" What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life. And, most importantly, cookies." ~ Rudy Giuliani

Eli finishing up on his popsicle as he plans his next endeavor.

Well, hello there. My, it seems like we were visiting just the other day, but, we have a new one, it's Monday, August 4, 2025, and, I do bid each one a very happy happy day. I came upstairs to try and catch my breath. Literally. We have our four year old great grand Elijah James with us this morning. He is a kid of action and his attention span is measured in milliseconds. Our three sons blessed us with eleven grandchildren and these grands, thus far, have done their part bringing into this world eleven great grands. We thank God for each and every one! Eli is very much preoccupied with mechanical interests. He likes to see how things work. Sometimes that involves taking things apart. (He plans on learning how to put stuff back together at a later date.) While he is a moving target, we do love spending time trying to keep up with him. I remember those clips from the baseball movie where the pitcher who wore thick glasses could throw the ball over 100 miles per hour, but, he didn't always know where it might be going. That pitcher was referred to as Wild Thing. Our little Eli is often referred to alongside the 'wild' word, but, I think he's a funny little guy and he makes me laugh in an entertaining sort of way. At the same time, Great Grand Poppy does not have the stamina required to make every step with Little Eli who tends to be planning the next adventure while the current one is still underway. We had a wee bit of a rain shower here this morning and as soon as it quit he and I did a bit of walking which allowed him to play the game of 'See how many questions I can ask' and my response game of 'See if I can understand what he said and answer one before the next one lands'. No wonder I feel the need for a nap coming on. 

 

I did make a trip to our local remote station where one can deal with all things pertaining to the registration, licensing, and taxation of Texas based motor vehicles. I didn't have a prearranged appointment. I always think about doing that when I walk in and see nearly 100 people waiting to be waited on. I went to the kiosk and clicked on the box designating the purpose of my visit and a little ticket was immediately printed out. That ticket had a number on it. When you hear that number called you go to the directed civil servant to help you. The place was very busy. They have a dozen of the service window outlets to serve their clients, yet, I've never seen more than six of them in service at one time. I don't really get an overwhelming sense that customer service is in the air, however, I'm sure that feeling has much to do with the length of time I have to wait. The people there are polite enough but nearly everyone waiting to be served is there to pay real money. Here's one truism you can use: Never make it hard for people to pay you real money. I also noticed that when one of the technicians gets back from lunch it does take a little bit of time to become acclimated to why they are there. That's why I used to have some employees I never wanted to go on coffee break. Too much time retraining them. Okay. It's a joke. But, not altogether without merit. I did get to one of those windows after a little over an hour. You guessed it. I wasn't able to complete my business because of two reasons, 1. I was the wrong person. 2. I had the wrong paperwork. That will do it every blooming time. Such is life but we can always count on our Lord because He is always there for us. Always. Amen. 

"I do know of these That therefore only are reputed wise For saying nothing." ~ William Shakespeare

Eleven years ago. Now that's what I call precious.

Good morning and welcome to Friday, August 1, 2025. I was missing yesterday because I was out of town and as they used to say back home, "I had to see a man about a dog." No. I am not replacing Lil Miss Biscuit. It's just a country way of saying I had something to do. At any rate, I am back today and thankful to be sitting here at my home computer where I have long practiced on this keyboard. I'm not certain why I chose the title for today's edition. Saying nothing has not always been one of my strong traits and Bro. William Shakespeare certainly does not own the origin of that particular thought. We read this in Proverbs 17:28 "Even an ignorant fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered understanding." from the Legacy Standard Bible. And, I think we all know there are times when we should stand up and speak up, but, often that's when we choose to be quiet. What a mess this life can be, if you know what I mean, Vern. There are many ways people recognize the generation one is identified with. The way one dressers, the style of communication, the attitudes about the current political and financial environment, and, the list goes on and on. I will show up early and stay late to certify my status since I was born in 1946. I am not ashamed of what younger folks call 'old fashioned thinking'. It's interesting how most of the experts spend time recommending ways in which us older folks can learn to communicate with the younger generations. However, I can't recall any recommendations helping younger generations to know how to communicate with us older folks. Just a thought because I do think it's important that we do anything we can to help foster a recognition of the values we hold dear, those that will help in this time and for eternity. I'm sure Vern knows all about it. For those who may not get the 'Vern' reference: ~ The phrase "you know what I mean, Vern?" is a catchphrase popularized by the character Ernest P. Worrell, played by Jim Varney,(1949-2000), in television commercials. The phrase originated in the late 1970s and early 1980s as part of a campaign for Purity Dairies in Nashville. Ernest would often deliver product pitches directly to the camera, addressing the unseen "Vern" as his neighbor and friend. ~

 

See there? You learn something everyday. Not much from reading my blogs but there's always hope that like a stopped clock I will get it right occasionally, like twice per day. One can wish. My absence yesterday involved 6-1/2 hours of driving, only stopping a couple of times. That will leave a mark on a Baby Boomer or at least it will cause the boomer to hurt all over more than anywhere else. The bottom line is I feel blessed to still be able, period, thank You Lord. I need to be reminded not to take any and all the blessings of each day for granted. And, yes, I am still working on that admonition that instructs believers to give thanks in all circumstances. I'll get back to you on any progress I make. My computer just popped up a note saying I should expect rainy days beginning today. I'm not sure I can trust that message because think about it. Before I could even log in the computer gave me a test to prove I am not a robot. See what I mean? An artificially intelligent human made machine asks me to prove I'm not an artificially intelligent human made machine. Ironic? Oh well, forget about it. I suppose. Have a great rest of today, Saturday, and Lord's Day Sunday, and, Lord willing, I will catch back up with you soon. May God add His blessings. Amen.

"According to “The State of Pet Care” report, vet care costs in the U.S. have soared more than 60% since 2014...." ~ USA Today, May 25, 2025

Well, I am glad that's done. It is 'take your dog to the vet' day here at the ole blogger ranch on this Wednesday, July 30, 2025.  Lil Miss Biscuit loves to ride but she somehow sensed where we were going when we turned to go towards the vet facility. We were here approximately one year ago, but, she remembers it to be the scene of the crime perpetrated against her. Dogs are pretty smart folks. They are. They really are. It was time for her annual checkup referred to, privately, with a whisper, as the annual shakedown from the clinic's point of view. I can't help but think about the dogs we had growing up. We did not mistreat them but they never even thought about being in the house. They had some old towels under the house and that's where they slept. They never ever saw a veterinarian except towards my time of leaving for other pastures they did have a technician sent out by the Parish animal people to give free rabies prevention shots. That was it. They lived until they didn't. They were fed scraps from the kitchen table. The bill for Lil Miss Biscuit's annual checkup looks a whole lot like what it would cost a human to be checked out. Oh well, we have become part of that system. We also give her an expensive all in one pill every month to prevent a variety of issues. Her diet? In addition to eating off of my plate we buy a recommended type of dog food suited to her age and development. I'm kidding, right? No, I am not kidding. In that same strip center where the vet clinic is located they have a shop dedicated to nothing more than eye lashes. As Jack Parr used to say, "I kid you not." I think we can begin to begin to see how our capitalistic system functions. I really don't mind taking care of our pup, however, it still stings a little when the Doctor lady says, "She sure does love her daddy." Okay. I am compelled to tell the truth. I love her too. (Forgive me Paw Paw Mac. Yes, I realize she is just a dog but things change and people do too.)

