“The advantage to being eighty years old is that one has had many people to love.” – Jean Renoir (French Film Director B 1894-1979)

Good morning. Welcome to the continuing saga where yours truly gets to share all the news he sees fit to print. (All the News Fit to Print was at one time a trustworthy label carried by the New York Times. Trust me, that is no longer the case.) We find ourselves celebrating another day on God's created sphere called Earth. This particular day is Friday, August 14, 2026. As many of you know, God providing, I will be celebrating my 80th trip around the sun this coming Sunday. That's 960 months; four-fifths of a century; 29,220 days; fourscore; and here in the United States, I join that 4% Club representing the number of Americans who are 80 and older. When you see me, it will not be necessary to refer to me as Mr. Octogenarian or make reference to me reaching the Big 8-0. You can also skip reminding me that my birthday coincides with the day Elvis left the building for the last time. You may remember that noteworthy greeting I received when I arrived home from work back on August 16, 1977, from our 6-year-old: "Daddy, Daddy, the king is dead, the king is dead." Under my breath, I whispered, Happy Birthday to me. Let me just say this about this milestone: God has been way better to me than I have been to Him. I admit I have been musing over reaching this threshold for some time now. It seems that every time I think about it, I am reminded of a song written by the late, great, singer/songwriter, Rusty Goodman:

 

Who Am I?

 

When I think of how He came so far from glory
Came and dwelt among the lowly such as I
To suffer shame and such disgrace
On Mount Calvary take my place
Then I ask myself this question, "Who am I?"

 

Who am I that the King would bleed and die for?
Who am I that He would pray, "Not my will, Thine" for?
The answer I may never know, why He ever loved me so
To an old rugged cross He would go, for who am I?

 

When I'm reminded of His words, "I'll leave you never
If you'll be true, I'll give to you life forever"
I know there's nothing that I could have done
To deserve God's only Son
To fight my battles until they're won, who am I?

 

Who am I that the King would bleed and die for?
Who am I that He would pray, "Not my will, Thine" for?
The answer I may never know, why He ever loved me so
To an old rugged cross He would go, for who am I?

 

 

I am thankful for the family I was raised in and all my folks that made a difference in my life. I owe a debt of gratitude to all those who have helped me along my way, also many I have worked for, and with, and so many others God put in my path, including more than I could number of dear brothers and sisters in Christ. I also thank those who travel with me in support of my blogging activity. Thanks to the dear wife of my youth and the rest of my family, near and far. The most important thanks go to God, period; that's my story, and as best I can I plan to stick to it. Amen and Amen.

Psalm 71:18-19 ~ From the English Standard Version ~ "So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?"

I saw a funny about old people that said they shouldn't be messed with because, at their age, prison is no longer a deterrent. Then there's the one where the wife tells the husband how he had promised to spend his whole life making her happy. His response was that he had never intended to live as long as he had. I will tell you this. Those jokes once rang a bell for someone other than me. Not anymore! It's Thursday, August 13, 2026, and I welcome each one. Yesterday, the wife and I did our version of over the hills and through the woods to arrive at a medical facility in Houston's downtown medical center. We timed it just right so we could play bumper cars during the early morning rush. We had a bad start to our journey when the access lane to the freeway was shut down, causing us to lose about 30 minutes before we even left our home area. Don't tell me old people can't feel a wee bit of road rage. My co-pilot kept me well informed numerous times about how close we were to crashing. Some of her warnings were very easy to hear, if you know what I mean, Vern. We finally got there. She had some tests that required us to be there for some five hours. During our stay, we, like Yogi Berra, observed a lot just by watching. Really old people were there. Elderly husbands were pushing the wheelchairs for their elderly wives. Elderly wives were pushing the wheelchairs for their elderly husbands. On more than one occasion, we looked at each other and said, "There we go." The trip back home was just as eventful as our journey there. I thought about how blessed we are to now be the ones I used to wonder why they had been let out to drive. We were pretty exhausted after our interesting day there and back. We were. We really were. But you just never get over the realization that God goes with you wherever you are. It's a good feeling, folks. It is. It really is. Amen.

 

I suppose, at my age, I am no longer asked what I want to be when I grow up. However, I have learned how growing up is a lifelong endeavor. The Apostle Paul was inspired to give his personal testimony regarding his journey for the Lord. In his letter penned to the local assembly meeting in Philippi, Greece, here is what he said, "I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." (Philippians Chapter 3, Verses 12-14, from the New Living Translation) Here's my take. We may retire from our secular work, but our pursuit of what we desire to be when we grow up in the Lord continues until we leave this life to live forever in His presence. The children's song written by Joel Hemphill says it best:

 

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

 

If you're still breathing air here on the planet, He's still working on you and me too. Have a great rest of the day and remember to give God all the glory. Amen. 

NET Bible ~ 1st John Chapter 3, Verse 2: "Dear friends, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that whenever it is revealed we will be like him, because we will see him just as he is."

