"Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love, they depart to teach us about loss. A new dog never replaces an old dog. It merely expands the heart." — Unknown

Happy Thursday, July 16, 2026, and, I am just back from taking Lil Miss Biscuit for her annual visit to the veterinarian. She, just like her predecessor, Sir Bentley Barksalot Esq., they both would prefer not to go. They also, even though it's only once a year, begin to get all shaking like they are having a chill as we get closer to the vet location. The people at our clinic love animals and they really have nothing to fear but that doesn't keep them from getting all nervous and hyper. Maybe I should go the long way around and see if she recognizes where we are headed. I know. She's a pup so what's the big deal? Since I am a recently converted dog lover I likely don''t have standing to answer that question but here's the deal: It bothers me when she is bothered. Okay. I said it. I hope that makes someone happy. All of this dog loving stuff is fairly new to me, within the last ten years. After we lost our Bentley I made it clear I never wanted to have another pet, period. Then one day our son Jimmy showed me a litter of pups on Facebook from a lady he knew back in high school, the pups were for sale. But, I didn't want a pet. Which one do you like, he said. They are only three weeks old and since the mother to the pups can't nurse, you could feed her as well as they can. Really? Next thing I knew we were in the ole truck headed into the outskirts of Houston to look at these new born pups. I think there were five or six but I can't even remember why I was drawn to Biscuit but the short story goes like this: She came home with us. And, that's how my proclamation to never have another dog got altered. Now I find myself having to plead guilty to my contributions in allowing Lil Miss Biscuit to never realize she is a dog. To her, like Bentley, this is her domain and we are privileged to enjoy her company and serve her interests. I know. The truth hurts, but, that's the way we roll these days. 

 

In preparing for teaching the final lesson from the writing of Joshua, one thing really sticks out. Joshua wanted all of those in his nation, Israel, to know without any doubt whatsoever, that it was God who had won the battles they had fought. God prepared their way. God was there to deal directly with their enemies. This means, God rightly should receive the glory for what Israel accomplished in conquering the foes they encountered in the Promised Land. The reason that hit me is because it is something we all need to consider. We live in so much of a mutual admiration society where people are often praised way beyond their earned recognition. It can happen in Church too. We often applaud the performance when the presentation was, I hope, intended to point us to our Great God and He deserves the applause and the praise. Think about it. Children are now raised with recognitions of every sort imaginable. No matter what the field of endeavor there typically are commendations and trophies galore. It begins with toddlers and goes on and on and on. I've witnessed it time and time again. In my own family. I just think it gives us all something to think about. God. He provided all that we have including the next breath and heartbeat. I remember one time I became sick and tired of so many people telling me how lucky I was or how I seem to always be in the right place at the right time. What about me? What about how hard I worked? I thought to myself I need some recognition around here, it's not luck. And, it wasn't. It was the hand of God that helped me and I almost collapsed in my chair at work when I entertained the thought of how big I was. We must never rob God of His glory, period, end of story, from the get-go to the end. Food for thought. And, it may be tough but it's worth the chew. Amen.                                                                                                  

"What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more!" — Dr. Seuss

Here's how it goes around my house: "Everyone is getting rain except for us, it seems to be going around us every time we have some hope." Two days later: "I am so thankful for the rain but if you ask me it could quit anytime now, it could, it really could." Does that sound familiar to you? It shows forth the fickle nature we all possess. Sorry. It does. It really does. The so-called human nature. Right. Well, I didn't show up to talk about that on this Wednesday, July 15, 2026. In fact, I showed up to bring up one of my most favorite subjects, Christmastime. Too early? Not on your life! This evening at our regular rehearsal, the Mims Choir will be breaking out the Christmas music for the planned spectacular program coming up in December. Too early? For fast learners, maybe, but, for people like me, I need all the time I can get. I do. I really do. Our pastor often talks about knowing not only what is your lane but more importantly, knowing how to stay in your own lane, well, for me, my choir lane is marked slow and pianissimo which where I come from means, keep your mouth pretty much shut, you hear? Just joking. But, only a little. Just so you know, this evening Mrs. Claus and I will be reprising the look in the photo above as we attend choir practice. It should be fun. If you know the tune to this one, feel free to sing it while reading my blog. Likely, no one will see or hear you and I will not tell anyone you were singing it. Okay?