 

I saw a blurb saying they have identified the age when accelerated aging takes place. I will give you a moment to think about what that age range might be. Your time is up and here is the study outcome on this particular metric: Aging advances more rapidly between the ages of 45 to 55 years. Who knew? For me, that's some 25 years ago and I have trouble remembering what I should be doing today much less trying to think about how I felt during those accelerated aging years. Because I desire to contribute, here are the reported signs that one is getting older as gleaned from across the web, (as in the WWW, World-Wide-Web, is a system of interconnected public webpages accessible through access to the internet which is a global network of interconnected computer networks that allows users to access information, communicate, and share data.):

 

Achy joints
Feeling stiff
Vision changes
Losing hair
Needing an afternoon nap
Skin changes
Thinking policemen/teachers/doctors look really young
Forgetting people's names
Groaning when you bend down
Hearing loss
Saying 'in my day
Sleeping on your side
You're honest about your needs
Your heart works harder
Bathroom challenges
Bones break more easily
Color of hair becomes white
Complaining about more things
Falling ill more often
Hating noisy places
Memory problems
Struggling to use technology
Wrinkles appear in you
Your boss is younger than you

 

Due to a confidentiality agreement I have with myself I choose not to reveal how many of those listed clues I have already and/or they are currently being experienced by me, myself, and I. Here's another way to look at it. While many of us know the truth behind the saying, "Getting old is not for sissies", most of us can also say we thank God for the opportunity to have lived to the getting older experience and are able to joke about it. The Amplified Bible lays out 1st Thessalonians 5:18, this way: "....in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." That's enough to challenge us all. It is. It really is. See you next time, Lord willing. Amen.

1st Corinthians 3:6-9 from the New International Version: "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building."

Good morning and welcome. Today is Tuesday, July 29, 2025. It is trash day here. We have two regular trash containers and one recycle container out on the curb. We just had regular pickup this past Friday which begs the question: How in the world can so few people have so much trash in such a short time? The government reports that typically each individual creates 4.9 pounds of trash per day. To me, it's a wee bit of a mystery but I've not figured out how we can have so much to dispose of, but, I've decided to put it in the missing socks category. The socks go into the washer and they typically make it to the dryer. However, upon their fetching from the dryer something happens and it ends up being several without mates. I hear the Twilight Zone music playing in the background as everyone ponders what could have happened. Not really, but, life is filled with quirky kinds of unexplainable things. I have no idea why these things came to mind but as you can see, it just happens. I was recently asked by one of my readers how I come up with SO MUCH stuff. My answer, everyone is probably good at something. As it turns out I excel at coming up with stuff. I did not say all of what I come up with serves a useful purpose, but, when I am sharing truths from God's Word, well, that always has a purpose, forever and ever, Amen. How do I know that to be true? The B-I-B-L-E tells me so: Isaiah 55:11 from the New American Standard Bible, "So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the purpose for which I sent it." I do receive comments from time to time that affirm how this purpose is accomplished. This one from a foreign reader: "Awesome testimony and very encouraging. Thanks Al", back in 2013. The bottom line: Some meaningless chatter, some occasionally funny material, and perhaps a few educational tidbits thrown in, BUT, I typically always include something inspired from above, therefore, I am confident in knowing He will work through that part of my daily propagating of stuff.

 

How many people can you name by name who have made a major impact on your life? I recently watched Dr. Dennis Swanberg, Christian Humorist, sharing a sermon about shade tree planting. I've heard it several times over the years but it rings true. I encourage you to look it up on YouTube. He is a well educated theologian, a former pastor for many years, and, a great jokester and does a great job doing impressions. He uses all of these in presenting his sermon about how people plant shade trees they never get to sit under and they do it on behalf of those who will get to sit under them. His text is from Jeremiah Chapter 32. It got me to thinking about all those who have influenced my life often through the sacrifice of their time and effort that I might become who I am today. I don't want to share that list today because it is incomplete but I am working on it. Why? I thank God for any and all who helped me along the way. Some I did not recognize at the time. If you are one of them: I thank God for you and I thank you. I will have much more on this later. I used that word much just to cover my bases since I am known for being good at coming up with SO MUCH stuff. May I leave you with this one. I didn't get to where I am all by myself. I didn't. It was only by the grace of God and how people from my earliest days to even my current days have made a difference in my life. There are no lone rangers in the Christian community. We depend on God and we depend on each other. More, much more, on this later. But for now, may we all join together in thanking God for the life He has given to each of us and may we do our best to live it out in a way that influences others for good and brings honor and glory to God in the process. Thanks again for tuning in and may God add His blessings. Amen. 

“The currency of blogging is authenticity and trust.” ~ Jason Calacanis, Highly Rated Blogger

Good morning blog readers and welcome to the world referred to as the blogosphere. That is an accepted way to represent the connectivity employed as stated in this rendering from Wikipedia,"The blogosphere is made up of all blogs and their interconnections. The term implies that blogs exist together as a connected community." Now you know. At any rate we are currently dealing with today, Monday, July 28, 2025 and many of you out there see it as a back to work day. I am well aware of that feeling, like maybe 60 plus years of knowing how that feels. Supposedly, there are over 600 million blogs milling around on the information highway. That's a lot to choose from. Right? I came back to my blogging activity this past January and one of the reasons I did so was because I thought it might be a good way to keep some semblance of functioning in brain activity inside my noggin. I often think of myself as mostly an aggregator who collects and shares experiences, insights, observations, and, opinions with those who take the time to read my blog. To be honest, I've been blogging my entire life. That's right. I've written about my life often and if I looked long enough I can probably prove it with some hard copy printouts stored away in a closet somewhere. My writing style? Yikes. I've tried a variety of grammar checking programs over the years and most of them quit after they check my work the first time. That's a joke, but, I do not deny the obvious. My writing could be better. At the same time, the writing you see on the page reflects the real me. Too wordy. Somewhat discombobulated. (I don't know why, but, I do love that word.) And, mostly always on my way to somewhere even if I am typically mostly in my own home. How does that work? Imagination. Try it. I know for me it has allowed me to travel the world, visit the past, and, dream about the future. I say all of that knowing the basis of truth is God's revelation as provided in what we call The Bible. For me, understanding the truth and living by it is a work in progress. Yep. That would be me: A Work In Progress. I will soon be 79 years young and since I am sitting here sharing a lot of mostly inane and nonsensical information, God has allowed me to continue breathing, therefore, I yield to the truth that He is not finished with me yet. Yet! (I just read where too many bloggers tend to use exclamation points profusely tagging items that have little or no interest.) I think my Yet! is important since it does define where I am in God's economy and the good news that He has more for me to accomplish before I become absent from this body. Amen.