It's Wonderful Wednesday, and as I understand it, it began shortly after midnight yesterday. Ha! Regardless, it is the day the Lord has given to us; therefore, let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm118:24) And in our world it's counted as August 12, 2026. I thought about using the proverbial "I'm okay, you're okay" moniker, but that likely doesn't account for all the different situations folks deal with. I will tell you this. When I am in my right position of knowing exactly my relationship with Almighty God, I can very much identify with the sentiment of an old Southern Gospel quartet song that says, "I've got the Lord, and that's enough, that's enough, that's enough for me!" Notice I said when I am in the right position. Confession time. I am not always in the right position. Even when I am not where I should be, He remains faithful to His own. In fact, no one, including me, myself, and I, can change the new identity I received when I called on the name of the Lord to save me. Jesus made this clear. John 10:28-29 "...and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish—ever; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand." (As rendered in the Legacy Standard Bible, LSB.) This gives me confidence. Not confidence in me. That would be laughable. Confidence in Him, and Him alone. I can remember things spoken by my folks over the years. Many have gone on to their reward, but I still remember. As I was writing this today, I remembered something my mom said many times: "Son, I just don't know how people make it without Jesus." My response to that sentiment as I near the eight-decade mark is, "I don't either."

 

I do like to tell funny stories, mostly about myself. Why? That seems to be the safest approach in our world since it is ever so hypersensitive. Funny stories can be very embarrassing. I am vertically challenged. Some call it short. I remember one time getting on the elevator at the company where I worked. It was a little crowded, but this very attractive lady standing in the back blurted out, "Well look at you, it's so good to see you again." My countenance changed, and I was about to give her my response when the taller fellow who had pushed in behind me said rather loudly, "Yeah, it's good to see you too." I didn't have a mirror, but I imagine my face looked all potted meat and purple. That was a very long time ago, but because of the mistaken identity and the overload of embarrassment, I do still remember. I wouldn't doubt that it may have happened around the time the song came out saying short people have no reason to live. ('Short People' written and sung by Randy Newman, 1977) I used to measure 5 feet, 7 inches tall; however, the home health folks informed me that I am not so slowly shrinking. I wondered why my pants legs were getting longer. Ha! As you can readily see, it doesn't bother me, not in the least, no, not at all. You did hear me right, not at all. I thought that might brighten someone's day, especially all you taller people. God does love us where we are, but He doesn't intend for us to stay there. While I am almost certain not to grow any taller in the physical realm, we all, those who are God's very own children, have every opportunity to grow spiritually taller and also stronger up and until we draw our last breath. That's what He wants us to do. He does. He really does. Amen.

"Hymns are like a spiritual language that transcends time and space, allowing us to communicate with God in a unique and profound way." - Unknown

Today. It is Tuesday, August 11, 2026. I pray all are well as we continue our journey together on the planet. We had the Southern Gospel Group, Greater Vision, with us at our local fellowship of believers this past Sunday evening. We have hosted many different singing groups over the years. Have you ever noticed the difference between those who are great entertainers versus those who seem to communicate God's voice right smack into your hearing heart? That's how I felt when Greater Vision sang. It was much more than a concert. Don't get me wrong. The music was great, the vocals wonderful, but the lyrics were both heart- and gut-wrenching, many of them written by the very performers on the platform. It was a very special evening. Maybe it was because I needed to hear what they had set to music? Fair enough. I will say this about that. We, in our home, probably watch and listen to more religious music reflecting many different genres than most. That doesn't make me an expert, but it does mean I know when God speaks through the medium of lyrics and music. I do. I really do. I mentioned before the impact that the 34th Psalm set to music and sung by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir has had on my life. It's on YouTube. I dare you to, no, I double dog dare you to look that song up and see what it will do in your life. One of the principal singers on that recording is Durell Comedy. He has sung that song at our local fellowship. I met him, gave him a hug, and I told him what that one song has meant in my life. That song has been viewed and listened to by millions. It has. It really has. Durell is currently the worship pastor at one of our very large sister churches here in our area. I think I wrote about this for a reason. Entertainment versus God-honoring lyrics that Holy Spirit God prompts the heart to respond. I report. I decide. And you can join me if you would like. Ha! (To be clear: Professional Southern Gospel singers are typically paid for their appearances, and it usually is their full-time jobs.)

 

I didn't check with the grammar czar regarding my tone in that first paragraph. I actually do worry about coming across too preachy. At the same time, let me be honest. I don't envy anyone who analyzes almost anything I have produced. I mostly am happy when it finds its way onto the electronic page. I do obsess over it at times, and like the other day when I used a Bible verse out of context, it actually bugged me until I could correct it in the next edition.  I well remember seeing a number of my essay papers with x's, circles, fact questions, and more notes than could be counted, all in red. One day I asked one of my instructors why that much corrective information had been scribbled all over my writing. She said something like this. Son, you have potential. Because you do, I want you to be the best you can be. That is why I spent that much time on your work. I know I have problems with run-on sentences, dangling participles, subject-verb errors- you name it, I'm probably guilty of it. I used to blame it on the Apostle Paul, who penned one sentence comprising between 207 and 257 words depending on the Greek text variant. (Ephesians Chapter 1, verses 3-14) Yeah. I know. His words were Holy Spirit God-inspired. Mine are not. You can quote me on that. Ha! May God add His blessings. Amen.

