Hebrews 4:1 ~ English Standard Bible, ESV ~ "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Hello, somebody! Rise, shine, and give God the glory. It’s Friday, October 2, 2026, and I bring you greetings from my electronic connection to yours. Yesterday, we made another trip to the Houston Medical Center for a follow-up visit with the doctor who performed the wife’s surgery back in August. The verdict this time: her healing is slow. Too slow to suit her—and she made that clear. I was a participating bystander, since I've done my best to help her follow the prescribed healing agenda. They offered a new way of describing what might be causing her ongoing pain: a “traumatized stomach” from all the moving things around required to accomplish the surgery. We both were up early, left at 9:15 a.m., and arrived at the doctor’s office at 10:15. After seeing this one, that one, and the other, we made it back to our home territory around 12:45 p.m. Had the wailing and gnashing of teeth not been in bumper-to-bumper traffic, I might have called that a pretty good turnaround. Fortunately, I have a beautiful co-pilot. She helps me go where I’m supposed to go, stay in the lane I’m supposed to stay in, and maintain a reasonably good attitude about it all. I actually enjoy traveling with the wife of my youth. I do need to get her completely well because our first fall appearance as Santa and Mrs. Claus is coming up in Arkansas in November. We go back to see the surgeon again next month. What was that cure-all they gave us as kids? Castor oil? I think it worked because, no matter what was wrong with you, you never wanted another dose. Trust me on that one.

 

We returned to our home territory in time to attend a going-home celebration for a dear lady in our local assembly—our Church. She was a fellow choir member and the wife of a wonderful, well-respected man of God. They had been married for 49 years, and her completely unexpected death left our dear brother a widower. This was a stark reminder that none of us knows exactly what a day will bring. It also reminded me how important it is to show our love for one another. The wife and I are approaching 62 years of marriage, and I still marvel at how much she means to me. Saying it is important. Showing it is even more important. My challenge is to love her in the same sacrificial way our Savior loved the Church and gave Himself for it. (Ephesians 5:25) On my way out the door to choir practice, I told her, “Just in case something should happen, don’t ever forget how much I love you.” I sealed it with a kiss. There is some good news here. Our dear grieving brother in Christ is surrounded by people who love and support him. The even better news is that we know with complete confidence where his beloved wife went when she breathed her last. Through the Apostle Paul, God gave us these words: “to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8, King James Version) What a wonderful promise for His own. What say you? I say: Yes and Amen. 

"I am a collection of some thirty trillion cells... Each cell is a microscopic living universe, complete with its own power plants, internal communication systems, and manufacturing capabilities. Yet, these trillions of independent lives willingly subordinate themselves to form one harmonious whole: me." ~ Dr. Paul Brand, 1914-2003, Renowned Hand Surgeon, Author, and Medical Missionary.

Happy Thursday, October 1, 2026, everyone! Welcome to today’s edition. I often thank God for giving me the wherewithal to put together and publish these daily visits. I became interested in what science says about the writing process, so I asked Google A.I. what happens in the brain when someone writes a story on a computer. Here is the response, cleaned up to remove a section that appeared twice:

~ Writing a story on a computer requires several parts of the brain to work together. The brain helps you sit upright, develop your thoughts, turn those thoughts into words, move your hands across the keyboard, read what appears on the screen, and stay focused throughout the process.

1. Maintaining posture and balance

Before you can type, your brain helps stabilize your body in a seated position. The cerebellum and basal ganglia monitor your body’s position and make small, ongoing adjustments to your muscles. The brainstem helps send signals through the spinal cord to the muscles in your core, back, and neck so you can remain upright.

2. Formulating the story

Developing a narrative and putting it into words involves several areas of the brain. The prefrontal cortex helps with planning, working memory, and decisions about what to say next. Areas involved in language, including Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas, help you form sentences, understand words, and select vocabulary that conveys your meaning.

3. Typing and reviewing the words

Once you have words in mind, the premotor cortex helps plan the movements needed to reach the keys. The primary motor cortex sends signals to the muscles in your shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers. The somatosensory cortex processes what your fingers feel as they touch the keyboard, while the visual cortex processes the words appearing on the screen so you can read, proofread, and edit them.

4. Sustaining focus

Networks involved in alertness, including the reticular activating system, help you remain awake and attentive as you write.  ~

 

I know—that’s some heavy, thought-provoking information. But stay with me. Please. Over the years, I purchased several books for my grandmother, who loved reading. After her death, those books were returned to me. One was Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, written by Dr. Paul Brand, a renowned hand surgeon, and Philip Yancey, a best-selling writer. These evangelical Christian authors sought to describe the mind-boggling intricacies of the human body as a reflection of God’s design. The book’s title draws from Psalm 139:13–14: “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works.” I understand that scholars differ on how the wording of this passage should be interpreted. Even so, when I consider all that goes on in my body and mind just to sit here and write, I am amazed by how God designed us to function. Many verses in Scripture speak of how God made us. Today, my thoughts lead me to this simple conclusion: Thank You, Lord, for giving me the ability to produce a blog that seeks to honor You and be of service to others. Amen and Amen.

" Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day." ~ H. Jackson Brown, Jr., 1940-2021, Best Selling American Author

Good morning and welcome. We’re beginning to put dates on our Christmas calendar for our appearances as Santa and Mrs. Claus. It’s starting to feel like Christmas to us, even on this last day of September—the 30th—in the year of our Lord, 2026. This will be my 17th year as Santa and Mrs. Claus’s 16th year. Convincing her to join me was one of the best decisions I ever made. She has a heartfelt love for people of all ages. I’ll admit it has stung a time or two when she couldn’t be with me, and a little tyke announced that they had come to see her. Ouch! But I understand why. At present, she is still recovering from a recent surgical procedure. I’m praying she will be completely healed and ready to go by the end of October. We’re always amused when people ask whether we’re a couple or just two independent Christmas performers. We laugh and tell them our story: We started dating when she was 15, and I was 16. Two years later, we married. She was 17, and I was 18. I’m now 80, and she’s 79, so you do the math! Sometimes I think I wear the suit, but she keeps the Christmas spirit going. That’s no small thing when you’re 'The Santa Claus'. Ha! Countless times, a frightened child has found comfort in Mrs. Claus’s arms long enough for the family to capture a photo. After all, that’s usually why the parents come. I also recognize the dads and moms too, who have worked all day and would rather be home in their recliners. I understand. When the temperature inside 'the suit' soars above 95 degrees, wearing it is no tiptoe through the tulips! Still, at the end of the day, we love bringing joy to families—especially to children from age 1 to 100+. Amen.

