"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.

Psalm 93:4 (ESV) "Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty!"

Good morning and welcome. It is Wednesday, September 2, 2026, and I am thanking God for the couple of showers we received last evening. Sadly, after the tropical storm passed, many have suffered heavy rains, with one area receiving over 20 inches. If anyone has been around these parts very long, they are well aware of what can happen in these types of torrential downpours. I threw together the little Mrs. Claus tribute and messaged it to her to brighten her day. It did. Her recovery from surgery has been a slog, and we have more of the same for the foreseeable future. She has been a terrific patient except for the few times she became a wee bit unhappy with her caregiver, me, myself, and I. That didn't really bother me, not at all, hardly any, not in the least; you can tell, can't you? Ha! I also made her a new design for an angel food cake, and I served it with strawberry juice and Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla. She loved it. I didn't whip the egg whites enough; therefore, the cake shall now be referred to as angel food flatbread. I actually thought about manna when I saw how it turned out. Ha! I also didn't use that special angel food cake pan since I didn't know how to operate it. I used one of those 10"x 13" pans instead. Lesson learned. I love watching the reels of Carter, the five-year-old chef from England. Haven't seen him? Look him up. His short cooking programs are great fun. I'm certain he would not have made the mistake I made.

 

I used the artificial intelligence ChatGPT utility to make that poster for the wife. And, yes, I am aware it has a problem getting the faces exactly correct. I am working on improving that area of use. I get complaints about it, especially from my boys who immediately blow up the generated images and text me how they don't look right. I'm working on it. Okay. I'm working on it. Here's the technical response for why this occurs: "Artificial intelligence struggles to copy faces from original photos because it builds images from mathematical patterns instead of actually 'seeing' or remembering a specific person." Most of the time, it is the thought that counts. If that turns out to be the worst problem I have today, I will thank God and move on. What's that? I could have moved on before I even gave the explanation? Thanks for your input. I will think about thinking about it. Later. I do hope most of you who read my blogs know that I do write a lot of tongue-in-cheek kinds of stuff. Just for the fun of it. I do hope you will recognize that and take it for what it's worth. Now. Get out there and enjoy the day God has given, continue to pray for those in need, and always, yes, always give God the glory that He and He alone deserves. Amen.

"In a world filled with chaos, our pets remind us to enjoy the simple moments." ~ copied

The wife likes it short; I like it scruffy long. The groomer tries to meet us in the middle; they then give me the standard: it will grow out, Sir. Ha!

Good morning, folks, and welcome. Today is Tuesday, where we are celebrating a brand new start to a brand new month, at least for this year, on September 1, 2026. Don't even get me started. According to our friends at Google Search, a man's head wash and haircut costs, on average, between $20 and $70. (The wife of my youth is my hairdresser.) We had Lil Miss Biscuit, our pup, groomed yesterday. Please don't even ask how much it cost. Shockingly outrageous. Think about this one. The wife often says if I am going to have a pup, we have to take care of the pup. My, how times have changed. When I grew up, the dogs that stayed around my grandparents' home- I'm not sure they were ever bathed, ever. Let me correct that. I believe I saw them once or twice out in the rain. Ha! They did get their free rabies shots when the Parish mobile unit came around. Now that I think about it, I do believe my grandfather would occasionally dip them in some awful-smelling stuff to kill some kind of lice or something. Fast forward to today, I do bathe our pup, but that's only a mere smidgen of the norm in taking care of a pet in these times. The veterinarian visit once a year can be very costly, and they track Biscuit as well as our medical plan tracks us. We buy the recommended food, which is the best that can be found; that is, until the vet clinic signs a new agreement with a different dog food company and then their product becomes the best that can be found. Forget about whether Lil Miss Biscuit is worth it. That's not even the point. Here's the national average spent: "Basic care—including food, routine vet visits, grooming, and supplies—averages about $4,272 per year per pet." We may be in the low to mid end of that cost projection; however, look how far we have come. Did I mention the variety of treats we have for our pup? I admit it. I am always looking for a different kind of treat because I wouldn't want her to suffer from monotony. Please forgive me, Paw Paw Mac, but I'm afraid this is how we roll these days. (Federal tax deduction for a child is $2,200 for this year, just saying.)

 

I noticed something the other day while riding my new exercise bike. I was playing a Japanese Samurai series on my phone with English subtitles. When the battle scenes became intense, I pedaled harder. What is that all about? I also noticed something while we were watching clips from the American Ninja Warrior TV series. I found myself straining to help people win even though the clips may have been from several years ago. Silly, don't you think? I asked my ever-present internet friend, Mr. Artificial Intelligence, about this situation. Here is his answer: "We root for people on television to win because our brains process them like real social connections and trigger emotional rewards when they succeed." No wonder my grandfather got so worked up watching the tiny black and white TV when the Russian professional wrestler was beating up on our American professional wrestling champion. We laughed at him back then. But who's laughing now? Even our pastor admits to hollering at the TV set when his team is playing. Before anyone writes me a letter about my viewing choices, I also hasten to inform my reading audience of the many hours of research I do pursuing the best presentation of God's Word for my Bible Study Class. Hours. Many. I just wanted to make it a wee bit harder for any naysayers lurking around seeking whom they might criticize. That's a joke, but if it finds a home where you are, remember what the preachers often say, "It's the hit dog that barks." Relax, I'm just having a little fun. Get out there and pedal a little harder. Do it for the Kingdom! Right? Amen.

