"Don't ever underestimate the importance of treating others with respect and kindness." ~ copied

Here we are, the last day of June, the 30th, in the year of our Lord, 2026, and, in our area we are already dealing with heat and humidity. We live in what is referred to as the Greater Houston Area and it encompasses some nine counties. We reside north of the big city in The Woodlands, TX area. Yes. It's already hot and whether that's seasonably so or unseasonably so pretty much depends on your political leanings and somehow that doesn't impress me as being very much weather related. I'm surprised that folks are surprised that it is hot here as we near the celebration of the 250th birthday coming up on this next Saturday, July 4th. I'm not saying the temperature doesn't have an impact because it does. It really does. It, along with just about any number of other things can bring on a bout of irritability. It can. It really can. Sadly, a whole lot of stuff can happen as a result and most of it is not good. Not good at all. We end up not only ruining our day but we can cause others to join the irritable brigade. The saddest of all is when this irritable spirit disguises our true identity as a Christ follower. We like to say we just got up on the wrong side of the bed, however, our attitudes, good or bad, make a difference in how our lives are pursued, and, they can even make a difference in others for time and eternity. Well, that's just the way I am. Really? Again, I have likely said that before, but, it's not good enough. Have you ever noticed how much more aggravated you get about how others are doing whatever it is they are doing, when your attitude is in the ditch? The one I know the best is also one that needs a lot of help, on any given day, but, recently I noticed how I was driving along as a team, me, myself, and I. "What y'all doing up there, practicing for a funeral procession?" "Do something, get back on your meds, just do something, already!" To the wife: "Are you seeing what I am seeing?" Her response: "They most likely have a good reason." Don't you just hate it when you hear stuff like that? Could it be God reminding us of who we are and the kind of attitude He wants us to show forth? (Maybe. After all, he did speak to the hireling prophet through a donkey. Book of Numbers, Chapter 22, Verses 21-39)

 

I heard a fellow at a conference one time talking about how he had decided to make an example of a young employee who had not performed well. In front of a large group he singled her out and berated her for not doing better. Her response? She, right there in front of God and everyone, started sobbing. I mean bawling her eyes out. She was humiliated and distraught. The man said it hit him like a ton of bricks. Who did he think he was to inflict this kind of degrading experience upon that young woman? What did he do? He said he apologized to her and to the entire group he had assembled and begged hers and their forgiveness for being so insensitive and cruel. May I just say this about that. It was much better than an attitude that says, "Well, after all is said and one, they deserved it." Okay. They did and we did and we do. Had it not been for the One described in the Dottie Rambo song, "He looked beyond my fault and saw my need." Okay. I mention that testimonial from that fellow because I saw him early on in my managing of people days, and, it did me a lot of good. You know what's even better? We have a Book filled up with God ordained and inspired directions on how to live out the life He has given to us. And, when we yield to His Spirit, we can go forth and put our best foot forward. I may have to change the title of my blog to the 'Daily Dose', but, I actually think that one is taken. Ha! Final word, and, it will help us all: May we find ourselves on this day praying one for another. Amen.

Ronald Reagan: "I never drink coffee at lunch. I find it keeps me awake for the afternoon."

Welcome back. Today is Monday, June 29, 2026, and, I wanted to say a few words about one of my favorite subjects of all time: Coffee! My long term readers recognize how I have written essay-like blogs, dozens of them, on this subject. Why? It is a part of my heritage and I admit to one and all, it is something I flat out enjoy, typically, three or four cups per day. That Community label is important but more about that later. Most of the folks in my family were coffee drinkers. Real coffee. To my knowledge, none of those I saw or were around ever drank any of the specialty coffee drinks available today. I found reported how the first one of the shops featuring those types of coffee drinks opened out in California in 1966. We did have a few that put sugar in, or sugar and cream, or cream only, but, for the most part nearly all of our folks drank it black. After my dad passed away in 1954, we moved from Texas to Louisiana and my grandfather, Paw Paw Mac, became a role model to us children. He was a man of few words but he lived his life out in the open, committed to his God and his family. And, to his coffee. The closest to coffee we were able to get growing up was what they called milk coffee. It had sugar in it and had we called it a latte we may have all been rich today. Ha! I did often observe my granddad as he poured up his cup. It came out slow because it was black as black could be with some thickness to it. Early in the morning his Depression Era experience kicked in as he would drain the left over cold from the previous day. He grimaced a little as he drank it but wasting it was not an option. I used to think I would have never imagined me doing that same thing, but, alas, I find myself drinking left over cold from wherever I find one of my cups that still has some in it. My point? We do have a heritage and it includes coffee. I drink Louisiana coffee bean roasted, family owned Community. My folks drank it and I do too. Life is too short to do what we did when we were a young married couple where we bought whatever was on sale regardless of the brand. No. I may do that again some day, but, for now, I have a case delivered to my front door about every three weeks. Too much? Way too much, but, I don't find it to make me the least bit edgy, edgy, edgy, or edgy. 