 

I would guess my blogs could be used to play a game of how can you say what he said using 50% less words. To me I see my blogging as me being a ventriloquist with a dummy on my lap. The dummy is me. Okay. Perhaps that is not the best analogy but it speaks reality to me. This year. I mean, think about it. It seems like only yesterday where both me and the wife of my youth intended on ringing in 2025 but we slept through it. And, from that point on the fast forward button has been engaged. Old people are not always keeping up with their time like they did when they were a part of the public working world. Our measurement of time mostly focuses on Church services and related activities, family visits, and a real biggie, medical appointments. That's how you fall asleep watching the new year come in and wake up seeing how August is suddenly in view. Many have commented how slow time moves when you are young. Is it any wonder they tell old people to wear their seat belts because the older you get it is the faster time moves. Israel's King Solomon had this to say about time, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 from the English Standard Version: "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; ..." The Psalmist, 90th Division, Verse 12, "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." The half brother of our Lord Jesus, James, Chapter 4, Verses 13-15 "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit'— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'"  There are many others but the bottom line is our time here as believers has a purpose and we should strive to fulfill that purpose and in so doing we should desire to bring honor and glory to God. Oh might, another sermon directed towards the writer. So true folks, so true. Maybe some of the slop over will speak to you. See you next time, Lord willing, and may He add His blessings as we all continue our sojourn here. Amen.

"This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long..." ~ Fanny Crosby, (1820-1915) Blind, American mission worker, poet, lyricist, and composer. She was a prolific hymnist, writing more than 8,000 hymns and gospel songs, with more than 100 million copies printed. She is also known for her teaching and her rescue mission work.

It will be here before you know it!

Good Friday morning, this one self identifies as July 25, 2025. My proofreader was out running errands yesterday morning, therefore, I missed one or two items that did not reflect the thoughts I was attempting to convey. First, in the title I quoted from a notable and accomplished woman but she was not a stundwoman, she was actually a stuntwoman. My discussion of changes from 1956 to 2025 included how that we as a nation accomplished de-segregation of our schools, not segregation as it is stated in my blog. The context was likely caught but I will change these so that someday if someone happens upon one of my old blogs they will know exactly what I meant. What's that you say? They will have much more than those two to say grace over. No doubt, but, I do what I can do and as someone not very famous at all was wont to say, often I might add, in the final analysis it is what it is. Meanwhile, I include for your consideration a flashback blog I wrote nine years ago. Have a great rest of Friday, a wonderful Saturday, and a meaningful Lord's Day Sunday. May God bless each one is my prayer. Amen.

 

~ Welcome to our little one-act play for today, being presented on this Thursday, July 28, 2016. I heard growing up how that some people didn't have enough sense to know when to come in out of the rain. I actually can identify with that statement. It has been nothing but hot here in these parts over the past several weeks. We've had a very occasional spotty shower here and there, but, for the most part, everything is in meltdown. The other day I needed several drawings printed out so I called up to the main office and asked them to print them for me. It was ten pages. While I was there fetching the printouts, the bottom fell out. It began to pour. I stood on the porch for a few minutes and then went back in and found a Wal-mart plastic bag. I folded up my drawings, put them into the plastic bag, and took off walking back to my office. It was raining hard. I was getting wet. I not only didn't have enough sense to come in out of the rain, I actually was very much enjoying it. I ended up being wet but not soaked completely. Here's what I discovered. The A/C works much better after you've been out in the rain. In spite of some strange looks on the part of some of our workers, I actually felt very refreshed. Even though I love that dancing in the rain scene by Gene Kelly in the great 1952 movie, "Singing in the Rain," I didn't do any of that, I just slowly walked through the happy, happy liquid falling from the sky.

I follow a number of different posters on Twitter. One is a fellow who is in ministry but he likes to poke fun at Church related activities. He operates under the name, Back Row Baptist. You can locate him under that hashtag. Here's one he put up the other day that brought a chuckle from me: "My church accidentally scheduled a bake sale and a Weight Watchers meeting for the same night. There were no survivors." A few more from his page: ~ "Hello, you have reached Moses. I'm out at the moment, but if you leave a message, I'll return your call within roughly 40 years." ~ "I live every day likes it's my last. Which is why I haven't updated the church's website since 2007."  ~ "Happy 3rd birthday to that half empty bottle of french dressing in the side panel of the Church fridge!" ~ "I'm so saved, I won't even play Gin Rummy, in case one of my friends is struggling with alcoholism." ~ "Welcome to our church! Here's the seating chart. You can see all the best seats are reserved, but you can sit in the front row." ~ I realize that some of these are insider jokes, and, they, for the most part, are not roll-on-the-floor funny. Yet, I don't know about you, but, things like this do help to lighten the load a tad along the way. They also have a ring of truth to them and that always helps. On a side note, I enjoy stand up comedy, but, the stuff by those who are popularly acclaimed out on YouTube are so filthy I end up shutting them down almost from the get go. Fortunately, there are some clean ones including those identified by their faith. These include Mark Lowry, Tim Hawkins, Chonda Pierce, Michael Junior, Ken Davis, Taylor Mason, Brad Stine, Rich Praytor, Thor Ramsey, Jeff Allen, Aaron Wilburn, and I would also add the late Jerry Clower to this grouping. All of those on this list are available on YouTube.

I'm doing my best to keep everything lighthearted for today. I'm working at it. Staying away from politics and our chaotic disintegrating world is not easy, but, I'm trying. Here are some random memes I saw on a blog posting. The memes were unattributed as they had come from various sources. ~ "Unless you fell off your treadmill and smacked your face, no one wants to hear about your workout." ~ "Negative people have a problem for every solution." ~ "I'm so thankful I had a childhood before technology took over." ~ "The older I get, The surer I am That I'm not running the show." ~ "Some days the memories just knock the wind out of me." ~ "If I had my life to live over, I would find you sooner so that I could love you longer." ~ (If that were true for the wife and I we would have needed to have met while we were both in diapers.) ~ "Have you ever had a memory that sneaks out of your eye and rolls down your cheek?" ~ Maybe one of those had something to say to you. Several got my attention. I suppose it proves the fact that today's short attention span causes us to live mostly with a bumper sticker mentality. You know. Tweets can only be 140 characters long. No wonder I don't do a lot of tweets. That's not even enough time for me to come up for air. Oh well, hope you and yours will have a blessed day. Until next time, may God provide for us all is my prayer. Amen. .....More later.

