"Tone plays a significant role in how your message is received and can make all the difference between successful communication and miscommunication." ~ Forbes

I will do my best to make today's visit shorter. We are dealing with Thursday, August 6, 2026, and we need God's help to make today what it can be. In fact, we need the help of God, period. The other day, the artificial intelligence piece of my grammar program offered some insight into my style of writing. I was informed that my writing would be better received if I worked on my tone. Thank you very much for your input. I am not sure what this is about, but I am clear on what it takes to find out. Money. Yep. If I were to upgrade to the professional level, I could get help with my tone. And guess what? I can even try it for zero dollars. Sounds great. Right? There's typically always a catch. Can I get a witness? If I do the trial, at the end of the period, I would engage an automatic subscription to the professional edition. Always read the fine print. That reminds me of my cataract surgery. It was going to be breakthrough wonderful, but since I didn't purchase the special lenses, I now must have reading glasses for reading anything smaller than a billboard. I'm not trying to be critical here, but that was not what I was told. I'm not inclined to upgrade to the professional grammar program; therefore, I will leave it to you, my readers, to let me know what you think about my tone. If it helps, I am considering switching from tenor to bass in our choir since most of the modern contemporary music has the tenor part written somewhere up in the stratosphere. That does change my tone, doesn't it? Ha! For the time being, I will continue to provide my blog on the basis of what you see is what you get, or WYSIWYG for short. At the same time, your comments are always appreciated. 

 

This is the same program that even dares to correct Bible verses I copy and paste to share. Really? It thinks it can correct the breathed-out Word of Almighty God? That's a little over the top and I do realize it is only suggesting corrections to the translation being used. Even that is a little much if you ask me. I will share this tidbit with you. The wife of my youth often says this to the husband of her youth: "It's not what you say, it's the tone you use when you say it." I should have known she was in cahoots with the grammar program. Ha! I think I do trend towards being a wee bit acerbic at times, even though I do not mean to deliver it that way. I can ask her a simple question, and man oh man, the response is how I made her feel like she doesn't know anything. News to me. I didn't have a clue the sound of my question implied that kind of connotation. This means I have something to work on. I know. At my age, it's a little late in the game, but there is always room for trying to do better. Believe me, there's even a better reason to work on how we talk to each other: Ephesians 4:29: Say only what helps and builds others up based on what they need. Colossians 4:6: Keep your speech gracious and pleasant, like food seasoned with salt.1st Thessalonians 5:11: Encourage and build each other up every day. Truth is, we will never really arrive until we finally get 'there'. (IYKYK.) May God add His blessings. Amen.

"Bible verses out of context leads directly to false doctrines, twisted meanings, and the rise of ancient heresies. The early church fathers warned that isolating text from its whole meaning breeds division and spiritual error." ~ copied

Today is Wednesday, August 5, 2026, and I bid you a hearty hello along with a prayer that God will add His blessings as we continue our journey here on the planet. I open today with an apology for using a verse from Hebrews Chapter 6, Verse 3 yesterday: "And this we will do if God permits." I used that verse in a generalized sense, trying to indicate that we can make plans, but we are still subject to God's decisions in keeping with His will. And our lives are indeed in His hands, and He is Sovereign. However, that particular verse is specifically connected to the believer's growth in Christ as outlined in the 5th and 6th Chapters of Hebrews, indicating we can't grow on our own terms; we must be true to God's way. Therefore, I used the verse validating a true point, but the verse itself does not necessarily prove that point. Why does this matter? Using a verse out of its proper context is just flat out wrong, period. Here are some verses often used to portray something different than their contextual meaning:

 

 Jeremiah 29:11 ("For I know the plans I have for you...") Out of context: Used as a personal life promise for individual success, career growth, or happiness. Actual context: Written as a corporate letter to exiled Jews in Babylon who would be stuck there for 70 years before a future national restoration. 

Philippians 4:13 ("I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me") Out of context: Used as a motivational slogan for athletic achievements, tests, or personal goals. Actual context: The Apostle Paul writing about being content and finding physical satisfaction whether he is facing severe poverty, hunger, or plenty.

Psalm 46:10 ("Be still, and know that I am God") Out of context: Used as a gentle self-care tip or peaceful meditation reminder. Actual context: God telling warring, raging nations to drop their weapons and stop fighting against Him.

