"When your dog physically leans against you, it shows they view you as their primary source of security and comfort." ~ copied

It is Thursday, September 17, 2026. Welcome. Today's edition is being written by none other than Lil Miss Biscuit. Who better to let you know what's happening in and around the ole blogger ranch than me? I'll start with this: These People! They may be older, but they are always going. Going here and there, I suppose. The result? I am left behind, typically in my own pen. I would sing "Don't Fence Me In" if I knew it, and if I knew how to sing. Ha. They always leave the TV on for me. Sometimes they leave the news on. Are you kidding me? Hearing all that makes me glad to be a dog. It does. It really does. Sometimes they leave hours-long worship music on. I enjoy it, but for all those hours while they are gone to Church, I ask you, would you enjoy it for that long? I heard them say I was 2-1/2 years old. I can't remember them having any birthday parties for me. They do a great job with the food they give me, and they keep my water bowls filled. On the rare occasion when one of my bowls becomes empty, I do know how to make them ring as I bang them against the floor. They respond, but I notice they sometimes grumble a little. I don't really mind because they pretty much spoil me all the time. Mostly. I know they do because I hear them say it over and over. "Lil Miss Biscuit is so spoiled". A bit tiresome, don't you think? I will give kudos to the man of the house for how he keeps treats stocked for me. I do love me some treats. I'm not completely sold on the so-called teeth cleaner treat, but it seems to make them happy, so I chew it. I do have to work for the treat. Yeah. I inform him that I need to go outside. I run around without a leash, which means he hollers at me quite a lot when I get close to the road. That man can wake the entire neighborhood when he perceives that I am in danger. I like to mess with his mind a wee bit from time to time. And, yes. I do occasionally fake going because I am very interested in the treat awaiting me when we go back into the house. That is one of my fun things to do. I know how to fetch, and I do it better than he does at throwing. Living with old people, they tire easily, but here's my truth: I wouldn't trade them for anyone else in the world. Understand that I don't really know that many people. Who knows? Someone might come along. You never know. That's a joke. Enjoy the rest of your day. Oh yeah, I do enjoy lying behind him in the chair while he types out his blogs. I do. I really do. I guess it is 'my happy place'.

 

Y'all have a great weekend, Saturday, and the new week day of Sunday. Church. If I hear that 'Come Jesus Come' one more time, I'm going to cover my ears. Ha! Next time, I will tackle two of my least favorite things: Vet visits and grooming services. I felt a shiver coming on. Next time........ 

John 14:2-4 “ My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

It's Thursday, September 17, 2006, and I'm spinning the wheel this morning, and no one knows where it will stop. At 80, I often find myself struggling to locate the really good subject I was going to write about, only to find, like former President George W. Bush, that I misremembered it. I know. Physician, heal thyself, WRITE IT DOWN! This means I will have to do it this way. Make it up as I go. Perhaps that really good idea will manifest itself and come out from wherever it is hiding as I continue today's blog. Here are a couple of stories that help illustrate what I am talking about: 1)  An 80-year-old man tells his friend over coffee that he has been going to a clinic to help his memory. "And is it working?" his friend asks."Oh, absolutely," the man replies. "It's wonderful." "What is the clinic called?" asks the friend. The old man pauses, rubs his chin, and says, "What is the name of that red flower with the long stem and thorns?" His friend says, "A rose?" The old man turns to his wife across the room and yells, "Rose! What's the name of that clinic I go to?" 2)  Three old men are talking about their failing memories. The first says, "Today I was at the top of the stairs, and I couldn't remember if I had just gone up or was about to go down." The second says, "I was sitting at the edge of my bed and couldn't remember if I was about to sleep or just woke up." The third man laughs and says, "My memory is as good as ever, knock on wood." He hits the table twice, looks up in surprise, and yells, "Who's there?" I know. You've read or heard those already. Me too, but I used them as a stalling technique while I'm still searching those filing cabinets upstairs to see if I can come up with that missing idea. Upstairs meaning my noggin. However, I discovered my search engine is on vacation, and I will have to come back later. Ha.

 

I so much enjoy songs that speak to my heart. What say you? One I heard the other day that I haven't heard for a while gave me that far-away look in my eyes, along with a few tears. The song is "I Won't Have To Worry Anymore". It was written in 1971 by James Goss and Jimmy Jones. It has been recorded by dozens of Southern Gospel singers, and I particularly like to listen to it sung by the young Irish singer, Owen Mac. You can look him up on YouTube. Here are the lyrics:

 

1st Verse
Down here my burden's heavy
And the road is rough and long
Sometimes my feet get weary and so sore
But a brighter day is coming
Soon I'll stand on Heaven's shore
And I won't have to worry anymore

Chorus
Oh, I won't have to worry
When I reach the other shore
All my troubles will be over
And I rest forevermore
My eyes will be on Jesus
And my heart will be a glow
And I won't have to worry anymore

2nd Verse
Someday when life is over
And I've said my last goodbye
I'll see my Savior standing at the door
He'll say, "My child, you're welcome
All your cares are left behind"
And I won't have to worry anymore

Repeat Chorus

Tag
No, I won't have to worry anymore.