"Aging seems to be the only available way to live a long life.” ~ Kitty O’Neill Collins, (1946-2018), American Stuntwoman and auto racer, called: 'The fastest woman alive."

Okay. Things are different today than they were in the past. You knew that already? Good. Because it is true. It is Thursday, July 24, 2025 and I saw a photo that popped up as a memory on social media and that's what got me to thinking about my version of 'The Way We Were'. The top photo is of my 5th grade class. I am on the top row and counting left to right, I am number 5, the one with the little black dot. (Our teacher, Mrs. Vera Fitts was one of the best.) The bottom photo is of a typical 5th grade class in 2025. How much has changed during this interval of time? Very much indeed! In 1956, you could spend $710 of  buying power whereas in 2025 you would need just under $8400 to equal the $710. De-segregation of schools was a new work in progress in 1956 whereas it is the law of the land in 2025. The littles in my class focused on learning traditional subjects like math, science, and literature, using methods like lectures and rote memorization. The curriculum could be strict with limited room for deviation or creativity. There was a significant emphasis on learning facts and rote memorization. In 2025 fifth graders emphasize hands-on, experiential learning that fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Modern teaching methods like project-based learning and group work are designed to engage students and promote critical thinking skills. Technology? This is where it gets crazy. In our class we used ditto machine copies and something called the blackboard. Today's kids use all types of computing devices to do their lessons, make presentations, and even take tests. Discipline? Very, very strict up to and including corporal punishment in my day while today's disciplinary profile reflects positive reinforcement and constructive methods. I'm gagging a little on that one. Look how well the new system is working? And, let me be clear. I did have first hand knowledge of the corporal punishment system and believe me were they to have asked my mom she would have told them to get with it. Why? Because she followed a very similar plum tree switch approach. I'm not knocking kids today. I have grands and greats that are a part of this advanced learning world. The bottom line is they are kids. We were in 1956 and they are today. They need direction and guidance. At home and at school. I quickly add they need to be taught the Bible and the first place they need to see it being studied and used in everyday life is in their home. That, my friend, would be a good start in helping turn our country around. This will date me, but, I immediately thought of the Kitty Wells classic country song, 'Dust On the Bible'. The chorus had these words: 

 

Dust on the Bible, dust on the holy word
The words of all the prophets and the sayings of our Lord
Of all the other books you'll find, there's none salvation holds
Get that dust off the Bible and redeem your poor soul ~

 

 

I was blessed to have been given a set of early 1900's Compton's Illustrated Encyclopedias. Those books were my Google. The better off kids in our class had World Book. Good for them. The wording and style was quite different and when I used my handed down research materials, well, many of the teachers were a little stymied even thinking I must be pretty smart. How funny is that? I read where one young fellow got tired of hearing his grandpa complain saying, "You young people rely too much on technology," so he unplugged his life support. Another grandfather observed to his grandson how his generation needed to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. The kid responded, "But your generation could afford boots." One fellow confessed to his wife, "I am so scared because the next generation is surely doomed." She asked why he felt that way and he responded, "Because we are the ones who will be giving them advice." I close with this quote from an older person: "We made learning so much easier for the younger generation. They now have schools with smart devices, digital textbooks, and online courses. We even reduced the planets down to eight." Okay. That's enough fooling around for one day. I do remind my readers. The skip key for any and all of the contents of my blog is readily available. You will not hurt my feelings, that is, unless you happen to contact me and tell me that's how you get through what I write. Joking only. Hey! It's a busy world out there and we all are busy people. Sometimes I wonder why we are so busy but that's another story for another day. Only God can help us regardless of our age and we need to reflect that truth as we live out the life He has given to each of us as individuals. That would be a good start. For me too! Amen.

"Typos, those little slips of the finger or mind, are a common part of writing and communication. While often seen as a negative, typos can also be a source of humor, a reminder of our shared humanity, and even a catalyst for learning." ~ copied

Having corrected yesterday's blog where I typed in 2023 instead of 2025, that only proves one thing. If I knew what that was I would tell you but life is always giving us mysteries. Oh well, I believe I am correct in tagging this new episode with today's date of Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Thanks to those who were kind enough to point out my wrong date. I actually tried to remember something remarkable about 2023 which may have prompted that misguided keystroke, but, alas, nothing spectacular came to mind, (actually, it was giving me a headache so I ditched the search before any results came up), and that's that. The good news is how it actually didn't add up to a hill of beans as they used to say back home. Communication is vital and history is replete with the reporting of dire consequences tied to a communication failure. Back in 1815 we have the battle of New Orleans which was initiated and carried out unnecessarily. That's right. Why?  It actually occurred on January 8, 1815, well after the treaty that ended the War of 1812 had already been signed. But a delay in communication between the two continents meant that the news of the treaty did not reach the battlefield in time to prevent the conflict. Big deal? I would say so, this battle resulted in significantly more British casualties than American casualties. British losses were over 2,000, with 291 killed, 1,262 wounded, and 484 missing or captured, while American losses were much lower, with 13 killed, 39 wounded, and 19 missing or captured. I have no idea how that connects to my typo but I thought of it and so, there you have it. And, I do love the Johnny Horton classic song about this famous battle so look it up and give it a listen. Delay in knowing the truth in this matter ended up in death. Those who delay in responding to the truth of the Gospel face an even more dire outcome, eternal separation from God! John 3:16  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."makes it clear and we see it posted here, there, and even on t-shirts and caps. However, seeing it versus receiving the offer are two different things. The communication from God has been made clear, therefore, you, I, and everyone who reads this today should, without delay, decide to receive His offer of salvation. Why? The consequences, my friend, the consequences. No one ever said the stuff I string together each day had to compliment each other. But, I have told you before and I will tell you again, sometimes it truly does turn out to be mostly about this, that, or the other. 

