It scared him too. He came about a foot off the floor. I told him it served him right for leaving it lying around. No. I did not say he was a senility support animal but, truth is truth, and, he is helping me to get through these trying times.

I do hope you have a most wonderful day as we continue the journey God has given to us. The wife and I watched the John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara classic, 'The Quiet Man', last evening. That's as close to a Hallmark movie as I can get, and, I do think it to be a good movie. We tried to decide if it was our favorite John Wayne movie compared to 'Big Jake' or maybe 'True Grit'. Sorry if that dates us but we said again what we always say when we watch one of his movies, "They don't make them like that anymore." May God add His blessings. Amen. .....More later.

Luke 1:37 ESV ~"For nothing will be impossible with God.”

I must have forgotten to say 'may I' yesterday since I think I slid back just a wee bit. I did a few things yesterday morning and after that, I suppose you could have stuck a fork in me because I was done. I was a little slow on the get-go this morning, as you can tell. But, it is Tuesday, January 26, 2021, and, I am thankful to still be able to make a breath mark on a mirror. Not much of one, but, enough. Yesterday morning the wife made me a memory breakfast. She made some of her famous homemade biscuits, fried thick bacon, and old fashioned oatmeal cooked with raisins. She served up the biscuits oozing with butter and everything was perfect. This breakfast was the ultimate comfort food start of the day when I was a kid growing up. I took the bacon and stuffed it into a biscuit and the combination with the oatmeal and raisins was superb. Yep. The virus has gotten to my emotional stability as well and I do tend to be slightly more sentimental these days, but, what a great way to start my day with good food and wonderful memories. Thanks to the wife for her hard work. And, thanks to God for allowing me to enjoy it. Amen. 

I suppose there are times when we learn what it means to take it one step at a time. Just to be clear, my experience is not unique. I have consulted several of my Church brothers who have dealt with COVID and they report much the same types of symptoms along with the fatigue that has characterized my recovery. One of the things that happened to them and myself was how we would wake up one day thinking we had beaten it only to be bedridden again that same evening. Oh well, it is what it is, and, God is still working. I know that to be true and I know that whatever He decides is best. Because of this, I can live in confidence even when I'm not making much of a mark on the mirror. Have a great rest of the day and may God bless each one. Amen. ....More later.

"Life is not a race, but a journey to be savoured each step of the way. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift. That's why we call it the present." ~ Brian Dyson

Well, hello there, and welcome. It is Monday, January 25, 2021, and, I am feeling good about me feeling well enough to be sending out a few thoughts for today. The Coronavirus took a lot out of me. I am not happy to say that, but, it is the truth. Since I am not one prone to be down and out with an ailment, and, I don't take that for granted, it, nonetheless, has been a shock to my psyche. Being wiped out. Drained. Listless. I got out of breath last Friday bringing the trashcans in from the road. It is humbling. It is also instructional in that I can better appreciate many who deal with physical limitations each and every day. I know I will get stronger and eventually this will only be something experienced along my journey. For now, it is a real and ever-present reminder of cascading issues relating to my 10-day bout with COVID-19. Many wonder about damage to their organs and how much of their lifespan has been shortened by having this disease. I haven't had time to add those to my list. Today, I just feel thankful I no longer feel like I've been beaten with an iron tire tool. Ultimately, there is something wonderful about belonging to God based on me having trusted the finished work of Jesus the Christ on Calvary. I am trusting God with my life. He really knows best. Therefore, I can with great confidence pray for His will be done in my life. I am going to do what I can to help get back on my feet but it is pretty scary when you fall ill as a pretty healthy 74-1/2-year-old and 10 days later my strength seems to have gone into hiding. 

I thought President Biden's press secretary was almost laughable in her defense of his faith in light of his executive order restoring government payments for abortions. The question had to do with what is taught by the Catholic Church regarding the sanctity of life. She said President Biden was a man of faith who attends services regularly each week. That was her answer. It's like the old preacher who used to say going to Church will no more make one a Christian than going into a garage will make you a vehicle. I'm sure her answer was very much a good one for the mainstream who has touted Biden's long term association with the Church. The Prophet Isaiah was given a word for those who would pervert the clear teachings given to us by God: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20 as rendered in the English Standard Bible.) 