"How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains!" ~ John Muir, (1838-1914), Scottish-born American environmental philosopher.

Good morning and welcome. I am back at the old keyboard doing my thing on this Monday, August 31, 2026. We had a wonderful time at our local fellowship gathering yesterday, and I am happy to report that the wife continues to show progress in her recovery from esophageal surgery. Our son Jimmy should get some answers this week regarding his injured spine. As for yours truly, I continue in my support role here on the home front while still trying to wrap my head around what it feels like to be 80. Ha! Yesterday, I met a lady greeter at our local fellowship, and she volunteered that she was 90 years old. We have another lady who faithfully sings in our Church choir who is well into her 90s. There is a notable gender gap: among those who attain older age, the ladies maintain a 3-to-1 advantage over the men. One of the fastest-growing age groups by percentage is 90 and older, now exceeding 2 million. I've said all of that to say this: My life is in His hands. Those ladies I mentioned testify to how one can keep on keeping on as long as the Lord allows. Some call that fatalism. I call it faithalism. I know that's not a recognized word, but I am prone to make one up now and then. I recently heard a recognized celebrity say that what he knew about heaven sounded pretty boring to him. How absurd! Here is my faith response to that kind of dangerous viewpoint: From the Legacy Standard Bible, 1st John 3, Verse 2, "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not been manifested as yet what we will be. We know that when He is manifested, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is." I am anxiously awaiting the experience of this very truth. What say you?

I remain interested in figures of speech. Wordplay too. I read this one recently: "If I knew the difference between 'anecdote' and 'antidote', my friend would still be alive." There's this one: "A tourist asked an Irishman the best way to get to a certain castle. The Irishman asked if he was driving or walking. The tourist said he was driving. The Irishman replied, 'That's the best way.'" If you look at the definition of a figure of speech, it gets pretty lengthy.  From Grammarly, the software program I use: "A figure of speech is a creative use of language to generate an effect, enhance an expression, or evoke an emotion." Some examples include a simile, a metaphor, hyperbole, or an idiom. In my case, my approach is to sling slang onto the electronic page. Ha! What would you expect? I grew up where people could be madder than a wet hen, or maybe worn slap out. Things could get all cattywampus on you, or you might just get yourself overtaken by a hankering. Even as a kid, I flinched a little trying to understand my grandfather's lament, "I feel like I've been pulled through a rat hole backwards." I did know exactly what was meant when I heard, "I'm gonna tan your hide." My point? Is it any wonder I end up writing the way I do? I don't think I've ever used this one because I'm not sure exactly what it means, 'happier than a dead pig in the sunshine'. Maybe you do. Now y'all have yourselves a blessed day as God provides, y'all hear? Just get out there and do it. May God add His blessings. Amen.

This Buck Owens Song reminds me of when I first saw the girl of my dreams, now the wife of my youth: "I was looking back to see If you were looking back to see If I was looking back to see If you were looking back at me"

Okay. I have checked the calendar on this personal computer, and it agrees: Today is Friday, August 28, 2026. Thanks for showing up. I hope you know how encouraging it is to know you're keeping up with what's happening here at the ole blogger ranch. Thanks ever so much for your prayers on behalf of the wife of my youth in her recovery from surgery, and for our son Jimmy also in recovery from some cracked ribs and a fractured vertebra. She sees her primary care doctor today for a follow-up and her surgeon next week. Jimmy has an appointment next week to further examine his spine. Meanwhile, yours truly is pretty much wearing out his welcome as the self-appointed medical administrator. How do I know this? It has something to do with the decibel ratings coming from the patient side of the house, but I will save that for another day. Perhaps when I am out of town and out of range, if you get my drift. I may be 80 years young, but I am still in a learning mode. This happened to me the other day: I was sitting downstairs, and a really great idea came to me, and it involved making something on the computer. There have been times in my life when I would have been very proud of myself for coming up with that kind of idea. Not this time. I stopped. I looked up. I thanked God for His provision. You might think that somewhat lame, but at my age, you gain a better understanding that it all comes from Him and He deserves the praise for it. It does. He really does. Amen.