 

The recent news about pursuing allegations of wrong doing in a previous administration chaired by a famous Democrat President, well, it has the self identified conservatives rubbing their hands together with glee. Don't try and diagram that sentence. Oh. That's right. They don't diagram sentences any more. That's good because some of mine could be dangerous. Social media is melting down with all of the forth and back on this latest political development. Those rubbing their hands together are saying go for it and they are busy counting their chickens. The only problem? The hens haven't even laid any real eggs yet. On the other side they are promoting the false flag, wagging the dog, distraction attempt to try and change the subject from matters that might be embarrassing to the current administration. Sure. You can use a score card if you like. Many of those wearing red caps and rubbing their hands commend themselves as God followers. I tend to lean in that direction, therefore, this warning from The Scriptures is for us all:  "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; lest the LORD see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him." - Proverbs 24:17-18 English Standard Version. This is not all I have to say. It almost always isn't, but, it is time for me to practice what George Burns used to say to his wife Gracie at the end of each of their radio and television shows, "Say good night Gracie." This means it is time for me to say, so long for now, see you next time, Lord willing and the Creek Indian nation doesn't rise. (It's speculative but check it out and it very much could be connected to the Battle of New Orleans. If  the Creeks don't rise. just saying.) Have a God blessed rest of this day. Amen.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we eagerly wait for it." Romans Chapter 8, Verses 18-25, from the Legacy Standard Bible

For today's edition, being number 3,721, I bring you greetings for what I know to be a string of recollections, repeats, and rusty reflections on this Tuesday, July 22, 2025. I was looking over the list of historical events that happened on this day and I saw where in 1918 some 504 sheep were killed by lightning out in one of the national parks in Utah. And, that's why they used to call it an act of God. I'm not sure that's allowed in today's politically correct environment. It may be referred to as an act of nature or maybe for some, Mother Nature. For those who read their Bibles, well, it's settled truth, The Gospel of John, Chapter 1, verses 1-4: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men." Also the Apostle Paul's inspired testimony in his letter to the Colossians, Chapter 1, Verses 15-20, speaking of Jesus the Christ: "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, And in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, And through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross—through Him—whether things on earth or things in heaven." No my friend, not Mother Nature, but rather as the old hymn put it, "This is my Father's world." Do I understand all the details stated in this Bible verses? Not on your life, however, I can accept and embrace them as being the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. How? Only by faith. And, my faith is always a work in progress that stands daily in need of God's direction and guidance. Amen.

 

I mentioned the hymn, 'This is my Father's World'. It was a poem written by Presbyterian Minister, Maltbie Babcock, ( 1859-1901). The poem was set to music using a tune written by Franklin Sheppard and was published after Babcock's death. How he came to write the lyrics is interesting and it can be found in the Wikipedia article about this song. It was in all our hymnals and song books that I was exposed to growing up. Our fallen nature sometimes rebels against accepting the premise of creation itself being in the hands of The Creator, our Sovereign God. Yet, this truth is emphasized from Genesis to the Book of the Revelation. It is. There were a large number of stanzas in his poem, but, here are the most often used lyrics found in most hymn books:

 

This is My Father's World

 

This is my Father's world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
 

This is my Father's world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father's world,
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their maker's praise.
 

This is my Father's world,
He shines in all that's fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father's world.
O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
 

This is my Father's world:
why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!

 

Okay. That's enough to any of us to say grace over. Don't you agree? May God be with you is my prayer as we continue our sojourn here on the planet. Amen. 

"What’s the secret to having a smoking hot body as a senior? Cremation." ~ Don't write me. It's a joke from the online Readers Digest. Settle down out there.

Welcome back to this location where keystrokes end up producing WYSIWYG, (What you see is what you get.), output. It is Monday, July 21, 2025, and I am thankful, and I mean that seriously, to be up and about on this God provided day. Amen? Yes! Amen! The save the date for Santa photos above is from a dear lady in Arkansas. She and her family are special to us. We feel privileged to go and be a part of her Christmas photo sessions. God willing, of course. There are different ways that indicate one has categorically advanced to an older age. Saturday, our granddaughter and her family dropped by. They have two little ones including their newest, a 6 month old. She is about as precious as they come and I do love to love on her. The Dog, Lil Miss Biscuit is not as excited about me being so attentive to anybody other their herself. But, I spent several hours rocking, singing, and playing back to her the same sounds she was making. That's right. It is not necessarily a sign of mental issues but someone who happens upon the scene, well, they are entitled to interpret it anyway they see it because our little great grand, she was well pleased. At any rate, she is also a chunk, she inherited the eating gene from my side of the family. One time I got up out of the chair and I hear this melodious voice echoing across the room. Be careful dear, I'm not sure you should be walking around with that baby. Hello? You talking to me? It hit me. The baby's mom, our granddaughter, used to love for me to run, literally run, down the stairs carrying her. Fast forward from that display of athletic prowess to, "I'm not sure you should be walking around with that baby." I thought it was slightly funny. Very slight indeed!

 

Ready for Church, July 20, 2025.

I don't really mind her reminding me to be careful. I don't. I have said it very often and I am unanimous in my opinion, I need all the help I can get. And, let me be truthful here, there are times we take advice better than other times. I'm reminded when I would give my mom some friendly advice that pertained to her health. She didn't always appreciate the caring behind my advice and she would respond, "WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH DR. ABBOTT!" We do need to think before we speak. I'm reminded of the verse from the Proverbs, Chapter 25, Verse 11: "Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances." Solomon also collected this one, Chapter 27, Verse 14: "He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, It will be counted as a curse to him." For good measure and subject to each one's viewpoint I throw this one in also: Chapter 21, Verse 19: "It is better to live in a desert land Than with a contentious and vexing woman." That was intended to be a joke. Someone tell me if the wife of my youth is smiling. I'm just messing around with that one. Y'all. Yep, that includes you too. Get out there and have a wonderful God-blessed day and I will try to do the same. Amen.

Philippians 3:13-14 ~ "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you."

Good morning and welcome to today's flashback edition. Today is Friday, July 18, 2025, and I bid you welcome to a rerun from June 5, 2007. What were you doing 18 years ago? I obviously was writing about the stuff found in this blog. I mention Lexie in the blog, our granddaughter who was seven back then but now has graduated from the University of Texas, Austin, and she has a job in that area today. My how quickly time gets away from us all. Have a great weekend and may God help us all is my prayer. Amen.

 

                Looking for laughs in all the wrong places!

 

On this June 5, 2007, I’m going to confess something that may shock some of you. I find the state of regular television programming so absolutely void of entertainment value, I’ve resorted to watching televangelists and presidential debates in order to enjoy a good laugh. Some might think the first to be offensive or sacrilegious and the second may be less than patriotic. However, I will attempt to explain why these forms of presentation strike me as being humorous even while I recognize them to be deadly serious. This void in having anything to watch happened to be more so with my wife out of town because if we watch TV together, you can be sure it will the Game Show Network, which is her most favorite, and I watch it with her because the Bible teaches I am to love my wife even as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for the Church. I sure hope there are special points for giving yourself up as it relates to watching black and white reruns of “I’ve Got A Secret”!