 

I know. The Nat King Cole classic “The Christmas Song” speaks of “kids from one to ninety-two.” But with around 108,000 Americans now aged 100 or older, I thought I’d expand the coverage, so to speak. As Santa, I’ve had my picture taken with many older folks, though I couldn’t tell you the age of the oldest person to sit on my knee. The photo above shows my mom with me as Santa when she was 88 years young. She was blessed with five more years before leaving this life for her heavenly home at age 93. I’ve also been privileged to take photos with many children with special needs. We could all learn something from their open, loving hearts. They brim with genuine joy. Now for a confession: I enjoy a good laugh and love being happy, but I don’t walk around smiling all the time. In fact—and I’m a little ashamed to admit this—I have to practice smiling for several weeks before our Santa appearances begin. Is that sad, or what? You’ve probably heard a preacher say, “If you have any happiness at all, let your face know it.” Ha! Don’t get me wrong. I do smile. But I tend to be serious, and my face often shows it. My wife has told me throughout our years together that I’m too serious-minded. And let me tell you, she is very serious when she says it! You know what I mean, right, Vern? I’ll close with this: If you’re feeling down, put on some Christmas songs and think about the true meaning of Christmas. Without Christ, there would be no Christmas; and without Christmas, there would be no Santa. Ho, ho, ho—and Amen, too!

"In our prayers, we talk to God, in our Bible study, God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking." ~ Dwight L. Moody

Good morning and welcome. It's another beautiful day here in the neighborhood located at the Old Blogger Ranch. This one, given to us by the Lord God of heaven, comes in the closing days of September, the 29th of 2026. I am currently helping to teach through the letter the Apostle Paul wrote to the local, called-out assembly meeting in Rome; it does make for a lot of deep thought and soul-searching. I know the letter to the Romans is considered to be one of the most theologically rich writings from the Scriptures. Paul's letters actually even caused the Apostle Peter to scratch his head: 2 Peter 3:15-16 ~ Legacy Standard Bible ~ "....and consider the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction." It appears the local assembly meeting in Rome was made up of people with different backgrounds. Some were Jews. Others were Gentiles. Some likely were more educated than others. Some probably worked with their hands. The truth is, God breathed out this letter by Holy Spirit inspiration, and today there are up to 10,000 titled works, including commentaries and other writings about this letter. The original recipients did not have those texts. They may have had a copy of the Old Testament Greek translation, called the Septuagint. They may have had some copies of excerpts from earlier writings of Paul, and maybe page copies from the earliest Gospels. One writer suggested that Paul wrote to everyone because, even if some of his wording was hard to comprehend, he provided enough basic truths about Jesus so that everyone could apprehend his writing. The wonderful news is how Holy Spirit God works to open our understanding as we take in the Word of God. You might read all 10,000 titles and know more than most, yet still be lost in your sin, while a child might read or hear this letter, call on Jesus to save them, and they become transformed by God's power. I have to remind myself never to let the prestige of study get in the way of sharing truths that transform lives for time and eternity. Amen.

 

Balance. That's what we all need in our lives. One person said knowledge can be communicated, but wisdom cannot be handed down. If I spend my time studying the Bible so that I can answer all the quizzes correctly, or I can provide stunning informational insights into particular teachings, well, I might just miss the most critical for us all: 2nd Peter 3:18 "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen." I realize many of my readers are committed to serving God and others. This means much of what I write about is most likely aimed at yours truly, me, myself, and I. I want to thank so many who encourage me in throwing words onto the electronic page. When I hear that something I wrote about helped lift someone's spirit and outlook, well, that means so much. It does. It really does. I also remind everyone how easy it is to skip any and all things that come to your media inbox. Realistically, my blog probably shows up among many other choices. Some days my blog may look interesting; some days it may not. That's when you skip it and hope I will do better next time. And I think that's what I find myself engaged in, most of the time. Trying to do better. If you ever desire to find a reference for my work, please do not contact the grammar program. Enough said. Have a great rest of the day, and may God add to it His blessings. Amen.

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." ~ Will Rogers

I bring you slow greetings today, Monday, September 28, 2026. I said slow intentionally. I've been reading about what scientists know about how older people think. One common denominator turns out to be brain slowness. Everything works slower. Front to back, side to side, our thinking becomes slower as we get older. It is true: We older folks do indeed have a lot of information stored in our upstairs filing cabinets. As we engage our thinking, especially when we are dealing with changes or new information, we typically compare that to what we already know and what we have learned. That takes time. I've mentioned before how others saw me as exceptionally quick in my ability to respond when I was younger. Honestly, I haven't heard that one for some time now. Older people tend to be less negative. That's good. We no longer deal with much, if any, peer pressure. That's good. We also operate with less stress than we did when we were a part of the workforce. That's good. We have our history and what we have experienced, which can be used to help inform and advise others. That's also good. Here's one I really like: Age can be a really great excuse when I say the wrong thing or I forget something, like a name. Best of all, God doesn't see our age as a negative because, with His help, we can continue to be fruitful in serving Him and others. Many verses speak about how older people are to be respected and how they continue to be a vital part of God's plan and purpose. Last week at the Bible conference, we heard much about how each one needs to finish well the journey God has given in our sojourn here on the planet. That's what I would like to do. To finish well. What say you?

 

I shared this short story some time ago, but it is much more like the world the wife and I live in today. It is. It really is.  ~ An older couple were both having problems remembering things. During a checkup, the doctor tells them that they’re physically okay, but they might want to start writing things down to help them remember. Later that night, while watching TV, the old man gets up from his chair. ‘Want anything while I’m in the kitchen?’ he asks. ‘Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?’ ‘Sure.’ ‘Don’t you think you should write it down so you can remember it?’ she asks. ‘No, I can remember it.’ ‘Well, I’d like some strawberries on top, too. Maybe you should write it down, so’s not to forget it?’ He says, ‘I can remember that. You want a bowl of ice cream with strawberries.’ ‘I’d also like whipped cream. I’m certain you’ll forget that; write it down?’ she asks. Irritated, he says, ‘I don’t need to write it down; I can remember it! Ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream – I got it, for goodness sake!’ Then he toddles into the kitchen. After about 20 minutes, the old man returns from the kitchen and hands his wife a plate of bacon and eggs. She stares at the plate for a moment. ‘Where's my toast ?’ ~ I kid around about being older because I are one. The grammar program just left the building after that sentence, but here's what God has to say, Psalm 92:12-14: "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree... They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green." Let's get on with it. Amen.