As to how my experience with COVID will prepare me for the future, well, we will have to wait and see, however, we as believers do embrace the hallmark truth as given through the Apostle Paul, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) We believe it means what it says. ALL THINGS. Yep. The good stuff, the bad, and everything in between. It is a part of how God has chosen to work in each life of those who are His own. This was the life verse of my grandfather, Paw Paw Mac. It's a good one. For him, for me, and for us all. Amen. ......More later.

James Chapter Four, New American Standard Bible, (NASB), 13)Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” 14)Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. 15)Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” 16)But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. 17)Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Good morning and welcome. Today is Friday, January 22, 2021, and, I am so thankful to report that I am coming off of my first 24 hours of symptom-free regarding the Coronavirus. I think I am feeling like I would have felt had I not had the virus. One thing I do not miss is the bone chills and aches that characterized my experience over the past 10 plus days. My medical provider is typically fairly responsive to most requests even though getting appointments can take a while. However, when it comes to letting everyone in their system know that I as a patient have COVID, well, that seems to be sent around faster than a speeding bullet. I was called by the office of my eye doctor who said they were canceling my next week's appointment and until I am 100% clear of any and all symptoms I will not be allowed in the building. No. I was not watching an episode of Big Brother. But, it doesn't take long to think about how control over our lives will be pretty easy. And, no, just for the record. I have never watched an episode of Big Brother but the title fit my thoughts. I'm not upset with the medical folks. They are trying to protect themselves, however, it does appear somewhat heavy-handed and it also means I will miss my ophthalmologist before she leaves her practice at the end of this month. I just hate breaking in new doctors. 

Lord willing, I hope to be in service this next Lord's Day Sunday at the meeting place of our local fellowship of believers. Lord willing. Until then, I will continue to hunker down and do my best to start rebuilding my stamina. I have been told by several survivors that this will most likely take a while. I'm just thankful to be in the position of getting ready to do just that. Be blessed and know that God is aware. Always and forever. Amen. .....More later. 

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." ~ Romans 1:16

Good morning and welcome. Today is Thursday, January 21, 2021, and I am thankful to be reporting from my location to yours via this blogging utility. We continue to receive new reports each day regarding folks who are having to deal directly with the Coronavirus themselves or someone in their family circle. I do hope the new administration will aggressively pursue ways to mediate the serious impact associated with this pandemic. What should have been done, could have been done, was done, and all the rest becomes somewhat of a moot point as actions must be taken moving forward. I well remember how that four years ago when Donald Trump became president how those from the liberal world felt about his becoming the leader of the free world. Now the roles are reversed. Many who see things through the lens of traditional values made comments about those unhappy needed to suck it up, remember they are Americans first, and, if they don't like the country then maybe they should consider leaving. We are now seeing the exact same kinds of responses from the leftist winners. Some of them have gone as far as to say those who voted for Trump don't deserve to live in this country. The conservative folks are crying foul, but, I remember when they said some similar things. I am not pleased with the results from this most recent election, but, God, has allowed those in power to rise to their positions.

I find it interesting to read the comments of folks who were raised up in the same world I was. Some of them now say the four-year national nightmare has come to an end and a new wave of enlightenment has come. I can't help but wonder what happened in their lives for them to form these views. However, they are, in America, entitled to have them. People of faith need to be reminded of the ultimate power and how our lives must reflect God's will as we relate to those who differ in their worldviews. When we demonstrate the love of God and the power of the Gospel, hearts, and minds can be changed. Not to get our political views but rather to see the lives of men, women, boys, and girls changed for time and eternity. Amen. .....More later.

“Trying to get through life on your own limited strength, knowledge, and resources leads to futility and a loss of hope. But in God’s economy, getting to the end of yourself is the beginning of hope.” ~ AUTHORS Henry Cloud and John Townsend, BOOK: God Will Make a Way

Good morning and welcome. It is Wednesday, January 20, 2021. I will confirm one tidbit regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Falci was not 100% accurate when he said Santa Claus had an institutional immunity to the virus. Or, at least, it didn't turn out that way for this particular Santa Claus. Maybe, it was only during the actual sleigh ride and delivery process. I never thought him telling America's children that piece of information was such a good idea anyway. I did have another phone call with my doctor. He sent me two prescriptions. One is an antibiotic and the other is a steroid. I have taken the first dose and while it may be psychosomatic, I actually feel better again this morning. I am 10 days into dealing with my experience with COVID and I am ready to put it behind me. I mentioned the other day it is as if that much of the calendar fell off into oblivion. My bones are better. I've head mentioned before about the death rattle and bones that ache from the inside out. I think I know more about those than I did before. But, I am, for the record, on the mend. Again. Our choir director sent me a note and it was generic but it sounded interesting to me. It opened by saying, "If you are not sick I need you." He was attempting to drum up a response for the scheduled practice. It just seemed timely and somewhat ominous to open it up that way, "If you are not sick." Here's the truth as I know it. I am recovering. I am thankful. And, I give God praise for where I am at the moment. That's my story and as of this morning, I'm sticking with it. Have a great rest of the day and may God add His blessings. Amen. .....More later.

