"If you don't think photos are important, wait until that's all you have left." ~ copied

Well hello there, my, it seems like a long time, but, I am thankful to report that I am back, at least for today, as in, one day at a time, and this one happens to be on Monday, March 2, 2026. I had myself a very busy last week with much time spent at the hospital with our Jimmy. If that won't wear you out, I'm not sure I know what will. We do thank God that Jimmy is home now and much better. He was actually in Church with us yesterday. That was tough on him since being around crowds is one of the issues involved in his psychosis. The wife of my youth, I think all of you know her, well, she did it again. She left me. This time she got on a bus with others from our local assembly and they are currently in Branson, Missouri, for a Gospel music festival. She had scheduled this some time ago and while she considered cancelling due to Jimmy's situation, we decided that me, myself, and I can handle things while she is away. She will be back on Thursday, Lord willing, and, we are already looking forward to her return. One of the things I am enjoying in using the artificial intelligence utility, ChatGPT, is in improving and preserving some old photos we have. The one above is of my grandfather, Andrew Rancher McMillian, and that would be my mom standing on his right, and, I am guessing that to be Uncle Waymon on his left since Uncle Asa is the oldest and he is not in the photo. My mom, Lena, was born in 1924, therefore, that photo was likely in the late 1920's. It pictures the service station, mechanic shop, operated by my grandad and another fellow. This was his work at that time. He went by the name of Rancher but since he worked as a mechanic, he was given the nickname 'Wrencher'. This shop was located in Leesville, Louisiana. I know this photo is not of great importance to most folks, however, it is to me, especially since my grandfather, Paw Paw Mac, was my mentor and my example of a man of faith in God in both his confession and his practice. And, my mom, well, it goes without saying, how she made a huge impact on my life in her 93 year sojourn here on the planet.

 

I am in the early stages of getting ready to get ready to teach a Bible lesson on discontentment and complaining. Whoa! I suppose it is easy to recognize how these attributes are truly a part of the human psyche. The Bible text will be from Numbers Chapter 11 and I can say this about my early review of this subject: It's me, it's me, it's me oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer. While you may not have a problem with these actions that greatly displease the Lord, I know many of us can identify with them all too well. One of the other things we will notice is how a complaining spirit becomes contagious. You know. Like the song, One Bad Apple. Now it would be easy to try and marginalize these sinful responses to God's provisions by saying, well, everybody does it. Not good enough. If it displeases the Lord and over and over again, it's clear it does, well, we need to allow Him through His Spirit to help us overcome any discontentment and complaining. We do. We really do. I will be submersed in this subject all week long, so, pray that I will learn God's will in this area of my life as I prepare to share His Word with our life group, Sunday School class, Bible Study, Fellowship, or, us older folks who as beggars that found the Bread of life seek to share that Bread with others. Okay, already. So. It is a wee bit discombobulated, but, it is, after all, Monday. Now let's get out there and find a reason to be uplifted in the working out of our salvation as we go our way. (Philippians 2:12-13) Amen.

"Life is a collection of moments—photographs preserve them." — Unknown

Good morning and welcome. Today. It reports in as Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Our Jimmy remains in the hospital and the medical folks working with the mental health professionals have determined he should have a complete neurological assessment before making any decisions moving forward. This will involve an EEG and an MRI to examine his brain situation. He does seem to be some better and we thank God for this along with thanking all those who are praying for him. Amen.

 

I will admit it. I have taken a liking to using the artificial intelligence utility, ChatGPT. I think, in many cases, it is allowing me to recover with better clarity some photos that are of importance to me. The top photo is of our family back in the summer of 1953 as we prepared to leave Port Arthur, Texas to Columbus, Georgia via a train ride on the Kansas City Southern rail line. Dad worked for the KCS and was able to get rail passes for us to travel. His twin brother, Uncle Walter lived there. It was our last trip together as a family before Dad's passing away in January of 1954. I first colorized the old photo using the Colorize Images application. I then handed it off to ChatGPT and told it to add the train. I worked through a number of these before I got the one shown above. Let me be clear. I'm not 100% happy with the facial renderings in all cases, however, it does represent a memory of a special time in the life of our family. And, I've written much over the years about my love of riding trains. In that particular trip we also road a sleeper rail car and the reports are correct: There's nothing quite like sleeping on a train at night. I know. My time could likely be spent on something more productive, but, you enjoy your bird watching and I will work on restoring some special memories. 