 

Does anyone know where I should turn in my nurse's uniform? That's a joke. The jacket that comes with it is a size 38-40, just in case you are interested. Still joking.  I'm thinking of adding these bedside skills to my resume. At 80, my resume is already quite lengthy. Think about it. Just listing the years takes a couple of pages. Ha! I know what many of you are thinking. The need for a resume, well, that train left the station a long time ago. And that it did; however, it doesn't mean I'm not adding new items all the time. When you no longer have anything to add, well, I think we all know what that means. Cue the dirge. I'm just joking around to try to make up for my sadness in being an unemployed male nurse. Ha! Okay. That's not only enough, but it was enough some time ago. Lord willing and as He provides, here is what I have in mind for the rest of this week and leading into next week. Ready? I will continue to get ready to finish getting ready for teaching the last two chapters in the Old Testament Book of Ruth. What a great writing preserved for our learning. (Romans 15:4) The wife said I could teach the entire book without even reading it again, but that's just her opinion. Here's the truth: Keep on studying because God shows us something different every time we do. He does. He really does. All of this studying is in preparation for what happens next week. That's right. My broken record keeps on keeping on; that is because I'm talking about Sunday, the first day of next week, and that's when we get to go to the meeting place of our local called-out assembly. Yay and Amen. God shows up in a special way when His people gather together to hear from Him. He does. He really does. Amen.

"Memory only becomes interesting through its struggle with forgetfulness." ~ Adrian Forty, Emeritus Professor of Architectural History at The Bartlett, the Faculty of the Built Environment at University College London.

Still mixed up here at the ole blogger ranch. Yesterday was not Thursday; it was Wednesday; therefore, today is actually Thursday, August 27, 2026. Unlike what I was always told, we don't lose that many brain cells each day; however, as we age, we do have issues connecting to them. As in the wiring, or synapses, as they are designated. Back in my previous work life in a galaxy far, far away, one of the things I was responsible for was connecting folks to the data center mainframes, a similar situation. All sorts of things could happen to interrupt connectivity. In this feeble example, in my situation, that would be aging- my friend- yes, connectivity issues because of aging. All of the information I need, all of the memories I have, including precise backgrounds, telephone numbers, addresses, birthdays, relationships, connections, it is all still intact, but alas, the connections themselves are both tired and frayed. You should not be surprised when you see me at times practicing a new look: the blank stare. Here is a bit of good news. I still can experience what it means to have God's Spirit bear witness with my spirit that I am His child. (My representation of the truth expressed in Romans 8:16)  I may even have better news. Since I am His child and I have been sealed for eternity by His Spirit, nothing can ever change my Father-Child relationship, not even if I lose my ever-loving mind. (2nd Timothy 2:13)  My point? To my older friends and neighbors: Try not to fret over not being able to remember things like you did earlier in life because that is a very natural thing that happens to us. Instead, thank the Lord that He is still with us, period. Give Him all the glory and praise. Amen.

 

 

One way to deal with issues like forgetfulness is to learn to laugh about it, yep, learn to laugh, even at yourself. That's always been a tough one for me, but I am working on it. There's the one about the older guy telling his doctor about how forgetful he is becoming. The doctor's response was to tell him to please pay in advance. ~ My memory is getting really bad. Do I come here often? ~ One older chicken to another: My memory is getting so bad, yesterday I couldn't remember why I crossed the road. ~ Instead of going down Memory Lane, I'm now traveling on Memory Loss Lane. ~ I'll take remembering things for $200, please. ~ And the list goes on and on. I do realize that if memory loss is associated with chronic illnesses like dementia or Alzheimer's, it is no laughing matter. But age-related memory issues are a fact of life. My wife often says I have great recall. To be honest, she doesn't say that nearly as much as she used to. And that's okay. I am amused by how I often pause in the middle of telling something while my personal search engine inside my pea-sized brain looks for the next phrase. Get my point? Oh well, I am beginning to get used to hearing the wife tell me that I've already told that story. I usually say it is worth telling again, but she says it might be, but not right after you've told it. Is this a great country or what? Are we having fun or what? Thanks for tuning in, and may God add His blessings. Amen.

2 Peter 1:3 ~ English Standard Version ESV ~ "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, ...."

Welcome to where I find myself doing my best to get my days straightened out. I completely lost last Friday in the stuff we were working through here at the ole blogger ranch. Then it happened again yesterday. Today is Thursday, August 26, 2026, and I am thankful that the wife of my youth is making progress each day after fairly serious esophageal surgery. And our son Jimmy, who suffered a fractured vertebra after a severe seizure, is doing better too. I know the wife is better because she and I have begun trading testy remarks again. In doing so, she makes me laugh. Yes. Out loud. LOL. My being the chief medical nursing provider is enough to make anyone laugh. I am becoming very familiar with the blender since all of her food intake has to be liquefied. I even read the instructions before I started using the machine. That may not be a first, but it was important to get it right. I heard one of our associate pastors praying for her on the speaker phone. He prayed not only for her and our son Jimmy, but he also mentioned her caregiver, me. I appreciate that, while at the same time we both signed up for whatever happens in our lives on that frigid cold Louisiana night back in December of 1964. Everyone should know how grateful I am to God for allowing me the wherewithal and strength to serve those I love. I'm reminded of the response slogan often heard from our friends at Chick-fil-A. My pleasure. I feel that way as I go about this, that, and the other. Tomorrow may be a different story, so stay tuned. Who knows what may be on the front burner then. Again. I thank God. I do. I really do. 

