“When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not; but my faculties are decaying now and soon I shall be so I cannot remember any but the things that never happened. It is sad to go to pieces like this but we all have to do it.” ― Mark Twain

Hello and welcome to our visit today on this Tuesday, April 8, 2025. The photo is not new. You recognized that? Our eldest will be 60 in October, middle son 57 the end of this month and our baby just turned 54 this past February. Nothing speaks to how time is slipping away than to hear your eldest talk about retirement options. Or, in the world we live in today, if there will be any options for people in his age bracket. Our eldest granddaughter just turned 37 and our eldest great grand turned 14 this past January. (3 sons, 11 grands, and 10 great grands with 1 on the way) See what I mean? It makes me want to start talking in my old man voice. (Maybe like Walter Brennan, (1894 - 1974), an actor, singer, who had a very distinctive voice, so much so he was often the subject of impersonators.) He has many clips and videos out on YouTube, look him up. I think joking about it takes the edge off, at least a wee bit of it. I'm so glad the wife and I are able to laugh at some of the shenanigans we experience now that we are officially classified as being in the 'old age' category. Let me put it this way. If you look up old age definitions you will find most of them indicate a starting point in the mid 60's. It can vary from country to country but most land somewhere in that range. She and I are well over 10 years past the average starting point, therefore, I proclaim us to be senior seniors. Ha! The latest data indicates there are slightly more than 17% of the United States population, (roughly 340 million), who are 65 or older. So, it's good to know we are not alone. And, even better to know that God is with us and He will never leave us and He will never forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:6, Deuteronomy 31:8, and Hebrews 13:5) I'll leave you with this tiny bit of humor: Never use your GPS to direct you to a cemetery because it will inform you of this: You have reached your final destination. (copied)

 

We are a part of the reading through the entire Bible each year. The wife is our designated reader here in our home. I read when she is not available. She enjoys reading except for the hundreds of names in the Old Testament that are somewhat difficult if not impossible to pronounce. She sometimes takes a stab when reading the genealogies listed, but, often she might say "somebody" and to them was born "somebody". I know she is not alone. I stumble through them at times myself but they remind me that God saw fit, via the breathing out of Scripture, (inspiration), to not only show Himself to be God the God, but, He also called those in His chosen human family by their name. Those names mean something. That's right. The name itself means something. Take for instance the name of the man who is recorded to have lived 969 years, Methusaleh.  The name Methuselah is derived from Hebrew roots, with "Methu" meaning "man" and "shalach" meaning "to send" or "to bring". Some scholars suggest the name means "when he is dead, it shall be sent," referring to the flood judgment. That's just one example. God knows every one who has ever lived by name because He is all knowing. His love for the human family caused Him to send His one and only Son to save folks with individual names. My full name is Cecil Al Abbott, Jr. The name Cecil historically meant 'blind', the name Al was usually a shortened name meaning "harmony," "noble," "bright," or "all-powerful ruler", (as in Al-exander),  Abbott typically referred to a father or priest, and Junior, the younger one. My point? All people are important to God and He knows us all. By name. He cares about you, yep, you! Remember this: God said this about Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."

 

Think about this. Many of those who are incensed by the idea of deporting anyone in our country who came in illegally, well, they say stuff like this: We might be giving up someone who could become a great inventor, or, who could find the cure for cancer, and on and on and on. That's an interesting take coming from those who are rabid supporters of abortion on demand. What about the aborted ones? You get it. Right? Okay. I caught that disconnect myself. I know what you are thinking. Even a stopped clock is correct twice each day. Thanks for the vote of confidence. May our Great God continue to watch over each one of us, by name. Galatians 3:26-29  "So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise." (as rendered in the NIV, New International Version)  Amen.