 

Our pastor brought his message this past Lord's Day Sunday on 3rd John. This is the short letter written by the Apostle John and it contains many truths. John included these inspired words, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." (Verse 2) Sadly, this verse has so often been used by the name it and claim in folks to try and show how God would have His own to be healthy and wealthy as they live out their lives here on the planet. Our pastor showed how the context is spiritual in its application and while we often enjoy material blessings, God is always most interested in our spiritual development and growth. The more our external life matches our new man spiritual soul, well, it will make a huge difference in how we live, period. It will. It really will. Thanks again for your prayers on behalf of our Jimmy. May God continue to be with us all. Amen.

Seeking God's Provision. Amen.

Good morning. It's Tuesday, February 24, 2026, and, I pray all is well with you and yours. I am currently at the hospital with our Jimmy. He is better physically but still having mental related issues.  I  am doing this on my cell phone so who knows how it will turn out? Thanks for praying for Jimmy. He will soon be 58 and sadly too much of his time here on the planet has been spent dealing with mental health challenges. We don't know but we know the One who does. Amen.

"The first emotional comfort, touching and being touched by our mother, remains the ultimate memory of selfless love, which stays with us life long." — Diane Ackerman in A Natural History of the Senses

Hello and welcome, why don't you pull up a chair and we will visit for a while. That, my friend, is a throwback to how it was in my growing up days. That was before social media and cell phones, where people actually sat down and talked to each other face to face on the porch or outside under a shade tree. That came to my mind as I was getting ready to get ready for today, this one, Monday, February 23, 2026.  Fast forward to the age we live in and we converse mainly through texting today. We graduated in large part to not even wanting to actually talk on our cell phone. Here is how it goes with us: "Did you ever talk with them to fix a time for us to get together?" "Well, I sent a text, and, I haven't heard back." See what I mean? In so many ways the old commercial lingo is right, "We've come a long way, baby." And, I am all for progress and as you can tell even in my blogs I am a user of modern technology. At the same time we pretty much have lost touch with the power of a touch, from a human voice or a hug or a pat on the back. Sure, I am well aware that I was born back in the middle of the 1900's and that really does sound ancient in a world where Artificial Intelligence has accelerated change to the extent many say it is moving so fast it's hard to even measure. I'm not saying we should go back to the days like they were when I was young, however, we should never leave behind the things that elevate human caring and interaction. I picked up a lot of my stories from sitting outside the barber shop under the huge Sycamore tree. That's where an older man told me how he accidentally lost control of his ax and pretty much cut off my grandpa's nose. He said my grandpa held it on his face until they could get to Dr. Stephens, the town doctor, where he sewed it up without any deadening and after having it taped up, they went back to work. That's where I heard that story. Sure, I also heard plenty of embellished fishing and hunting accounts where they started off by saying, "Man, you should have been there to see what we were able to do....." I also heard folks sharing some really tough news and saw others shower them with hugs and prayers. Technology, it can be great, however, nothing will ever replace the actual touch that comes from one heart to another. Amen.

 

Dealing with a loved one with mental health issues is about as challenging as it gets. The wife is currently at the emergency room with our Jimmy. Again. Your prayers are greatly appreciated. Everyone I know have challenges and that, my friend, is a part of life. I've been around a lot of tragic situations in my sojourn in my family and in dealing with others as well. I often hear this from those dealing with troubles. "I do not know how folks who do not know the Lord can make it when trouble comes." Well, I've learned they do the best they can and because God designed us with fortitude, many make it through. But, it's not the same and I can tell you this about that: I wouldn't want to go it on my own. I am thankful to have God on my side and to know that He will never leave me, and He will never forsake me. (Deuteronomy 31:6-8 and Hebrews 13:5) That promise is one that gives us the strength to make it, each day, that is, one day at a time. Amen.