"You cannot stay where you are and go with God. You cannot continue doing things your way and accomplish God's purpose in His ways. Your thinking cannot come close to God's thoughts. For you to do the will of God, you must adjust your life to Him, His purposes, and His ways." ~ Henry Blackaby

Happy Friday. This one self-identifies as September 25, 2026. I wrote something the other day that has been bugging me. I said our God was a God of unlimited chances. I need to add a couple of caveats to that statement. When we pass from this life to the next our time to return to God ends. And even scarier is when someone's heart and conscience becomes so hard and seared that they no longer care about returning. This means we should return NOW, while we can feel Him calling us back home. Amen. Now on with today's edition. I should be a better person after hearing eleven sermons at our annual Bible conference that began last Sunday. In addition, great biblical truths were also presented in the music shared. But as we all know, hearing is just that, hearing. Taking it in and having it change the heart that's where a difference is made. Getting perfect attendance at the Bible conference might get you a star on a chart, but when it is all said and done, it can mean you were there, nothing more. I pray that for me and so many others, it will end up being more than just being there. Amen? Yes. Amen. It's easy for us as believers to soak up great preaching where God uses men to expound the Scriptures, but sometimes people like me need a kick in the backside to help me put feet to the truths I have heard. Here's what the half-brother of Jesus said in the earliest writing of the New Testament: James 1:22-25 from the GOD’S WORD Translation ~ "Do what God’s word says. Don’t merely listen to it, or you will fool yourselves. If someone listens to God’s word but doesn’t do what it says, he is like a person who looks at his face in a mirror, studies his features, goes away, and immediately forgets what he looks like. However, the person who continues to study God’s perfect laws that make people free and who remains committed to them will be blessed. People like that don’t merely listen and forget; they actually do what God’s laws say." 

With just 90 days until Christmas Day, it's time for us all to begin thinking about thinking about getting ready. At our local assembly, our Church choir and orchestra are heads down in learning the selected music planned for early December. Some of the music is truly challenging. And as you can see in the photo above, we are beginning to anticipate our appearance schedule as Santa and Mrs. Claus. Using the artificial intelligence utility ChatGPT, I've been updating some of our favorite Santa photos with our more current faces. Believe it or not, when we started 17 years ago, we actually looked a wee bit younger than we do today. What? You knew that already. Good. And, not to worry, I never get rid of the original photos; we just like to present a more realistic and up-to-date image of what they will be getting when we show up. If the Lord allows us to do this adventure this year, it will be the last time Mrs. Claus does so in her seventies, and it will be Santa's first time showing up in his eighties. Remember, our goal when we show up as the Clauses is to bring joy to children of all ages. May God add His blessings. Amen.

2nd Corinthians 5:8 ~ Smith's Literal Translation ~ "And we are confident, and are contented rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home in the Lord."

We made it to Thursday, September 23, 2026, and I, for one, am thankful that I did. Why? It gives me another day to strive to fulfill God's purpose for my life. A dear brother in our local assembly, whom I sing with in our choir, experienced a tragedy two days ago. He showed up for the morning session of our Bible Conference, but his wife was not feeling well, so she stayed home. When he returned home, he was shocked to find that she had left this life for her true home in heaven. And what a shock it was! She too had sung in our choir the evening before. We know where she is now because of Scripture's promise; however, he and so many others are grieving the passing of this dear saint of God. See what I mean? We just never know what will happen on any given day in this life. We don't know. We really don't. At the same time, we do know who knows all things, and He is always there for us. Many years ago, six others and I were in a commuter van headed into downtown Houston for another day at our workplaces. A young man lost control of his car and veered into our lane, and we experienced a head-on collision that killed that young driver. We in the van all survived with some injuries, but it was an unexpected tragedy as we went about our daily routine. The van driver and I were co-workers for many years, and as fellow believers in Christ, we stood on the side of the road and embraced each other because we knew we had been spared. Am I trying to be melodramatic? Not even close. I can still recall seeing that very handsome young man leaning back in the seat of his car. He looked like he was sleeping, but he had left this life for the next. I know I often mention my age, but I ask you, having reached 80: How could I not? Live long enough, and you will appreciate the change in perspective that comes with becoming a member of the 4% Club. If I am going to get anything done while I am still among the living, I best be getting on with it. And if you have important things to get done, especially as it relates to your relationship with God and others, you might best get on with it because we never know what a day might bring. Can you say Amen? I can: Amen!

 

Yesterday, I suppose all these things were whirling around in that pea-sized brain of mine because I awoke at 3:30 a.m., and while I wanted to go back to sleep, I felt an intense need to call out to God. I thought about my own need for God's presence in every part of my life. I typically repeat the model prayer in my time of seeking God: "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen (From the instruction of Jesus, Matthew 6:9-13.) Yes. I am aware the last sentence, called the doxology, is typically not found in the best manuscripts, but I pray it because I think it honors God, for it is His Kingdom, and He does have ultimate power, and He does deserve all the glory forever and ever. Amen. Just me. After praying this as the beginning, I go on to share my burdens and seek His help on behalf of myself and others. Is what I do the right way to do it? I would never say that. It is a way, and it's my way. I do know this. God wants us to be real. Genuine. You can't hide anything from Him. If you can't think of anything to pray about, you have my permission to pray for me because I know the old song has it right: "It's me, it's me, it's me, Oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer." Have a blessed day, and don't forget to remember to thank God for it. Amen.

"You may have left the Father's house, but you've never left the Father's heart." ~ copied

If you're happy and you know it, your face should surely show it. I can live with that one. But the one that makes it hard to take in is this one: If you're saved and you know it, your life should surely show it. Yikes. That one smacks of some serious conviction. Let's just talk about love and freedom and leave that other stuff alone. It's Wednesday, September 23, 2026, and I often do think about my life and how it is perceived by others. I remember the confession made by a fellow at a Church service one evening. Due to illness, he had to take a leave of absence from his managerial job. When he announced it to his group, many of them were shocked when he asked them to pray for him. He could tell by the looks on their faces that they did not have any idea he was a Christian. He had worked with some of them for several years, but they didn't have a clue. I can identify with that because at times we tend to separate our believing life from our work life. Really? Yep. That happens to most of us, and far too often I am ashamed to say so. A young man who worked in my organization refused a promotion because the new job would interfere with his ability to spend time with his family and attend to his duties as a believer in Jesus. That stung. He essentially said that me and my first line managers pretty much were married to our jobs, and 'the job' typically always came first. He went on to tell me he worked hard and tried to be a good employee; he was content with his wages and felt like what he had was a blessing from the Lord, and he did not want to jeopardize his walk for a promotion. Okay. Enough already. Isn't it interesting how God can speak loudly through even something like a refused promotion? If only. Truth is, we can't go back and change things, but we can do what we can with God's help to use the time we have left to make a difference for time and eternity, especially in the lives of our families. Amen.