I must make a few obvious exceptions by stating that I do watch quite a lot of CSPAN, some news programming, anything relating to NASCAR, some History Channel documentaries, some PBS programs, and maybe the Home Alone movie, which I’ve only seen at least 100 times. The reason I watch it is because I have an entire crew of grandchildren that have grown up seeing this movie and when I watch it now I remember when each of them began to ‘get it’ and how funny it was to them when they did. I do have one young lady who ‘got it’ much earlier than the others, our little Lexie, and she’s been laughing at that movie since she was about two. I know exactly what you are thinking. Old people are nothing but drooling sentimentalists! I plead guilty in the first degree with premeditation.

The televangelist’s deal is just too good to pass up. I know their teachings for the most part are absolutely foreign to any common sense reading of God’s word, and I know they have led, and or leading many people astray. I certainly do not find this fact to be humorous in any way, but when you watch them as entertainers and use even a lick of the sense God has given to you, it just turns out to be funny. It’s like my granddad used to say, “Son, are you going to use your head for something other than a hat rack?” I hasten to add that when I use the word televangelist I certainly am not talking about many wonderful faithful Bible teachers who have television programs.

I remember one night watching this fellow who felt compelled to explain why he had purchased a private jet to travel in. He had not really wanted the jet but his people had insisted on him buying it in order to protect the special anointing that was on him, whatever that means. He actually said this with a straight face and as always the people clapped and went wild in their approval. To me this was hilarious. Let me see if I’ve got this right? I would suppose this special anointing came from God, and God is Supreme, but you need to travel in a private jet to protect this anointing which was given to you by God Who is in control over all things. You might not think this is funny but I do, sorry, I do. Now as for the millions the plane cost and as for the millions who are deceived by this type of idiotic rationalizing, I feel sad for them and my prayer is they will someday begin to read the truth as God has given it to them.

Now for the political stuff that also can be very entertaining at times. On Sunday evening our Church had fellowships planned and since my class did ours after morning service, I was at home and able to watch, as much as I could stand, the democratic presidential nominee debate from New Hampshire. Okay, I’m a conservative, registered republican, who considers himself to be entirely independent in terms of choosing someone to represent my point of view. But on that particular night it was so much fun to see who could out bash Bush. He was blamed for everything except hemorrhoids and I’m sure that would have been called out but it was only a two hour program. The other thing was to see them try and touch every interest group that might be watching and hit them all in one sentence. I’m certainly not saying the republicans do it differently but they were not on that night.

It is said that during one of the elections involving General U. S. Grant, that his opponent said this about him, “Among pygmies he is a giant, among giants he is a pygmy”. I had a similar feeling about the democratic hopefuls, to me they came off as all being pygmies among pygmies, period, end of story. Yet, I do appreciate the entertainment value but to tell you the truth I could not envision one of these characters being the commander and chief of our great republic. However, if one of them does become our next president then I will pray for that individual because this is exactly what God has told us to do. (See 1st Timothy chapter 2 and Romans chapter 13)

Until then, forgive me for looking for laughs in all the wrong places! More later…..

"What does Santa suffer from if he gets stuck in a chimney? Claustrophobia!" ~ copied

Running just a wee bit late this morning since I was up early and away to take care of some old people tasks. It is Thursday, July 17, 2025, and I do bid each one a hearty hello. Yep. I was over at the doctors, (that's what they used to say back home, I had to go to the doctors today), did some lab work and then I had a session with my pulmonary physician. He is really a great doctor but can be a tiny bit of a grouch whenever I'm not taking or following his directions. With my face full of hair I am in a constant battle to get the cpap apparatus to work properly. Forget about getting a good seal. I do need a new mask. The one I'm using is pretty much shot but I didn't know the name of the one I wear until the doctor told me this morning, it is a Dreamwear Nasal Mask. I put that there so I can refer back to it when I am arguing with the people who provide me with medical supplies. He checked me over. Listened to my breathing. And, he reminded me of the tiny little nodual on my lung and how I needed to get a chest scan so we can see how it's doing. Hopefully, the same with no noticeable development. Right? I had actually put that one in the nothing burger stack but he told me it was his job to remember even if I had forgotten about it. He and his staff were really happy to hear that we had decided, Lord willing, to go for our 16th season delivering joy as Santa and Mrs. Claus. I think my pulmonologist sees it as an opportunity for me to get up and be more active. He also mentioned that long after I'm gone there will be photos of me put up on the mantle at Christmas time. I hadn't planned on hearing that one, but, he was very accurate in that prediction. We've seen some of the photos turned into paintings of us and children that people proudly hang on their walls, one said she loved hers so much she leaves it over the fireplace year round. There you have it. Go to the doctor and end up talking about the photos I will leave behind when I breathe my last. One last thing: I am so thankful for the doctors I have including a number of specialists. They work hard to keep this soon to be 79 year old able to wake up, get up, and get going. Thank You Lord. Amen.

 

There's derivatives of a quote from yesteryear that frequently makes its rounds when talking about watching our government at work. Otto von Bismark, 1815-1898, Prime Minister of Prussia and founder and first Chancellor of the German Empire, said this, "Laws are like sausages. It is best not to see them being made." I hear the sausage making analogy quite often from various politicians. I like sausage. I have in my younger years participated in the making of sausage. I get the idea behind his quote. Most people who enjoy sausages likely would never want to see them made. The problem I have in Bismark's quotation has to do with the end result. Yep. Sausage making because it is very messy and yucky isn't all that pleasant and watching local, state, and national government going through their endless gyrations isn't at all pleasant. The end result of sausage making is typically something good. The end result of all the government endless gyrations when completed and signed into law can be very distasteful and a source of downright frustration and anger. We have the paid YouTube channel so we can watch our fill of sausage making within government function on a 24 hour basis. I'm not recommending it, just, telling you it is available. My wife is most happy to not see any of it. I watch too much of it because I feel it necessary to be informed and as a result I am often infuriated. That was my little bit of Paul Harvey's trademarked, "Now you know the rest of the story." (Never heard of Paul Harvey. You missed out on a great one. Look him up, listen to some of his recordings. It will be well worth your time.) At the end of it all I can rest in knowing that God's got this! And, we can count on Him to always do right. Amen.

"What we see depends mainly on what we look for." ~ John Lubbock, (1834-1913), an English banker, Liberal politician, philanthropist, scientist

I took a photo of our card, contact info on the back.