 

I'm not into the specialty coffee world, and, I would likely wear a disguise to go into one of those places. Back when I was walking the mall very early in the morning I did have one of those places where the folks there were kind to me. One fellow in particular would actually grind beans and make me a strong cup. He made it extra strong for me and often wouldn't charge me for it. I suppose it was my age, but, I appreciated it. I also went in once on behalf of my grandson who wanted one of those fruit smoothie concoctions. I held my head down as best I could for fear someone would see me there and grimaced a little as I paid an outrageous price for a strawberry-something frozen drink. Okay. The thing that prompted me to write on today's featured subject is the novelty gift my eldest son gave me for Father's Day. It is a rechargeable battery operated heated coffee cup. It is. It really is. This means when I brew coffee into this cup it will keep it somewhere around 150 degrees °F to the last drop. Now that is exciting. Don't you agree? I do enjoy my coffee hot and strong, I also like my food to be hot, but, I will write about that on another day. I do realize the marketplace reality and how Community now features dozens of different flavors for folks to choose from. It saddens me, but, they still produce the kind I like, therefore, I continue to support my birth state, Louisiana, and, the oldest and largest family owned coffee producer in America, the Community Coffee Company. Y'all have a wonderful rest of the day and may God add His blessings.Amen.

George Washington: "It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favors."

Okay. Today, I will do my best to not pontificate on my aches and pains, my older age, and other things related to those issues. Fair enough? After all, there's no crying in baseball. Right? Good morning and welcome. We made it to Friday, June 26, 2026. Yay! I highly recommend to anyone, anywhere, that on this upcoming Sunday, June 28, you will make your way to Mims Baptist Church, 1609 Porter Rd., Conroe, TX 77301, where there will be a presentation of a God honoring, country loving program that will make everyone appreciate God's blessings on our land. This program will be in both morning services, at 9:15 and 10:45 a.m. Then, a great time of fellowship on the Church property will begin at 5 p.m., Friday, July 3rd. There will be lots of special activities for all ages and food trucks for refreshments. Then, when it gets dark there will be a spectacular fireworks display commonly known as the largest in Montgomery County. The wife and I feel privileged to be singing in the choir on Sunday and here's the truth: Folks we are blessed to live in the United States of America, yes, with all of her flaws, all of her challenges, and, yes, even with all of the political divisions that exists, it is still by God's Provision, blessed beyond our ability to measure. Our response? Thanks be to God. Amen.

 

I asked our friend Google what the most famous written paragraph was in history. The first one that showed up in this one: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." That, of course, comes directly from the Declaration of Independence, 1776, penned predominately by Thomas Jefferson. The second was an excerpt from the 272 word Gettysburg Address written and delivered by President Abraham Lincoln, in 1863, where the national cemetery was officially dedicated. The third was one of the jewels from Charles Dickens, 1859, in his opening to what would become a classic, 'A Tale of Two Cities'. I'm happy the declaration is recognized because it clearly identifies the originator of the rights we enjoy as citizens, The Creator, Almighty God. Yeah, I am fully aware of critics throughout our history and how they have attempted to find ways to nullify the meaning of this statement. However, as we like to say here in the South, "It it what it is!" May we all join together in making the days leading up to the official 4th of July, days of thankfulness to God for His provision for our nation. I will do my best to do exactly that. What say you? Until next time, Lord willing, I will see you from here at the ole blogger ranch. May God bless each one. Amen.

Working on my 'pain' vocabulary: Aching-Cramping-Fearful-Gnawing-Heavy-Hot-Burning-Sharp-Shooting-Sickening-Splitting-Stabbing-Punishing-Cruel-Tender-Throbbing-Tiring, and Exhausting!

