We are blessed to have three sons and their families along with their families' families, and, today we celebrate the 58th birthday of our second born, Jimmy!

Good morning. Today is Thursday, April 30, 2026, and I bid each one a warm welcome and a hearty hello. Today we mark another important event in our family. It's our Jimmy's 58th birthday and we thank God for him and pray God's blessing on his life. Jimmy does not have a normal life. He lives with us due to being disabled in his continuing long term battle with mental challenges. We are thankful he has professional support from different specialties and with the drug therapies available he can make the best of a his very difficult situation. Some days are better than others. And, there are times when Jimmy can string together a week or two without a significant flare up. These times where he can be at peace are considered to be a blessing and an answer to prayer. Happy Birthday son, and may God provide as you continue your journey here on the planet. Amen, and, our love, mom and dad.

 

I know how inquiring minds are typically always wondering just how in the world is Lil Miss Biscuit getting along. Well, first of all, she is currently napping behind me as I sit on the edge of my typing chair. That's her happy place while I click and clack on the ole keyboard. Never mind how the edge of this chair basically has very little padding. Never mind. Jimmy and I were talking about who she thinks she is. Don't send me information about whether a dog has any self awareness because that's not the point. We were talking about just how spoiled she is. Truth is she is over the top too much spoiled. And, that, my friend, is a fact. I can go as far as seeing how she knows she is a part of our family and she really has a hard time when others come in and they don't understand that she is just that, a part of the family. If they come in and are affectionate towards us, the wife and myself, she is very hurt if they do not show the same affection towards her. She knows how to pout. I try not to intervene too much on her behalf because people get the idea I might be a wee bit weird. Let me correct that. They mostly already believe that, so, I am guarding against the next level, being a wacko. Okay. I think that's enough for today. I do need to find a place and practice my waiter skills. I will be serving at our local assembly's Ladies Banquet this evening. No. I will not be hoisting any of those trays over my head. In fact, I hope to commandeer one of those carts with wheels to carry food to my table. It should be fun and it will give me a chance to work on my impersonation of Tim Conway playing the old man waiter. Unfortunately, I will not have to work on looking like him in a skit because I now already look the part. Ha! May God bless each one. Amen.

"Standing in the Need of Prayer" (often titled "It's Me, O Lord") is a traditional African American spiritual originating from the era of slavery, emphasizing personal accountability and reliance on God. First published in 1918, it features a call-and-response structure designed to foster community while acknowledging individual, humble need for prayer. " ~ reference copied off Google

Hello and welcome to today's share-fest, this edition brought to you by the Blogmeister himself, on this Wednesday, April 29, 2026. I had my six month pulmonary check-up yesterday. I will, Lord providing, have a great grand in the next few years who will be the age of the young lady who took my vitals. Yes. That child-nurse was born in the 2000's. The pulmonologist who works with me is an interesting fellow. He brings a very positive outlook to our visits and has been consistent in his approach for the past few years. He is a sort of cheerleader for me as I continue my journey here on the planet. I appreciate that about him. In fact, several of the doctors I work with tend to always be very encouraging. I find that refreshing. What's that? It's their job. Right? Sure. It is, but, what I have observed is their intentionality. It is part of the treatment approach and to be quite frank I've seen the difference in those who do the medicine part but they are not that encouraging. What's that you said? Maybe I am paying them to make me feel better? You betcha! That includes little things. When I was leaving I told him I would be, Lord willing, 80 years old next time I see him in October. He said this, "I don't consider you to be old, not at all." I didn't do the teaberry shuffle on my way out the door but I could have. (Back in the 1960's, Teaberry Gum had Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass in their commercials which produced the famous teaberry shuffle.) Yes. They still make teaberry gum and I knew you would want to know what that was all about. You didn't? Okay. Well, you learned something anyway whether you wanted to or not. Ha!

 