 

With all that preaching, be glad I didn't do an altar call, take up an offering, and single out those who, like me, have blown it many times in my sojourn here on the planet. As our pastor likes to say: "If the shoe fits, buy a pair in every color." You hear it said that we serve a God of the second chance. That would never be enough for someone like me. He is the God of unlimited chances because He is always waiting for us to come back to where we belong. He is. He really is. A song I heard growing up reminds us that we are always welcome to come home.

 

Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling

 

Written by: Will L. Thompson, published in 1880 

 

1. Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
calling for you and for me;
see, on the portals he's waiting and watching,
watching for you and for me. 

Refrain:
Come home, come home;
you who are weary come home;
earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, O sinner, come home! 

2. Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not his mercies,
mercies for you and for me? [Refrain]

3. Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
passing from you and from me;
shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
coming for you and for me. [Refrain]

4. O for the wonderful love he has promised,
promised for you and for me! 
Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon,
pardon for you and for me. [Refrain]

Unlike the famous book title, 'You can never go home again.', you can always find your way back to the Father's house. Still not convinced? Go now and read the account of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. Just do it!  Amen.

"We are called to serve Christ in our sphere of influence. Use whatever you have and be faithful." — Billy Graham

Hello and welcome. Today is Tuesday, September 22, 2026, and I thank God for another day. What say you? Yesterday they did a CT Scan of my chest. This is the third or fourth time they've checked nodules that were thought to be suspicious. Here is the impression as stated by the radiologist in the test results: "Stable pulmonary nodules which are most certainly benign. Continued follow-up is unlikely to be of benefit." Can you say Amen? I can. Hallelujah and Amen! I still have to wait for official confirmation from the pulmonologist who ordered the scan, but reading this report was good news, and I give God thanks. I can do without the scan, if you know what I mean, Vern. I understand that today is the official first day of fall. They predict mid 90's for a high temperature here in our area. Not so fall-like, right? The wife of my youth has put out some fall decorations. Already. I suppose I could crank down the A/C as low as it will go, and we could sit around and dream about cooler weather. You know you live where hot weather is the norm when you celebrate even a wee drop in the humidity. That happened this past weekend. I dragged the wife out on the driveway early Saturday morning to experience 73 degrees because, with the lower humidity, it was noticeably cooler. It was. It really was. That lasted a couple of days, and now we are back to our normal super-hot days, yes, even in September. 

 

The Word of God tells us to give thanks in all things. That has always been a tough one for me. I know it doesn't mean we should give thanks for a horrible tragedy, but rather that we can be thankful that God is with us even when we experience great challenges. We also know that even heartaches and trouble work together for our ultimate good according to the Scriptures. (1st Thessalonians 5:18 and Romans 8:28) All things. As the preacher says, all means all, and that's all it means. Like I say, always being thankful is not so easy for me. At the end of the day, the only way I can reflect God's truth is with His help. Pray for me that I will be who God wants me to be. I do want to finish strong, and to me that means being an influence of God's truth on those who are near and dear to my heart, my family, including even the little ones. If we believe God's word, we know the destiny of those who fail to respond to God's salvation; therefore, I want to be a living testimony of what it means to live for Him. May God help us all to seek Him each and every day of our lives. Amen.

“What is the chief end of preaching? I like to think it is this. It is to give men and women a sense of God and His presence.” ~ D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Howdy, howdy, I hope today finds you and yours doing fine and dandy. If you are, thank God. If you are, like so many, and things are challenging, thank God because He is the source of our help. We can trust and find Him, no matter our circumstances. It's Monday, September 21, 2026, and I'm off to the X-ray techs to take pictures of that wee tiny spot in my chest to see if it's grown. I don't see the pulmonologist for a few weeks, but the appointment people have been bombarding me to get this procedure done. This means I will see and check the report a good while before he reports on it. After the visit to the medical facility, I will swing back by the house and pick up my bride because we are in Bible conference through Wednesday of this week, morning and evening services. What's a Bible conference? It's where folks show up to hear different preachers expound on the Word of God. There's always great worship through music, and we also have a luncheon speaker. We had a great kickoff yesterday morning and last night. If you are in Conroe, Houston, The Woodlands, Tomball, Montgomery, Willis, Huntsville, Kingwood, Cleveland, or anywhere, we start at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. each day. Showing up will be worth it. I can assure you Holy Spirit God will be in each service to apply the Word of God to each heart. More information can be accessed via the website or phone number as indicated in the image above. Lord willing, we plan to make all the services. I hope to see you there too. Amen.

 

I am glad to report the wife is making progress in her recovery from the surgery she had back on August 18. She is typically very active and always on the go. Having to take things slow and easy has been a huge challenge for her. We started using one of those zero-turn mowing units about five years ago. I used it some when we first got it. But she is the yard person, and she has done almost all the mowing for several years. While this is somewhat embarrassing, I pretty much had forgotten how to operate the mowing machine. She had to give me a tutorial to get me started, and I drove that thing in circles for over an hour. She would occasionally come out of the house and give me a look-see to check on my progress, and because she is a master, she was even willing to point out some of my oversights and mistakes. That made me feel so good; I could hardly contain my appreciation. Because I care so much about her recovery, I suppose that's why I directed her to return to her recliner and leave the oversights and mistakes to me. I'm glad her supervisory instinct is alive and well. Ha. Even sadder, several of our neighbors shared their concern about how she must be either ill or absent because they noticed the condition of our yard. Give me a break, already! I hope they know I've never had any desire whatsoever to have yard of the month. Nope. Never. I think you know where I'm coming from, right, Vern? May God help us all, and especially me, as I do my best to keep the home front intact. Amen.