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” ~ Corrie ten Boom

Good morning and welcome. It is Tuesday, January 19, 2021, and I bid you a hearty hello. I will be
upfront about the truth regarding some of the residual issues pertaining to COVID-19. I was clearly very symptomatic for the past 8 days and some of the symptoms persist. I do have a follow-up call with my doctor this afternoon. I can tell you my thinking has not been exactly as keen as it normally is and some of my sleep cycle and other stuff has been somewhat wrecked. Yes. I am aware we have a new president as of tomorrow and we will need to be reminded that God was on the throne before the election and He is still on the throne today. About the time I think I've turned the corner, well, another round of issues pop up. This is what I will be talking to my doctor about. My heart goes out to a number of folks who have been hospitalized and some put into ICU to deal with this same virus. I start off the day pretty good but by afternoon all of my energy is gone. We will have to see how soon I can get back to my much-wanted health and vitality. Until then, I do hope each one will look up for our redemption does draw near. Amen. ....More later.

I don't know how close I came to touching the other side, but, I do feel like I've been on one long stormy trip.

Taken yesterday morning.

I am marking myself present today, but, in all fairness, I am using a very light pencil to do so. It is Monday, January 18, 2021, and, I can't remember a time when I was as weak as I am today. But, God be praised as I am beginning to begin feeling at least a wee bit of what I think I was feeling when I wasn't fighting this virus. I do have many praise reports to share. My wife. She has been beside me this entire time. She has tried to protect herself some, but, as we all know that's not easy to do when it is family. Community Coffee. Yep. Still enjoying it every single day. For the concern, caring, and the outpouring of love and support from family and our Church brothers and sisters. Mr. Bentley has also been my faithful companion too. I never lost my taste even though I couldn't eat very much at one time. While not wanting to drift into sentimentality, I am also thankful for the peace God granted to me during these difficult days. The song is right, "Through it all I've learned to trust in Jesus I've learned to trust in God." I never sensed that I was anywhere other than in His hands and I did change my prayer some during these days. I have been praying for His will to be done and then I would add my thoughts and ideas. This changed. I prayed His will be done, period. When His will is done, the rest will fall into place. As I get stronger I will no doubt have more to say. Thanks again to everyone who whispered a prayer for me. I am thankful. Very. Amen. .....More later.

"Of course God does not consider you hopeless. If He did He would not be moving you to seek Him (and He obviously is). What is going on in you at present is simply the beginning of the treatment. Continue seeking with cheerful seriousness. Unless He wanted you, you would not be wanting Him." ~ C. S. Lewis

Hello and welcome to early morning time here at the ole blogger ranch. I've been up since around 3:30 a.m. due to a nagging toothache like pain in my lower back and hips. Of course, when I got up, Mr. Bentley felt obligated to get up too just to keep me company. It is Friday, January 15, 2021, and, I will tell you it seems like I've literally lost five or six days out of my schedule. Maybe I've been too laid up like a bunch of dogs, therefore, I am going to try and be more active today. I took Mr. Bentley out earlier. It was around 45 degrees and we had a nice walk up and down the property. I am not one of these mind over matter people but there is some truth to doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. I also want to put a huge disclaimer up. I have dealt with some painful side effects, but, let the record show it has been nothing like those dealing with the same ailment who require ICU treatment. I share my experiences mostly because that is what I do here. My prayers go out to those who are on ventilators with every day being touch and go. Part of my issue is how I don't know what is going on inside my high mileage body. It's not like anything I've dealt with before and since I've been more than blessed with good health, it's just been hard to make sense out of it. The chills and fever have tended to hang around, but, today we are going to try the age-old approach of walking it off. In a manner of speaking. That is, consistent with what those helping me will allow me to do. I just feel like I have to change the layout of my day if I am going to get back to anything close to being like it was before all of this began last weekend. 

