"Joy is a spiritual element that gives vicissitudes unity and significance." ~ Helen Keller

Good morning and welcome. Running a wee bit late on this Monday, May 11, 2026, and, I do hope y'all are all doing well. I had a start of the day appointment with the Nephrologist, a kidney specialist, and I just returned here at the ole blogger ranch, at 9:30 a.m., Central Standard Time. The kidney specialist pretty much, and I use that in the broadest sense possible, said that I was in reasonably good shape for the shape I am in. I told you before how getting lab work with everything marked as abnormal makes one a little apprehensive, but, as she told me, those numbers are generated on a blanket basis and that's why we need someone like her to help personalize them for each individual. I'm reading between the lines a little but here's the crux of the matter: If I keep taking care of myself in terms of my diabetes I should be okay until I die in terms of kidney failure issues. Sorry if that is shocking but when you are a diabetic for over 20 years and you will soon be 80 years young, the facts are the facts. So, that's why I was running a little behind. I can say this about yesterday. We had a wonderful Lord's Day Service at our local assembly, Mims Baptist, Conroe, where we not only recognized Mothers Day but we heard a very clear message from God's Word delivered from our Pastor, the Doctor Jerry Chaddick. We also had great music from our choir where I was throwing in my ten cents worth and we had wonderful comradery and fellowship in our life group, or, some right remember it as Sunday School. We came home and while we expected to have our three boys show up to honor their mom, we ended up with a great surprise in some of the others who came. There's nothing like seeing family especially when some live a good distance away from us. This gathering made the wife of my youth over the top happy and it made a wonderful Mothers Day experience for us all. (The photo represents less than half of our entire clan and we look forward to a day soon when they all can gather, like, maybe my 80th coming up in August. Just a hint.) We thank God for His provisions. Amen.

 

There's a whole lot of 'despite' in my testimony because of the many times I have not been who God wanted me to be, however, His mercy is great and His forgiveness is real. The photo reflects another year for our boys, Chris, Jimmy, and Rodney, as they came to once again honor their mother. I have spent a fair amount of time trying to digest the meaning of the kind of husband I should be: "Husbands love your wives in the same way Christ loved His called out assembly, the Church, and He showed that sacrificial love by giving Himself up for His Church." That, of course, comes from the letter to the Ephesians, Chapter 5, Verse 5, but, I rendered it in my own amplified way in helping me better understand the application to me. I don't believe I took any liberties in putting the way I did but no matter how you slice it, hey, it's a huge responsibility that we husbands have and since the example involves the Cross, well, it's also a big deal. It is. It really is. I mention it because of the example our Lord set in His love and how we as husbands are called to strive to love our wives in the same way. Yikes. Can I get a witness? Yikes. That's not a Bible word but it really does hit me where I live. If we are going to demonstrate a Godly walk as a man, as a husband, and, as a dad, we are going to have to do it His way. We are. We really are. I still have a ways to go, but, when I do have my heart right and my head screwed on right, I work on doing my best to reflect that clarion call as stated in that verse. Okay. Time to say farewell for now and may God bless each one, real good. Amen. 

Proverbs 31:28–29: ~ "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.'"

Welcome to another beautiful day in someone's neighborhood. I think we are supposed to have a stormy day here, on this Friday, May 8, 2026, but, as they tell us, the sun is still shining even if we can't see it. And, more importantly, The Son, He is watching over us each and every day. Amen. This upcoming Sunday we will celebrate another Mothers Day. I've said in the past and I will say it again because I'm the one who has been there and done that with the moms God surrounded me with during my sojourn here on the planet: Not one of them were perfect but all of them were born again and striving to be faithful to God and their families. I have known plenty of people over the years who were not privileged to have these types of moms in their life, therefore, that gives me even more reason to praise God because He knew what I needed. He did. He really did. Happy Mothers Day to my wife, mother of our three sons, the moms who gave birth to our 11 grands, our grand moms who gave birth to our 11 great grands with one great grand on the way, and also to all moms who happen to read today's episode. My prayer is that each of you will be blessed for your many labors of love. Amen.

That last photo is of my sweet mom, (1924-2017), in the top one that's yours truly sitting with her, I was 7 years old and I treasure the last one because I was reading to her a passage from God's Word as she was recovering in the hospital. Until next time, may God be with 'you all', (As the Apostle Paul said in the letters to the Romans, the Corinthians, and, the Philippians, or, maybe he meant 'y'all'.) and may He meet every need, in Jesus Name, Amen.

"A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in." — Greek Proverb

Inquiring minds may want to know: 231 days until Christmas Day which falls on a Friday this year.