Christmas Time Is Coming

Snowflakes falling my old home is calling
Tall pines are humming Christmas time is coming.

Can’t you hear them bells ringin’ ringin’ joy to all here them singin’
Let it snow and I’ll be going back to my country home
Christmas times a’ coming Christmas times a’ coming
Christmas times a’ coming and I know I’m going home.

Holly’s in the window home where the wind blows
Can’t walk for running Christmas time is coming.

Home fires burning my heart’s yearning
For the folks at home when Christmas time is coming.

 

That song is an old Bluegrass standard and if you don't remember the tune here's how you fix it. You can look it up on YouTube and listen to many artists performing it, or, you can do what I often do, make up your own tune. I very often sing my prayers to the Lord and I use all kinds of tunes, some known to be out of tune, but, it's always the heart that counts and God hears our hearts. He does. He really does. He hears our hearts even when no words can be found or can come out. It may be hard to believe but I am getting invitations for Mrs. Claus and I to appear at events coming up this next November and December. Already. Here is an excerpt from a recent request, from a venue we've appeared at every year since we started 16 years ago: "We've always appreciated the joy you both bring to our guests and the care you put into making the experience so special. It's been a pleasure partnering with you, and we're grateful for your continued support of our mission to give back to the community." Lord willing and I mean that seriously, not as a throw down but as a reality, Lord willing, and we are able we at this time are planning our 17th season. Our goal has always been to bring joy wherever we show up. They tell us this year's choir Christmas music will be challenging. I can't help but laugh because for those of us in the slow lane we have more or less mastered singing perfectly wherever there is a rest and for the challenging stuff we are expert at being ever so pianissimo. Ha! Ho, Ho, Ho, and May God add His blessings. Amen.

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God." – 1 Peter 3:18

Just back from our men's Tuesday Bible study up at Mims Church in Conroe. Blinding rainstorm getting there, and, while it was a wee bit lighter coming back, it was bumper to bumper with a lot of slipping and sliding, but praise God I'm here and able to say hello again. Not to worry, it's just me, and, I have come calling on this, Tuesday July 14, 2026, to send you a hearty welcome and a prayer for your well being. I always re-read my blogs and I noticed I left something really important out of yesterday's visit. At the end of our service on Sunday we celebrated communion, or, as we call it, The Lord's Supper. In our practice, we observe this ordinance in remembrance of Him, the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior. We consider ourselves and how unworthy we are but He made us worthy through His broken body and the giving of His blood. That's why we take the symbolic bread and fruit of the vine, juice, representing His body and blood. Some say we have a bloody religion. Some denominations have attempted to tone down any mention of His blood and some actually have deleted references to the blood of Jesus. We haven't and Lord willing we never will! Amen? "What can wash away my sins, nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make we whole again, nothing but the blood of Jesus." I may not have punctuated that song as the original writer but I was quoting it off the top of my head. How about this one? "There is power, power, Wonder working power In the blood of the Lamb; There is power, power, Wonder working power In the precious Blood of the Lamb." That observance capped off a wonderful day and it illustrates how we can experience the working of Holy Spirit God in our lives as we gather together as the body of Christ. I know. A lot of that sounds like inside baseball since we do know the lingo, however, we are welcoming to any and all who show up and we feel privileged to share the truth from God's Word in all our gatherings. We do. We really do. 

