Hebrews 10:25 ~ Amplified Bible ~ ".... not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching."

Thank God. It's Monday. TGIM. Wait a minute; it should be thank God for every minute of every hour for every day, period. Amen. I bid you a hearty hello and welcome to our visit today on August 24, 2026. I didn't say we are thankful for every situation we find ourselves in; however, we are thankful to Him in every situation because, as believers, He will never leave us nor will He ever forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 31:6-8, and Joshua 1:5) The wife of my youth and I want to express our sincere appreciation for the many prayers going up on behalf of her recovery from surgery and also for Jimmy's current situation, where he is dealing with a fractured vertebra brought on by the severe seizure he recently had. Granny Mac used to say, "Well, if it's not one thing, it's something else." That, my friend, is how life unfolds. It is. It really is. Need more? When it rains, it pours. We're dealing with more things than you can shake a stick at. Even more? Why is everybody picking on me? No matter how you say it, we are not promised a tip-toe through the tulips in our sojourn here on the planet. We are not. We really are not. Here's what I say about our current difficulties: How thankful I am for God's enabling that permits me to deal with these challenges. He is good. He is really good. He is. He really is. In the coming days, I might say something different. The good news? Nothing about Him changes, but with me, it seems like at times you just have to check which way the wind is blowing. Even when I am wobbly, He isn't. That's good to know, folks. It is. It really is. Amen.

 

I can tell you one thing. David writing in the Old Testament was right. He was. He really was. When he said, as recorded in Psalm 122:1, "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the LORD.'" (as rendered in the New Living Translation, NLT) Yesterday, I was able to experience exactly David's sentiment when I attended services at our local called-out assembly or church, if you prefer. I left the ailing wife of my youth with my ailing middle son to see after her, but I literally had, as they say, my socks blessed off by meeting with brothers and sisters in Christ who love one another and care. Our life group was a blessing because that's where we can get personal with one another. I was able to shake hands, hug necks, and share some laughs before the lesson began. I gave an update on my wife and our son to the class and told a couple of jokes. I told them I was yet to use Paw Paw Mac's admonition, "It will feel much better when it quits hurting," and his other, "You have the same clothes to get glad in." I also told some of the guys one I read; it goes like this: The wife is really, really angry. When this happens, you should get a towel or blanket and tie it around her neck and then pronounce her to be 'Super Angry'. One of two things will happen: She will laugh, or you will die. After hearing a lesson from the Book of Ruth, I went to the choir practice room where we went over the special song to be sung. We then had a wonderful time of worship, and the lyrics of the songs chosen touched my heart deeply. Next, we heard our pastor expound the Word of God from 2nd Thessalonians. Our pastor preaches through The Scriptures, verse by verse. That, by the way, is how The Scriptures were written and delivered, inspired by Holy Spirit God. I felt refreshed. I felt loved from above and from those there in the meeting place. I hurried to my vehicle and made my way back home, knowing how glad I was to have been at the meeting place of our local called-out assembly.  You should try it. You should. You really should. As I am click-clacking on the keyboard, Lil Miss Biscuit is lying behind me in my typing chair, and our touching each other has my back all warmed up. That's what happens when you fellowship with other believers and hear from God; it warms your heart, and you can do the same for them. Amen.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ~ English Standard Version, ESV ~ "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

How does it feel to be the age that I have now achieved? That, my friend, is a good question for this Thursday, August 21, 2026. First, I've never been this age, so I can't comment much on my new status. Secondly, I actually think I feel in pretty good shape for the shape I'm in. That said, there's a lot to read on artificial intelligence websites about the changes that take place for someone in their 80s. I am on twelve different prescribed medications along with a few other over-the-counter supplements, and I tell people that's what keeps me going. Not really. I do know this about it all. I am blessed by Almighty God for every breath I breathe on the planet. This means, in our way of understanding Scripture, that He is not finished with me yet. I am not able to walk much anymore because of my hip situation, but I do okay on the new stationary bike. I feel blessed to study God's Word and still teach a Bible class. I feel blessed to still be able to sing in the choir. I feel blessed to still be able to formulate words onto the electronic page for the blogs I write five days per week. I feel blessed to maintain contact with our boys and their families. I feel blessed to try to do my best to love the wife of my youth in the same way Christ loved His Church and gave Himself up for her. I feel blessed to enjoy our pup, Lil Miss Biscuit. I also feel blessed for the bond that remains with my last sibling, JoAnn. I feel blessed by God, and I thank Him for the resources He has provided, allowing us to support several ministries over the years. I repeat, I actually think I am in good shape for the shape I'm in because of God's blessings. He deserves all the honor and praise. He does. He really does. Amen.