"When your dog physically leans against you, it shows they view you as their primary source of security and comfort." ~ copied

It is Thursday, September 17, 2026. Welcome. Today's edition is being written by none other than Lil Miss Biscuit. Who better to let you know what's happening in and around the ole blogger ranch than me? I'll start with this: These People! They may be older, but they are always going. Going here and there, I suppose. The result? I am left behind, typically in my own pen. I would sing "Don't Fence Me In" if I knew it, and if I knew how to sing. Ha. They always leave the TV on for me. Sometimes they leave the news on. Are you kidding me? Hearing all that makes me glad to be a dog. It does. It really does. Sometimes they leave hours-long worship music on. I enjoy it, but for all those hours while they are gone to Church, I ask you, would you enjoy it for that long? I heard them say I was 2-1/2 years old. I can't remember them having any birthday parties for me. They do a great job with the food they give me, and they keep my water bowls filled. On the rare occasion when one of my bowls becomes empty, I do know how to make them ring as I bang them against the floor. They respond, but I notice they sometimes grumble a little. I don't really mind because they pretty much spoil me all the time. Mostly. I know they do because I hear them say it over and over. "Lil Miss Biscuit is so spoiled". A bit tiresome, don't you think? I will give kudos to the man of the house for how he keeps treats stocked for me. I do love me some treats. I'm not completely sold on the so-called teeth cleaner treat, but it seems to make them happy, so I chew it. I do have to work for the treat. Yeah. I inform him that I need to go outside. I run around without a leash, which means he hollers at me quite a lot when I get close to the road. That man can wake the entire neighborhood when he perceives that I am in danger. I like to mess with his mind a wee bit from time to time. And, yes. I do occasionally fake going because I am very interested in the treat awaiting me when we go back into the house. That is one of my fun things to do. I know how to fetch, and I do it better than he does at throwing. Living with old people, they tire easily, but here's my truth: I wouldn't trade them for anyone else in the world. Understand that I don't really know that many people. Who knows? Someone might come along. You never know. That's a joke. Enjoy the rest of your day. Oh yeah, I do enjoy lying behind him in the chair while he types out his blogs. I do. I really do. I guess it is 'my happy place'.

 

Y'all have a great weekend, Saturday, and the new week day of Sunday. Church. If I hear that 'Come Jesus Come' one more time, I'm going to cover my ears. Ha! Next time, I will tackle two of my least favorite things: Vet visits and grooming services. I felt a shiver coming on. Next time........ 

John 14:2-4 “ My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

It's Thursday, September 17, 2006, and I'm spinning the wheel this morning, and no one knows where it will stop. At 80, I often find myself struggling to locate the really good subject I was going to write about, only to find, like former President George W. Bush, that I misremembered it. I know. Physician, heal thyself, WRITE IT DOWN! This means I will have to do it this way. Make it up as I go. Perhaps that really good idea will manifest itself and come out from wherever it is hiding as I continue today's blog. Here are a couple of stories that help illustrate what I am talking about: 1)  An 80-year-old man tells his friend over coffee that he has been going to a clinic to help his memory. "And is it working?" his friend asks."Oh, absolutely," the man replies. "It's wonderful." "What is the clinic called?" asks the friend. The old man pauses, rubs his chin, and says, "What is the name of that red flower with the long stem and thorns?" His friend says, "A rose?" The old man turns to his wife across the room and yells, "Rose! What's the name of that clinic I go to?" 2)  Three old men are talking about their failing memories. The first says, "Today I was at the top of the stairs, and I couldn't remember if I had just gone up or was about to go down." The second says, "I was sitting at the edge of my bed and couldn't remember if I was about to sleep or just woke up." The third man laughs and says, "My memory is as good as ever, knock on wood." He hits the table twice, looks up in surprise, and yells, "Who's there?" I know. You've read or heard those already. Me too, but I used them as a stalling technique while I'm still searching those filing cabinets upstairs to see if I can come up with that missing idea. Upstairs meaning my noggin. However, I discovered my search engine is on vacation, and I will have to come back later. Ha.

 

I so much enjoy songs that speak to my heart. What say you? One I heard the other day that I haven't heard for a while gave me that far-away look in my eyes, along with a few tears. The song is "I Won't Have To Worry Anymore". It was written in 1971 by James Goss and Jimmy Jones. It has been recorded by dozens of Southern Gospel singers, and I particularly like to listen to it sung by the young Irish singer, Owen Mac. You can look him up on YouTube. Here are the lyrics:

 

1st Verse
Down here my burden's heavy
And the road is rough and long
Sometimes my feet get weary and so sore
But a brighter day is coming
Soon I'll stand on Heaven's shore
And I won't have to worry anymore

Chorus
Oh, I won't have to worry
When I reach the other shore
All my troubles will be over
And I rest forevermore
My eyes will be on Jesus
And my heart will be a glow
And I won't have to worry anymore

2nd Verse
Someday when life is over
And I've said my last goodbye
I'll see my Savior standing at the door
He'll say, "My child, you're welcome
All your cares are left behind"
And I won't have to worry anymore

Repeat Chorus

Tag
No, I won't have to worry anymore.

 

Critics say this type of song emphasizes escapism. I say Amen to that because that's exactly what I look forward to: Escaping from this world to my heavenly home. Yes. Yes. Hallelujah and Amen. 

The Apostle Paul, via Holy Spirit inspiration penned these words in his first letter to the called out assembly meeting in Thessalonica, Greece, (Chapter 5, verse 18): ~ Amplified Bible~ ".... 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."

Today is a very special day here at the ole blogger ranch. It's not because it's Wednesday, September 16, 2026, but I'm calling it a milestone of sorts because your word-slinging blogger has produced, since sending out my first on May 9, 2007, a total of 4,000 blogs. Thus far. That doesn't include those I never saw fit to release. I am aware of my proclivity for using way too many words when I am putting together my prose. Way too many. I am also aware of the many great writers who have warned against this tedious outcome. Here are a few: ~ Thomas Jefferson: "The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do." ~ Mark Twain: "Eschew surplusage." (From his list of writing rules, meaning to avoid unnecessary words or excess.) ~ George Eliot: "Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving wordy evidence of the fact." Elmore Leonard: "I try to leave out the parts that people skip." ~ As my Baptist preacher father-in-law, the late W. L. Rawles would so often say, "Here's the thing." I often use the grammar program to improve my text; however, there are times when it just doesn't sound like me. Sorry. It may be twisted and backwards at times, but it comes from my little twisted and backward pea-sized brain. And, after all, it is a conversation. You know. My blogs remind me of when I was a little fellow sitting outside the barbershop listening to those older guys shooting the breeze. No one ever interrupted the one telling his story to correct his pronunciation, his use of prepositions, conjunctions, tenses, or predicates. They might argue the facts shared, but not the grammar. Yes. I know about the process. Go back over your writing and take out all the words that are not necessary. Thanks for reminding me. Ha. Here's my final word on this particular event: I thank God. I do. I really do. I thank Him for providing me with the wherewithal to sit here at the computer and transfer what I have to say onto the electronic page. He gave me the abilities I have. He did. He really did. Therefore, it is our Great God who deserves the thanks and the glory for it all. Amen.