Matthew 7:1 ("Judge not, that you be not judged")Out of context: Used to claim that no one can ever point out wrong behavior or call out sin. Actual context: Followed by instructions about removing the log from your own eye first so you can clearly help your brother remove the speck from his.

 

The verse I shared sounded so good. It did. It really did. I typically check before I share. I do. I really do. Here is my excuse. I was in a hurry to get my blog published since we had the last lesson in our seven-week men's summer Bible study on the Church property at 7 a.m., a 30-minute drive for me. My response to my excuse. Not good enough, buddy. Again, my point in sharing the verse was to show how we are totally dependent on God in every breath we take here in this life. Here is the sentiment of our total dependence upon God, Proverbs 16, from the 'A Faithful Version'  (AFV), rendering:

 

 Proverbs 16

~ 1) The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, are from the Lord. 2) All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits. 3) Commit your works unto the Lord, and your thoughts shall be established. 4) The Lord has made all for His own purpose; yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. 5) Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; though joined hand in hand, he shall not be unpunished. 6) By mercy and truth iniquity is purged, and by the fear of the Lord men turn away from evil. 7) When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. 8) Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. 9) A man’s heart devises his way, but the Lord directs his steps. 10) A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; his mouth should not transgress in judgment. 11) A just weight and balance are the Lord’s; all the weights of the bag are His work. 12) It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, for the throne is established by righteousness. 13) Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love him who speaks what is right. 14) The wrath of a king is as messengers of death, but a wise man will pacify it. 15) In the light of the king’s countenance is life, and his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain. 16) How much better it is to get wisdom than gold, and to choose understanding rather than silver! 17) The way of the upright is to turn away from evil; he who keeps his way preserves his soul. 18) Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. 19) It is better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20) He who handles a matter wisely shall find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he. 21) The wise in heart shall be called prudent, and the sweetness of the lips increases learning. 22) Understanding is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly. 23) The heart of the wise teaches his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips. 24) Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. 25) There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof is the way of death. 26) The appetite of a laboring man works for him, for his hunger urges him on. 27) An ungodly man digs up evil, and his lips are like a burning fire. 28) A perverse man causes strife, and a whisperer separates chief friends. 29) A violent man lures his neighbor and leads him into a way that is not good. 30) He shuts his eyes to devise perverse things; and moving his lips, he brings evil to pass. 31) The gray head is a crown of glory if it is found in the way of righteousness. 32) He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit is better than he who takes a city. 33) The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing of it is from the Lord. ~

In this passage, you have what I really meant. Before you throw rocks at me for sharing an entire chapter, consider these facts: It takes about 1.5 to 2.5 minutes to read 33 Bible verses. This estimate is based on an average reading speed of 200 to 250 words per minute, assuming an average verse length of 15 to 20 words. And you can never go wrong by reading the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth as provided to us in God's Holy Word. Amen. 

“It's like my father always said to me, he said to me, he said, Roseanna Roseanadana, it's always something. If it isn't one thing – it's another! It's always something.” ~ Gilda Radner, 1946-1989, Comedic Actress, 'Saturday Night Live'

I showed up early today because we have men's Bible study at 7 a.m. this morning. I am present, but not necessarily operating on all 8 of my cylinders. Not to worry, because I know how to get by with only 5 or 6 of them working. I am aware that some have noticed I have not been all there for some time now. I not only deny the allegation but also the allegator. (I know this is a common misspelling of alligator, but I chose to make the word fit the allegation. Got it?) This is how I'm working to get up to speed on this Tuesday, August 4, 2026. I am. I really am. I cannot tell a lie. Truth is, I am feeling mighty fine and thankful for God's wonderful mercy and grace. The opening stuff was just messing around. While many consider me to be a very serious-minded person, and well they should, I do have a wee bit of whimsy in there somewhere. We did visit the neurologist yesterday for the wife's follow-up appointment since she had an unexplained loss of consciousness while driving a couple of months ago. Since then, she has not had any other episodes or symptoms; therefore, her specialist released her to return to her regular routines. (She was pretty much doing that anyway, but she most likely would not have wanted me to report that to the doctor.) To keep me from saying anything at all, I stayed in the waiting room and did not accompany her for the consultation. When she came out the door, I immediately asked what the doctor said, and she told me he said everything was fine. This does not mean I will be riding with her anytime soon. If she asks about that last statement, please tell her you are not certain what I meant. That will not be a great surprise to her. It won't be. It really won't be. Ha!