Charles Spurgeon's observation, "Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the book widens and deepens with our years".

Welcome to Friday, February 20, 2026. The photo above is another one of my personal favorites. It was taken at our local fellowship, (Church), where we showed up to take photos with a youth gathering. This photo was taken about 10 years ago. This young man is now in his mid twenties and as you can tell from the photo of me, I was a much younger Santa back, you know, back in those days. They told us most of the teens would likely not be interested in photos with Santa because of their age, peer pressure, and, maybe some embarrassment. NOT! They lined up for photos. I suppose it's true. Santa is for children of all ages. I am aware that in my role as Santa I play a fictional character. It reminds me that, as believers in Christ, we often end up showing up as a fictional character. You often hear the preacher use the example about all the fighting going on in the car on the way to the Church meeting place, and, when they arrive everyone gets out and acts like everything is hunky dory. Been there. Done that. What say you? Like it or not, that pretending to be something we aren't is a form of deception and we know the Bible speaks against any and all forms of deceitfulness. Yikes. I didn't intend to practice using a boomerang today. I threw it out there and it came back and met me square in the face. It's me, it's me, it's me, oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer. Amen. Here is a passage to close with and perhaps it will encourage us all even as God speaks:

 

 

Romans 12 - New Living Translation

~ "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

'I will take revenge;
    I will pay them back,'
    says the Lord.

Instead,

'If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
    If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
    burning coals of shame on their heads.'
 

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good" ~ 

 

As they say back home, that's enough for any of us to say grace over. Amen. 

"You can never take the gospel to the wrong address." copied

Good Thursday morning, folks, on this, the 19th day of February 2026. I didn't know until I knew about the range and reach of my lil ole blog. It really surprised me when I first found out there were tracking stats, and, may I just say it still surprises me today. I do pray that some of these unknown named individuals will have heard enough about Jesus to be interested in seeking out the truth. God can work. Anyway and anywhere, at any time. He got a hold of me on a Saturday night service at my girlfriend's, (later that year she became my first and only wife), Church where her dad was preaching. (Mid-January 1964) God got a hold of me. He did. He really did. I had worked hard to get ready to come out there to that little old country Church in order to get through the services so I could spend time with her. I did not come with the idea of hearing from God that evening. I was scrubbed clean, shaved, and, had my special after shave on. Two years earlier I had come face to face with that girl and bam!, life was not the same afterwards. But here I was sitting alongside my love and the Word went forth and the invitation came and I could not stay where I was, I had to get up and run to the altar and her dad met me there and I gave Jesus my heart with tears flowing right there in front of everyone. See what I mean? All those boys were there. The ones that hated me for coming out to their territory and grabbing one of those beauties they felt were intended for them. Young, old, everyone saw. I'm not saying all the stares made for a pleasant experience but my point is how God can work in an unexpected way and I do pray that the truths about Jesus and His provision of salvation as written in my blogs will have been clear enough so that someone, somewhere, would have to give up and go to Jesus. Amen.

Here are the most recent recorded stats: Posted Blogs: 3,850 ~ All Time: 878,457 views ~ This Month: 23,541 views ~ Last Month: 65,426 views ~ Viewed from: United States - 246K ~ Singapore - 208K ~
Hong Kong - 156K ~ Russia - 33.8K ~ Brazil - 24.3K ~ Canada - 14.3K ~ Germany - 12.8K ~ United Kingdom - 11.9K ~ Vietnam - 11K ~ China - 10.3K ~ India - 10.3K ~ France - 9.32K ~ Philippines - 4.53K ~ Austria - 3.96K ~ Australia - 3.85K ~ Mexico - 3.08K ~ South Korea - 3.03K ~ Indonesia -2.66K ~ Ukraine - 2.34K ~ Other - 108K.