I used the potter image above yesterday as part of the messaging and delivery confirmation in response to my readers. While I am almost positive our Lord when He was walking here on this earth most likely did not look like the person depicted in the above image, however, Jesus was then and is now in the business of repairing cracked pots. When I saw the cracks in that pot I immediately thought of so many who need His skillful repairing. While that is true, that was actually not close to my first thought. I thought mostly about me. I often think about how I can relate to the father of the boy who suffered from being possessed and there did not appear to be anyone who could help the child. The dad was desperate for help. Here's how it played out, from the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 9, Verses 20-24 "So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth. 'How long has this been happening?' Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, 'Since he was a little boy. The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.' 'What do you mean, ‘If I can’? Jesus asked. 'Anything is possible if a person believes.' The father instantly cried out, 'I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!'" (New Living Translation) Yes. Jesus did go on to heal that child and there was great rejoicing. I know many who would never ever want to think about themselves as being a cracked pot, but, you can know that I am not one of those because I'm still in need of getting repair work done. Be sure, you are welcome to pray for me. Why? the old song says it all, "It's me, it's me, it's me oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer." Every time I read that passage or hear it taught or preached, I don't know exactly why but I do identify with that distraught dad who communicated this thought, "Lord I do believe but I need You to help me with my unbelief." (My characterization.) Have a great rest of the day and may God help us all. Amen.

"I do the very best I know, the very best I can, and I mean to keep on doing so until the end." — Abraham Lincoln

Tuesday is here, this one happens to land at our front door as April 28, 2026. I heard a young preacher friend we've known since he was a teen say this in one of his clips from his just past Sunday sermon: "We are living in a microwave culture where we want everything now." It reminded me of this observation: I've actually witnessed someone standing in front of a microwave rooting for it to hurry up. I have. I really have. Not everything can be provided to us in an instant form. We've been talking a lot about Moses in our Lifegroup since we've been highlighting our way through Numbers and Deuteronomy. He was in Egypt for his first 40 years, he was tending Jethro's sheep for the next 40 years, and, he was then ready to become the chosen of God to rescue His chosen people from Egypt and that's where he spent his last 40 years. Moses didn't become God's leader overnight. He learned things in Egypt, (Acts 7), he studied in the outback seminary and at the end of his time there he came in contact with Jehovah God at the burning bush, (Exodus 3), and then we track his last 40 years of becoming the Servant of God as he was not only used to rescue God's people but he became close to The Creator. (He was the writer of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). This should give us all encouragement because it shows how God works with His people, as individuals, to shape them into vessels suited to serve Him. (Jeremiah 18) A song I try to remember written by Joel Hemphill, born in California but from age 5 on he has been a proud resident of Louisiana, and, this little song encapsulates my understanding of how God is still at work in my life. The chorus: 

 

 He's Still Working on Me

 

He's still working on me
To make me what I need to be
It took him just a week to make the moon and stars
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars
How loving and patient He must be
'Cause He's still workin' on me

You can find it sung by many different folks out on YouTube. But, isn't that a children's song? Maybe, but, it speaks to me. What say you?

 

I many times feel like the Lord has to start over with me. But, that may not be the case with you and if it isn't, great! I tried to digest all the sad news swirling around us these days, and, one thing that came to my mind is this: We are living in some very 'hateful' times. If you are on one side you will quickly stand up and say, I couldn't agree more. But wait just a cotton picking minute. I hear something from the other side and they are also agreeing how that is the truth. See what I mean? There's enough hate to go around. From all sides. Okay. Let me say something really profound: This hate filled environment to the extent it permeates our culture, well, this is not good. It's not. Sadly, there are those in our population who are set off by all the hate to the extent they act out and this is what we saw in another attempted assassination of the President last Saturday evening. The rhetoric folks is way out of hand, and, the ability to deliver it in sub-second transmission piles up the hate in every platform possible. What can we do about it? Too many who profess Jesus as Savior and tend to be conservative in their politics use excuses for their mean spirited and hateful dialogue. As believers we are called to a higher standard. Those who are lost can only lean on their conscience to guide them, but, we who know the Lord can lean on His abiding presence in our life. Follow Jesus and His example. He didn't look the other way when sin was involved but He never quit loving because that's why He came. Something I need to think about, and, perhaps you do too. Amen.

Still trying to do what Paw Paw Mac advised, "Son, use your noggin for something other than a hat rack."

Yeah. It's me. Again. Good morning and welcome to our fireside chat on this Monday, April 27, 2026. I am aware that 'fireside chat' is a dated reference. If you don't know where it came from, well, look it up, it does us all good to flex our brain cells every now and then. The experts report how we lose approximately 5% of our brain cells per year, after age 40. That was nearly 40 years ago for me, but, not to worry since God created us with somewhere around 100 billion neurons, therefore, I am not quite yet seeing the low fuel light. I think we all know the critical issue is how we use what God has given to us, whether our enabling is large or small, that we recognize Him and put our faith in Him. Not to do so puts us into that harshly sad reality, New King James Version Psalm 14: 1 "To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good." I'll let us all spend time considering the revelation of truth in that passage. Okay? Good. See how quickly I almost became preachy? But, with good reason. That being the audience. No. Not those who receive my blog, although, they qualify, but, the number one recipient in my household, is none other than what I often refer to as the unholy trinity: Me, myself, and I. I would never want anyone to think I am targeting others while excluding myself when I share the Creator's view on the issues that we all have to deal with. I have years worth of catalogued failures to prove how weebly wobbly one can be. Yes. Even a born again believer can get himself or herself caught up in things that, at the end of the day, are just flat out wrong, period. Need some examples, read your Bible. There are plenty. The good news? God will never quit on us even when we quit on ourselves. He won't. He really won't. Amen. 