 

I am currently heads down in my nursing mode, seeing after the recovery and support of my wife after her surgical procedure to take care of a hiatal hernia and related issues. Since our health plan farmed out the surgery to a specialist from a different health plan, we again had to navigate into and out of downtown Houston. The city of Houston ranks 8th nationally and 18th internationally in traffic congestion. Those who commute in and out of the city lose, on average, 70 hours per year in stalled traffic. On average. Listen. I think I may have beaten that record the last few times our trips required us to be in the city. I know. I did it for 50-plus years and didn't even think about it. It was what it was. I remind us all. I wasn't 80 years old back then. I did read up on the doctor who did her surgery. He pretty much is in the Who's Who category as a thoracic surgical specialist. He is one of those who typically has an entourage following him wherever he goes. Ha! I told that to our primary care, and he said he now knew what he had been missing since becoming a doctor: his very own entourage. I heard the late, great man of God, pastor and teacher, Dr. Adrian Rogers talk about choosing doctors. He said if he had a heart problem and had to choose between an atheist recognized expert versus a Christian but mediocre surgeon, he would choose the atheist every time. We are thankful she did well in her surgery. She still has some pain, and we are working through the liquid diet for the first week to be followed with a soft diet next week. We are thankful to be in a plan that provides access to the very best, even if it is not one of their own. If I can take a break from my nursing duties, I will get back to y'all with an update tomorrow. Until then, thanks for praying for us. Amen.

We are home from the hospital. The wife is recovering. The surgery was more complicated than originally predicted. Her chief nurse, me, myself and I, is making sure she follows doctor's orders. This requires getting up early and staying late. Ha! All in all, all is well. Thank God. Amen.

 

Doing much better this morning. Great people supporting her here at Baylor St. Lukes. We give God the thanks and praise for His provisions, great and small.

 

Surgery went well. In recovery, experiencing quite a lot of pain. Will move to a room later this evening. We so appreciate all the prayers.

 

The wife of my youth has surgery this morning, hiatal hernia and related. She is being checked in now here at St Luke's Baylor, Houston medical center.

My sincere thanks for every form of recognition of my 80th birthday. May God bless each and everyone who participated. Amen.

Do we live in a great country or what? Today is Monday, August 17, 2026, and I have been busy getting ready to get ready to make progress in my 81st year. Humbled is not even a good word to express how I feel about the responses, wishes, and greetings I have received in recognition of my 80th birthday. The family bought me the gift I asked for. It's a recumbent exercise bike. It's one of those made for senior adults. That would be me. My beautiful wife, the wife of my youth since December, 1964, did a remarkable job putting together a recognition celebration this past Saturday. She has been on a whirlwind of activity, not only getting everything ready for the birthday, but also all of the above and more. Now she moves on to a surgical procedure scheduled for early tomorrow morning. She will be undergoing surgery to deal with a hiatal hernia and the repair of some other esophageal issues. Perhaps she will get some really good rest when they administer the anesthesia. Ha! I will do my best to make sure she follows the doctor's orders. I will try. As they say, I will have to get up early and stay up late if I am to succeed in that endeavor. Ha! Yesterday, on Sunday morning, we both were dressed and in the process of leaving for Church when our Jimmy suffered a major, extended seizure. The fire department came, the EMT squad showed up, and even the police came and checked on what was going on. The wife accompanied him to the ER, and I went on to Church, met my dear sister JoAnn and her bosom friend Barbara there, where we enjoyed a great time of Bible study, worship, and hearing the word of God preached. Afterwards, we enjoyed a great meal where we laughed and talked for an hour. Judge Wayne Mack stopped by to say hello. He and his family have been attending our services, and we exchanged sweet fellowship. When I asked for the check, the young man told us our meal had been paid for by Judge Mack in recognition of my 80th birthday. What a surprise, and I felt ever so grateful. Our Jimmy was admitted to the hospital and is currently undergoing a lot of tests at this time. Please include him in your prayers. 

 

Thinking about pursuing 81, I heard an obscure country singer doing a song entitled "Time Keeps Whittling on Me". I couldn't locate the lyrics, but they pretty well spell out how time does exactly that, whittling away. Not familiar with whittling? Whittling is the process of shaping wood by shaving small thin slices or slivers from it with a knife. The metaphor would make me the wood and time the knife. I'm sure you are glad I cleared that up. Right? The other day we had a problem with our air conditioning unit, specifically the water draining system. It was leaking water into our downstairs bathroom. I am not a technician, but I do know that when this happens, it's not good. Our son Jimmy and I tried a few things, but we were not able to fix the problem. Finally, I decided to get closer to the issue. I got up into the attic and began to negotiate my way over the AC unit, the ducting, and several other obstacles. These required some contortionist moves that I tried but failed to produce. The bottom line: Time Keeps Whittling on Me. I've had a wee bit of trouble walking since that little episode. We called in the experts, and they fixed the problem. They did. They really did. Another lesson learned. I am not an acrobat. Not even close. The old Hee Haw cliché applies: "Doctor, it hurts when I do this. Well, don't do it." Please say a prayer for the wife's surgery that all will go well, and for our son Jimmy, in Jesus' Name. Amen.