Just When You Thought He was Gone for Good! Wham! He Shows Up Again!

Okay. Yep. I am still breathing air on the planet because of God's grace, mercy, and love. Happy 2024 folks and welcome to my blog once again. Today is Monday, January 8, 2024, and we are off and running. We just completed one of our busiest Christmas seasons. It was our 14th year to represent the Jolly Ole Elf along with his wife, Mrs. Claus. Me, at 77, her, at 76, can readily say, "It's only by the grace of God!" We already have many folks clamoring to get us on the schedule for this brand new year. That's a good thing if you are in the business of knowing this to be an ongoing venture, but, for us, it is, literally, a take it one year and one day at a time. We have to be honest. We are thankful for the health we have but that doesn't mean we do not have age related challenges. At any rate, we are pleased that people are pleased with our portrayal of these Christmas characters. And, many of you know, it is easy for Mrs. Claus, being a natural extroverted people person, and, she can warm up to almost anyone. For Santa, well, it is a work in progress. I can do it. It helps that I love children but since I am naturally an introverted person, I have to embrace that love in order to pull it off. I can do it. I have 14 years to prove that, but, I always do better with Mrs. Claus by my side. We are a team and she helps me to be the best Santa that I can be.

Will we be able to do 2024? We have our uniforms cleaned and ready, just in case, and, we will tentatively put dates on our schedule, knowing, that our ability to show up will be in God's hands. As the letter of James makes clear, chapter 4: 13) 'Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14) whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15) Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” 16) But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.' We cannot presume upon our own ability to accomplish anything, even given our recent experience. We choose to put our plans in the hands of God and then respond accordingly. Don't be uninformed, between the two of us, we have more doctors than you can shake a stick at. (Paw Paw Mac's saying.) I remember my foot doctor, or, podiatrist, telling me that since I occasionally wobble a little, likely connected to my diabetic neuropathy or an associated blood sugar drop, that I should get myself a walking assist mechanism, yep, a cane. Are you kidding me? I was just a wee bit stunned with his response. He went on to say that it is always best to get it before you actually have to have it. Wow! The bottom line, I have one now. I haven't used it but I have it. It's in the corner. You know. Like Tiny Tim's crutch. See what I mean? Lots of factors go into how each day unfolds.

I used to chuckle when I would look from the kitchen at Granny and Paw Paw Mac's into the added den and see Paw Paw in the rocking chair sleeping, out like a turned off light. He could fall asleep at the drop of a hat. Uh oh! Now I have those who chuckle when they see me doing the exact same thing. They say things like, "He's out as soon as his seat hits the recliner." And, many more, some very funny. To them, of course. I suppose I've come, in so many ways, full circle. We had a noted Bible Preacher, Dr. Jerry Vines, 86 years young, preaching last Sunday at our local fellowship. At 86, he brought a tremendous sermon, 45 minutes, rarely coming up for air. Outstanding delivery. Tremendous insights. It's a God thing. I didn't get the chance to ask him how quickly he falls asleep, but, his ability at his age, gives me and others great encouragement as we continue the journey God has given to us. Well, I have enjoyed my time spent at the keyboard and it's been wonderful to visit with everyone again. Here's a fact. Many on my old distribution list have been promoted to glory. Many. That's sad because we don't see them anymore but we are also, at the same time, happy for them, since they have achieved their real destination in this life and heaven is now their home. Y'all take each day and live it with God's help with an attitude of gratitude because He deserves our worship and thanks. May God bless each one. Amen.

Happy Christmas to One and All.

Hello friends and neighbors. Today is December 7, 2022 and I bring you greetings from my house to yours. I wanted to drop by and say hello and to wish each and everyone a God-blessed holiday season. Amen.

Romans 15:13 "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Good morning and welcome. Today is Monday, March 14, 2022. Here's a quick word from Mr. Bentley as he was thinking about the tune written by the red haired stranger, himself, Willie Nelson: "Well, hello there. My, it's been a long, long time. How am I doing? Oh, I guess that I'm doing fine. It's been so long now, But it seems now, that it was only yesterday .... Gee, ain't it funny how time slips away....."

