"Think excitement, talk excitement, act out excitement, and you are bound to become an excited person." ~ Norman Vincent Peale, (1898-1993), American Protestant clergyman, and an author best known for popularizing the concept of positive thinking, especially through his best-selling book 'The Power of Positive Thinking'.

Good morning and welcome to the Friday Edition of 'what was he thinking?'. It is Friday, October 10, 2025 and I do hope all is well with you and yours. You may not hear from me next week. I will officially be on vacation. That's right. I am going to Branson, Missouri to enjoy a few days of whatever it is we will find ourselves doing, there. The wife is the one who pulled the trigger on making this trip. We will be having her sister and the sister's husband along for the ride. I am told it should be fun. I am told that I am supposed to enjoy it. I was there a handful of years ago and as Paw Paw Mac would say, "I don't remember leaving anything there so there's not much reason for me to return." That's a joke. I started to say a veiled joke but it's not very veiled. Right? We plan to drive to Anacoco, Louisiana Sunday night and then we will go from there to Branson on Monday. We will be staying in one of those Condo things and on Tuesday we have tickets to see the Petersons. They are a family Bluegrass group but they do put their unique twist on their music. I have been following them for several years on YouTube, which, just between you and me, enjoying seeing them on YouTube is a wee bit more convenient than traveling to see them in Branson. Tuesday evening we will see the Presley's show, again. On Wednesday we plan to enjoy the Biblical presentation of David at the Sight and Sound theater. During the other times, they will want us to enjoy some putt putt golf. Yep. Putt Putt, as in putt putt. The last time we were there I had a tiny little meltdown, mostly joking, however, they believed it to be the real me coming out for all to see. Therefore, we will be attempting to reenact that event, hopefully, without the police showing up. That's a joke. The police did not show up last time. We were asked to leave and not come back. That's a joke. The fellow running the place just quit his job on the spot and acted like he was having a nervous breakdown. That too is a joke. I will say this about the golfing incident that occurred on our last trip: Those playing with me nearly got down on the floor laughing. I didn't get down on the floor and I didn't laugh. Just so you know. I may send a blog or two just to let you know I am still kicking, but, we will see about that later.

 

I will be working on getting ready to be excited but I do not want to start too early and use it all up before we actually leave. One reason for our abbreviated absence has to do with all that we have going on. That sounds a little suspicious for old people but we do have a schedule and responsibilities. We do. We really do. This upcoming Sunday I will be sharing from the Gospel of John, Chapter 14. This is one of the iconic comfort passages in the New Testament and one that has ministered to believers ever since it was written. Today, there's much in this world that will cause us trouble, create tension, and, even put us in a state of confused anxiety. When you see that happening, hurry, read John Chapter 14 which begins with these words from our Lord, "Do not be sad or afraid. Believe in God, and also believe in me. There are many rooms in my Father's house. I will go now so that I can prepare a place for you there. If it was not true, I would not have told you this. After I have prepared a place for you, I will return. Then I will take you so that you will be with me. You will be where I am." (From the EasyEnglish Bible EASY)  As they say back home, there's more where that came from . Much more. Need some calming in your life? Meditate on the certainty of God's promises through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. For us who are believers, it's hard to take in but I find myself totally mesmerized by the thought, 'I will take you so that you will be with me'. These words were spoken to His very own. They continue to speak to His own today. Not one of his own? My advice is to deal with that immediately. The account given in the Book of Acts where the Philippian jailer asked what must he do to be saved, here was the simple response from the Apostle Paul and his helper Silas, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." (Acts 16:31) Need further clarification? Contact a Christ follower or send me a comment and I will do my best to provide answers to any questions. Okay. Look at this. I started out to be brief, but a funny thing happened on the way to my blog today. Ha! Have a great rest of today. Enjoy your Saturday. Then, on the first day of the week, Sunday, do your best to find a Bible teaching local assembly (Church), and, get you and your family there. Just do it! May God bless each one. Amen.