 

With all that's been going on here, I don't know much at all about the current news cycle. If something really big is happening, text me. Ha. Isn't it interesting that when you have other things to occupy your time, you no longer worry about those kinds of 24-hour cycles made up mostly of blather forth and back designed to capture one's time, and they are good at doing just that. Okay. Yesterday. A not-so-funny thing happened on my way to having a somewhat normal day. Our son Jimmy had a couple of medical appointments, but on his way, he had a blowout on his front right tire. He called me and said he needed help because of his back. No doubt. I got there and found the car leaning on a fairly steep incline, but I did get it jacked up, got the bad tire off, and was ready to mount the spare when bam!, the jack gave way, and the car fell flat on the ground. After trying to figure out what we might do, we settled on calling a wrecker. Not to tow the car but to lift it up so we could put the spare on. It was super hot, my friend, super hot. It took the wrecker nearly an hour to get there, and because of that steep incline, the driver tried a half dozen or more positions to get his wheel lift mechanism under the car. Finally, we decided to try to carjack to lift it enough to help. The driver was a young man but burly and strong. He and I got down on the ground, and his big hands dug out under the car enough to get the jack under it. While down there, I learned he was from a nearby town, was married with three children, and we talked about Church. His parents go to a local assembly across the freeway from where we live. After lots of using the body tools- our hands, God gave us to dig with- we got it jacked a few inches. He was then able to lift it with the wrecker. He changed the tire. We shook hands, and I wished him Godspeed as he left for his next call. I've never experienced any oxen in any ditches, but I do know a little about a car being in one. Ha! Granny Mac was right, my friend. If it's not one thing, it's something else. Thank God for His provisions. Yes. Thank God. Amen.

Hebrews 10:25 ~ Amplified Bible ~ ".... not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching."

Thank God. It's Monday. TGIM. Wait a minute; it should be thank God for every minute of every hour for every day, period. Amen. I bid you a hearty hello and welcome to our visit today on August 24, 2026. I didn't say we are thankful for every situation we find ourselves in; however, we are thankful to Him in every situation because, as believers, He will never leave us nor will He ever forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 31:6-8, and Joshua 1:5) The wife of my youth and I want to express our sincere appreciation for the many prayers going up on behalf of her recovery from surgery and also for Jimmy's current situation, where he is dealing with a fractured vertebra brought on by the severe seizure he recently had. Granny Mac used to say, "Well, if it's not one thing, it's something else." That, my friend, is how life unfolds. It is. It really is. Need more? When it rains, it pours. We're dealing with more things than you can shake a stick at. Even more? Why is everybody picking on me? No matter how you say it, we are not promised a tip-toe through the tulips in our sojourn here on the planet. We are not. We really are not. Here's what I say about our current difficulties: How thankful I am for God's enabling that permits me to deal with these challenges. He is good. He is really good. He is. He really is. In the coming days, I might say something different. The good news? Nothing about Him changes, but with me, it seems like at times you just have to check which way the wind is blowing. Even when I am wobbly, He isn't. That's good to know, folks. It is. It really is. Amen.

 

I can tell you one thing. David writing in the Old Testament was right. He was. He really was. When he said, as recorded in Psalm 122:1, "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the LORD.'" (as rendered in the New Living Translation, NLT) Yesterday, I was able to experience exactly David's sentiment when I attended services at our local called-out assembly or church, if you prefer. I left the ailing wife of my youth with my ailing middle son to see after her, but I literally had, as they say, my socks blessed off by meeting with brothers and sisters in Christ who love one another and care. Our life group was a blessing because that's where we can get personal with one another. I was able to shake hands, hug necks, and share some laughs before the lesson began. I gave an update on my wife and our son to the class and told a couple of jokes. I told them I was yet to use Paw Paw Mac's admonition, "It will feel much better when it quits hurting," and his other, "You have the same clothes to get glad in." I also told some of the guys one I read; it goes like this: The wife is really, really angry. When this happens, you should get a towel or blanket and tie it around her neck and then pronounce her to be 'Super Angry'. One of two things will happen: She will laugh, or you will die. After hearing a lesson from the Book of Ruth, I went to the choir practice room where we went over the special song to be sung. We then had a wonderful time of worship, and the lyrics of the songs chosen touched my heart deeply. Next, we heard our pastor expound the Word of God from 2nd Thessalonians. Our pastor preaches through The Scriptures, verse by verse. That, by the way, is how The Scriptures were written and delivered, inspired by Holy Spirit God. I felt refreshed. I felt loved from above and from those there in the meeting place. I hurried to my vehicle and made my way back home, knowing how glad I was to have been at the meeting place of our local called-out assembly.  You should try it. You should. You really should. As I am click-clacking on the keyboard, Lil Miss Biscuit is lying behind me in my typing chair, and our touching each other has my back all warmed up. That's what happens when you fellowship with other believers and hear from God; it warms your heart, and you can do the same for them. Amen.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ~ English Standard Version, ESV ~ "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