 

Critics say this type of song emphasizes escapism. I say Amen to that because that's exactly what I look forward to: Escaping from this world to my heavenly home. Yes. Yes. Hallelujah and Amen. 

The Apostle Paul, via Holy Spirit inspiration penned these words in his first letter to the called out assembly meeting in Thessalonica, Greece, (Chapter 5, verse 18): ~ Amplified Bible~ ".... in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus."

Today is a very special day here at the ole blogger ranch. It's not because it's Wednesday, September 16, 2026, but I'm calling it a milestone of sorts because your word-slinging blogger has produced, since sending out my first on May 9, 2007, a total of 4,000 blogs. Thus far. That doesn't include those I never saw fit to release. I am aware of my proclivity for using way too many words when I am putting together my prose. Way too many. I am also aware of the many great writers who have warned against this tedious outcome. Here are a few: ~ Thomas Jefferson: "The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do." ~ Mark Twain: "Eschew surplusage." (From his list of writing rules, meaning to avoid unnecessary words or excess.) ~ George Eliot: "Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving wordy evidence of the fact." Elmore Leonard: "I try to leave out the parts that people skip." ~ As my Baptist preacher father-in-law, the late W. L. Rawles would so often say, "Here's the thing." I often use the grammar program to improve my text; however, there are times when it just doesn't sound like me. Sorry. It may be twisted and backwards at times, but it comes from my little twisted and backward pea-sized brain. And, after all, it is a conversation. You know. My blogs remind me of when I was a little fellow sitting outside the barbershop listening to those older guys shooting the breeze. No one ever interrupted the one telling his story to correct his pronunciation, his use of prepositions, conjunctions, tenses, or predicates. They might argue the facts shared, but not the grammar. Yes. I know about the process. Go back over your writing and take out all the words that are not necessary. Thanks for reminding me. Ha. Here's my final word on this particular event: I thank God. I do. I really do. I thank Him for providing me with the wherewithal to sit here at the computer and transfer what I have to say onto the electronic page. He gave me the abilities I have. He did. He really did. Therefore, it is our Great God who deserves the thanks and the glory for it all. Amen.

 

We all have God-ordained responsibilities as honorable citizens of our country, our state, county, and local governing authorities. (God-ordained examples: Jeremiah 29:7; Matthew 5:13-16, 22:21; Romans 13:1-2; 1st Timothy 2:1-2; and Titus 3:1-2)  I will admit I need to remind one particular individual of these truths given by God, that being me, myself, and I. We see so much waste and corruption in those occupying seats of government. As I have so often said, we vote for folks who end up being the lesser of evils. That in and of itself seems like a bummer. I was reminded of one particular annual fee when I recently paid the tax registration fees on my wife's car. In our state of Texas, they collect over $2 billion dollars via these registration fees. They report spending $1.8 billion on roads. (I hope that's true.) The rest goes to other areas of spending. We are blessed to live in Texas when compared to other states. We pay the 7th lowest in taxes and fees to the state. This means our state ranks very well in having a low overall tax burden compared to other states. My reason for mentioning this matter is that, for me, it's easy to complain about taxes. My wife as well. I believe I heard her say the other day these words, "It's tax, tax, tax!" She said that. She really did. Laying my complaints aside, I conclude we are blessed to live in the land God has provided to us. We are blessed to be able to pay our share of the tax burden. We are blessed from above. We are. We are so blessed. Thanks. I needed that. I did. I really did. Maybe someone else needed it too. Thank You, Lord. Amen. Just in case you are interested, the grammar program had a field day as it underlined much of today's blog. I hope it is happy with the work it did because, at the end of it all, here is my take: It is what it is. Ha!

Matthew 25:21 ~ Legacy Standard Bible ~ "His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master."