Not our choir, used for illustration only.

Here we go again. Old people on the move. Ha! Today, Thursday, June 25, 2026, our old people choir, (Legacy Choir, if you will.), will be singing some patriotic tunes at two of the large hospitals here in this area. Instead of turning chairs, we hope we will see folks pausing to reflect on the profound blessings we enjoy as Americans, including some of those busy professionals wearing white coats. But, first things first. Early this morning, I return to the torture chamber for an hour's worth of pain and suffering. I tried to think up a nickname for the very physical pleasant therapist who manages the mechanisms and instruments of cruelty. Yes. I know. That is a beyond the pale description. (The English Pale (Ireland): A fortified area in medieval Ireland directly under the control of the English Crown. Venturing "beyond the pale" meant stepping outside the protection of English law into uncontrolled, unpredictable territory.) But, I did put it that way intentionally to make my point. You can make up a song about 'no pain, no gain', but, so far I'm not buying it. And, lest you get the wrong idea, I do greatly appreciate the young lady who has spent seven years of her life preparing to make old people like me be as miserable as possible. Why? Their plan typically works and progress wins the day. Need I open the envelope and read what my profile says: I am not typical. Back to the nickname. She's not a bully per se because she always speaks is very encouraging and soothing terms. Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I said earlier and she continues to wear me down with her constant question, "Does that make sense?" I've participated in a number of active listening courses during my managing people years, and questioning is a major part of getting buy in, but, repetition just doesn't do it for my not typical self. Are you with me? Sorry. I couldn't resist. Okay. I'll go with this one, but it's a working name in progress, and, it's just between us: Madam Diabolical. Ha!

 

I have written stuff in the past tongue in cheek that some of my wonderful readers took literally.  ( "Tongue in cheek" is an idiom that describes a statement or action that is humorous, sarcastic, or insincere, but is delivered with a completely serious expression. It is meant to be understood as a joke rather than taken literally, often relying on irony or exaggeration.) This means I'm certainly not trying to give this young woman a bad rap or a negative review. Not at all. I tell her all the time, she has seven years to prove she knows what she is doing and I have only that stupid chart on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being unbearable pain, what level are you now? I often refuse to try and rate my pain. I might just take the chart above with me and we can read it together. Ha! Here's the rub. Figuratively, and, literally: I need some strong medication or perhaps anesthesia in order to continue the current physical therapy regimen. However, they don't like giving old people the really good stuff because we might fall. The song puts it this way:

 

Tomorrow, tomorrow!
I love ya tomorrow!
You're always
A day
Away!

 

Lord willing and I am able, that's when I visit my orthopedic who is a week late in helping me, or, that's the way I see it. Again, Ha! Y'all have a blessed day and may God add His blessings. Amen. 

AARP: "Side sleeping for older adults can cause severe joint and hip pain from uneven pressure, and put a strain on the heart—especially for those with congestive heart failure who may experience breathing difficulties on the left side. It also promotes facial aging and sleep wrinkles."

Hello and welcome to my own version of looking for intelligent life. Just joking. I was trying to use that particular concept as an opening really for no good reason. Just because. It is Wednesday, June 24, 2026, and, I do hope you and yours are well, engaged in the life God has given to you, and actively thanking Him for His provisions. I heard about an old timer who represented the bestowed blessings of God in this way in his prayer: Thank you Lord for all the blessings you have stowed us up with. And, I say, Amen to that sentiment. What say you? I was explaining some of my achy breaky pains to our youngest, Rodney, when he came to visit on Fathers Day. His response was a wee bit chilling. "But dad, surely you should expect to have some issues at your age. You know, you may need to have those hips replaced or maybe even a knee." He went on to recount some older folks who have undergone those types of procedures. I was already aware those remedies were available but they are reserved for those who need them. Surely, that would not be me. Right? I actually prefer not to even think about thinking about those fixes to my current problems. As I sit in my steno chair up in my office at the ole blogger ranch, my thought is this: No thank you. I remember one of the doctors told me a number of years ago that to take the pressure off of my hips I needed to learn to sleep on my back. I told him I was a long term dedicated side sleeper in the fetal position. His response was rather blunt: "Okay, then keep on hurting." He may have missed the day they covered bedside manner, however, I clearly understood what he was saying. I did. I really did. And, yes, I still sleep on my side. 