How does it feel to be the age that I have now achieved? That, my friend, is a good question for this Thursday, August 21, 2026. First, I've never been this age, so I can't comment much on my new status. Secondly, I actually think I feel in pretty good shape for the shape I'm in. That said, there's a lot to read on artificial intelligence websites about the changes that take place for someone in their 80s. I am on twelve different prescribed medications along with a few other over-the-counter supplements, and I tell people that's what keeps me going. Not really. I do know this about it all. I am blessed by Almighty God for every breath I breathe on the planet. This means, in our way of understanding Scripture, that He is not finished with me yet. I am not able to walk much anymore because of my hip situation, but I do okay on the new stationary bike. I feel blessed to study God's Word and still teach a Bible class. I feel blessed to still be able to sing in the choir. I feel blessed to still be able to formulate words onto the electronic page for the blogs I write five days per week. I feel blessed to maintain contact with our boys and their families. I feel blessed to try to do my best to love the wife of my youth in the same way Christ loved His Church and gave Himself up for her. I feel blessed to enjoy our pup, Lil Miss Biscuit. I also feel blessed for the bond that remains with my last sibling, JoAnn. I feel blessed by God, and I thank Him for the resources He has provided, allowing us to support several ministries over the years. I repeat, I actually think I am in good shape for the shape I'm in because of God's blessings. He deserves all the honor and praise. He does. He really does. Amen.

 

I am currently heads down in my nursing mode, seeing after the recovery and support of my wife after her surgical procedure to take care of a hiatal hernia and related issues. Since our health plan farmed out the surgery to a specialist from a different health plan, we again had to navigate into and out of downtown Houston. The city of Houston ranks 8th nationally and 18th internationally in traffic congestion. Those who commute in and out of the city lose, on average, 70 hours per year in stalled traffic. On average. Listen. I think I may have beaten that record the last few times our trips required us to be in the city. I know. I did it for 50-plus years and didn't even think about it. It was what it was. I remind us all. I wasn't 80 years old back then. I did read up on the doctor who did her surgery. He pretty much is in the Who's Who category as a thoracic surgical specialist. He is one of those who typically has an entourage following him wherever he goes. Ha! I told that to our primary care, and he said he now knew what he had been missing since becoming a doctor: his very own entourage. I heard the late, great man of God, pastor and teacher, Dr. Adrian Rogers talk about choosing doctors. He said if he had a heart problem and had to choose between an atheist recognized expert versus a Christian but mediocre surgeon, he would choose the atheist every time. We are thankful she did well in her surgery. She still has some pain, and we are working through the liquid diet for the first week to be followed with a soft diet next week. We are thankful to be in a plan that provides access to the very best, even if it is not one of their own. If I can take a break from my nursing duties, I will get back to y'all with an update tomorrow. Until then, thanks for praying for us. Amen.

We are home from the hospital. The wife is recovering. The surgery was more complicated than originally predicted. Her chief nurse, me, myself and I, is making sure she follows doctor's orders. This requires getting up early and staying late. Ha! All in all, all is well. Thank God. Amen.

 

Doing much better this morning. Great people supporting her here at Baylor St. Lukes. We give God the thanks and praise for His provisions, great and small.

 

Surgery went well. In recovery, experiencing quite a lot of pain. Will move to a room later this evening. We so appreciate all the prayers.

 

The wife of my youth has surgery this morning, hiatal hernia and related. She is being checked in now here at St Luke's Baylor, Houston medical center.

My sincere thanks for every form of recognition of my 80th birthday. May God bless each and everyone who participated. Amen.

Do we live in a great country or what? Today is Monday, August 17, 2026, and I have been busy getting ready to get ready to make progress in my 81st year. Humbled is not even a good word to express how I feel about the responses, wishes, and greetings I have received in recognition of my 80th birthday. The family bought me the gift I asked for. It's a recumbent exercise bike. It's one of those made for senior adults. That would be me. My beautiful wife, the wife of my youth since December, 1964, did a remarkable job putting together a recognition celebration this past Saturday. She has been on a whirlwind of activity, not only getting everything ready for the birthday, but also all of the above and more. Now she moves on to a surgical procedure scheduled for early tomorrow morning. She will be undergoing surgery to deal with a hiatal hernia and the repair of some other esophageal issues. Perhaps she will get some really good rest when they administer the anesthesia. Ha! I will do my best to make sure she follows the doctor's orders. I will try. As they say, I will have to get up early and stay up late if I am to succeed in that endeavor. Ha! Yesterday, on Sunday morning, we both were dressed and in the process of leaving for Church when our Jimmy suffered a major, extended seizure. The fire department came, the EMT squad showed up, and even the police came and checked on what was going on. The wife accompanied him to the ER, and I went on to Church, met my dear sister JoAnn and her bosom friend Barbara there, where we enjoyed a great time of Bible study, worship, and hearing the word of God preached. Afterwards, we enjoyed a great meal where we laughed and talked for an hour. Judge Wayne Mack stopped by to say hello. He and his family have been attending our services, and we exchanged sweet fellowship. When I asked for the check, the young man told us our meal had been paid for by Judge Mack in recognition of my 80th birthday. What a surprise, and I felt ever so grateful. Our Jimmy was admitted to the hospital and is currently undergoing a lot of tests at this time. Please include him in your prayers. 