 

We all have God-ordained responsibilities as honorable citizens of our country, our state, county, and local governing authorities. (God-ordained examples: Jeremiah 29:7; Matthew 5:13-16, 22:21; Romans 13:1-2; 1st Timothy 2:1-2; and Titus 3:1-2)  I will admit I need to remind one particular individual of these truths given by God, that being me, myself, and I. We see so much waste and corruption in those occupying seats of government. As I have so often said, we vote for folks who end up being the lesser of evils. That in and of itself seems like a bummer. I was reminded of one particular annual fee when I recently paid the tax registration fees on my wife's car. In our state of Texas, they collect over $2 billion dollars via these registration fees. They report spending $1.8 billion on roads. (I hope that's true.) The rest goes to other areas of spending. We are blessed to live in Texas when compared to other states. We pay the 7th lowest in taxes and fees to the state. This means our state ranks very well in having a low overall tax burden compared to other states. My reason for mentioning this matter is that, for me, it's easy to complain about taxes. My wife as well. I believe I heard her say the other day these words, "It's tax, tax, tax!" She said that. She really did. Laying my complaints aside, I conclude we are blessed to live in the land God has provided to us. We are blessed to be able to pay our share of the tax burden. We are blessed from above. We are. We are so blessed. Thanks. I needed that. I did. I really did. Maybe someone else needed it too. Thank You, Lord. Amen. Just in case you are interested, the grammar program had a field day as it underlined much of today's blog. I hope it is happy with the work it did because, at the end of it all, here is my take: It is what it is. Ha!

Matthew 25:21 ~ Legacy Standard Bible ~ "His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master."

Good morning and welcome to another day here at the ole blogger ranch. This one comes to us sponsored by today, Tuesday, September 15, 2026. And as the great Dr. Seuss observed, "How did it get so late so soon?"  There was a time when I dreamed of becoming a major league baseball player. That was a dream I used to have when I slept with my Al Kaline glove held against my chest as a young teen. I was a really good player. I could pitch hard; however, it was not always clear where the ball might go. I could play third base or the outfield. I worked hard at it. But there came a day when I realized my limitations. I remember being selected to try out for the regional all-star team. Another fellow from our little village and I were selected. Someone, perhaps our coach, drove us to Alexandria, Louisiana, to practice with the other fellows who were also trying out. It was obvious the city guys looked down on us hicks. They did. They really did. Perhaps with good reason. The city teams had bigger athletes than we did. Many of them were good. Some of them were really good. They tested us on speed, agility, and our ability to hit and make plays. At that time, I didn't know the analogy about being a big fish in a little pond but only a small fish in a huge lake, but I learned it that day. I was really good in my small realm. I was not so good in the larger context. Needless to say, I didn't make the regional team. That experience taught me some lessons in life. No matter how good you might be at something, there is likely someone better. In fact, there just might be quite a few people better than you. That dream evaporated, but it didn't end my story. God allowed me to have other abilities, and He provided me with the environment where I grew to direct the work and activities of more than 150 employees in the computing and telecommunications field, as a department head for a Fortune 500 company. I no longer have my original Al Kaline glove, but I do have a baseball signed by him. It reminds me of how one dream might end, but God always has something better in mind. He does. He really does.

I could say much more about God's working in my life, but as my wife often says, "I think you've said enough." Ha. The joke about how one would have taken better care of themselves had they known they were going to live this long- well, that has some application to how I see things. I suppose since there was no indication of longevity on the male side of my predecessors, I had pretty much thought I would be gone by now. That's not a joke. It's the truth. It really is. That reality makes me feel very blessed to know that while I might be in overtime or perhaps even playing for sudden death, God has more for me to do. Some in the unbelieving world think that those of us who see our existence in the hands of our God, they see it as a cop out or a crutch to help us make sense of our lives. I can understand why they might see it that way. The key is unbelief versus faith. Faith. Belief. Confidence. Hope. I am guilty of all of those being in Almighty God. When He's done with me, I will go to be with Him, and that's what He has promised. (2nd Corinthians 5:8) My prayer is that, in some way, in the time I have left, I will find myself doing what pleases Him. Y'all are welcome to share the same desire. Go for it. Amen.

Hebrews 10:25 ~ New Living Translation ~ "And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."

Good morning and welcome. Today is Monday, September 14, 2026, and at 80, I better understand those who say how much they thank God for another day. Right? That's not to say I didn't thank Him before, but I suppose the age situation has made it even more real. I also thank God for the enthusiasm and desire to be with my fellow believers each time we gather at the meeting of our called-out assembly, our Church. If you feel the same, don't take that for granted. Some might say it's because I am a Bible teacher and I sing in the choir. I do feel the weight of those responsibilities, but I believe in my heart of hearts I would feel the same way about Church even if I were not in those positions. I know so many who are in situations where they cannot attend, shut-ins, and they would love to be able to show up at the meeting place. Our Bible study group, Sunday school class, or, as it is called in today's naming approach, our life-group, is made up of folks primarily in our age group. Sure. We exchange a lot of burdens with one another; again, our age means we have a lot to say grace over. Our children. Their children. Their children's children. Our heath. Other believers dealing with great challenges. The rest of our community of believers, along with our leaders and their families. Our needs may be expressed differently than younger groups; however, they are just that: needs. We serve a God who cares about everything in our lives, regardless of our age, the good, the bad, and the ugly. We show up. We love on each other. And God shows up to love on us all. Now, if being able to meet in a special way with the God of creation, His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit God, if that doesn't bring a wee bit of interest and excitement, well, I can't help you. I can't. I really can't. I can't help but thank Him for designing our lives as believers the way He did, and that includes being a part of His instituted local assembly, His Church. Amen.

 

When I say we hear from God, I mean it. We do. We really do. That is, if the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth from God's Holy Word, the Bible, is faithfully taught and preached. The Spirit of the Almighty works when His Word is set before His created human family. Hey, that's how He designed it. After all, He is the Creator. His design for life is best. It is. It really is. Only true believers can grasp this. Therefore, I encourage any and all who happen upon my blog to become a believer in God through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. You can. You really can. Call on Jesus to save you. Mean it from your heart. He already knows everything there is to know about you, yet He loved you enough to die on The Cross in your place. If you want to know some about what the Bible says about how we all are sinners in need of a Savior, Google the Roman road to salvation. Some images there clearly lay out a summary of where we all stand before a Holy God and how He has provided us a way to be with Him forever. Check it out. Meanwhile, I urge all believers to take Church seriously. It can. No. It will make a difference in your life. Amen and Amen. 

"I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God as long as I exist." ~ Psalm 104:33 as rendered by the New English Translation, NET.