 

When I picked the wife up from our Church facility last Thursday afternoon, several came by to say what a joy it had been for her to be there with them. One young lady said she so enjoyed working with her those two weeks but she felt bummed that it came to an end. All that overload of sweet talk is almost sickening, don't you think? She is a people person and she does have the gift of serving where she can show mercy, love, and encouragement to others. Not so much towards me but mostly towards others. Ha! I've said this so many times and I am unanimous in my opinion based on observation, she may be one of the only people I've ever seen that can be a best friend to a number of individuals, all at the same time. Like I say, that's not me, but, I am thankful she is able to exercise that which God has given to her. And, at the end of it all, whatever we have in terms of ability or in the actual God-given gift we possess, it all is from Him and He deserves the honor and glory for it. He does. He really does. Too preachy? Likely. I did work on the photo above. It was an old black and white from when she was a wee little girl. It was taken at her Grandma Rawles' home and they always felt that place to be special. I know what she means. Granny and Paw Paw Mac's place is an embedded part of my upbringing, and, I have so many special memories connected to it. Here's just one. I've told it before, but, it popped up, so, hear it again. Thanks. When I was a high school senior I only had to go a half day. On some of those days I would stop by Granny Mac's and when I came through that back door a wonderful smell from the stove hit me square in the face. She had prepared a special lunch just for me. When she put it on the table, she said a prayer and she could pray the house down, and, then, she sat there and watched me enjoy the fruit of her labors. What sweet memories. I do hope you have some too. If not, you'll have plenty when you get to the Big House where we will all be together in the presence of our Lord forever and ever. Amen.

"When life feels chaotic, trust in God's plan." ~ copied

Hello and welcome. Today is Friday, April 24, 2026, and, I will do my best to be less long winded today. I will also attempt not to be too 'preachy' in my visit today. Those two recommendations were filed alongside a few more as I heard my blog being read aloud, traveling down the freeway. These recommendations came not from an anonymous source but from my editor and proofreader in chief, none other than the wife of my youth. Therefore, I will do my best to keep my blog out of the ditches and on the road today. It's not always easy to do that, but, I will try. For me, my blog can be like that song from Frozen, 'let it flow, let it flow, let it flow'. That's what happens when my fingers get to walking on the keyboard. Speaking of fingers walking. I can hold my own on the typing keyboard, but, I will tell you watching those kids fly on their phones, they are in a league of their own. I struggle on the phone keypad because I suppose I still attempt to see it like a keyboard. Those kids, individually, have their own approach using even their thumbs to make their hand a blur as they interact on their phone. The experts say kids are catching up on typing speeds with an estimated ability to key in 40 words per minute. Not me! I can still do somewhere around 60-70 on the typing keyboard and maybe 10 on my phone. Stay tuned because I will find a good reason to blame that on. Isn't that the American way? How about a lack of dexterity? Or, maybe carpal tunnel? Arthritis? And, the list could go on and on. Truth is, they are motivated and they have the skills to execute that motivation. I will continue to be thankful for the world where "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." still rules the world. Ha!

 

Our rush hour commute has ended and the wife is now back home where she can quietly fuss and fume about her not yet being able to drive. It was an interesting two weeks. I will say this about it, if you are involved in any type of roadway work, the theme could be: Construction, construction, construction! Here are some more peeves to add to the list. A major intersection has now been rearranged for the past several weeks and it is down to two lanes and it is dangerous because of the huge number of vehicles that utilize those associated roadways. The cones are in place, the signs are in place, but, one thing is missing. Any sign of worker life, period. Long lines of vehicles from all directions but work has yet to be started. Maybe they wanted us to get ready for the pain first. How considerate! And, one of my showstoppers that I have talked about before. Coming off a major freeway with an exit to a flyover that flys into a traffic signal. Guess what? The traffic backs up for a mile and that means people trying to gain access to the freeway have to get through those waiting for the flyover and it does cause me to groan nearly every time I use it, it does, it really does. Okay. I will quit for today especially in view of the recent recommendations that came to my attention. Yikes. Y'all, and, that includes everyone, don't forget to have a great Saturday and Lord's Day Sunday, and, always remember the Lord and give Him the glory. He deserves it. Just do it! Amen.