 

Thinking about pursuing 81, I heard an obscure country singer doing a song entitled "Time Keeps Whittling on Me". I couldn't locate the lyrics, but they pretty well spell out how time does exactly that, whittling away. Not familiar with whittling? Whittling is the process of shaping wood by shaving small thin slices or slivers from it with a knife. The metaphor would make me the wood and time the knife. I'm sure you are glad I cleared that up. Right? The other day we had a problem with our air conditioning unit, specifically the water draining system. It was leaking water into our downstairs bathroom. I am not a technician, but I do know that when this happens, it's not good. Our son Jimmy and I tried a few things, but we were not able to fix the problem. Finally, I decided to get closer to the issue. I got up into the attic and began to negotiate my way over the AC unit, the ducting, and several other obstacles. These required some contortionist moves that I tried but failed to produce. The bottom line: Time Keeps Whittling on Me. I've had a wee bit of trouble walking since that little episode. We called in the experts, and they fixed the problem. They did. They really did. Another lesson learned. I am not an acrobat. Not even close. The old Hee Haw cliché applies: "Doctor, it hurts when I do this. Well, don't do it." Please say a prayer for the wife's surgery that all will go well, and for our son Jimmy, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

“The advantage to being eighty years old is that one has had many people to love.” – Jean Renoir (French Film Director B 1894-1979)

Good morning. Welcome to the continuing saga where yours truly gets to share all the news he sees fit to print. (All the News Fit to Print was at one time a trustworthy label carried by the New York Times. Trust me, that is no longer the case.) We find ourselves celebrating another day on God's created sphere called Earth. This particular day is Friday, August 14, 2026. As many of you know, God providing, I will be celebrating my 80th trip around the sun this coming Sunday. That's 960 months; four-fifths of a century; 29,220 days; fourscore; and here in the United States, I join that 4% Club representing the number of Americans who are 80 and older. When you see me, it will not be necessary to refer to me as Mr. Octogenarian or make reference to me reaching the Big 8-0. You can also skip reminding me that my birthday coincides with the day Elvis left the building for the last time. You may remember that noteworthy greeting I received when I arrived home from work back on August 16, 1977, from our 6-year-old: "Daddy, Daddy, the king is dead, the king is dead." Under my breath, I whispered, Happy Birthday to me. Let me just say this about this milestone: God has been way better to me than I have been to Him. I admit I have been musing over reaching this threshold for some time now. It seems that every time I think about it, I am reminded of a song written by the late, great, singer/songwriter, Rusty Goodman:

 

Who Am I?

 

When I think of how He came so far from glory
Came and dwelt among the lowly such as I
To suffer shame and such disgrace
On Mount Calvary take my place
Then I ask myself this question, "Who am I?"

 

Who am I that the King would bleed and die for?
Who am I that He would pray, "Not my will, Thine" for?
The answer I may never know, why He ever loved me so
To an old rugged cross He would go, for who am I?

 

When I'm reminded of His words, "I'll leave you never
If you'll be true, I'll give to you life forever"
I know there's nothing that I could have done
To deserve God's only Son
To fight my battles until they're won, who am I?

 

Who am I that the King would bleed and die for?
Who am I that He would pray, "Not my will, Thine" for?
The answer I may never know, why He ever loved me so
To an old rugged cross He would go, for who am I?

 

 

I am thankful for the family I was raised in and all my folks that made a difference in my life. I owe a debt of gratitude to all those who have helped me along my way, also many I have worked for, and with, and so many others God put in my path, including more than I could number of dear brothers and sisters in Christ. I also thank those who travel with me in support of my blogging activity. Thanks to the dear wife of my youth and the rest of my family, near and far. The most important thanks go to God, period; that's my story, and as best I can I plan to stick to it. Amen and Amen.

Psalm 71:18-19 ~ From the English Standard Version ~ "So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?"

I saw a funny about old people that said they shouldn't be messed with because, at their age, prison is no longer a deterrent. Then there's the one where the wife tells the husband how he had promised to spend his whole life making her happy. His response was that he had never intended to live as long as he had. I will tell you this. Those jokes once rang a bell for someone other than me. Not anymore! It's Thursday, August 13, 2026, and I welcome each one. Yesterday, the wife and I did our version of over the hills and through the woods to arrive at a medical facility in Houston's downtown medical center. We timed it just right so we could play bumper cars during the early morning rush. We had a bad start to our journey when the access lane to the freeway was shut down, causing us to lose about 30 minutes before we even left our home area. Don't tell me old people can't feel a wee bit of road rage. My co-pilot kept me well informed numerous times about how close we were to crashing. Some of her warnings were very easy to hear, if you know what I mean, Vern. We finally got there. She had some tests that required us to be there for some five hours. During our stay, we, like Yogi Berra, observed a lot just by watching. Really old people were there. Elderly husbands were pushing the wheelchairs for their elderly wives. Elderly wives were pushing the wheelchairs for their elderly husbands. On more than one occasion, we looked at each other and said, "There we go." The trip back home was just as eventful as our journey there. I thought about how blessed we are to now be the ones I used to wonder why they had been let out to drive. We were pretty exhausted after our interesting day there and back. We were. We really were. But you just never get over the realization that God goes with you wherever you are. It's a good feeling, folks. It is. It really is. Amen.