Welcome one and all to another gathering of the blog reading world, coming to you from my wee piece of real estate to wherever you happen to be, via the world wide web, social media, or email. Welcome. Today is Thursday, May 7, 2026. That makes it another day for us to be thankful we were able to get up and embrace the opportunity to breathe air on the planet. I have mentioned several times about how our current government executive administration are going ga ga over our country being energy self sufficient. To the average person at the pump that adds up to absolutely nothing, period. I did a bit of research and found out why they are touting this energy self sufficient line of promotion. Well, it goes like this. If, we as a country export one barrel more than we import, that means we are energy independent. We have actually been that way since around 2019 with some hiccups along the way. Again, exporting more than we import is probably a good thing, but, it just doesn't resonate with energy consumers because the price of fuel has literally impacted nearly all products and services in our nation. There are many reasons why we claim to be energy independent but we cannot refine our own crude in volumes enough to serve the fuel requirements we have. Okay. I've beaten this one down, but, it still causes me some grief to see this parade of people sounding off about how we are energy self-sufficient. Obviously, we are not, and, we are reminded of this every time we fill up. We are. We really are.

 

The old peoples choir at our local assembly convenes today after a few months break. We are looking forward to this gathering of the gray haired singers. My joke. They call it the Legacy Choir to take the sting away, however, maybe they will not have us stand as much as we do in the regular choir because some of us aren't able to jump up like we did a few years back. Yes. I know the joke. How long have you had a weak back? Oh, since about a week back. Ha! My legs no longer want to obey the signal my brain sends to them. Get up! You hear me? Legs: Give me a few seconds to think about it. I will be consulting with the rheumatologist in late June and maybe she will be able to provide me with some help. Why not use the cane you bought a couple of years ago? That's a great idea but I think I will continue to keep that in reserve. These difficulties come under the heading of mobility issues. Oh well, even if I have some trouble getting up off the chair, believe me when I tell you how blessed I feel to be able to get up at all. I am folks. I really am. Today, the over the hill choir will be preparing patriotic music for when we visit the hospitals and other venues like we did last year. It should be fun. And, look on the bright side. If something were to happen while we are singing at one of the hospitals, bang, zoom, we would be in a good location. Right? Until next time, don't forget to remember to give God the glory. Why? Because He deserves it. He does. He really does. Amen.

"Actions prove who someone is, words just prove who they pretend to be." ~ copied, unattributed

I got up this morning feeling fine, I got up with heaven on my mind, and, the song goes on and on. That's not a bad way to start Wednesday, May 6, 2026, or, any other day in my opinion. You do notice that I do have 'my opinion'. It shows up quite often here on the electronic page emanating from the ole blogger ranch. I've heard all my life about folks who are so heavenly minded they are no earthly good. And, while I clearly get the sense of what is said, I'm not sure I've actually ever met anyone that fit that description. I think I've mostly run into folks too much like myself, so earthly minded, it's a wonder God has made us fit for heaven. But, that would be me and my experience. Perhaps you've seen it differently. Now I'm sure that I am well aware of what a hypocrite looks like. No. I didn't ask you to bring me a mirror, but, I do agree that's how you could see one. All people I've known, even the most dedicated and spiritually minded, well, they had some chinks in their armor just like me, and, yes, just like you. Now there are some who are just out and out scoundrels. They use their church association to abuse or take advantage of others. I grew up around some like that. They were deacons on Sunday and come Monday at their place of business they wouldn't think twice of tricking any unfortunate soul. I know. I've got enough in my own life to say grace over, but, taking advantage of the downtrodden, that's pretty nasty stuff. It is. It really is. When we give off the wrong picture of what a true born again believer looks like, well, it confuses and causes others to get a distorted view. I, sadly have been there and done that. I can tell you this. When you get yourself rebuked by a lost person who reminds you how your actions are out of line with your profession, yikes, that hurts even now, just thinking about it. It reminds me of that fellow who was a believer but he took up with his stepmom and the Church was silent, therefore, the Apostle Paul told them that fellow had done something that even those in the pagan world would not tolerate. (Read about it in 1st Corinthians 5) The person who rebuked me was seeing the story I was living and it did not match what he thought Bible people were all about. My point: People are watching. They are. They really are. 