 

I am not comparing myself to others who have millions of followers or the one blogger who actually has his editions monetized which earn him $1 million US dollars per month. That's certainly not my niche. I just write what I write and in doing so I hope to be of help to someone, somewhere. I hope to share a smile now and then. I hope to encourage people and to share my testimony with them as well. Here's another song I've shared before but it expresses how I feel about touching the lives of others.

 

 'If I Can Help Somebody'
1945, Alma B. Androzzo

If I can help somebody as I pass along,
If I can cheer somebody with a word or song,
If I can show somebody he is trav’ling wrong,
Then my living shall not be in vain.

Then my living shall not be in vain,
Then my living shall not be in vain;
If I can help somebody as I pass along,
Then my living shall not be in vain.

If I can do my duty as a Christian ought,
If I can bring back beauty to a world up-wrought,
If I can spread love’s message that the Master taught,
Then my living shall not be in vain.

Then my living shall not be in vain,
Then my living shall not be in vain;
If I can help somebody as I pass along,

Then my living shall not be in vain.

 

Well, enough said. For today. Y'all take care and know that God can. We can't. But, He can! Amen.

"You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout, I'm telling you why—Santa Claus is coming to town." — Haven Gillespie

I can tell by the clock on the wall it's not Howdy Doody time, but, it is time to sling some keystrokes onto the electronic page. Welcome, welcome, one and all, those near and far, out there at your specific location connecting via the worldwide web. Today is Wednesday, February 18, 2026, and, as the song goes, God is good all the time, All the time God is good. Amen. I may share too much about my Santa adventures, however, think about it. I've spent the past sixteen years doing Santa, with the season during those 16 years amounting to approximately 40 months or 1,240 days, therefore, it has occupied a significant amount of my time breathing air here on the planet. The photo above was taken at an outdoor setting. The mom brought the little girl with great expectations for a wonderful photo with Santa. The set was organized and ready. She wasn't. No way. Forget about it. Whatever it was, she was not having anything to do with it. May I tell you this? That happens with little ones. We often hear how they can hardly contain their excitement until they actually see the Real Santa and Mrs. Claus. She went from singing 'Here comes Santa Claus, Here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa lane', to 'But, I'm leavin' on a jet plane Don't know when I'll be back again', and to her, that was that. The photographer and the mom promised everything they could think of, however, this little girl was fixed, "I ain't gonna do it." The photographer came up with the idea to let her roam around the yard on her own and I could just follow behind her. She took many photos and this one became one of our favorites, and, her mom loved it too. Finally. A keeper. There you were thinking Santa Claus has the easiest job in town. As they say on that game show, wanna find out, Come on down!

 

As many of you know, my connection to having a dog is fairly recent, just in the past 8 years. I didn't know that I would fall head over hills in bonding with first, five years with our Sir Bentley Barksalot, Esq., and, now with Lil Miss Biscuit. I didn't hate the idea of having a dog but it just didn't seem to fit into our busy lifestyle. I did often say I would enjoy having a pup to ride with me in my truck. And, that I did have with Bentley before we lost him to an incurable liver ailment and now with Lil Miss Biscuit who can't get enough of hanging her head out the window. Maybe I had a sleeper cell hiding in the background somewhere in my DNA. That photo is of my dad, Cecil, (1923-1954), with his dog. This was likely taken in the late 1940's. See the look on that pup's face, I've actually seen that exact same look. Often. Oh well, it seems like I've become a dog lover. Okay. I now have it on the record. I admit it. And, since I am one I can easily identify with this quote from Orhan Pamuk, "Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen." I quickly add in closing out today's visit, God also speaks through His Word and those who are willing can hear His voice. Having heard His voice, I then, you then, have to make a choice in our response. We do. We really do. Let's pray for one another that we will choose as He would have us to. Amen.