 

It has been a while since I have visited via the ole blogger, but, there are plenty of folks around who will attest to the fact that I've certainly had plenty to say, mostly in run on sentences. I feel sorry for the wife as she is in Branson this week participating in the Praisefest celebration. Think about it, she has to sing with so many Gospel greats and sit under the teaching of Dr. David Jeremiah. That was said tongue and cheek since I would have gone too but given that we had just spent an entire week there last November, I decided to stay home to watch over the rat killing going on here at the ole blogger ranch. And, as Paw Paw Mac might have said, I was there and to be best of my understanding I didn't leave anything there, therefore, no need to go back. 

Are we living in some remarkable times, or what? Think about it. I put $75 worth of gas in the old truck the other day, and, that was before the price went up even higher. And, I get it. I agree with those who say at least we are not fleeing our homes with bombs bursting in the air. I watched President Biden's speech to the Democrat Party retreat. He said everything was going great and they needed to get out there and tell people all the good they have done, are doing, and will be doing, going forward. That was my paraphrase but he essentially mostly did a poor job of reading this kind of nonsense. They did applaud but it didn't sound very convincing or enthusiastic. Oh yeah. All the bad that has happened is Putin's fault. Don't get me started on Vice President Harris' representation of our country on her most recent trip to Europe. If she is Biden's secret weapon, we are in more trouble that any of us might think. I think someone should send her a globe along with a map so she at least knows where the countries are. Oh well, we could get down and out, but, we already know how to do that. Instead, I need, you need, we all need to look up because here's a truth we can live by, God's got this, period, end of story. Have a great day and may God add His blessings. Amen. .....Until next time.....

Psalm 90:12 "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."

Greetings friends and neighbors on this Tuesday, January 4, 2022. It's interesting how views change as one experiences the last chapters of life. Take, for instance, New Years' celebrations. We've gone from watching the new year come in and all the variety of gyrations that accompany it, to pretty much treating it like any other day. The only thing stirring our interest these days is the fireworks and how they tend to terrify our Mr. Bentley. That did keep us up a little later than usual. The photo is an old polaroid that I snapshotted from my cell phone. It wouldn't scan on the computer. Too dark. As you can tell, we all have aged a wee bit from that capture from our past. My guess is, we were dressed for attending Sunday services. Today, all our boys are in their 50's and two of the three have grandchildren. It gives me another opportunity to share a song the wife and I often sang many years ago in Church:

TIME HAS MADE A CHANGE IN ME
                  Harkins Freye


1. Time has made a change since my childhood days;
Many of my friends have gone away,
Some I never more in this life will see
Time has made a change in me.

Chorus:
Time has made a change in the old home place;
Time has made a change in each smiling face,
And I know my friends can plainly see
Time has made a change in me.

2. In my childhood days, I was well and strong
I could climb the hillside all day long,
I am not today what I used to be
Time has made a change in me.

Chorus:
Time has made a change in the old home place;
Time has made a change in each smiling face,
And I know my friends can plainly see
Time has made a change in me.

3. When I reach my home in that land somewhere,
With my friends who wait to meet me over there,
Free from pain and care I'll forever be,
Time has made a change in me.

Chorus:
Time has made a change in the old home place;
Time has made a change in each smiling face,
And I know my friends can plainly see
Time has made a change in me.

That song speaks of how we mark time in our sojourn here on the planet. We often look back as we remember the life God has allowed us to live. We also look up to Him and, for me, the closer I get to closing out my days here, well, I look forward to all that He has in store. The little girl in the photo was very nervous about Santa and in the photo we catch her looking back to see what was behind. We do the same thing. Soon after, she was well on her way to the loving protection and care of her momma who stood nearby. And, so it is with us. The most important thing I learned coming into 2022 is how God can be trusted. People, even those doing their best, will not always be able to be there, and, that includes me, myself, and I. But, God, the very God, He will never fail us, He will never leave us, and regardless, period, we can count on Him as provided to us through His Son, our Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ. Have a great day today and remember, one day at a time. Amen and Amen!  ......until next time.

Matthew 1:21 ~ "She will give birth to a Son; and you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” ~ New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Merry Christmas and may God help us all to look to Him both now and in the upcoming year! Also, greetings from the one and only, Sir Bentley Barksalot, Esq.

 

Deuteronomy 18:15-19 "The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. For this is what you asked of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the Lord our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.” The Lord said to me: “What they say is good. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name."