 

I am studying for my physical therapy test scheduled for tomorrow morning. That's a joke. I already feel like I've been pulled through a rat hole backwards. What more do they want? My grandfather, Paw Paw Mac, used to say that one and I have been called on to explain it, but, if you can't get it, well, just move on down the road. It's like the kids today when they are sending notes to each other they use this symbolic representation 'IYKYK'. Okay. I will decipher that one for you: If you know, you know. While I may not be able to explain the details of what it means to be pulled through a rat hole backwards, I promise you, I know exactly how it feels. I do. I really do. I thought I would try that out on you before I use it with my physical therapist tomorrow, Lord willing. Our smart friends over at the Artificial Intelligence function on Google gave me this insight: "You are likely referring to the 1800's idiom "dragged, (or pulled), through a knothole backwards." Good for them. I like Paw Paw Mac's better. What say you? That A.I. article did go on to say that some people substitute 'rat hole' instead of 'knothole'. And, that's the way we roll folks, all the way from our grandfather, a legendary, simple but God loving man who could be very direct when trying to help us, but, we all, all his progeny, mourned him as we so respected his character and his testimony for his Lord. He was a larger than life figure in my life and I am reminded of him often as I continue my journey here. While we like to say he left us way too soon, at age 71, think about it, God gave him an early call home because he had finished his course. I came up with that a number of years ago and that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Y'all, and yes, that means you too, get out there and have yourself a blessed day. Okay? Good. Amen.

"I have heard of some good old woman in a cottage, who had nothing but a piece of bread and a little water, and lifting up her hands, she said, as a blessing, What! all this, and Christ too?" ~ Charles Spurgeon

Welcome one and all. I am so happy to be able to greet you this morning, on this, Monday, July 13, 2026. My oh my, what a last few days! Last Friday we traveled down into the heart of mid-town Houston and the traffic was still busy as we were attending my granddaughter's wedding rehearsal. Thank God and GPS for getting us there on time. We turned around and did the same thing on Saturday evening. The GPS carried us into the location a completely different way and it exited us a different way as well. I was trying to think back when I came into Houston for a job interview back in October of 1969, I am almost certain I found the building I was looking for using a fold-up paper map. That was my first visit to a city as large as Houston and because of that, a number of embarrassing things happened to me that day and I will not dredge them up so that I can be embarrassed again. Needless to say, the fish out of water, the square peg looking for the round hole, the odd man out, and, other kinds of idioms, I fulfilled them all. That first visit was life changing because it ended up with a job offer that brought me and my family to the Houston area and we have made our lives here ever since. Given my map reading ability and the fact I didn't get past the tender foot badge in boy scouts, I could have easily ended up in Houston, Mississippi or Houston, Missouri, perhaps, Houston, Minnesota, and maybe I would have caught the notion I was on the wrong road if I found out I was headed for Houston, Alaska. And as they say, a lot of water has run under a lot of bridges in these past 57 years. Plenty of highlights and sadly, plenty of low ones as well, however, getting to officiate our granddaughter's wedding, our Kyleigh, or as we used to call her, Ky-Ky, it certainly is a memorable highlight I will always treasure. 

 

Yesterday, we also enjoyed a great time of fellowship, sharing, hearing God's Word taught and preached at our local gathering place at Mims Baptist, Conroe, just north of The Woodlands area where we live. I say just north but on some weekday travels there the traffic is bumper to bumper and there have been times when it took us one hour to get to prayer meeting or choir practice. Yep, eleven miles, folks, and, having worked in downtown Houston for nearly 25 years, well, on those long commute days it does bring back some memories. The old saying has proved itself time and time again: The more things change it is the more they stay the same. We enjoyed a great Bible study from the writing of Joshua where our teacher did a drill down on one of the great characters found in God's Word, Caleb. The passage we studied was how Caleb at age 85 proclaimed his fitness to get the mountain he was promised by Moses. He stated he had not lost any of his vigor since beginning his long journey to the promised land. Now, as I approach the 80th year of my sojourn with all of my aches and pains, my many doctors, my wonderful physical therapist, and a dozen prescriptions, to say I am impressed with Caleb is an understatement. He not only said he could do it, he did it folks! He did. He really did. (Joshua chapter 14) We then sang in choir and heard a great sermon from the first letter the Apostle Paul was inspired to write to the called out local assembly, church, meeting in Thessalonica, Greece. It was about our future as believers. It was about how our Lord is coming back and He is coming for us, dead or alive. Our pastor, the Dr. Bro. Jerry Chaddick, well, he knows how to shuck the corn, and, he laid it out for all to see. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) We returned home, ate a homemade tuna sandwich, played with Lil Miss Biscuit, and, then, I fell asleep. A good nap of nearly 3 hours. Wow! I end today's visit by reminding us all that our God is good. He is folks. He really is. Amen.