 

I have no idea where all that came from except remembering good stuff is certainly sweeter than the bitter things that are, in fact, a part of life. I've been asked before: "You are talking about your life before salvation, right?" I would like to say yes but battling the flesh has been a part of my journey throughout my sojourn here on the planet. Before, during, and after. It has. It really has. But, I am sure each of those who read my blogs have their own battles. It comes with the territory. Right? I hear folks at times saying how they have been blessed to have never been tempted by a list of some of the more well known sinful behaviors. You know. The 'I don't drink, I don't cuss or chew, and, I don't go with the girls that do'. The way I read it from the source of all Truth and it reveals this: Hebrews 12: 1 from the Amplified Bible "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us,..." (I added the bold) My reading of this text says we all have our race, mine is mine, yours is yours, and, things that would tempt me may not tempt you and the same says things that would tempt you may not tempt me. Therefore, we can never brag about how we've never done this, that, or the other because clearly there are the 'other things' that may impact our lives. No bragging. Just begging. Begging for the Lord's help each and every day. In case you wondered, that would be me. May God help us all is my prayer. Amen.

"Funny thing about being older. Your eyesight is weaker but your ability to see through people gets much better." ~ copied

The wife with two of our grands, on her right is our Lexie Dee, and on her left is the Bride-to-be, our Kyleigh.

Happy Tuesday everyone, and, this one finds itself on the calendar as May 5, 2026. When I was a wee little lad I never cared one way or another about what was the exact calendar day. Maybe that changed some when I was in school, looking forward to the weekends. Well, guess what? As a bona fide elderly person, senior citizen, a golden-ager, or, if you prefer, just call me an old timer. (This is when I like to do my very bad impression of Walter Brennan doing his song 'That mule old rivers and me.') It's what I consider to be an old guy's voice, if you must know. At any rate, back to the calendar deal. During my working life of well over 50 years I was constantly dealing with all kinds of times and dates. I did so as a regular routine. Nowadays, as I have stated before, it's mostly, not 100%, but mostly, Church related items and/or doctor's visits. We do try to keep up with and recognize all of children's birthdays, their children's birthdays, and their children's children's birthdays. We do. And, we do our best to keep up with very important events coming up. Something like the wedding of our granddaughter coming in July. The wife attended her wedding shower last Saturday. That wedding will be an important one for me in particular. Why? I will be conducting the wedding ceremony. Wowie! Zowie! I feel honored to have been asked. I will need to make sure I make it to the wedding ceremony on time. I think everyone knows that would be important. Right?

I had ChatGPT assist me in providing the second setting. I did so because I always wanted to be seen as being outstanding in the field. Get it? Outstanding as an expert in the field. Okay. It was a joke. Just forget about it.

Back to the regression situation in older people. Some, not all, revert back to their childhood. Others, not all, have to be taken care of like they were taken care of when they were babies. None of us desire to be in that situation but it is true how our God is Sovereign and He knows best and our future is in His hands. I well remember the wife's dad, Bro. Rawles and his pitiful situation after having suffered a catastrophic stroke. At 80 years old he pretty much lost any and all abilities to function, however, he could still quote bible verses and sing hymns and gospel songs. And, that he did. I heard this conjecture once, when a person in that dire situation continues to honor the Lord, well, that's a slap in our enemy's face. Even that total disabling stroke could not keep my father-in-law from praising the Lord, sharing verses from the Bible, and, get this, he was still able to sing the harmony part on many of the gospel hymns. He may not have recognized his own family at times, but, he never failed to recognize his heavenly Father. Okay. That should be enough for today, but, remember to remember how this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice in it, and I quickly add this, while we can! Amen.

"The depravity of man is at once the most empirically verifiable reality but at the same time the most intellectually resisted fact." ~ Malcolm Muggeridge, (1903-1990), British journalist and satirist.

I am not that big of a Star Wars fan, but, I thought I would try to be culturally relevant in my visit today, on this Monday, May 4, 2026. (I think it was supposed to be 'May the Fourth be with you', but, it is what is. While I'm on the subject let me say this about it. The truth is, we need the Lord God of heaven to be with us, period, and, as we could add, end of story. I am reminded of a song written by a pastor and songwriter, Dr. Bennie S. Triplett, (1929-2019), "How About Your Heart?". This song became popular in Southern Gospel circles and it was recorded by the legendary Blackwood Brothers, and many others. It has a very simple message but it reflects biblical truth because knowing Him is what really counts. Here's the words: 

Lyrics of How About Your Heart by The Blackwood Brothers Quartet

verse

Friend, how would you feel if your heart were made

With a window on each side?

So that all could see, not just outward charm

But detective inward heart

People often see you, as you are outside

Jesus really knows you

For He sees inside

chorus

How about your heart? (How about your heart?)

Is it right with God? (Is it right?)