Good morning and welcome to another day here at the ole blogger ranch. This one comes to us sponsored by today, Tuesday, September 15, 2026. And as the great Dr. Seuss observed, "How did it get so late so soon?"  There was a time when I dreamed of becoming a major league baseball player. That was a dream I used to have when I slept with my Al Kaline glove held against my chest as a young teen. I was a really good player. I could pitch hard; however, it was not always clear where the ball might go. I could play third base or the outfield. I worked hard at it. But there came a day when I realized my limitations. I remember being selected to try out for the regional all-star team. Another fellow from our little village and I were selected. Someone, perhaps our coach, drove us to Alexandria, Louisiana, to practice with the other fellows who were also trying out. It was obvious the city guys looked down on us hicks. They did. They really did. Perhaps with good reason. The city teams had bigger athletes than we did. Many of them were good. Some of them were really good. They tested us on speed, agility, and our ability to hit and make plays. At that time, I didn't know the analogy about being a big fish in a little pond but only a small fish in a huge lake, but I learned it that day. I was really good in my small realm. I was not so good in the larger context. Needless to say, I didn't make the regional team. That experience taught me some lessons in life. No matter how good you might be at something, there is likely someone better. In fact, there just might be quite a few people better than you. That dream evaporated, but it didn't end my story. God allowed me to have other abilities, and He provided me with the environment where I grew to direct the work and activities of more than 150 employees in the computing and telecommunications field, as a department head for a Fortune 500 company. I no longer have my original Al Kaline glove, but I do have a baseball signed by him. It reminds me of how one dream might end, but God always has something better in mind. He does. He really does.

I could say much more about God's working in my life, but as my wife often says, "I think you've said enough." Ha. The joke about how one would have taken better care of themselves had they known they were going to live this long- well, that has some application to how I see things. I suppose since there was no indication of longevity on the male side of my predecessors, I had pretty much thought I would be gone by now. That's not a joke. It's the truth. It really is. That reality makes me feel very blessed to know that while I might be in overtime or perhaps even playing for sudden death, God has more for me to do. Some in the unbelieving world think that those of us who see our existence in the hands of our God, they see it as a cop out or a crutch to help us make sense of our lives. I can understand why they might see it that way. The key is unbelief versus faith. Faith. Belief. Confidence. Hope. I am guilty of all of those being in Almighty God. When He's done with me, I will go to be with Him, and that's what He has promised. (2nd Corinthians 5:8) My prayer is that, in some way, in the time I have left, I will find myself doing what pleases Him. Y'all are welcome to share the same desire. Go for it. Amen.

Hebrews 10:25 ~ New Living Translation ~ "And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."

Good morning and welcome. Today is Monday, September 14, 2026, and at 80, I better understand those who say how much they thank God for another day. Right? That's not to say I didn't thank Him before, but I suppose the age situation has made it even more real. I also thank God for the enthusiasm and desire to be with my fellow believers each time we gather at the meeting of our called-out assembly, our Church. If you feel the same, don't take that for granted. Some might say it's because I am a Bible teacher and I sing in the choir. I do feel the weight of those responsibilities, but I believe in my heart of hearts I would feel the same way about Church even if I were not in those positions. I know so many who are in situations where they cannot attend, shut-ins, and they would love to be able to show up at the meeting place. Our Bible study group, Sunday school class, or, as it is called in today's naming approach, our life-group, is made up of folks primarily in our age group. Sure. We exchange a lot of burdens with one another; again, our age means we have a lot to say grace over. Our children. Their children. Their children's children. Our heath. Other believers dealing with great challenges. The rest of our community of believers, along with our leaders and their families. Our needs may be expressed differently than younger groups; however, they are just that: needs. We serve a God who cares about everything in our lives, regardless of our age, the good, the bad, and the ugly. We show up. We love on each other. And God shows up to love on us all. Now, if being able to meet in a special way with the God of creation, His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit God, if that doesn't bring a wee bit of interest and excitement, well, I can't help you. I can't. I really can't. I can't help but thank Him for designing our lives as believers the way He did, and that includes being a part of His instituted local assembly, His Church. Amen.

 

When I say we hear from God, I mean it. We do. We really do. That is, if the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth from God's Holy Word, the Bible, is faithfully taught and preached. The Spirit of the Almighty works when His Word is set before His created human family. Hey, that's how He designed it. After all, He is the Creator. His design for life is best. It is. It really is. Only true believers can grasp this. Therefore, I encourage any and all who happen upon my blog to become a believer in God through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. You can. You really can. Call on Jesus to save you. Mean it from your heart. He already knows everything there is to know about you, yet He loved you enough to die on The Cross in your place. If you want to know some about what the Bible says about how we all are sinners in need of a Savior, Google the Roman road to salvation. Some images there clearly lay out a summary of where we all stand before a Holy God and how He has provided us a way to be with Him forever. Check it out. Meanwhile, I urge all believers to take Church seriously. It can. No. It will make a difference in your life. Amen and Amen. 

"I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God as long as I exist." ~ Psalm 104:33 as rendered by the New English Translation, NET.

