“Santa teaches us that the greatest gifts are not wrapped in paper, but in love.” — Anonymous

Good day, and welcome from the ole blogger ranch, where it’s a lovely 52 degrees outside. It’s Thursday, November 5, 2026, and Lil Miss Biscuit is keeping me company while I click and clack away at the keyboard.

 

There’ll be no blog tomorrow. If the Lord allows, Mrs. Claus and I will be heading to Arkansas for our first Christmas photo engagement of the fall. Oh, what fun it will be to ride! We’re looking forward to seeing all those wonderful children and their families. I get excited just thinking about the questions those little tykes will ask.

 

“Santa, what’s your favorite cookie?”

Sugar cookies, of course! Ho, ho, ho!

 

“Santa, does Mrs. Claus ever get to ride in the sleigh with you?”

 You betcha!

 

“We don’t have a chimney. Is that going to be a problem?”

 Nothing to worry about there. Ho, ho, ho!

 

“Is peppermint your favorite smell?”

I sure do love peppermint, but I have a few other favorites, too.

 

I do my best to keep my answers simple. Then there are the questions that break your heart.

 

“Santa, can you help Mommy and Daddy get back together again? I miss my daddy so much.”

 

“Santa, can you help Grandma get well? She’s been sick for a long time.”

 

And every now and then, a youngster comes along who’s given some serious thought to the engineering side of things.

 

“Santa, how does the speed of light affect your overnight travels?”

Good question, Sonny. Next, please. Ha! I mean, ho, ho, ho!

We always look forward to working with the wonderful folks in Delight, Arkansas. The photographer there does a wonderful job of capturing memories for children of all ages. She’s a pro behind the camera, a wonderful mom and grandmother, and the wife of our good friend, Pastor Bryan Sellers. He can preach up a storm, and he dearly loves spending time in a deer stand. An avid deer hunter is mighty welcome in Delight.

 

The photo shows her Christmas backdrop. And before anybody asks, she didn’t pick that wide chair because Santa’s so wide. You know the kind I mean, like those extra-wide chairs in the waiting room. This one has room for yours truly and children of all ages. Mrs. Claus gets in on some of the photos, too.

 

What about crying kids? Believe me, there’ll likely be a few, and we love them, too. We do. We really do. This is our 17th season, and once again, we’ll do our very best to bring joy to children of all ages. All ages.

 

I’m reminded of an older woman we met at a gathering where a local charity was giving out Christmas presents and food. She was watching folks have their pictures taken with Santa, so I invited her over. She looked stunned, and tears rolled down her cheeks. She sat on my knee and told us this was a first for her. She’d never dreamed she’d get to have her picture taken with Santa.

 

Well, she did. Hugs all around.

 

Okay, class, here’s my question once again. Ready? Do we live in a great country or what? We do. We really do. I thank God for His blessings. Amen.

Speaking of our Lord and Savior, from Colossians 2:15, from the Amplified translation: "When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities [those supernatural forces of evil operating against us], He made a public example of them [exhibiting them as captives in His triumphal procession], having triumphed over them through the cross."

It's me again, and it's Wednesday, November 4, 2026. Hello there, and welcome.

 

I didn't watch the election results last night, but I woke up to the big news this morning. The Democrats won big. The Republicans lost big. In January, the President will have to work with a Congress controlled by the Democrats. That's not what I wanted, but it may well be what we deserve. This is how it works when policies fail to meet people's expectations.

 

No matter what, God is still in ultimate control, and we will do our best to fulfill our patriotic duty while putting Him first in our lives. We did not lose His promises in the election results. I know. We will be criticized for saying things like, “He still reigns,” since nonbelievers see it as a cop-out. That's okay. He reigned before, He reigns now, and He will reign forever and ever. Amen.

 

Those who think otherwise will discover this truth, as given to us in God's Word and rendered in the English Standard Version (ESV):

 

• Philippians 2:10–11: “So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

• Romans 14:11 (quoting Isaiah 45:23): “For it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’”

• Isaiah 45:23: “By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’”

Maybe you and I also need to be reminded of God's sovereign control over His created world. That includes all kings, kingdoms, and rulers, as shown in these examples:

 

Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon

• The title: God explicitly calls Nebuchadnezzar “my servant” in Jeremiah 25:9 and Jeremiah 27:6.

• The purpose: Nebuchadnezzar was an idolater who did not know the God of Israel. Yet God used him and his army to bring discipline and judgment upon Judah and the surrounding nations for their persistent disobedience and idolatry.

Cyrus the Great of Persia

• The title: In Isaiah 45:1, God calls Cyrus His “anointed” (Mashiach) and refers to him as His “shepherd” in Isaiah 44:28.