That′s the thing that counts today

verse

How about your heart?

Is it right with God?

That's the thing that counts today

Is it black by sin? Is it pure within?

Could you ask Christ in to stay?

People often see you as you, are outside

Jesus really knows you

For He sees inside

chorus

How about your heart?

Is it right with God?

That′s the thing that counts today

 

I encourage you to look that song up on YouTube and hear it for yourself. I listened to it with this old recording:  Blackwood Brothers Quartet - 1955 - HOW ABOUT YOUR HEART.wmv 

 

 

People are very interested in the before and after photos that can be found and published. The one above is for my critics who are concerned about my coffee drinking and my energy drink consumption. I know people say all the time a particular habit is hereditary, therefore, I thought it would be appropriate for me to offer some proof for all to see. I do hope this will show how my DNA got off to a really jittery start. While that is a joke and I hope you could smile, I do truly appreciate those who care about my health. The wife often hears this refrain, "Are you sure he, at his age, should be drinking those Monsters?" Thank y'all very much. I may not have been born with a proclivity to drink coffee, but, I was born with a proclivity to sin. Every human being is born with that same identity because each one has a sin or fallen nature and it is universal. Read again the quotation in the title. It is certainly very observable in ourselves and others, however, it is the Bible that reflects the truth about how this came about. (Read Genesis Chapters 1-3) We all are the offspring of Adam and Eve. We need a Savior. God provided a Savior. (Read John 3:16) We may try to deny that's how it works, but believe me, The Creator is the Source of all Truth and He cares enough that He sent His one an only Son to die in our place. The song got it right: Being right with God is what really counts, for time, and for eternity. Okay. Let me try it again: May God be with you and us all. Amen.

Sherrill Brown wrote this song: "What will I leave behind?" Chorus: Leave behind, oh, leave behind What will I leave behind? After I leave for worlds unknown What will I leave behind?"

We made it folks. We are not there yet but we did make it to another day, this one, Friday, May 1, 2026, and we continue making progress towards that greatly anticipated Homecoming Day! I like that Snoopy cartoon because it is a theme that we all can appreciate and think about how it relates to our view of stuff. Stuff. That's a major part of how our lives function in America's commercially dominated approach to life. Right? And, let me be clear, I know exactly how to see it and get it, typically by the next day. It just takes a few clicks and Bam! it is here. We've lived through that cartoon statement more than once as our family members have passed on to their eternal home. What remains of value? The memories of our loved ones and especially the recollection of their testimonies for the Lord. Faithfulness to God matters. It does. It really does. And, it is felt in generations to come. Knick-Knacks, not so much. Don't get me wrong, we have plenty of dust catchers around but they too remind us of the life and times of their original owners. Jesus made it clear that we are not to lay up treasure here but we are to lay up treasures in heaven. (Matthew 6) How can we do that? Living our lives in the way He wants us to. It really is as simple as that. He wants us to be a giver as opposed to being a taker. He wants us to have a forgiving spirit as opposed to holding grudges. He wants us to esteem others more highly than ourselves. And, the list goes on and on. But, for believers, these are the treasures, those from the heart, that will stand the fiery test at the judgement of Christ. (Romans 14 and 2nd Corinthians 5) These will be the ones that give us rewards or crowns to lay at the feet of our Savior. Heady thoughts today? Yeah. And, admittedly, they are way above my pay grade, but, we can apprehend them by faith. We can. We really can. 

 

What a work week I've had! I say that because it's true even though I have been retired from the public working world for a number of years now. Busy. We've been busy. Family stuff. Church stuff. Choir stuff. Bible study stuff. Praying stuff. Medical stuff. Lil Miss Biscuit stuff. Blog stuff. Hey! We changed that busy public work world routine for a busy retired work world. There are no complaints about it, just encouraging all the more seasoned folks who read what I write to stay active especially in any and all opportunities to serve the Lord. Before you think I do not have a lot of leisure time and before you begin to feel sorry for me, I have one word to say about those items, don't! I get to watch a lot of TV these days. I watch preachers and Bible scholars. I watch historical movies and series. We also watch a lot of Korean dramas, many of them are historical and some might even be hysterical. Ha! And, the news? Way more than I should. And, we eat out quite often, that is, when we can decide where to eat. Many times we can't and we just come home to rummage around the kitchen to find whatever might be available. All of this and more means the bottom line can be concluded with this sentiment: We are blessed. Beyond measure. We do thank God for His provision and we are, at this time, focused on what I've heard all my life: Keeping on keeping on. Yes. And, Amen.