Good morning and welcome. Today is Thursday, September 10, 2026, and I do hope today's visit finds you and yours doing well. When I was a kid growing up in a small village in Louisiana, I noticed how many men didn't join in singing during our song time at our local Church service. The song leader was an exception. The pastor sang along. A few others here and there, but it was as if singing was delegated to the ladies and the children. One exception was my grandfather, Paw Paw Mac. He literally could not sing a lick, but he would join in enthusiastically. On certain songs about going home to heaven, he would have tears in his eyes as he swayed to the music and looked up at the ceiling. Maybe he helped form in me a love of singing songs that sought to honor our Lord. Again, he didn't know one note from another, but he knew the Savior he so often sang about. Many of the deacons seemed too spiritual to participate. Ha! Others may have had good reason; I'm not sure. But I'm thankful for the influence, as I observed my granddad in how he never followed the crowd; he just did his best to follow the Lord he loved. How funny is that? I learned to worship the Lord in song from a man who knew very little about the art of singing. I married a gal who came from a musical family. They were lovers of Gospel music, and in so many ways they were much better at it than I was. Life is better when you are able to sing about it. The greatest songbook is found in the Bible: the Psalms. God enjoys hearing heartfelt singing from those who love Him. In fact, He inhabits the praises of His people, and those are often expressed with music and singing. While I now find myself often struggling with hitting the right notes, I am reminded of that precious old man swaying as he sang, eyes heavenward, "I don't know about tomorrow, but I know who holds my hand." Amen.

 

I wonder sometimes why it is so easy to find fault with those in our past, since we now know so much and we feel superior even in the way we go about music and church services. Those back then just didn't get it, or so it is often said. They were too much of this, that, and the other to adapt to what we are able to experience today. Really? I know many of the blind spots and other things in the lives of my folks from my growing-up days way back when. I do. I really do. At the same time, I am forever grateful that God loved them, saved them, and they, with all of their backward ways, loved Him back and served Him the best way they knew how. We often think about Hebrews Chapter 11 and how God chose to recognize people we call heroes of faith. I challenge anyone to examine the lives of those mentioned in that chapter. Nearly all of them were recorded along with their faults, and some had major failures in their lives. Yet, God was happy to have known them, and He walked with them. He gets the final say, and while we may look down on some who aren't as 'with it' as we are, God might just include them ahead of us. Wow! A little food for thought. What's that? Very little. Okay. Take it in and see if it resonates. It did for me. It did. It really did. Until next time, may God add His blessings. Amen.

John Bunyan: "You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you."

I am running a wee bit early today, sending out my blog because I see my podiatrist at 8 a.m. this morning, as we welcome Wednesday, September 9, 2026. A dear friend and brother in Christ posted that lighthouse depiction one day last week. I used it today because it struck a real sense of conviction in my heart, and usually when that happens, I know it will speak to others too. Man, oh man, it's so easy to be tied up in knots taking care of me, myself, and I. When I am in that mode, I have trouble seeing the other person's situation. Call it blinders or whatever else you come up with, even perhaps a good excuse, and I'm real good at coming up with them; truth is, we are our brothers' and our sisters' keepers. May God help me to be more sensitive and aware of the plight of others. So often I am guilty of what the half-brother of Jesus, James, wrote about in his New Testament letter. My paraphrase from Chapter 2:14-26, here: The man is freezing out in the cold. I notice him. I speak to him. I tell him I will pray for him. And I tell him I hope he will be warm. What's missing? James says those words don't mean anything unless they are accompanied by action, like maybe giving the cold man a coat. The coat I often find myself giving is made up of kind words, even well-intended words. See what I mean, Vern? That lighthouse illustration reminded me of things like that. What does it remind you of? 

 

I know. I have plenty to say grace over in my life, my own family, my own stuff. Right? Yeah. We all do. But, best I can tell, Jesus had a different view He wanted us to have too. He told a story to illustrate how we should respond to those in need. It's called the parable of the good Samaritan from the Gospel of  Luke 10:25-37, from the Living Bible: ~ "One day an expert on Moses’ laws came to test Jesus’ orthodoxy by asking him this question: 'Teacher, what does a man need to do to live forever in heaven?' Jesus replied, 'What does Moses’ law say about it?' 'It says,' he replied, 'that you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind. And you must love your neighbor just as much as you love yourself.' 'Right!' Jesus told him. 'Do this and you shall live!' The man wanted to justify his lack of love for some kinds of people, so he asked, 'Which neighbors?' Jesus replied with an illustration: 'A Jew going on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes and money, and beat him up and left him lying half dead beside the road. By chance a Jewish priest came along; and when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Jewish Temple-assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but then went on. But a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw him, he felt deep pity. Kneeling beside him the Samaritan soothed his wounds with medicine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his donkey and walked along beside him till they came to an inn, where he nursed him through the night. The next day he handed the innkeeper two twenty-dollar bills and told him to take care of the man. 'If his bill runs higher than that,' he said, 'I’ll pay the difference the next time I am here.' 'Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the bandits’ victim? The man replied, 'The one who showed him some pity.'Then Jesus said, 'Yes, now go and do the same.'" ~ Seeing that lighthouse depiction also reminded me of this story from our Savior. What say you? Have a blessed rest of the day, and may God add His blessings. Amen.