Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” — The Revelation of Jesus Christ, Chapter 14, Verse 13.

Good morning and welcome. It's Monday, November 3, 2025, and, over the past several days I've come up with some really good stuff to share with my blog readers. Alas, I do have to climb the stairs and at 79 years, 3 months, and 3 days, well, it takes just about that long for me to forget the great idea I had. It could have been something someone said or something I saw on the TV screen, or, maybe it just popped into my noggin. I remember well how frustrating it was when mom began to forget. Being the helpful son I told her to jot it down. Jot it down. That can't be too hard, right? She wasn't that pleased with my advice. I suppose it was a reminder of the problem she had. Now, the time has come for me to take some of my own advice. Jot it down. That can't be too hard, right? Then, I can say to myself what she used to say to me, "Thank you so much, Dr. Abbott!" Even as I write it, I hear her sweet voice. To be able to remember things like that is a blessing from above. 

 

I've written a lot about how I wish I could hear my dad's voice. There are times when I get close to hearing it as I think about him when I have a are memory that pops up.  He died on January 2, 1954. I was seven years old and it has always been difficult to understand why I can't recall his voice. Based on my research, I self diagnosed my condition as having a block due to his unexpected death and the trauma that ensued. One of the main ways of dealing with a block of that type is to undergo hypnosis. I just never felt right about getting myself into an altered state of consciousness. I will not lie. I fretted over it for a number of years. As I sit here today I can remember the voices of many who have gone on to their reward, those who are near and dear to my heart. My dad? Not yet. I do know that, based on his testimony of having put his faith and trust in Jesus to save his soul, and, my testimony of having put my faith and trust in Jesus to save my soul, I will see him again, and, if that voice thing comes up when we meet, we'll sort it out then.

 

Thanksgiving as it relates to a holiday is coming up next. We all know that we are to live in a state of thankfulness at all times. Here's that verse that tends to challenge me and maybe you too, "...in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (The Apostle Paul wrote this in his first letter to the local assembly meeting in Thessalonica, Greece, 1st Thessalonians 5:18)  Regardless of how one parses this verse, being thankful is something that should be reflected in our day by day living, from the inside out. What makes it tough is the everything word which, in different versions, is translated all circumstances, every situation, and whatever happens. That's pretty much impossible for my flesh to handle, but, my faith can with Holy Spirit God's help. I have never denied, and I continue to believe that I am mostly a work in progress as I seek to be conformed to the image of my Savior. (Romans 12:2) So, don't be surprised if you see me slipping and sliding around from time to time. Pray for me, encourage me, and perhaps I will be there to do the same for you because we are in this journey together. (James 5:16; 1 Timothy 2:1) That should do it for today. Now where did I put my pad that I was to jot things down? Enjoy your day, thank God for it, and may He add His blessings. Amen.

 

PS: I will be out of town tomorrow for our first Santa event making photos in an old pickup truck, outside, over in Louisiana. The photo was taken last Saturday evening when I checked out the uniform for the upcoming season. I should be back in the ole blogger ranch chair come Wednesday or Thursday.