I do hope you have yourself a wonderful Saturday and Lord's Day Sunday. See you soon, Lord willing. Amen. .....More later.

"Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love endures forever." ~ Psalm 118:29

Good morning. I am reporting again from the sickbay here at the ole blogger ranch. It is Thursday, January 14, 2021, and, I am more than grateful just to be able to click and clack a few words on the keyboard. I heard some pretty gruesome descriptions of pain growing up. My granddad used to say he felt like he had been pulled through a rat hole backward. COVID 19 has made this illustration clear to me. I remember once hearing one of my aunts saying what she would do to my uncle if he ever mistreated her. She said she would wait for him to go to sleep, wrap him up tight with some sheets, and beat him with an iron bar until he stopped moving. COVID 19 has made this illustration all too real to me. I thought I was a wee bit better yesterday. I put on some clothes and took Mr. Bentley on his ride around the neighborhood. He hadn't been on his ride since last Friday. He knows this week is the one we remember when we brought him home as a 6-week old pup. As we drove around, it was still good and cool, and he had his head hung out of the window as far as he could. The wife argued against me getting out. She was right. Again. This morning I feel used up with my energy level pretty much on life support. Maybe not that bad, but, you get the picture. This stuff is not something you would wish on anyone. I did receive several inquiries from my grandchildren expressing their concern including two grandson calls which is very unusual. They may not often say it, but, their MiMi and Poppy are very near and dear to their hearts. With God's help, I am expecting to be back to my normal self when He provides for that to happen. I know. That requires a definition of what normal means for me and, to be honest, I don't have the fortitude to deal with it at this very moment. Thanks to all those praying for us. I can say without hesitation. Prayers are needed. Amen. .....More later.

"Adversity is always unexpected and unwelcomed. It is an intruder and a thief. But in the hands of God, adversity becomes the means through which HIS Supernatural Power is demonstrated." ~ Charles Stanley

This precious child actually asked to have her photo made with Mr. Bentley.
She went immediately to the super nice list!

Yep. I'm still here, but, I couldn't begin to figure out exactly what I am good for, given how I am all laid up like a pack of sleeping dogs.  The onset illness I had over the weekend rocked my bones, perhaps more than I have ever experienced. But, I find myself thankful to still be able to turn on the laptop and send out my blog today, Tuesday, the 12th of January, in this new year of 2021. When the chills and fever were raging, the wife made me an appointment with my primary care. I visited with him yesterday over the telephone for 15 minutes. I told him I thought the worst of it was passed. He, of course, has COVID on the front burner and everything we talked about seemed to revolve around the pandemic. He scheduled me for a test and I went through the drive-through yesterday afternoon for another wringing out of my nostrils. We should know something as soon as today. I had just made the comment to the wife's sister that at our age, one is okay until they are not okay. Hello! Be sure your words will find you out! My quote, not the one from the Bible. The achy breaker number done on my bones has some residual in that I am still hungover with soreness and can become easily chilled. Who would have ever thought that me, myself, and I would be glad to be using a warming blanket on my bed and a warming throw while in my recliner. I think I will soon need to turn in my man card. I keep telling everyone I am on the rebound and better but it is a slow recovery. I continue to await my grandfather's prophetic words, "Son, it will feel better when it quits hurting." Have a blessed day and may God add His blessings. Amen. .....More later.

Coming out of a flu like situation for the past 72 hours, but, I am much better today. Hope to be back in my regular position soon. Thanks.

 

Have a blessed Saturday and Sunday, and may God be with us all. Amen. .....More later.

 

"Giving thanks to God for both His temporal and spiritual blessings in our lives is not just a nice thing to do - it is the moral will of God. Failure to give Him the thanks due Him is sin." ~ Jerry Bridges

Good morning. It is Thursday, January 7, 2021, and I bid you a hearty hello. Today is another special day in our family. It is the 11th birthday of our very first great-grand, Madelyn Joy, (Madi-girl). She is a very special young lady and we thank God for her. May He continue to lead, guide, and direct her life. Happy Birthday. Amen. ....Our love, great-grands, MiMi and Poppy