Genesis 2:24 ~ Legacy Standard Bible ~ "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother, and cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh."

Our granddaughter Kyleigh and her fiance Taylor.

Good morning and welcome. Today is Friday, July 10, 2026, and, I am getting ready to do something I've never done before. Life is about new experiences. Right? Well, this evening the wife and I will be going to the rehearsal run through for a wedding tomorrow evening. A couple of years ago I obtained my registration giving me the right to perform weddings. I did that because my brother-in-law's goddaughter was getting married and they asked me to officiate her wedding. But, tonight's run through is different because it is for our granddaughter Kyleigh. I feel honored to have been asked to officiate this wedding, but, it is also an emotional time as we have loved on this girl for so many years, hopefully, I can keep it all together. When my brother-in-law asked me to officiate his daughter's wedding he said he knew I had spoken at a number of funeral services, filled in several times in different pulpits, as well as other events, why not weddings? Why not indeed. I did know about a number of professional Santa's who have added Christmas weddings to their portfolio of services. I've not done that one yet, however, I am a wee bit surprised our Kyleigh didn't go with a Christmas motif because this girl dearly loves everything about Christmas including the fact that her Poppy is the Real Santa Claus. Ha!

 

That's our Kyleigh standing next to Mrs. Claus and her sister Lexie by me. (Our Granddaughters!)

I do appreciate all the reader comments I get. I do. I really do. Most of it has been very positive, however, over the years, I've even gotten some pretty serious criticisms from different folks who landed on one of my blogs. Many of these came from outside the United States, and, while, I actually felt bad because they were upset with my expressed thoughts, I fully supported their right to their opinion. Just for the record, I chose not to engage in arguments because that's not what my blog is about. I have, on occasion, gone forth and back regarding specific questions about my understanding of The Gospel, because at the end of the day, that, my friend, is what makes a difference for time and eternity. It does. It really does. I will with God's help do my best to conduct this wedding for Kyleigh and Taylor in a way that supports them and honors God. However, one thing I have learned in my sojourn thus far, you just never know how things might develop, you don't, you  really don't. Get ready, be ready, and let God. Amen.

"Fast walkers in their 80s cut their risk of cognitive decline by half, a study finds...." ~ Sourced from a story on the NPR website

Well hello there, my, it's seems like it's been a long time, or something like that. That particular thought relates to the hit song written by Willie Nelson, 'Hello Walls', and it came out in 1961 when Faron Young sang it to a number one position on the charts. Today, however, is the only one we can deal with at the moment, this one happens to identify itself as Thursday, July 9, 2026. I'm still engaged in the exercises overseen by my physical therapist. She introduced a new one yesterday, and, she asked how I felt when I finished my one hour of therapy. I did not ask her to ask but she did. (I'm not sure she knows my philosophy about 'I report, you decide'.)  I told her she had achieved a new threshold. That being how my good left hip is hurting as bad as the bad right hip. She laughed and said it didn't surprise her and the soreness should be gone in 24 hours. I told her I already knew she was going to say that. I did. I really did. I asked why she thought I was getting so many leg cramps mostly during the nighttime hours. She said to drink more water, and then she added  this jewel: "You have to remember sir, you are waking up muscle groups that have been sleeping for a long time." That caused me to upgrade her nickname form Madam Diabolical to this new one, Madam Maniacal. Please don't write me. I am only having a little fun. This very young woman is actually helping me. I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel and I am hoping against hope that it's not a train. I have been looking at exercise bikes, but, I haven't ordered anything yet because I do know how in many instances they soon become dust catchers. We already have plenty of dust catchers. Right Vern? Right. I may give her a hard time, but, I am thankful for her being committed for the long game, pretty much equal to the total number of sessions my insurance will cover. Don't shake your head, we all know while it is there to help people, it is, first, last, and always, a business. Now you know why they put up with  people like me. Ha!