Hello folks. I know it has been a while, however, we are having a melt-down season portraying the jolly old elf and Mrs. Elf, aka Santa and Mrs. Claus. It is Friday, December 10, 2021, and I do hope all is well with you and yours. We are the proud great grandparents of Gabriel Roman, born this week to our granddaughter Amanda Faith and her husband Manny. He arrived four weeks early via an emergency c-section. God has been good. They have had a rough few days of recovery but are supposed to leave the hospital today. Praise God. Our family clan continues to grow as prophesied in the white shoe polish proclamation on our red car the night we were married: Watch Louisiana grow! Tonight, Lord willing, we will be appearing as Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Houston Down Syndrome Association Christmas party. We were not able to do this event last year due to covid but we are thankful that we are able to donate our time to such a worthy endeavor, enriching the lives of those dealing with down syndrome. 

Since I last visited, we've had several health crises and other challenges, but, who doesn't these days? I could wax on and on about it, but, such is the plight of us older folks. Mr. Bentley is well. He continues to try and decide whether he has been sent to us to provide orderly direction, or, maybe he is just a lovable pup. At times, we think he is all of the above and more. Until next time, may our great God add His blessings to each one. Amen. ........until next time.

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has." ~ Epictetus (AD 50 - AD 135)

Well hello there, my, it's been a long, long time. If you recognize that opening from a famous country song, well, you can feel better about yourself because that's the only prize I have for you today. It is Tuesday, November 16, 2021, and, I am in the upstairs office because the ladies' Bible study is meeting downstairs. I have been away, not only in mind but also physically. We spent an entire week up in Branson, Missouri. We spent a lot of money in Branson. I think they consider themselves to be an entertainment venue. We had a great time with Marilyn's sister, Dorothy, and her husband Jimbo. When I returned home, Mr. Bentley was very happy to see us. That photo above is one I snapped a few minutes after we came in the back door. (Without the Christmas stuff. I added that. Just so you know.) We did have a good time but the words of a very influential philosopher echoed in my mind upon our return. I can hear Paw Paw Mac, "I would go but I didn't leave anything there and I didn't lose anything there." Confession time: I did make a couple of video calls to check on things here but also to talk with Mr. Bentley. Okay, I said it. Paw Paw Mac again, "Son, have you lost your ever-loving mind?" Yep.

We've been working in the Santa Enterprise some. Last Saturday we traveled up to Mount Enterprise, Texas, for family portraits. We had a wonderful time. The lady photographer is a pastor's wife and we have known them for many years. We made a trip to Del Rio, some 10 years ago with them when he was the mission's coordinator for the American Baptist Association. We had not seen them since that time, but, when we showed up Saturday, it was like a homecoming of sorts. Their son, Dawson, was there to help out and the last time we saw him he was maybe 12 or 13. He now has his associate's degree in music from Texas Baptist Institute. Even Dawson considered us like family, and so we are, all together, a part of the family of God. They must not have cable in Mount Enterprise because we had many families that had 3, 4, and 5 children. We had a great time, but, it was taxing on our bodies, to say the least. The photo is of yours truly with Charlotte and Emily. This was Jill's first time to do these kinds of photos and we feel blessed to have been able to go and work with her. They are already booking folks for next year. 

We had worked really hard last Friday to get ready for our granddaughter Amanda Faith's baby shower which was held on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in our home. It was advertised as a come-and-go affair but most of the folks came and stayed which really filled up our home. It was great to hear so much laughing and talking going on. I was in the living area watching over Mr. Bentley and the Christmas decorations since we had many kiddos running here and there. We must have had between 30-40 folks who showed up and they gave Amanda and Manny a wonderful shower to help get them started with our great-grandson, Gabriel, due to arrive in late December. May God bless and keep them as they prepare for and await this child. Amen. I could tell about all the aches and pains involved in catching the ever-turning merry-go-round of life, but, since we are not in the waiting room at the doctor's office, I will save it for then. The theme for the baby shower was little pumpkin and they had decorations to match. Y'all be safe out there and know that God is faithful, always and forever, He is faithful. Please say a prayer for our Jimmy who checked himself into the mental health facility yesterday. The holiday season wreaks havoc with those dealing with depression-related mental illness. Wishing each one a wonderful upcoming Thanksgiving Day and may it be one where we all find ourselves giving true thanks to our Great God. Amen. ......until next time.