With Christmas Day falling on a Friday and New Years Day falling on the following Friday, the trash pick-up has been upside down, (pun intended), here in our area. They finally picked up our Tuesday trash this morning. We have a Facebook page devoted to residents in our area and they have been having a field day with the ongoing saga of trash pickup or the lack thereof. One lady posted last evening if anyone knew what was going on with all the spotlights in the neighborhood. A fellow responded by saying he thought it was the cops looking for the missing trash pickup people and they were getting ready to also put out an Amber-Alert. Of course, by leaving the trash out for three days we had the typical knocked-over containers due to animal interference along with a huge rain. I started to say YUGE rain but I guess since Biden is soon to be sworn in, Trumpisms will no longer be part of our vocabulary. But, the postings have been interesting. I happened to be out on the driveway when they came by this morning. The workers obviously have nothing to do with the messed up schedule. They waved at me and I waved at them. One of them actually returned my trashcan to me personally. I suppose having someone to come by and get the lined up stuff we had out there is still a pretty good deal when thinking about how it works in less fortunate areas of the world. I know. That sounds a lot like the proverbial 'eat your food because children are starving in _______ fill in the blank country', but, there is some truth there. Somewhere.

Have a great rest of the day and may our great God add His blessings. Amen. .....More later.

"Yet as I read the birth stories about Jesus I cannot help but conclude that though the world may be tilted toward the rich and powerful, God is tilted toward the underdog." ~ Philip Yancey

Good morning and welcome to another day here at the ole blogger ranch. I had to assist our Jimmy in getting him to an early morning medical treatment and that's the reason I am running a wee bit late. It is Wednesday, January 6, 2021, and, we have a number of hours left to make something of it. This past Monday, I had an early morning blood draw to check out my diabetes status. Fasting, overnight, and then my waking hours from around 4 a.m. to 9 a.m., with no Community Coffee. That's a real challenge for me. The African-American lady who drew my blood had one of those effervescent personalities. She said, "Mr. Cecil, do you typically faint when you have blood drawn?" I told her I had not so far, but, perhaps today would be a different situation. What I wanted to say was, "Miss Technician Lady, do you typically have your patients faint when you draw blood?" I have mentioned before how easy it has been for me over the years to get that gushing vein going and finish the draw very quickly. Not so much these days. Aging. That fast lane vein is no longer as prominent as it was a few years ago. A little more probing and poking, but, we got it done. The technician then said, "Mr. Cecil, do you ever have a kid tell you that you remind them of Santa Claus?" I told her it had happened before. When we finished, I handed her one of my Santa Claus cards. You would have thought I had handed her a winning lottery ticket. She looked at it and shrieked and came about 6 inches off the floor. The other technician was just outside on the computer and she had this puzzled look as to what was going on behind curtain number three. I did get the results from my blood work. My diabetes continues to be well managed and the many other known but less than great numbers appear to be repetitively stable. That's my own attempt to mimic the garbled medical assessments we often get from professionals. No wonder we can't read their handwriting.

I think I will leave it at that. We pretty much have finished the Christmas takedown and we celebrated it last evening by having a wonderful dinner with the wife's sister and her husband at the steak restaurant. We had a wonderful time. It's not always like this but last night the food, the service, all of it, was top notch. We do thank the wife's sister for her many hours spent doing the heavy lifting, literally, alongside the rest of the team. Again, at our ages, if you are able to do things like this please do not take it for granted. Thank God. Again and again. It may not always be this way but we cherish the health and vitality we still have. We often hear from our friends and loved ones how quickly this can and does change. We read way too often, "I was just talking to them last week and they seemed to be doing so well." Such is life. That's why being grateful is so important. Okay. Enough already. Enjoy. May God bless. See you next time. Lord willing. Amen. .....More later.

“We are the Bibles the world is reading; we are the creeds the world is needing; we are the sermons the world is heeding.” - Billy Graham

Happy day to each one on this Tuesday, January 5, 2021. The wife's sister, her twin, born 18 months apart, is here helping with the deconstruction of Christmas and the reconstruction of a 'new' look. I'm all for fresh and new. I am not as inclined to the multiple trips to the Home Store and other such outlets. Those are good places but they do like to receive funds for their merchandise, now hanging on our walls. Oh well, it does look nice. I spent the day wrestling with the outside lights, taking down the nativity scene, and hauling stuff forth and back. Today, they plan to put the finishing touches on the reconstruction activities and once they label the many containers I will haul them all out to 'she-shed' number two. We had a wonderful breakfast this morning and enjoyed a lot of good fellowship. It consisted of homemade cat-head biscuits, scrambled eggs, sausage, and jellies. And, as the little girl used to say on the Hamburger Helper commercial, "And, I helped!" Good times.