We left the neurologist's office, and about a block away I saw a large sign with this inscription: Foot Massage. I mentioned to the wife I had been interested in trying a foot massage to see if it would help with my diabetic induced neuropathy. She told me we should check it out. I pulled into the parking lot, got out, went in, and the fellow there was an Indian American from India. He showed me a price list, and I opted for a 30-minute reflexology massage. He showed me to the padded table where I was to await service. Shortly, he brought a container of warmish water, and I put my feet in. He then had me lie back on the table. He removed my cap and glasses and then started working on my head. Hello? He did not speak much English, so I thought I may have miscommunicated. After massaging my head for a few minutes, he started working on my shoulders. After a couple of minutes of doing that, he put a towel over my eyes. Finally, he started working on my feet and my lower legs. He worked them over pretty good. Bing, bam!, a slap here, a rub there, and that went on for the rest of my thirty minutes. Since it was my first time, I'm not sure I ever completely relaxed. When I came out, I paid the man, and the wife asked how it went. I told her it may have helped some, but I didn't suddenly feel like doing a triple axle in the parking lot. I know. Thirty minutes may not be the best test, but at least I found out a little about how things go. I do think it may have helped my balance some, and that's not all bad for a fellow who, in just twelve days, will join the 4% Club, Lord willing, and that's those who are 80 or older. Such good news. Right? Yes! And Amen!

"We all live inside bodies that will deteriorate. But when you look at human beings, they're capable of very decent things: love, loyalty. When time is running out, they don't care about possessions or status. They want to put things right if they've done wrong." ~ Sir Kazuo Ishiguro, Japanese-British novelist, screenwriter, musician, and short-story writer.

As Willie Nelson wrote, "My, ain't it funny how time slips away". How true that is for those of us who have seen a lot of wear and tear during our sojourn here on the planet. Today is Monday, and, get this, it is already the 3rd day of August, 2026. Wowie-Zowie! I used that one, causing the spell-checker to emit smoke from its electronic brain. Ha! This past Friday evening we continued our association with the Cow from Chick-fil-A. Seventeen years of association with the franchise owner of these two locations, and we have, thus far, lived to tell about it. How ironic is it that some of the counter workers and kitchen help were not even born when we first started our Santa journey? Yikes. These kids would not recognize a busy signal when trying to use a phone; delivery of phone books; Blockbuster rental returns; TV Guide; Floppy Disks; and so many others we dealt with they wouldn't ever remember unless they saw it in a history book. I heard a pastor say the other day how the fellow leading their Junior Department had never heard of Diana Ross. See what I mean? I think we should give them a break because they do know how to operate the latest technology gadgets that cause us to pull our hair out. They speak the languages of Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft, and they can input information on their cell phones faster than a speeding bullet. Many of us do that using the old-fashioned hunt-and-peck approach. They represent the TikTok generation, but there is good news. Whether these youngsters are wearing the Cow suit or waiting on customers, they show love and respect for everyone, including Santa and Mrs. Claus, and we are forever grateful for that. We are. We really are. 

 

As I get ever closer to the 80th year of my sojourn, I can't help waxing somewhat philosophical. For many years I've loved the music and the sentiment expressed in the song, 'Goin' Home'. The history of how it came about is interesting: Dvořák's Symphony No. 9 was premiered by the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall on December 16th, 1893. The composer died in Prague in 1904. One of Dvořák's students, William Arms Fisher, put words to the longing melody from the second movement. He called the new song "Goin' Home," and had it published in 1922. Fisher died in 1948, but the song lived on. I particularly enjoy the rendition of the song lyrics by the great tenor, David Phelps. You can look up David's song on YouTube and many other platforms as well. Here are the lyrics:

 

 Goin Home

 

Goin' home, goin' home, I'm a goin' home
Quiet like, some still day, I'm just goin' home
It's not far, just close by, through an open door
Work all done, care laid by
Going to fear no more
Mother's there, expecting me
Father's waiting too
Lots of folks gathered there
All the friends I knew