• The purpose: Long before Cyrus was born, Isaiah prophesied that God would use this Persian king to conquer Babylon, free the Jewish exiles, and support the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.

   

Go ask the Pharaoh who held God's people captive what he thinks about our Great God. Here's what we read about this king in Romans 9:17: “I made you leader for this reason: I used you to show My power. I used you to make My name known over all the world.”

 

As we will no doubt face many godless policies coming from the new Congress, it is only right for you and me to remember who God is, who we are in Christ, and how even those in power remain subject to His ultimate authority and control.

 

Let's do this: Pray, be faithful, and serve God diligently. Amen.

"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." ~ John Quincy Adams

Hello, and welcome to Election Day here in the land of the free and the home of the brave. It’s Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and they tell us the U.S. Senate race here in Texas is the most expensive Senate race in history. Oh well, everything is bigger in Texas. Right?

 

My personal cell phone has practically been knocked onto its side by all the political texts it has been receiving. Regardless of the outcome, most people will breathe a sigh of relief when all the mudslinging ads stop.

 

Sadly, many who proclaim themselves churchgoers have decided to sit this one out. I am very unhappy in a number of areas in how our national government has conducted its business over the past 18 months. However, I am not ready to throw the proverbial baby out with the bathwater. Folks who are angry with our current president are actually willing to allow the most radical candidates to take office. Allow. That’s right.

 

As a conservative, my take goes like this: If people don’t vote, their nonvote is a vote for the radical left. Sorry. It’s my blog, and until it is shut down, I will call it like I see it. There’s no number on the pump where I purchase gasoline that will ever cause me to vote for people who trash every value we hold dear.

 

Regardless of what happens, we, as born-again believers, have God on our side. No election will change our standing with Him, and He will have the last say in any and all affairs that pertain to His own.

 

 Therefore, we trust in God. Period.

 

It does, however, hurt to know that so many like-minded believers have decided to shirk their responsibility to vote. Other citizens may have to hold their noses, but they still cast their ballots, choosing as best they can the lesser of the evils before them. Count me as one who could use a clothespin on my nose.

 

May God work His will among us all. Amen.

 

That’s why my blog is called “The View From Here.”

 

The weather will also have an impact on voting today. We are supposed to have a cold front come through later this morning, accompanied by a lot of rain. There are a number of studies that correlate weather with voter turnout. Nice weather produces a larger turnout. Duh!

 

We waited until today because our polling location is only a block away from our house. If it’s raining when we go vote, we know how to use umbrellas and rain gear.

 

Here’s what God’s Word says regarding governing authorities, from Romans 13:1–7 in the New King James Version (NKJV):

 

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.”

 

I taught this passage several years ago. When I pointed out that Rome was the government in power in Paul’s day, a fellow stood up and angrily left the room. I later learned that he was strongly opposed to the people then holding office in Washington, D.C. I will just leave it at that.

 

God doesn’t tell us to support evil, but He does give us the perspective we are to have regarding governing authorities. Got it? Good.

 

May God bless each one, and may He also bless this country we are so very privileged to live in. Amen.

Romans 8:31: “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” as rendered in the 1611 Edition of the King James Version of the Bible.

Welcome to all those tuning in for today’s one-way dialogue on Monday, November 2, 2026. I want to thank everyone who has been praying for the wife of my youth as she continues to recover from her thoracic surgery this past August. It has been tough sledding for her, especially since she is so accustomed to being on the go.

 

We are looking forward to our first Santa appearance of the season this coming Saturday in Arkansas. We hope the change of scenery will be refreshing. This will be our 17th year of making appearances as Santa and Mrs. Claus.

 

I just remembered. It is actually my 18th year, since I was a very young Santa at one of the Sears locations back in the early 1970s. I put in many evening and weekend hours back then. During orientation, we would-be Santas were instructed to do our best to reflect the Santa portrayed in “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” better known as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” That classic holiday poem was first published anonymously in 1823 and later attributed to Clement Clarke Moore.

 

I do hope I’ve come a long way since back then. However, I’ve learned a very important lesson: Children of all ages are much the same when it comes to connecting with Santa Claus. Call it an illusion or a fantasy—whatever you like. Kids love Santa, and Santa loves them back. He does. He really does. That makes for a very interesting and rewarding time for Mrs. Claus and me. Yay and Ho-Ho-Ho!

 

 

Yesterday, I was privileged to teach from the writings of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the local, called-out assembly—the church—meeting in Rome, Italy. The portion I taught is what we know as Chapter 11. While I believe everything in this text, inspired by God through the Holy Spirit, I will be the first in line to admit that I mostly apprehend it by faith. Understanding it all is way above my pay grade.