Mr. Bentley and I did see a very well fed coyote on our morning ride yesterday morning. We do have a number of folks in our neighborhood who have outdoor pets, some of them pretty small. I suppose it could become one of those circle of life types of things. Meanwhile, we will do our best to keep Mr. Bentley safe. Now that he has access to his old viewing station at the glass doors in the family room, well, he has been somewhat reluctant to go there. I suppose he was scolded so often when the Christmas tree was up, he's not sure he can go there again. Slowly but surely he is beginning to reclaim his sweet spot. I'm telling you again for the umpteenth time, that pup is something else. We could have never imagined how much we would end up laughing as a result of him showing up on the premises. Be reminded, he has won over the heart of a person who for 73 years could say unequivocally that he was not a dog or pet person. I suppose if I go to a special meeting I would have to stand up and tell my story of how I had always been a no pet person but now I have become a Bentley loving crazy man. Senility? It is at least an option. Even I wonder at times.

The wife and I are on task to read through the entirety of the Bible this year. We are doing four chapters per day. This is something that is put on many folks' to-do list each year. A resolution of sorts. But, as we all know it typically starts off with a bang and can easily go by the wayside if we don't stay on top of it with our commitment to getting it done. I suppose by sharing this I have put myself and the wife out there as those who have engaged in this pursuit. I know God will bless any and all time spent in His Word. He has promised to do that. We have gotten 20 chapters done out of the total of 1189 in the King James Bible. I encourage everyone to join in this worthwhile activity. Four chapters go by fast. I have one of the modern versions where I both hear it read as well as seeing the words on the screen of my cellphone. That works for me. There are dozens of options for downloadable apps. May God help us to not only hear and read, but, to allow the truth to make a difference in the daily living out of our lives. Amen. ......More later.

"Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." ~ Carl Bard, Scottish Theologian, (1907-1978)

Rave Review Coconut Cake with Community Coffee. Talk about good!

Good morning and welcome. It is Monday, January 4, 2021, and we are off to begin to begin this brand new year. On New Year's Eve, we traveled over to our eldest son's and enjoyed a good meal and time of fellowship with them. On New Year's Day, the wife put the little pot in the big pot and made us a feast to start the year off right. Her sister and the sister's husband came over and shared this spectacular meal with us. She had cabbage cooked the old fashioned way. She made a pot roast with all the trimmings. We also had the obligatory black-eyed peas, We enjoyed corn on the cob and freshly made cornbread. For dessert, she made her famous Rave Review Coconut cake. It's something akin to the Italian wedding cream filling cake but so much better. I know the wife has talked a lot about dieting in this brand new year, but, that was not a topic of conversation at this noteworthy eating occasion. We had a wonderful service at our local church Sunday morning and two hours of choir practice Sunday afternoon. The early part of this week is planned for removing the Christmas decorations. That's likely a two-day job.  One little girl who came with her family to have her photo made said it was so good to be able to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus in their vacation home. There you go. You actually do learn new things here. 

Mr. Bentley will be so glad to see the Christmas tree put away. One of his most favorite things to do is to lay in front of the sliding glass door and look out on his domain. He likes to keep his eye on things. But, we had to be very firm in not allowing him to go behind the Christmas tree and that took away his viewing station. Yesterday, we inadvertently left our bedroom door ajar. He found his way in and when we discovered his location, the photo shows what we found. I'm sure there is a reasonable explanation as to how he got the curtain pulled back away from the sliding glass door in our bedroom, and, how he was able to secure it with the jug of distilled water I use in my CPAP machine. Shi Tzu ingenuity or accidental happenstance? He had found him a new sweet spot and was enjoying the view. I did not say my dog is smarter than your dog, but, I do believe he has an above-average dog IQ.  Just saying. 

As we begin this new year, I know I joke around a lot about this, that, and the other, but, in reality, given all that is happening in and around our world, we know to be able to get up and go each day is a blessing and we would be remiss in not acknowledging that and in giving thanks to God above. Were it not for His grace, mercy, forgiveness, and His provisions, we would be helpless and hopeless. These may well be the perilous times mentioned as characteristic of the 'last days'. 

2 Timothy 3:1-13 King James Version

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.

10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

While that may describe much of what we are seeing, be aware that God is in control and He will take care of His own. We have His word on that! Amen. .....More later.