"Our flag honors those who have fought to protect it, and is a reminder of the sacrifice of our nation's founders and heroes. As the ultimate icon of America's storied history, the Stars and Stripes represents the very best of this nation." ~ Joe Barton

That's Bradley on the far right with his guitar.

Good morning and welcome to Monday, July 1, 2019. Last Thursday afternoon, the wife's sister, Dorothy and her husband Jim came over from Louisiana for a visit. We loaded up in our car and made our way across the metroplex to Houston Baptist University. It was the closeout evening service of the teen camp where Dorothy's grandson, Bradley, and his band were performing. Bradley is our nephew that we had gone over Sunday a week ago to get him some medical attention. We got there just as the service was started. The Christian music was geared to the audience. Loud with a beat. The lyrics were some of the most God-honoring I've seen lately. The musicians played wonderfully. The singers had great voices and communicated their message clearly. After 30 minutes of music, a pastor came up and delivered a stirring service. These kids were from Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, and Texas. When the pastor gave an invitation, many kids got up and went to their youth pastor or other counselor seeking spiritual help and guidance. The Spirit of the Living God was in that place. After the service, we visited briefly with Bradley and some of his team. After that, we stopped by the local Olive Garden and then over the hills and through the woods, back to our home, at 11:30 p.m. Old people out late. It was a good 'late'. In the service, I could feel the music from the inside out. I wasn't sure if it was the drum or my heart that was beating but my ribcage was reverberating. That might be a substitute for my next EKG. Just a thought.

Dr. Jacob Sustaita, Music Director, and Conductor, for the Conroe Symphony Orchestra.

We enjoyed another wonderful musical celebration of God's provision of our country, the United States of America, on Friday evening at our local fellowship. It was a patriotic concert performed by the Conroe Symphony Orchestra. Over 1,000 attended this free concert and it was spectacular. There was a lot of audience participation and everyone took part in waving their small American flags, clapping, and singing along. Tributes were made to our service men and women, those who have fallen in war, and, for the founders of our great nation. The wife was able to carry seven of the ladies from the apartments we minister in for older and special needs individuals. One lady told me that was her first ever patriotic musical to see in person and she was so delighted. Dorothy and Jim had stayed over for the concert and we had another late night getting home. Jim had brought us a couple of watermelons from Louisiana and I had one ready when they got in from letting the ladies out at the apartment complex. Talk about good! What an excellent way to finish off a celebration of America! Watermelon and fellowship. We are blessed folks. Blessed indeed! Amen.

I did finally get the last report from my recent annual physical. The breathing function test came back normal. I would say a huge 'whew!' but that would take a lot of air and I think I will save it. Just kidding. The doctor's comment on the breathing test was brief, one word, "Normal". I may need to have that one framed because that's just not something I hear very often. I read some about the meaning of the word 'normal' and found there's great debate about whether it even exists today. I got the idea that 'normal' in today's world reflects whatever one defines it to be for themselves. While that's not so surprising, it does make me wonder about the 'normal' that applies to me. Not really. Or, better put, not so much, really. I'll take 'normal' any day over COPD or some other malady. With the recent doctor's assessment of my general health, diabetic notwithstanding, I guess I need to find a new set of excuses for why I am feeling tired and run down. Maybe I have what I heard over and over on the TV back when I was a kid. Tired blood. The commercial said Geritol would cure that problem. I liked watching Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour, so, I heard those commercials often. The bottom line: I am thankful and now it's time to get on with the work and ministry God has given the health I have in order to serve Him. That's something for us all to think about. Amen. ....More later.