 

 

Nothin's lost, all is gain
No more fret or pain
No more stumblin' on the way
No more longin' for the day
Goin' to roam no more

 

 

Morning star lights the way
Restless dream all done
Shadows gone, break of day
Real life just begun
There's no break, There's no end
I'll be living on.
Wide awake with a smile, going on and on
Goin' home, goin' home, I'm a goin' home

 

It's not far, just close by, through an open door
I'll be goin' home, I'll be goin' home
I'm goin' home, I'm goin' home
Lord, I'm goin' home

 

 

That, my friend, may sound a wee bit morbid to you, but for me, it's a reminder of where I am headed. It is. It really is. Another song says, "I've got more to go to heaven for than I had yesterday." I do hope that's your longed-for destination as well. I do. I really do. May God bless each one. Amen. 

"Writing simply means no dependent clauses, no dangling things, no flashbacks, and keeping the subject near the predicate. We throw in as many fresh words we can get away with. Simple, short sentences don't always work. You have to do tricks with pacing, alternate long sentences with short, to keep it vital and alive.... Virtually every page is a cliffhanger--you've got to force them to turn it."~ Dr. Seuss

Okay. It is Friday, July 31, 2026, and today I thought I would provide some insight into what I was writing about on July 31, 2008, which, if I do the math correctly, would be 18 years ago. Always remember how God is to be honored in every aspect of our lives. We are different, but we all have the same need: Each of us needs to know God through His provision of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Enjoy this little flashback or oldie from my early days of blogging.

 

 It’s Thursday, July 31, 2008, and as Yogi Berra said, “I give 100% in the first half of the game, and if that’s not enough I give whatever is left in the second half.” Different people have different ideas about which words are funny in and of themselves. The words chicken, pickle, and Alka-Seltzer are thought to be funny by one well-known author. Some think ‘k’ words are funny, like Kalamazoo, Hoboken, Yonkers, and Brooklyn. Other location words that might bring a smile include Walla Walla, Cucamonga, and Seattle.

I suppose it comes down to personal taste, and it’s likely some words are funny to you. W.C. Fields liked to get laughs by using the words kumquats, succotash, and guacamole. He claimed these sounds made them too funny to eat. Others might think chainsaw, weasel, or prune to be funny. Often, I think it depends on your own particular connection to a word or sound that makes it funny. One thing is for sure. There’s plenty of material out there if we are interested in finding a smile now and then.

Add to funny words the widespread use of malapropisms, where folks use the wrong word in a sentence that just flat-out makes it funny. I worked for a fellow once who was a master at doing this. He would say, “We are so crowded in our floor space we are bouncing at the seams.” Another time he told me, “You are in trouble now; in fact, you are standing on thin shoes.” I carpooled with a lady once who gave me this little jewel, “My brother told us last night that he feels called into the ministry and is even thinking about attending cemetery.”

Some noted winners from public faces are quite funny as well; one had this to say: “I might just fade into Bolivian, you know what I mean?” Tonya Harding came up with this one, “I’m not going to make a skeptical out of my boxing career.” Probably the most memorable mangler in recent times was the fictional character Archie Bunker on the TV sitcom, “All In The Family”. He had some great near misses that were hilarious. Here are a few of my favorites from Archie: “Like ships that clash in the night.” “I got bigger fish to fly.” “Up there in his ivory shower.” “When the whole neighborhood turns into a smelting pot.” “Grab the bull by the corns.” And the beat goes on and on and on. I know I’ve had my fair share of word mishaps, and I can get numerous witnesses to testify to that fact. Just ask my Bible study class because there have been times when the thoughts were there but the words, they just wouldn’t fall into place. The main point is to first, last, and always, learn to laugh at yourself and then look around because there are smiles everywhere if you just take time to see or hear them. Have a great day! ……More later.

A take off on the Three Stooges classic routine: "How long have you had a weak back?" "Oh, since about a week back!"