 

I grasp the Greatness and the Goodness of God as I see how He acted to provide for sinners just like me. After all is said and done, it is His created world, and He has done as He pleased, always in keeping with His perfect attributes. I will say this: Those who think God has abandoned His chosen people, the Jews, will need to rip many passages out of God’s Word to support that conclusion.

 

Chapters 9, 10, and 11 are amazing in their presentation of God’s Master Plan for the world He created, for time and eternity. Once again, I bow before our Great God as I embrace by faith the truths He has chosen to share with us.

 

Is it any wonder that the Apostle Peter himself said the wisdom given to and expressed by the Apostle Paul includes things that are hard to understand? (2 Peter 3:15–16) Peter also warned that some people twist those writings. That, my friend, is going on 24/7. We should heed that warning and listen to and follow only those who are committed to handling God’s Word with great care.

 

Okay. That’s a lot to say grace over, but it’s the truth, and I say Amen to it. What say you?

Colossians 3:12 NIV ~ "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

I had two interesting observations made about me this week. Neither came from me.

 

The first came from a lady in the grocery store who gave me her opinion on something I knew absolutely nothing about. She was older and looked somewhat disheveled. She said, “I want you to know I am aware of how you are showing up in the same place I am. Now you know that I know. That’s all I have to say.” She appeared to be a wee bit off, so I chose not to respond. I just shrugged my shoulders and fetched the milk I had come for. That was a first for me.

 

Next, I was on the phone with the folks at the animal clinic where we take Lil Miss Biscuit. I wanted to know why they kept sending notices saying I was behind on her checkups and treatment regimen. I had just taken her in for her annual checkup in July. It seems they are offering an optional extensive blood test, and that’s what the notices were about. Her next annual checkup isn’t due until next July.

 

While I had the lady on the phone, I asked about the process for approving Biscuit’s special, all-inclusive, once-a-month pill. I use a pet pharmacy in Miami, Florida, and they always seem to have trouble getting the prescription approved. She said she would put a note in the file. I also mentioned that the new pill costs considerably more than the one we used before. The previous pill, recommended by the clinic, was supposedly the best on the market. Now that the clinic has changed brands, the new one is the best on the market.

 

She said there was a note in the file.

 

When I got off the phone, my son observed that I sounded like a grumpy old man.

 

I was only stating the facts.

 

That’s my story on this Friday, October 30, 2026, and I am sticking to it.

I am. I really am.

 

I, of course, not only denied the allegation, but I also denied the alligator. After all, I was only stating the facts as I knew them. I certainly didn’t intend for my tone to come across that way.

 

It reminds me of when I used to tell my grandfather about a mishap. I would say it wasn’t my intention for things to turn out that way. He would look me straight in the eyes and ask, “What, then, was your intention?”

 

That little episode with the animal clinic tells me I have not arrived. I am a work in progress, and I have a long way to go in reflecting my Savior in every conversation. You do understand, right, Vern?

 

The photo above shows me checking out “the suit” before showing up for official photos. I am a wee bit smaller than I was last year, thank God, but that does create some issues with how the suit fits. I’ve mentioned before that most Santas tend to be rather large. That means my suit, the smallest I could find, fits a fellow much larger than I am, but we figure out ways to make it work.

 

We didn’t notice the pinkish hue on some of the white parts of our uniforms when we picked them up from the specialty dry cleaners. Given the animal clinic conversation, though, I think I’ll wait until another day before calling them. Perhaps I’ll make that call from my upstairs office. With the door shut. Ha.

 

Have a great end to the workweek as we prepare to begin a new week on Sunday by gathering with other believers to hear from God as His Word is shared. Let’s hope the sermon won’t be on how our words come across to others.

 

Yikes and Amen.

"Faithfulness in small, often overlooked responsibilities is a vital principle of the kingdom of God that leads to greater trust ." ~ Keith Malcomson, Irish Preacher and Teacher of the Word of God.

No wonder Thursday feels so lonely. It is often referred to as “Friday Eve.” It has become known mostly for how close it is to the ever-popular TGIF.

 

I’m certain that, with God’s help, we can do all that He would have us do—even on this day, Thursday, October 29, 2026. With God, every day counts. Here are just a few inspired thoughts from God’s Holy Word:

 

Lamentations 3:22–23

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

 

Hebrews 3:13

“But encourage one another every day, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

 

Luke 9:23

“And He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’”

 

2 Corinthians 4:16

“Therefore we do not lose heart. But though our outer person is wasting away, yet our inner person is being renewed day by day.”