Good morning and welcome. Today is Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Whew! Just back from getting the ole truck inspected and renewing the registration, the process is better known as the money collection pyramid scheme run by the State of Texas. I know. Pay my taxes. And, we thought it was tough when it was taxation without representation. Now we have the representation and taxes have never been higher. I'm not really upset about it, I was just throwing some red meat out for some of my readers. The inspector is a fellow believer and I always feel blessed to have that connection. The ole truck has right at 218,000 miles on it and I am just thankful that it gets me from point A to point B. That's right. I am not just thankful in general but thankful to God from whom all blessings flow. (see Psalm 100) The registration place here in Montgomery county stays plenty busy and I got my ticket out of the machine and after about 30 minutes they announced that I was next up. I went to the lady matched on the display my ticket number and she quickly handled my renewal. "I need your ID please." "That will be $76.75, check or card?" Me, "Check." I wrote out the check and she printed out my new renewal tag, (to be self installed). As we got ready to conclude our time together I told her I had a souvenir for her. I handed her our Santa Enterprise card and for the first time, get it, for the first time she actually looked at me with a grin as big as Texas. My point? How often do we deal with and interact with people and never really see them? Okay. I confess. Me too. There's likely a lesson in there somewhere. I'll let you ponder while I do the same and we can know there's a lot of pondering going on. Right? Right.

 

The back of the card has only this on it: the_realsanta@yahoo.com. She was reading that when she looked up and what to her wondering eyes did she behold? None other than "that jolly ole elf himself". She was essentially shocked because she was immediately struck by her recollection of whether she had been naughty or nice. I had been nothing more than a number to this late 40's lady until she had reason to consider me as a person. At least she will have something to tell her family about. Guess who I saw today? I recall what Jesus thought when he saw people milling about. We are told His response was one of compassion and he summed up their need, they were like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew Chapter 9) I won't go into the IQ level of sheep but let me put it this way, they emphatically need a shepherd to see after their needs and their well being. I am a long way from seeing folks like this as much as I should because the haunting inspired admonition given to us through the Apostle Paul goes like this, from his letter to the Philippians, Chapter 2, verses 4-5: "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus:...." Well, well, that should be a heaping serving of conviction, enough for us all. And, the people agreed with a hearty: Amen! As we go on our way today may God help us to actually see those who happen to be in our path. May He add His blessings. Amen. 

“Where I'm from, we believe in all sorts of things that aren't true... we call it history.” ― Gregory Maguire, Author

Me, out on the sun porch of our old home place. One of the last times I was there back in 2017.

Hello out there in the internet realm where bits and bytes fly around at speeds almost beyond comprehension. Unless you are a networking guru. I am not, but, it is good that we can communicate like we do on this Tuesday, July 15, 2025. I don't know the exact context of the quote in the today's title but I can identify with it in terms of my own personal experience in relationship to the place I grew up. It wasn't Mayberry but in many ways it attempted to be a facsimile. Yeah. I grew up seeing and hearing from those near and dear to my upbringing only to learn later they were not completely right about quite a lot of things. At the same time, I, for whatever reason, never really held them accountable for their misunderstandings of the realities I later came to embrace. I remember a month long management course I took at LSU where one of the instructors was a professor who grew up in rural Mississippi. He talked about how his parents were obsessed with the need for racial segregation and they brought up their family with this uppermost in their minds. When the bus came to pick up those headed to college, it was standing room only. The now professor who was then a recent high school graduate found himself sandwiched between two young black fellows. Suddenly he had to face a reality he would have never expected. His upbringing caused him to believe that close contact with a black person, well, the smell alone could kill you. Sorry. But, this is what he told us. On that day, on that bus, reality hit him like a ton of bricks. Not only did he not suffer immediate death but he also noticed there was no smell. This caused him to have to evaluate, update, and change what he had previously been led to believe. There are a number of areas I learned that differed from the things I had been told growing up. Some, having experienced this separate themselves from and lambast their folks for their wrong thinking. Me? I tried to understand how they thought the way they did and I loved them anyway, I respected them, and, I continue to appreciate all they sacrificed to provide for me growing up. I actually thank God for all my folks even though they were very imperfect in some areas. Aren't we all? Sadly, many of us find information that changes our way of seeing things but we neglect to seek out the truth, the whole truth, and, nothing but the truth as found in God's Holy Word. I highly recommend it. I do. I really do. Think about it. Factual information can update your thinking, but, God's Word can alter your eternal destination. Now that's really something to think about!

 

I actually still keep up to a certain extent with the goings on back in my old stomping grounds. (Here's some insight into the stomping grounds usage as provided by Michael Shapiro in his 'Language Lore' blog:  The contemporary American phrase stomping ground, in the meaning of ‘a place where one habitually spends/spent much of one’s time’ is the product of folk etymology in two respects. First, the form of the verb, viz. stomp, is an American dialectal version of the English stamp, which has replaced the original in most meanings. Second, the original meaning of stamping ground(s) referred to a place where animals (esp. cattle) habitually gathered, as in this example from the OED: “1862 Harper’s Mag. June 34/1, I found myself near one of these ‘stamping grounds’, and a simultaneous roar from five hundred infuriated animals gave notice of my danger.” A dwindling minority of speakers of American English still preserve the original form of the phrase, but its complete replacement by the newer one is inevitable.) I know. You weren't interested in any word origin input today, but, I enjoy using figures of speech and I also enjoy finding out where they came from. You can enjoy whatever it is you like and then share that in your blog. The keeping up for me involves reading the local news in the area I was raised up in, the obituaries, and, of course, the shenanigans going on in the political realm since after all, it is Louisiana. I know some leave, shake the dust off their feet, and work hard never to return again. Not me. I am still fond of that place, fond of the memories there, and, fond of the people who helped to shape me into who I am today. Well, I can see my word count is a wee bit out of control today, therefore, I will stop right here. You get out there and have yourself a wonderful God-blessed day. You hear? Just do it in Jesus Name! Amen.