 

I suppose, at my age, I am no longer asked what I want to be when I grow up. However, I have learned how growing up is a lifelong endeavor. The Apostle Paul was inspired to give his personal testimony regarding his journey for the Lord. In his letter penned to the local assembly meeting in Philippi, Greece, here is what he said, "I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." (Philippians Chapter 3, Verses 12-14, from the New Living Translation) Here's my take. We may retire from our secular work, but our pursuit of what we desire to be when we grow up in the Lord continues until we leave this life to live forever in His presence. The children's song written by Joel Hemphill says it best:

 

He's still working on me
To make me what I need to be
It took him just a week to make the moon and stars
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars
How loving and patient He must be
'Cause He's still workin' on me

 

If you're still breathing air here on the planet, He's still working on you and me too. Have a great rest of the day and remember to give God all the glory. Amen. 

NET Bible ~ 1st John Chapter 3, Verse 2: "Dear friends, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that whenever it is revealed we will be like him, because we will see him just as he is."

It's Wonderful Wednesday, and as I understand it, it began shortly after midnight yesterday. Ha! Regardless, it is the day the Lord has given to us; therefore, let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm118:24) And in our world it's counted as August 12, 2026. I thought about using the proverbial "I'm okay, you're okay" moniker, but that likely doesn't account for all the different situations folks deal with. I will tell you this. When I am in my right position of knowing exactly my relationship with Almighty God, I can very much identify with the sentiment of an old Southern Gospel quartet song that says, "I've got the Lord, and that's enough, that's enough, that's enough for me!" Notice I said when I am in the right position. Confession time. I am not always in the right position. Even when I am not where I should be, He remains faithful to His own. In fact, no one, including me, myself, and I, can change the new identity I received when I called on the name of the Lord to save me. Jesus made this clear. John 10:28-29 "...and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish—ever; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand." (As rendered in the Legacy Standard Bible, LSB.) This gives me confidence. Not confidence in me. That would be laughable. Confidence in Him, and Him alone. I can remember things spoken by my folks over the years. Many have gone on to their reward, but I still remember. As I was writing this today, I remembered something my mom said many times: "Son, I just don't know how people make it without Jesus." My response to that sentiment as I near the eight-decade mark is, "I don't either."

 

I do like to tell funny stories, mostly about myself. Why? That seems to be the safest approach in our world since it is ever so hypersensitive. Funny stories can be very embarrassing. I am vertically challenged. Some call it short. I remember one time getting on the elevator at the company where I worked. It was a little crowded, but this very attractive lady standing in the back blurted out, "Well look at you, it's so good to see you again." My countenance changed, and I was about to give her my response when the taller fellow who had pushed in behind me said rather loudly, "Yeah, it's good to see you too." I didn't have a mirror, but I imagine my face looked all potted meat and purple. That was a very long time ago, but because of the mistaken identity and the overload of embarrassment, I do still remember. I wouldn't doubt that it may have happened around the time the song came out saying short people have no reason to live. ('Short People' written and sung by Randy Newman, 1977) I used to measure 5 feet, 7 inches tall; however, the home health folks informed me that I am not so slowly shrinking. I wondered why my pants legs were getting longer. Ha! As you can readily see, it doesn't bother me, not in the least, no, not at all. You did hear me right, not at all. I thought that might brighten someone's day, especially all you taller people. God does love us where we are, but He doesn't intend for us to stay there. While I am almost certain not to grow any taller in the physical realm, we all, those who are God's very own children, have every opportunity to grow spiritually taller and also stronger up and until we draw our last breath. That's what He wants us to do. He does. He really does. Amen.