 

Acts 17:11

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, because they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”

 

I may not be able to do what others are able to do; however, I can do what I can do. I can read and study God’s Word, and I can pray.

 

It’s easy to think our little doesn’t amount to much. I am reminded of what the prophet Haggai reported about the work of rebuilding the temple. In chapter 2 of the book that bears his name, he asks this question in verse 3:

 

“Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing?”

 

Yet God’s message to those doing the work was one of encouragement. Verses 5–9 tell us:

 

"This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’ This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD Almighty. The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty. The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty."

 

We should do what we can and let God use it as He chooses. Amen.

That's my sermonette for today. I have been asked many times if I am a preacher. No, not in the sense of being called by God to preach His Word and shepherd His flock. However, I have been given the gift of teaching, and I have attempted to exercise that gift for nearly 60 years.

 

That doesn't mean we can neglect our shared responsibility as believers to care for one another. That's not only a fact, Jack, but a truth for us all. Amen.

 

I can see in my mind's eye so many people I have known over the years who faithfully did the “small” things. Their efforts often went unheralded or unnoticed, but God saw, and God acted. He did. He really did.

 

My point? Nothing done from a heart given over to God is insignificant. Nope. None. Nada. We all need to keep that in mind as we do what we can to advance the Kingdom. Amen.

"As we move into the world to make a difference, how do we stay connected to this history-shaping, world-changing God? The answer is so simple that it may surprise you: read the Bible. The God who changed our hearts continues to change our hearts through His Word." ~ Lifeway material.

“Lord, help me not to take for granted each day You give me to make a difference.” Amen.

 

How are you doing on this fine day? If you didn’t know already, it’s Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Some who read my blog do so on their phones; therefore, if I happen to send it out early, they get a not-altogether-welcome wake-up ding. For them, I have this: From the depths of your slumber, I bid you a hearty welcome to a brand-new day. Ha! Honestly, I do try to delay sending things out until I can at least clearly make out objects after sunrise. Ha.

 

In 1969, during my early days of working in downtown Houston, we had a way of greeting those who arrived at the office past starting time. Back then, we had two newspapers: the Houston Chronicle and the Houston Post. For the late arrivals, we asked if they had brought a copy of the afternoon paper with them.

 

At that time, I held one of the lowest positions in the department. This is God’s truth: I never dreamed—never—that I would become a supervisor, a manager, a senior manager, and, eighteen years later, work out of an office at the point of the famous Pennzoil Place building as the head of a department of 175 people.

 

Here’s what I say about this: Only God! That’s right. Only God. Did I work hard? You betcha! But I am convinced, from the inside out, that the opportunities provided to me came from God. They did. They really did.

 

No doubt, there were times when I was filled with ego and pride. But my story is all about how God made it possible. That’s the truth. And I thank Him for His provision. Amen.

 

I know some folks who never, ever want to think about the past. They may have good reasons not to do so. I enjoy remembering as much as I can from days gone by. Some of it is very painful, but remembering the tragedies reminds me of how God saw us through. He did. He really did.

 

The photo above was taken in front of our house in Hornbeck, Louisiana, on April 3, 1961, Resurrection Sunday. From left to right: Donald, yours truly, JoAnn, Kayla, Mom, Jimmy, and Frances. Today, JoAnn and I are the only ones in that group still breathing air on this planet.

 

I hear what you are saying. And you are correct. I did have a haircut that allowed my huge ears to pick up radio signals from all over the world. Ha!

 

There are plenty of sad memories in the lives of those pictured. But! There are also unforgettable, joyful experiences that come to mind when I look at that photo—times of great feasting and sweet fellowship as our shipwrecked crew tried to pursue our futures.

 

Why shipwrecked? This photo was taken seven years after our dad, our leader and provider, unexpectedly left us for his heavenly abode. Recovering from that loss was difficult, and it marked each of our lives in ways I still cannot find the words to explain.

 

Some still consider our family to be cursed. Sorry. I consider our family to be blessed. God. Only God. That’s the only reason I am still around to share our story. God. Only God.

 

JoAnn and I are now officially designated as old people. You probably saw this coming, but I am reminded of a song I have heard since my earliest days: “Precious Memories.” The lyrics were written by J. B. F. Wright (John Braselton Fillmore, 1877–1959), and the haunting melody was developed by Lonnie B. Combs, a prolific hymn writer (1905–1991). Published in 1925, “Precious Memories” found its way into 145 different church hymnals.

 

I’ll leave you with the song as it appeared in our shape-note songbooks. We never called ours hymnals. Amen.