“There is a mighty lot of difference between saying prayers and praying.” ~ John G. Lake, Canadian Missionary, (1870-1935)

Good morning folks and welcome to another edition of my version of this, that, and the other. Today is Monday, July 14, 2025 and we continue in our thanks to God for His provision in the good outcome of the cancer related surgical procedure performed on the wife's sister here in what is commonly known as the Houston Metroplex. Don't let anyone fool you, that metroplex name is just so it won't be called the Houston Area Gridlock. At any rate, we do thank so many who prayed for the wife's sister. Today's title captures the essence of the difference between prayers of the mouth versus prayers of the heart. And, as many preachers like to say, "The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart." Prayer in many ways is a mystery or at least it is to me. While we do not have a biblical record of Adam and Eve praying, we do know it was God's desire to communicate with them. Here's the record from Genesis chapter 4, verses 25 and 26: "Then Adam knew his wife again; and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, for she said, “God has set for me another seed in place of Abel, for Cain killed him.” And to Seth, to him also, a son was born; and he called his name Enosh. Then men began to call upon the name of Yahweh."  (From the Legacy Standard Bible, a literal translation, my bolding.) My point? Calling on God is ancient and we know from the template of Scripture that prayer is a part of God's plan and purpose for His created human family. Some point to Abraham's communication with God as the first recorded prayers in the Bible, however, I think the Book of Job is remarkable in this communication aspect. Well, I'm not going to be able to go into a lot more about this other than to say this: Prayer Works. Many say the outcome would have been the same whether you prayed or not. The outcome is much more than just the result of the matter being prayed about. Praying Your will be done and believing and accepting that as the standard of our prayers, well, it works on those doing the praying. Have I ever prayed for something that did not come out the way I wanted it to? You betcha! Why do I continue to pray, to seek God, to intervene on behalf of others? I trust God. I believe what He said. And, He is worthy regardless of the outcome, period. There's so much more. But, for today, I will leave you with this Holy Spirit inspired invitation, Hebrews 4:16 "Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (You can find out more. You can. Read about the model prayer in Matthew Chapter 6, read about the Lord's prayer is John Chapter 17.)

 

Please don't send me letters about my labeling of the Jesus' example format prayer as the model prayer. I am fully aware that it is commonly referred to as the Lord's prayer. I don't have a problem with that but I choose to call it the model prayer and I use it often. I do. I really do. What about you? May I also quickly add how well aware I am that it can either be a recitation memorized set of words OR a prayer from one's heart using words chosen by our Lord Himself. I was at the huge Promise Keepers gathering at the Hoston Astrodome back in the 1990"s. At that session attended by over 40,000 men, John Maxwell, a noted pastor and conference speaker, introduced the concept of praying back the Scriptures. Out of all the things shared, that one session spoke to my heart and I have actually did exactly that, praying to God from the Scriptures many, many times. I have. I really have. My favorite prayer from the Scriptures, and there are so many, is praying back to God Psalms 145-150. It might be a little awkward as you use the words as your own and address God from these inspired lyrics. Hey! When it's just you and God, messing up is no big deal. Work on it. Make it your own version of these praise and worship lyrics, from your heart to the heart of God. Isn't that what prayer is about? I hear many of you saying Amen. For the rest, well, I will speak to you another day. Just joking around. However, you might want to keep tuning in just to find out. May our Great God continue to be honored as we seek Him from our hearts. Have a great day and may God bless each one. Amen. 

Thank You, Durwood, Wherever You Are!

Good morning. Today is Friday, July 11, 2025 and I was thinking about the near misses I've experienced in my life where I could have been absent from this body, if you get my drift. Some call them near death events and I've actually had a few. What about you? This blog was written back in 2007, the year I started my blogging experience. 

 

~ When I came to the big company in 1969 it was still trying to digest a much larger company it had just purchased. That company was located in Shreveport, Louisiana, and the people there were certainly not excited about leaving that place for a growing metropolitan city in Texas. Because the company in Shreveport was much more advanced in the use of computing, many of their data processing people became leaders in the merged operations. Many of the down line folks were given relocation assistance and transferred into the Houston metro area.

One of these people was a computer operations shift leader by the name of Durwood. He was a native Louisianian and moved under protest but settled in and made the best of it. He and a few other guys used to car pool with me when they were available. I worked straight days and they rotated shifts so I got a new crew every few weeks. I’ll never forget the first time I met Durwood. The fellow introducing us told Durwood we should have something in common since I was from Louisiana also. Durwood asked me what town I was from. I told him Hornbeck. He said, “What’s that, a disease?”

Since most of us were young and had young families we used to park about ten blocks away from our workplace. It didn’t cost anything to park there but it was quite a jaunt to our building through some pretty rough neighborhoods. Most of the time we had a pretty good group so we had the safety that comes in numbers and the price was exactly what we needed to pay for parking. I did park in that same place more than once and worked until midnight and my walks to my car in the middle of the night produced a few memorable stories on their own. I’ll save those for another day.

I mentioned in an earlier blog about how I used to get myself all stirred up on my way into work anticipating the day’s schedule and events. The closer I got to our building it was the more focused I was on what I had to do that day. On more than one occasion I was preoccupied to the extent that I wasn’t watching where I was going and either fell because I stepped into a hole or ran into an unsuspecting soul. These were bad enough but it could have been worse, much worse. One very bad habit I had was whenever we would come to a traffic signal and I would be in deep thought and when the signal turned green, I would dart out into the street. While that sounds okay, it’s not if the signal turned green was the wrong light for through traffic instead of the green for you to walk. I did this more than once and was fortunate to only have people blow their horns at me.

One day several of us were walking from our parking area. I was doing my thinking deal and probably beginning to be mesmerized by all I had to do that day whenever we came to a major intersection. I am sure I was still moving as we waited and I anticipated the green light and when it changed I took off. Suddenly, a bus anticipating the same light which was his light, not mine, accelerated and brushed my tie and stomach as it whizzed by. I had been jerked back from sure death by Durwood. I’ve been in a number of accidents where I could have died. I’ve been injured a time or two. But, this is the one and only time where I knew for sure that a particular individual saved my life. That day my legs went weak and I nearly fainted. I was probably more careful after that, at least for a while.

About six months later Durwood was in a horrible accident on his way home from work. A driver in the middle of the night ran through an intersection and broadsided Durwood at over 80 miles per hour. Durwood was mangled. He survived and made what many said was a miraculous recovery. His accident left him permanently damaged, his anatomy completely rearranged, and with health issues that would be with him forever. Our company found a spot for Durwood in a technical support area and he came back and the last I knew many years ago he was still chugging along.

Thirty five years later I still think about Durwood. He didn’t want to come to the big city but he did. He didn’t want to live in an apartment until he could find a house but he did. He didn’t want to park 10 blocks away when before he was able to park near the entrance door in Shreveport. God had a plan for Durwood’s life and on a very eventful day his life touched mine in a split second early one morning. I’m thankful that Durwood was there that day to reach out and grab me and pull me back. Thank God, and thank you Durwood, wherever you are. More later…………….. ~

 

That incident happened nearly 50 years ago. And, that, my friend is a true story. I know. I wasn't always the sharpest knife in the drawer when it came to being careful. Tomorrow is surgery day for the wife's sister at MD Anderson. Thanks for those who have been praying for her. I do hope y'all will have a blessed rest of today, Saturday, and then, as you find a place to gather on Sunday, the first day of the week, (a good start, right?), with God's people to hear from Him and to build each other up in the faith. Okay. May God bless each one. Amen.