Ephesians 5:25 from the Amplified Bible ~ "Husbands, love your wives [seek the highest good for her and surround her with a caring, unselfish love], just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,...."

Today is Thursday, April 23, 2026. As you can see it is a very, very important day for our family. Happy Birthday Sweetheart and know that next to my personal salvation, you're still the greatest blessing in my life and in the lives of so many others. You are. You really are!

Y'all have a great rest of today and may God add His blessings to us all. Amen.

"The Bible is considered the inspired, authoritative Word of God, while commentaries are fallible human interpretations designed to help explain the text's context, history, and meaning. Commentaries provide valuable scholarly insight, background information, and deeper analysis of difficult passages, whereas the Bible itself is primary source material, best understood first through personal study." ~ copied

Two of the three bookcases in my home office, I can remember back in the day how often I referred to many of these reference sources, And, I still do, however, I find it quicker using the computer or my even my phone to locate what I am looking for. I would apologize for it not looking pristine, but, truth is, that's how I roll. A wee bit disheveled, and, a whole lot discombobulated, but, God loves me anyway. Amen.

Good morning. I know some who read yesterday's missive are likely still scratching their heads. Me too! Today is Wednesday, April 22, 2026, and, I do appreciate y'all for keeping up with my random thinking machine that often operates on overtime. When I said the only God inspired commentary on the Bible is the Bible itself I meant it. At the same time, I will be very clear on the fact that I do consult many commentaries written over the centuries that attempt to clarify the context, the language used, and, yes, often the opinion of what it means from the writer's perspective. I do not rule out the benefit from the studying of these writings. However, and I say this from experience, never think that any written commentary by a human author can usurp the Holy Spirit breathed out Word of God, our Bible. I do have many of these in book form but I will confess how easy it is to seek out great works available online. Whether it be the dozens of translations of the biblical text or the comments of some recognized Christian giants, they can be accessed and read, and, for me, I can get them much quicker than finding it in the pages of a book. Some folks prefer the books. That's fine with me. As for the bookcase photo, I can hear my sweet wife giving me her thoughts: I can't believe you showed that. Can't you see that spider web up in the left hand corner? The whole thing needs to be dusted and straightened. My response: Thanks for your input and have a nice day. Someone look at her and see if she is smiling. I hope she is. Joking only. I've actually had guys tell me they would never, ever, say anything like I do where the wife would be involved in the story. Really? My wife is used to it, and, I think we will be okay, maybe in a week or two. Ha!

 

Have you ever thought about how your thoughts, and even your dreams and aspirations change over time? I've been blessed to have been a lot of places during my sojourn here, but, travel, in general, is no longer on my bucket list. To begin with I never had a bucket list, but, if I had had one, this activity would no longer be on it. My current status just doesn't fit into that particular thing that at one time I was very much pursuing. Today I look forward to paying out my participation amount for my drugs so that we don't continue to dole out hundreds each month to keep us wired together and able to get up and go. When I was a kid I loved to go swimming. I did. I really did. As a teenager I spent many entire days at the swimming hole. Okay. I tried to think about the last time I went swimming and it was so far back I couldn't even garner a guess. Time. It changes our perspectives, our priorities, and our practicalities. This doesn't mean I don't have things to do or things that occupy my attention. But, it's not the same. Don't write me and tell me about the 90 something year old fellow who climbed the mountain or the 100 year old lady who swam across the lake. I applaud these types of achievements. I do. I really do. I'm just giving you some insight into how things have changed for me. I am not sad about these changes. Not at all. And, lest anyone think because I spend a lot of time in Bible study that it makes me somehow more of a Christian than the other fellow, don't even go there. There's only one way to be a Christian and many of those who know a lot about the Bible but have never responded in true belief to the Gospel message, well, bible study or not, they will not be in heaven. I do think often about the verse some preachers say is one of the scariest in the Bible. It's where Jesus is talking about those who proclaim but do not possess salvation. Matthew 7:22-23 from the New International Version NIV, "Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’" Childlike faith folks. That's what the true pursuit in life is all about, bucket list or not. Okay. Enough rambling. Let's all pray one for the other. Why? We need it folks, we do, we really do. Amen.