Good morning to all my readers, wherever you happen to be, and I bid you a hearty hello from my place to yours, where you will find me singing Achy Breaky Back instead of Achy Breaky Heart, on this Thursday, July 30, 2026. Yeah, I was heavily involved in moving stuff around to provide for the carpet cleaner yesterday, emphasis on heavy. Ha! I told the wife not to worry because I could get it all done without her help. She had the nerve to say she didn't doubt I could, but she didn't want to see me all laid up for three or four days. She actually said that. She did. She really did. I know a lot of folks who suffer from back issues as a result of accidents, disk problems, and other maladies. While I typically sympathize with their ongoing battles with pain, it's hard to appreciate the other person's situation until you have a similar challenge. Mine, fortunately, Lord willing, will go away in a few days as predicted by the wife of my youth. Meanwhile, bring on the back pain remedies. I think I could use a good massage. I've never had one. Maybe that would help. How many think the wife would do that for me? Okay. Maybe another time. I'm just doing my typical exaggeration here, and I would never want to belittle or downplay those who literally are incapacitated by back-related problems. Here's how the comedy world likes to play up the issue of pain for a man versus childbirth pain for a woman: "A simple common cold for a man is the biological equivalent of childbirth labor, leaving him bedridden and asking for final-will arrangements." I suppose that pretty much means I shouldn't complain about my Achy Breaky Back. Ha!

 

Brother Allan Taylor, a visiting minister who specializes in Church growth through Lifegroup or Sunday School effectiveness, gave a briefing to our teachers, leaders, and officers involved in this activity after our morning services this past Sunday. He has been with our group several times over the past several years. As always, he gave great insight into the hows of reaching new people for Christ through the work and ministry of Sunday morning Lifegroups. He also worked with our senior staff on Monday morning before departing for his home in Knoxville, Tennessee. After having arrived home, he suffered a catastrophic stroke, and sadly, as a result, he has passed on to his reward. This has pretty much left us all in shock. I mention this for this reason: We must cherish every part of every day because we never know how it may play out. This situation reminds me of the Holy Spirit-inspired words from the half-brother of Jesus, James, writing what is regarded as the earliest of the New Testament texts; he said this: "Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen in your life tomorrow. [What is secure in your life?] You are merely a vapor [like a puff of smoke or a wisp of steam from a cooking pot] that is visible for a little while and then vanishes [into thin air]." (Writing of James, Chapter 4, Verse 14, from the Amplified Bible) Also in a Psalm attributed to Moses, we see these words: "So teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12) That gives me a lot to think about, or as they used to say back where I come from, it gives me a lot to say grace over. What say you? Amen.

“Life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of eighty and gradually approach eighteen.” — Mark Twain

Hello and welcome to our time together for today, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. As you already know, I am slouching my way towards my 80th trip around the sun. I am honest here. I never expected I would be here on the planet this long. I am thankful to God for giving me this time, and I sincerely desire to fulfill His purpose as best I can until I draw my last breath. One thing I do know: You lose much of what you thought was important to you earlier in life. The other day, the child technician who did my EKG said something when we finished that hit me pretty hard. "The good news, sir, is these electrodes will be easy to remove since you don't have much hair on your chest." Really? You could have said anything other than that. There was a time when my hairy chest was a feature of my identity. I now have professional proof that that is no longer the case. Oh well, I will not need to shave it off if I find myself involved in an athletic endeavor needing a reduction in aerodynamic drag. See? You can always find a positive outcome to occupy your thoughts. Sports that shave their chests include competitive swimming, wrestling, body building, and running. I even have choices. Wow! Is this a great country or what? 

 

Looking at the network distribution statistics of my blog, it is always surprising and encouraging to note how many page views come from outside the USA. I've explained before how this might happen. The blog is out there in the public domain. Being the wordy writer I am, there are lots of potential hits coming from internet word searches. I'm not saying all the page views reflect those who actually read my blog, but some might. When they do, hopefully they will come in contact with the message of hope that comes only through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let me quickly add that God can do anything at any time He so chooses, and He has often used what we think is a coincidence or accident to speak. Many testimonies attest to this truth. For instance, "Isolated tribes deep in the Amazon rainforest found a single battery-powered radio locked permanently onto a Christian shortwave frequency playing Bible stories in their native dialect, which they had never written down." Far-fetched? Not to me, my friend. If God chose to chastise a hireling prophet by having a donkey talk, well, He can use something as insignificant as a homespun blog to communicate truth. He can. He really can! (The donkey speaking can be found in the Book of Numbers, Chapter 22.)  Amen.