 

We did get a little bit of a downpour yesterday and it was both needed and appreciated. I saw early this morning how the highest temp on this date was 105 back in 1980 and the lowest recorded was 64 back in 1905. The local news people were also talking about how the Sahara dust intrusion has some positive influence in helping tropical systems not to develop. Who knew? Well, I know Who does know. Right? Yeah, our God knows all about it, He does, He really does. That passage about the sparrow comes to my mind quite often. Jesus speaking:  Matthew 10:29-31 ~ New Living Translation ~ "What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows." Sparrows were sold in the marketplace in the first century as a food source for those who could not afford something better. Generally speaking, the sparrows were viewed as being extremely insignificant in the eyes of most people, however, Jesus demonstrated God's knowing and caring heart in this illustration. Can I explain how it is possible for God to know these precise details about everything, all the time, all at the same time? Let me use a very theological response here: NOPE! By faith, I believe He does know. He does. He really does. That includes you. That includes me. As a believer, that gives me encouragement and confidence that I am known by God and He cares. Think on that one some and have a blessed rest of the day. Amen.

"Anyone who stops learning is old, whether this happens at 20 or at 80. Anyone who keeps on learning not only remains young, but becomes constantly more valuable, regardless of physical capacity." ~ Henry Ford, 1929

Happy Wednesday folks, this one comes to us identified as July 8, 2026. Many of you are aware that I am creeping up on an auspicious occasion, Lord providing, and, that would be my 80th birthday scheduled for this coming August. This upcoming event does give me some pause as I consider the more than 4,170 weeks along with the nearly 3 billion heartbeats in my breathing air on the planet. When the Apostle Paul came to the end of his time, he had this to say about the life he had lived: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me at that day: and not to me only, but to all them also that love his appearing." (As rendered in the Webster Translation of 2 Timothy 4:7-8) I don't really see myself fitting my time into the testimony of Paul, but, I do know this: What God thinks about our time here pretty much defines what we've been able to accomplish, period. Jesus said the greatest standard to measure our lives is in this way: "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40 from the NIV) I do know because of my salvation I will not stand at the White Throne Judgment, (Revelation 20:11-15), where those who have rejected God and His Son will be cast into hell, however, I will stand before the Lord Jesus Christ at what is called the Judgment Seat of Christ and it is there my works as a believer will be examined. (Romans 14:10–12, 1 Corinthians 3:10–15, and 2 Corinthians 5:9–10) Those are some sobering truths. The good news along with the best news is how God so loved He chose to provide a way of salvation for us. I am thankful for that and very ashamed of how many times I have failed Him. The point is this: Make the most important things in life as given to us by God the most important things in life. Mine and yours. More on this later as that day approaches. You with me? Good!

 

Do not get the idea I am practicing to become more and more morbid as I age. Actually, as God provides, I feel like I might have another 20 years to hang around, but, longevity in and of itself is not a great goal. Our lives should count for time and eternity. The only way to do that whether you are young or old is to get yourself aligned with God's will and purpose. Grandma Moses, the recognized brilliant painter, didn't pick up a brush until she was 76. She, by the way, was a devoted Christ follower. She lived to be 101 and she was able to experience her paintings being viewed in museums all over the world. That is a remarkable story. Don't you think so? Maybe I will, here in my office, throw some paint against the wall and call it art. You know. Like the monkeys you see on YouTube. I should think some about that one because others nearby may not think that to be a good outlet for me. I know you know what I mean. I often have prayed to have more resources so I can be of more help to others, but, in response, I've felt a good dose of conviction from Above asking me what I am doing with what I already have. Yikes. Then, I feel like I may have forgotten to say may I and it's time to start over. I was on the steps going into the choir loft at our Church many years ago and the fellow next to me said, "I know we have a great financial burden regarding our Church, so, I've been praying the Lord would allow me to win the lottery so I can take care of it." We were up against each other and this little knee jerk response came out of my pea brain, "God doesn't really care about what you would do if you won the lottery, He wants you to be faithful with what He has given to you." I actually said that. I did. I really did. I remember it well. Looks like it may be time for me to embrace the 'physician heal thyself' concept. See what I mean? Being me. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Pray for me. In fact, let's pray one for another. Just do it! Amen.