Good morning and welcome. Today is Thursday, September 10, 2026, and I do hope today's visit finds you and yours doing well. When I was a kid growing up in a small village in Louisiana, I noticed how many men didn't join in singing during our song time at our local Church service. The song leader was an exception. The pastor sang along. A few others here and there, but it was as if singing was delegated to the ladies and the children. One exception was my grandfather, Paw Paw Mac. He literally could not sing a lick, but he would join in enthusiastically. On certain songs about going home to heaven, he would have tears in his eyes as he swayed to the music and looked up at the ceiling. Maybe he helped form in me a love of singing songs that sought to honor our Lord. Again, he didn't know one note from another, but he knew the Savior he so often sang about. Many of the deacons seemed too spiritual to participate. Ha! Others may have had good reason; I'm not sure. But I'm thankful for the influence, as I observed my granddad in how he never followed the crowd; he just did his best to follow the Lord he loved. How funny is that? I learned to worship the Lord in song from a man who knew very little about the art of singing. I married a gal who came from a musical family. They were lovers of Gospel music, and in so many ways they were much better at it than I was. Life is better when you are able to sing about it. The greatest songbook is found in the Bible: the Psalms. God enjoys hearing heartfelt singing from those who love Him. In fact, He inhabits the praises of His people, and those are often expressed with music and singing. While I now find myself often struggling with hitting the right notes, I am reminded of that precious old man swaying as he sang, eyes heavenward, "I don't know about tomorrow, but I know who holds my hand." Amen.

 

I wonder sometimes why it is so easy to find fault with those in our past, since we now know so much and we feel superior even in the way we go about music and church services. Those back then just didn't get it, or so it is often said. They were too much of this, that, and the other to adapt to what we are able to experience today. Really? I know many of the blind spots and other things in the lives of my folks from my growing-up days way back when. I do. I really do. At the same time, I am forever grateful that God loved them, saved them, and they, with all of their backward ways, loved Him back and served Him the best way they knew how. We often think about Hebrews Chapter 11 and how God chose to recognize people we call heroes of faith. I challenge anyone to examine the lives of those mentioned in that chapter. Nearly all of them were recorded along with their faults, and some had major failures in their lives. Yet, God was happy to have known them, and He walked with them. He gets the final say, and while we may look down on some who aren't as 'with it' as we are, God might just include them ahead of us. Wow! A little food for thought. What's that? Very little. Okay. Take it in and see if it resonates. It did for me. It did. It really did. Until next time, may God add His blessings. Amen.

John Bunyan: "You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you."

I am running a wee bit early today, sending out my blog because I see my podiatrist at 8 a.m. this morning, as we welcome Wednesday, September 9, 2026. A dear friend and brother in Christ posted that lighthouse depiction one day last week. I used it today because it struck a real sense of conviction in my heart, and usually when that happens, I know it will speak to others too. Man, oh man, it's so easy to be tied up in knots taking care of me, myself, and I. When I am in that mode, I have trouble seeing the other person's situation. Call it blinders or whatever else you come up with, even perhaps a good excuse, and I'm real good at coming up with them; truth is, we are our brothers' and our sisters' keepers. May God help me to be more sensitive and aware of the plight of others. So often I am guilty of what the half-brother of Jesus, James, wrote about in his New Testament letter. My paraphrase from Chapter 2:14-26, here: The man is freezing out in the cold. I notice him. I speak to him. I tell him I will pray for him. And I tell him I hope he will be warm. What's missing? James says those words don't mean anything unless they are accompanied by action, like maybe giving the cold man a coat. The coat I often find myself giving is made up of kind words, even well-intended words. See what I mean, Vern? That lighthouse illustration reminded me of things like that. What does it remind you of? 

 

I know. I have plenty to say grace over in my life, my own family, my own stuff. Right? Yeah. We all do. But, best I can tell, Jesus had a different view He wanted us to have too. He told a story to illustrate how we should respond to those in need. It's called the parable of the good Samaritan from the Gospel of  Luke 10:25-37, from the Living Bible: ~ "One day an expert on Moses’ laws came to test Jesus’ orthodoxy by asking him this question: 'Teacher, what does a man need to do to live forever in heaven?' Jesus replied, 'What does Moses’ law say about it?' 'It says,' he replied, 'that you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind. And you must love your neighbor just as much as you love yourself.' 'Right!' Jesus told him. 'Do this and you shall live!' The man wanted to justify his lack of love for some kinds of people, so he asked, 'Which neighbors?' Jesus replied with an illustration: 'A Jew going on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes and money, and beat him up and left him lying half dead beside the road. By chance a Jewish priest came along; and when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Jewish Temple-assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but then went on. But a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw him, he felt deep pity. Kneeling beside him the Samaritan soothed his wounds with medicine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his donkey and walked along beside him till they came to an inn, where he nursed him through the night. The next day he handed the innkeeper two twenty-dollar bills and told him to take care of the man. 'If his bill runs higher than that,' he said, 'I’ll pay the difference the next time I am here.' 'Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the bandits’ victim? The man replied, 'The one who showed him some pity.'Then Jesus said, 'Yes, now go and do the same.'" ~ Seeing that lighthouse depiction also reminded me of this story from our Savior. What say you? Have a blessed rest of the day, and may God add His blessings. Amen.

Charles Dickens: Called the Bible "the best Book that ever was or ever will be in the world".

I'm back. Thanks for waiting. Joking only. Today is Tuesday, September 8, 2026, and I bid each and every one of you tuning in a hearty hello and welcome. You did not miss my blog yesterday because I didn't climb the stairs to get anything done in the ole blogger ranch office. Why? We were otherwise occupied, so to speak, doing this, that, and the other. We did have a most wonderful Lord's Day Sunday where the wife and I showed up to honor God and fellowship with Him and our dear brothers and sisters in Christ. The wife is still in recovery mode from her surgery, but she made it through our Life Group gathering and the worship music time before we needed to get her back to the homestead. She was hurting pretty badly, but she made the effort. Showing up counts, folks; it really does. Every day she does more and more to get back to her normal, hard-working self. She told me the other day that we must be saving a ton of money, since she is not her well-known shopping self. I nodded because she normally is a very active person, and it doesn't take much of a suggestion for her to be ready to hit the road. Speaking of saving money, I filled out a very long survey sent to me by the Republican Party. I usually don't participate in surveys, but I did spend about 15 minutes on this one. It had to do with gleaning information about how the rank and file views how things are going, connected to the upcoming midterm elections. We are conservative and will vote for conservative nominees as best we can find them. Even if we have to hold our nose, we vote conservative. This particular survey tried to hit the issues from a myriad of different angles. I answered how the leadership spends their time telling us how much better off we are, and sadly, most folks on the street are not feeling it. Why? The quote is attributed to James Carville, who advised Bill Clinton during the 1992 race against George H.W. Bush: "It's the economy, stupid!" We have children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who are challenged by the high cost of living, where their incomes are not keeping up. That was my theme in my responses. Will I end up voting mostly Republican? I likely will, but I may wear a clothespin on my nose to do so. Enough said.

