All that glisters is not gold— Often have you heard that told. Many a man his life hath sold But my outside to behold. Gilded tombs do worms enfold. Had you been as wise as bold, Young in limbs, in judgment old, Your answer had not been inscrolled Fare you well. Your suit is cold— — William Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice, Act II Scene 7

Good morning to one and all who occupy social media outlets throughout the multitude of applications including those who have access to the blogosphere. Today is Tuesday, May 26, 2026, and, we are up and at'em for another day given to us by the Creator Himself.  The younger man who spoke up after hearing the dialogues between Job and his three supposed friends, Elihu, he gave this inspired insight into the provision of The Almighty and His power, "If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath, all humanity would perish together and mankind would return to the dust." (Book of Job, Chapter 34, verses 14-15) Because of this we know He has permitted us the time we have here on the planet and we have the opportunity to recognize Him, respond to Him, and, to give the deserved honor and glory back to Him. We've all heard the saying, 'Looks can be deceiving'. It is a universal truth borne out in actual neuroscience studies, it comes with the human condition. The object being observed that looks a certain way may not in actuality be what it appears to be. I used the photo above as an example. That little guy was actually terrified when it came to contact with Santa. It doesn't look that way, does it? The professional photographers call it the silent entrance. I slipped in behind him and we got this shot. The parents were elated. I'm sure the grands and great grands were thrilled. But, the photo does not tell the whole story. Right? In my many years of managing people, along with my own many failed experiments in life, they, show how things that are shiny and have allure are very often not what they appear to be. As a manager I saw so many people chasing a new job where things were going to be wonderful only to have them call me later and ask for their old job back because of the misery they found in their new and wonderful opportunity. I can also tell you who is the master of visual deception: Satan himself! "And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." (The inspired writing of the Apostle Paul, 2nd Corinthians, 11:14) If you have never fallen for one of Satan's deceptions, well, good for you and God bless you. For the rest of us, I commend us all to be on guard because we live in a fallen world which is under the sway of the prince of this world, none other than Satan, who, according to Scripture, the Apostle Peter, 1st Peter 1:8, from the Berean Annotated Bible "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil {diabolos} prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 

 

As someone who has been there and done that, I say to us all: Beware and be alert. It is true that as believers Satan cannot take us out of the hand of our Savior. However, he can rob us of our testimony and that's exactly what he works tirelessly to do. One of the things we need is to come to the realization of the incomprehensible truth of our purpose here on the planet. I can't give you an explanation that would satisfy human understanding or even human logic. Why? It is gained by faith in God and in accepting His Word for what it is, The truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth. Some say that makes us blind to the realities of life around us. Not hardly. When we are walking by faith and in His will, the things we find to do bring honor and glory to Him. And, He is Worthy to receive all of it. He is. He really is. Now, my own reality is too often defined as weebly and wobbly, so, pray for me, as I pray for you, that we will find ourselves fulfilling His purpose by bringing Him honor and glory. Amen.