"Hymns are like a spiritual language that transcends time and space, allowing us to communicate with God in a unique and profound way." - Unknown

Today. It is Tuesday, August 11, 2026. I pray all are well as we continue our journey together on the planet. We had the Southern Gospel Group, Greater Vision, with us at our local fellowship of believers this past Sunday evening. We have hosted many different singing groups over the years. Have you ever noticed the difference between those who are great entertainers versus those who seem to communicate God's voice right smack into your hearing heart? That's how I felt when Greater Vision sang. It was much more than a concert. Don't get me wrong. The music was great, the vocals wonderful, but the lyrics were both heart- and gut-wrenching, many of them written by the very performers on the platform. It was a very special evening. Maybe it was because I needed to hear what they had set to music? Fair enough. I will say this about that. We, in our home, probably watch and listen to more religious music reflecting many different genres than most. That doesn't make me an expert, but it does mean I know when God speaks through the medium of lyrics and music. I do. I really do. I mentioned before the impact that the 34th Psalm set to music and sung by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir has had on my life. It's on YouTube. I dare you to, no, I double dog dare you to look that song up and see what it will do in your life. One of the principal singers on that recording is Durell Comedy. He has sung that song at our local fellowship. I met him, gave him a hug, and I told him what that one song has meant in my life. That song has been viewed and listened to by millions. It has. It really has. Durell is currently the worship pastor at one of our very large sister churches here in our area. I think I wrote about this for a reason. Entertainment versus God-honoring lyrics that Holy Spirit God prompts the heart to respond. I report. I decide. And you can join me if you would like. Ha! (To be clear: Professional Southern Gospel singers are typically paid for their appearances, and it usually is their full-time jobs.)

 

I didn't check with the grammar czar regarding my tone in that first paragraph. I actually do worry about coming across too preachy. At the same time, let me be honest. I don't envy anyone who analyzes almost anything I have produced. I mostly am happy when it finds its way onto the electronic page. I do obsess over it at times, and like the other day when I used a Bible verse out of context, it actually bugged me until I could correct it in the next edition.  I well remember seeing a number of my essay papers with x's, circles, fact questions, and more notes than could be counted, all in red. One day I asked one of my instructors why that much corrective information had been scribbled all over my writing. She said something like this. Son, you have potential. Because you do, I want you to be the best you can be. That is why I spent that much time on your work. I know I have problems with run-on sentences, dangling participles, subject-verb errors- you name it, I'm probably guilty of it. I used to blame it on the Apostle Paul, who penned one sentence comprising between 207 and 257 words depending on the Greek text variant. (Ephesians Chapter 1, verses 3-14) Yeah. I know. His words were Holy Spirit God-inspired. Mine are not. You can quote me on that. Ha! May God add His blessings. Amen.

"Blocking childhood memories is a natural defense mechanism. The brain hides painful or scary events to help a child survive emotional overload. This process is also known as dissociative amnesia." ~ copied

Hello out there in never-never land, better known as the wonderful world wide web, the Network, or the internet. We all know it can be used for good, and it can also be a tool to advance all manner of evil. It is always my desire to share God-honoring and encouraging words during our daily time together. Today's edition is dated Monday, August 10, 2026. I read the other day that researchers have found that many of our most vivid memories turn out to be different than we had believed. Vivid. Memories. I've worn out my welcome talking about my own experiences regarding my memory issues, especially my earliest years. As best as I have been able to understand, this was caused by a blocking mechanism connected to the unexpected sudden death of my dad in January, 1954. I've always prided myself on having exceptional recall. But those early memories before age seven seem to be locked away, and thus far, no amount of probing has been able to unearth them. As I approach my 80th, I am seeing some age-related memory issues, but so far it is considered to be more or less in the normal range. Born in 1946, I've always thought there must be some pretty good stuff in the proverbial Al Gore Lockbox. (Dated reference: Look it up.) I am proud to say that I am getting closer each day to that glorious time when none of this concern will matter anymore. Meanwhile, I still find myself at times searching to uncover things from those lost years. They say on average most people can remember some things as early as age 2. Imagine the treasure trove I would have to write about if I could find that key. Ha!

 

I've heard my siblings talk some about their memories of those years, but my mom never wanted to relive those traumatic times; therefore, I'm left with bits and pieces, and none of them belong directly to me. I hear you. If that's the worst thing I can come up with, I must be in pretty good shape. I agree. But as they say, I'm just sharing. I can think of the very worst thing that could happen to anyone. That, my dear reader, is to leave this life without having put their trust in Jesus as Savior, guaranteeing an unending life with Him forever in eternity future. That's not all. Hell is real, and it is the destination of those who have not responded to the Cross, where Jesus paid for their sins. That would be the greatest of all tragedies, for anyone, period. If you read this writing wherever you happen to be, anywhere the internet carries this blog, you can avoid hell and gain heaven. You can. You really can. And, you can do it, now! Here are the simple truths that can change your destiny: Bad news, Romans 3:23: "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard." Even worse news, Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death...." Good news, Romans 5:8: "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."The best news of all, Romans 10:13: "For everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved." Reading these truths, if God the Holy Spirit is speaking to you, respond by doing exactly that: call on Him, ask Him to save you and change you. He listens to the heart, and it is a childlike response to Him who died for you. It is. It really is. I've been talking about remembering. The Bible tells us about a thief who was crucified alongside our Lord. In the Gospel record we read, "Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.' Jesus answered him, 'Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.'" Luke 23:42-43. (All Bible verses copied from the New Living Translation, NLT.) Okay. That's it for today. Don't forget to show up tomorrow, where, Lord willing, I will have even more stuff to throw onto the electronic page. Amen.