 

I hope I didn't come across in a negative way, but I tend to lean towards cynicism when it comes to politics. When it comes to the political shenanigans that permeate our system, well, I often use the quote from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, where Mercutio says these words as he dies from a wound: "A plague o' both your houses!" Again, we do our best to investigate the candidates and choose the best conservative available to vote for; however, we know only God can be trusted, and that's who we are relying on. You may think that is a jaded view of the world, but we are still entitled in our country to have our own view of how things are going. Or, at least I think we can still have our own opinion. I hasten to add that I know there are good, God-fearing people holding political office. There are. There really are. And if you find one, let me know. It's a joke. Calm down. My advice is that we all continue to seek God's help in every aspect of our lives, including how we participate in the political realm. He gives the truest and best advice. He does. Every time. Always. Forever and ever, Amen.

“Before the reward, there must be labor. You plant before you harvest. You sow in tears before you reap joy." — Ralph Ransom

Here we go! For many, this will be a three-day holiday celebration. I do hope everyone enjoys the 2026 Labor Day Weekend. It is Friday, September 4, 2026, and I do hope today finds you and yours doing well. For those of us no longer in the public workforce, our days are mostly counted based on our next doctor's appointments. Ha! Back in the day, when I worked in the computing and telecommunications world, holidays like Labor Day were opportune times to install software upgrades to the network, meaning we did exactly what the holiday celebrates: we labored. We all know 24x7 jobs must be staffed regardless of the holiday. Air traffic controllers, medical support staff, first responders, hospital workers, military personnel, power plant operators, and many, many others. I think of some Bible verses that emphasize work and associated labors: Colossians 3:23: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. "Proverbs 14:23: "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. "Ecclesiastes 3:22: "So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot." Psalm 127:2: "In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves." 2 Thessalonians 3:10: "The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat. "Proverbs 10:4: "Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth."1 Timothy 5:8: "Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." 1 Corinthians 15:58: "Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." Genesis 2:15: "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." The bottom line: Work and labor were part of creation, and we would do well to follow God's plan and purpose as we go about the work He has provided for us. Amen.

 

Yesterday, we did get a good update from the surgeon regarding the wife's recovery. We made it to the medical center just fine. Halfway back, we encountered a blinding rainstorm. Blinding. It was bumper-to-bumper the rest of the way home. That will fray anyone's nerves, except for the 18-wheelers and those jacked-up pickup trucks. Those fellows seem to enjoy engulfing everyone riding beside them with water spray that rocks the vehicle. Just my observation; I'm not being overly critical because they may do it without knowing it. As you can tell, I am here slinging words again; therefore, it's clear we made it. When we finally got to our homeplace, I told the wife how I thanked God for His provision and protection there and back. Hopefully I will get these fingers to unwind by Sunday. Ha. (From holding the steering wheel so tightly.) Y'all enjoy your Saturday, and on Sunday, I hope to see you at our gathering place, where we will join hearts in seeking our Great God. Monday will be a special day for us: It will be Monday. Thanks for your support, and may God add His blessings. Amen.

“You don’t navigate traffic; you negotiate with it, and usually, you lose.” — Unknown

We have a travel day today, Thursday, September 3, 2026. Yep. We travel down into the heart of the metroplex, down to the Houston Medical Center, Baylor School of Medicine, to be precise. This will be the follow-up appointment for the wife with the surgeon or his designee. I should say Super Surgeon since he has so much starch in that long white coat it almost looks like one of the capes on a superhero. Just kidding. A little. I remember when we would go back to our Louisiana home place where we attended church with our folks. The folks remembered us, but when Mom told them we were from the Houston area, their faces would fall. Why? We learned that many of their friends were sent to Houston as a last resort for medical treatment. Many of them died in the Houston area. I should remember how to get to the doctor's office since we were there a few weeks ago. I should. I actually did go there again when the wife was in the hospital. I thought I knew where I was going. I ended up at the doctor's office, and a fellow flagged me down and told me I was going the wrong way on a one-way street. He was a security fellow and very pleasant. I asked where the hospital was, and he gave me directions. I shook hands with him, and we both wished each other a God-blessed day. He told me I might want to get out of there since other folks would be headed towards me. Ha! This time I will ask for God's guidance along with the GPS utility and the help from my co-pilot sitting beside me. I imagine some of you are shaking your heads, thinking I don't know directions very well. Bingo! Here's my current response: It's the confounded construction! That's why I have trouble finding my way. Got it? Good. Ha!

 

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Today I remember my little brother because this is his birth date. He left us for his eternal destiny back in 2011. I am three years older than Donald. We were fairly close when we were younger. After Dad passed away in 1954, we moved to the tiny village of Hornbeck, Louisiana. We moved in with my mom's parents, Granny and Paw Paw Mac. I was 7, and Donald was 4. They put us three boys in a bedroom, including our older brother Jimmy, the eldest of six children. Jimmy was 12 at the time. Jimmy got the single bed, and Donald and I slept together in the double bed. This was a new beginning of sorts for our pitiful little family. We had some great challenges intermixed with some great times in those transition days. I don't know exactly when and where, but Donald, even at an early age, determined he would travel on The Donald Road. He was different. Looking back, one thing I admire about him is how he wore his difference out for everyone to see. He pretty much bucked the system and, at age 17, after high school, he went off to find new adventures in the United States Marine Corps. He spent the next 20 years serving our country. He spent much of his time as a Drill Sergeant, a position he dearly loved. His life was filled with much difficulty in his personal family life, and he chased several personal demons as well. We reunited as brothers when he returned to the east side of Houston for a job serving the school district in their ROTC program. He came often to our home and to our church services. We enjoyed Sunday lunch together often. His last years were spent dealing with health challenges, and because I lived closest, I became the point person for the family. My sister Jo and I were privileged to be with him when he passed from this life to the next. Our stepbrother Victor and I conducted his homegoing service. He was buried in our family plot with full military honors in that little town where we restarted our lives back in 1954. Many Marines have told me the impact the drill instructor had on their lives and how their training allowed them to come home after being in a hot war situation. They instructed me to say Thank You to my brother for helping them and others survive. His life counted. May God bless his children and his memory as we think about him today. Amen.