"Blocking childhood memories is a natural defense mechanism. The brain hides painful or scary events to help a child survive emotional overload. This process is also known as dissociative amnesia." ~ copied

Hello out there in never-never land, better known as the wonderful world wide web, the Network, or the internet. We all know it can be used for good, and it can also be a tool to advance all manner of evil. It is always my desire to share God-honoring and encouraging words during our daily time together. Today's edition is dated Monday, August 10, 2026. I read the other day that researchers have found that many of our most vivid memories turn out to be different than we had believed. Vivid. Memories. I've worn out my welcome talking about my own experiences regarding my memory issues, especially my earliest years. As best as I have been able to understand, this was caused by a blocking mechanism connected to the unexpected sudden death of my dad in January, 1954. I've always prided myself on having exceptional recall. But those early memories before age seven seem to be locked away, and thus far, no amount of probing has been able to unearth them. As I approach my 80th, I am seeing some age-related memory issues, but so far it is considered to be more or less in the normal range. Born in 1946, I've always thought there must be some pretty good stuff in the proverbial Al Gore Lockbox. (Dated reference: Look it up.) I am proud to say that I am getting closer each day to that glorious time when none of this concern will matter anymore. Meanwhile, I still find myself at times searching to uncover things from those lost years. They say on average most people can remember some things as early as age 2. Imagine the treasure trove I would have to write about if I could find that key. Ha!

 

I've heard my siblings talk some about their memories of those years, but my mom never wanted to relive those traumatic times; therefore, I'm left with bits and pieces, and none of them belong directly to me. I hear you. If that's the worst thing I can come up with, I must be in pretty good shape. I agree. But as they say, I'm just sharing. I can think of the very worst thing that could happen to anyone. That, my dear reader, is to leave this life without having put their trust in Jesus as Savior, guaranteeing an unending life with Him forever in eternity future. That's not all. Hell is real, and it is the destination of those who have not responded to the Cross, where Jesus paid for their sins. That would be the greatest of all tragedies, for anyone, period. If you read this writing wherever you happen to be, anywhere the internet carries this blog, you can avoid hell and gain heaven. You can. You really can. And, you can do it, now! Here are the simple truths that can change your destiny: Bad news, Romans 3:23: "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard." Even worse news, Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death...." Good news, Romans 5:8: "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."The best news of all, Romans 10:13: "For everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved." Reading these truths, if God the Holy Spirit is speaking to you, respond by doing exactly that: call on Him, ask Him to save you and change you. He listens to the heart, and it is a childlike response to Him who died for you. It is. It really is. I've been talking about remembering. The Bible tells us about a thief who was crucified alongside our Lord. In the Gospel record we read, "Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.' Jesus answered him, 'Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.'" Luke 23:42-43. (All Bible verses copied from the New Living Translation, NLT.) Okay. That's it for today. Don't forget to show up tomorrow, where, Lord willing, I will have even more stuff to throw onto the electronic page. Amen.

Romans 15:13: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Good morning and welcome to a brand new day. It's Friday, August 7, 2026, and I do hope our time together finds you and yours doing well. Hope. As believers, that is the foundation of our time here on the planet. I may hope it rains today, but that kind of hope finds us wishing it to be so. Our hope in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit is based on a sure trust and a foundation of certain expectation. I am not hoping to make it to heaven; I know that my hope is in Jesus the Christ who died in my place for me. Having placed my faith in Him and His finished work on the cross, I am assured that when I die I will go to heaven. Don't get me wrong. Each of us can be beaten and battered by the storms we face in this life. That's because we live in a fallen world and bad things happen to everyone, believers included. These storms come in the form of pain, anguish, failings, disappointments, and losses of all kinds. These challenge our faith, and at times we may wobble due to the weight we are carrying. Even in the midst of these tough times, even when the enemy of our soul whispers in our ear words of fear and discouragement, we find our hope, and it's not based on circumstances; it's based on our Savior and His provisions to us. Here's an excerpt from a song I remember from my own experiences in dealing with challenges as well as seeing others dealing with great times of difficulty and heartache: 

 

Bow the knee
Trust the heart of your Father
When the answer goes beyond what you can see
Bow the knee
Lift your eyes toward heaven
And believe the One who holds eternity
And when you don't understand
The purpose of His plan
In the presence of the King
Bow the knee

 

Song: Bow The Knee, written by Chris Machen and Mike Harland 

 

I cringe when I read the Book of Job. Sure, we know in the end how his faith is vindicated, and he is restored; however, scholars suggest his suffering was endured for as long as several months, up to two years. That, my friend, is hard to fathom. How could this be? Only God. Yeah. That's the answer. Only God. Job's suffering and even his crying out, trying to make sense of his catastrophic agony, it all was in God's plan, purpose, and in His timing. Only God. Those of us who have placed our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ have His promises confirmed in both the Old and New Testaments: Deuteronomy 31:8: "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged" and quoted again in Hebrews 13:5. That's what we have to lean on folks and I encourage us all to do that very thing today. "Lord, help me to do the same." Amen.

"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.