 

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I did try to learn to sleep on my back. And, I did actually achieve sleep that way, but, it wasn't the kind of sleep I needed. Now, when I fall asleep in my recliner, I am told, too often if you ask me, that I can sleep sitting up with my head on my chest and my mouth wide open. They tell me it is not a pretty picture and they often check on me to see if I am still alive. I would share a photo since they seem to enjoy making them of me in that position, however, I will spare you the shock and me the embarrassment. While we are on the subject, here is an explanation from the Sleep Foundation: The fetal position—sleeping on your side with knees drawn toward your chest—is the most popular sleep position, favored by over 40% of adults. It is widely considered a 'natural' and comforting posture because it mimics the security of the womb." So there you have it, another tip toe through the maize of difficulties experienced in the sojourn of yours truly. You likely have a different set of issues and the solutions you have discovered. Each of us is unique, but, some of us seem to be more so than required to make it on our journey here. I'm just messing around because the sum total is how little I have to complain about, therefore, take it all with a grain of salt. Okay? And, I know inquiring minds are interested in knowing about that figure of speech, so, here is what Wikipedia says: "While the exact origin is debated, many historians point to the writings of Pliny the Elder in 77 A.D. In his Naturalis Historia, he recorded a recipe for an antidote to poison that required the mixture to be taken "with a grain of salt," suggesting that the addition would protect the person and render the poison less harmful. Over time, this evolved into the figurative idea that adding a little bit of "salt" helps you swallow or process information that you might otherwise doubt." Now we know! Yay! May God add His blessings. Amen.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10: "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up."

I was in a hurry this morning. Our local, called-out assembly, (Mims Baptist Church), scheduled a men's Bible Study on the letter to The Ephesians, a chapter each week, and we meet between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. Therefore, that was a big To-Do for me as I embraced this brand new day, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. We started this study week before last and that first one was very informative and the 30 minutes allotted to discussion was really a barn burner. I mean we had some really vocal guys at our table, present company included. Let's just say we had the iron sharpening iron going on. You know. The image I conjure up is using a iron whetstone to sharpen a knife. The more you rub and hone in on the object being sharpened, it is the sharper that object becomes. That concept is mentioned in the Proverbs, Chapter 27, Verse 17. Here is how the Amplified Bible presents this verse: "As iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion]." You've probably heard that verse quoted often related to spiritual men's conferences or other similar men's gatherings. Now you know why they use that terminology: iron sharpening iron. And, I quickly add, sometimes I don't always realize how dull I am until the light gets turned on during our discussions of the truths from God's Word. In that first session I saw many dragging in very sleepy eyed, but, they left with a fresh sense of how God communicates what we need, individually especially, and collectively as well, and that makes for time well spent. It does. It really does.

 

Solomon writing with Spiritual insight from Above.

I did want to mention what a great Fathers Day I enjoyed this past Sunday. Our eldest and his bride were out of the country at a resort in Mexico all last week celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. I know. You are thinking I look way too young to have a son celebrating that kind of milestone. What? You didn't think that at all. Okay. It would help if you could play along with me on these kinds of reports. I was young for a long time. Just bear with me here. I had a baby face all the way into my late twenties and early thirties. I hear you. That was then and this is now. We did have a friend who was prematurely gray. He was infuriated when they would offer him the senior discount especially when the rest of us were around to witness it. But, none of us get to the end of our sojourn without some wear and tear. And, I think you've heard some of my challenges in that arena. That ending passage penned by Solomon in the Book of Ecclesiastes never resonated so much with me until I experienced the full measure of what it means to grow older. It's worth our attention regardless of our age because the sooner we learn this truth, the better:

 

Ecclesiastes 12 ~ New Living Translation

1 Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.” 2 Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. 3 Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly.

4 Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint.

5 Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral.

6 Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. 7 For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.

8 “Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless.”

9 Keep this in mind: The Teacher was considered wise, and he taught the people everything he knew. He listened carefully to many proverbs, studying and classifying them. 10 The Teacher sought to find just the right words to express truths clearly.

11 The words of the wise are like cattle prods—painful but helpful. Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep.

12 But, my child, let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out.

13 That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.

 

Enough said and well worth our time. May God bless the reading of His Word. Amen. 

