Song Chorus: "Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul Thank you, Lord, for making me whole Thank you, Lord, for giving to me Thy great salvation so rich and free" ~ "Thank You, Lord, for Saving My Soul" is a beloved gospel chorus written by Scottish evangelist Seth Sykes, with music usually attributed to his wife, Bessie Sykes, around 1940 in a Glasgow railway carriage, expressing profound gratitude for salvation, becoming a global hymn translated into over 70 languages, known for its simple, powerful message of thankfulness and often sung in revival meetings.

Welcome back, or maybe if you are like me it could be welcome oh my aching back. Ha! I say that because we spent a fair amount of this past Saturday taking down Christmas decorations. It is now Monday, January 5, 2026. I'm sure you remember when we all had trouble writing the new year. We pretty much are past that now because why? We no longer write paper checks. That is, at least, my theory of why it doesn't take until mid February to begin to get it right. Speaking of February, we have at times in the past left up our decorations for a good long period, but, not this time. Maybe that was on 'her' resolve to do list. Yesterday in the service at our local called out assembly, Church, a trio of college girls, I know they should be called young women, but, at my age, they are still girls, they sang the song that you hear often, 'Come Jesus Come'. That song always grabs our hearts as we look forward to the return of our Savior. At the same time it reminds me that we have those in our family who need to be saved before the end of all things. I know the Apostle John when summing up the visions he had been shown and the experiences he had on the island of Patmos, had these words, "He who bears witness to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming quickly.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." (From the Book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ, Chapter 22, verse 20, Legacy Standard Bible.)  The referenced 'He' is none other than Jesus and while we might see it as a long time, the Timeless One says He is coming quickly. John's response, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus". I love that sentiment and I love that song while at the same time my heart hurts knowing that so many will be left behind. I had that on my mind as we came home yesterday and seemingly out of the blue, perhaps literally, we received a text from our son, Paw Paw to his grandchildren, telling us our great granddaughter Gabriella gave her heart to Jesus that morning. (That's her in the photo above with a little brother, Eli.) Only God. And, we thank Him for her testimony and for those who shared the truth with her. The Gospel is good news and hearing one of our littles has responded, well, that made our day complete even as we continue to pray for others. That's a praise and an Amen. Yep, yep, and yep!

 

Many of you know already about my long term love affair with Louisiana Coffee. While it varies each day, I typically imbibe some three or four cups. I know. Many think that's way too much, and, coupled with the Monster's I drink to help keep me awake, well, some has suggested my old ticker might be running just a wee bit faster than it should. According to a volunteer expert who happens to have firsthand knowledge because she sits beside me in Church, she testifies that if it is supposed to keep me from falling asleep, I need a Plan B. That little fellow in the graphic above was altered to illustrate my enjoyment of what some have called battery acid or even varnish remover, it originally said 'my favorite winter activity'. As you can see I replaced winter with the word anytime since I am committed to honesty and I also added the Community Coffee labels to indicate the coffee I enjoy going back inside to fetch. Got it? Good. Here's a little of Community's factoids from their website, " When Henry Norman 'Cap' Saurage started making great-tasting coffee in 1919, he realized it had the power to connect people. Shoppers enjoying a cup in Cap’s grocery store felt it too — strangers became neighbors, neighbors became friends, and a town became a community. Cap soon began blending coffee full-time to maximize the good he could do for his community of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. And what better name than 'Community' to show what his coffee was all about? Over five generations, we've made connections nationwide while evolving to best serve our customers. We've continually innovated the ways we source, roast, and preserve the peak freshness of our coffee. But through it all, we've stayed true to the community that got us started. The Saurage family still owns Community Coffee. They personally taste our blends every week to ensure freshness and flavor. And we continue to have an unwavering passion for making great-tasting coffee that connects people." Full disclosure requires me to inform my readers of how Community evolved to where they now offer dozens of blends and flavors. I know. It's today's market, but, I do cringe when I see, as only one example, a Caramel Cookie Butter flavor. Talk about nightmares. Yikes. The better news is how the original coffee flavors are still around and after 105 years, well, that's not a bad record. Okay. Enough about a subject very few really care that much about but since I do, and it's my blog, well, it is what it is. In closing, Y'all. Yes, that means you too. Y'all have a blessed day and don't forget to give God the glory. Amen.