"...let us neither express nor cherish any hard feelings toward any citizen who by his vote has differed with us. Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in the bonds of fraternal feeling." ~Abraham Lincoln, 1860

Good morning and welcome to our visit today, this one landing on your electronic doorstep on this Monday, June 22, 2026. I get it. The current President who occupies the Oval Office and is the head of our elected government, he is a polarizing figure. At the same time, as we prepare to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the birth of our nation, the above recent polling result is very sad. Or, it is to me. I wasn't proud to see the sad manifestation of what happened to President Biden in decline during his most recent time in office. However, I never even thought of it in terms of whether I was proud to be an American. I am blessed to be an American. Every day of my life, I am blessed to wake up in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Yes, during the Biden administration, I see what happened as a form of elder abuse on the part of those who manipulated our highest office to establish unbelievably far leftist ideology that impacted our daily lives. That was sad to me, but, never would I give up my heart of loving the land that has been as President Reagan so elegantly said, "The city on the hill." President Trump has done his fair share in provoking much of the hostility he appears to enjoy. And, I for one, think he is on dangerous grounds regarding some of his god-like pronouncements he has made regarding Israel. At the same time folks, we are Americans, regardless of the platform we support. We are Americans. I think we all should be very unashamed to sing along with Lee Greenwood, in his testimonial song, 'God Bless the USA". When I saw that poll graphic my heart sank because just 20 years ago the same poll showed the numbers for Republicans and Democrats to be in the 90's in being proud to be an American. I know. God will have the final say and I trust Him to take care of it all in His own good time. Amen.

Well, I continue to see the mileposts as I near my next rest stop at Exit 80. (August birth date.) I mentioned last Friday how I was excited to be consulting the orthopedic specialist that afternoon. I did everything I knew how to make that happen. I got myself ready. I even brushed my teeth. Again. I made my way to the clinic. I arrived at the exact time recommended for me to show up. (Remember, showing up is very important.) There I was at the check-in center only to discover how I was a week early for my appointment. As Riley used to say, first on radio and then on TV, "What a revolting development this is!" Don't recognize that catchphrase, well, look it up because it does apply to my misadventure. Here's part of how the wheels really do begin to fall off the truck. I then attempted to act like it wasn't that much of a problem. The fellow at the desk was ever so kind. He first tried to see if they could work me in. No way. My doctor was already overbooked and running late. Then he attempted to see if I could get some lab work done while I was there. No way. I have some tests pending but they were not schedule-ready at that time. Finally, he gave me that third grade teacher look that said maybe I should come back next Friday, and try again. Oh well, that's not the first time I've done my own version of stupid pet tricks and it most likely will not be the last. Now, I have the countdown to my next physical therapy session next Thursday morning and I will again be doing it without any shots in my hips and just so you know, I am already experiencing pre-pain as a down payment. Ha! You what? You will continue praying for me because it's obvious I need it? Good call. Keep it up, for me, for yourself, for others, and for our great United States of America. Amen.  

George Washington, 1st U.S. President: "While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian."

Whew! I'm glad that's over. All tuckered out. Already? Yeah, just back from the physical therapy appointment and to say it kindly, I hurt all over more than anywhere else. It's Friday, June 19, 2026, and, I am thankful to have survived and I am thankful to live in this country. What say you? After our patriotic music presentation at the care home for elderly people, we all went and greeted those who had gathered to hear us sing. One lady I spoke to held my hand and I said to her, "God bless you." And, then, I said, "And, God bless America." Upon that last greeting she lay hold of my hand and squeezed it as hard as she could. Here's my explanation: She, like many of us, are pretty well done in our time to enjoy the blessings of freedom and liberty, yet, we know if our offspring and theirs are going to enjoy the same, God will have to make it happen. He will. He really will. The world thinks if they can only find the right leader or the right political platform or all kinds of idealistic programs, but, without God all of any of those things are doomed to fail. Seek God today, tomorrow, and as long as we have breath in our bodies on behalf of this great nation He has allowed us to live in and to enjoy its blessings. Amen.

 

I did give the lady therapist an idea of how well our time together is going. Before meeting her I was in pain most of the time. Most. Since our time together started I now experience pain 24x7. That's why this afternoon I will be seeing the orthopedic to see if he can order up some shots to help this situation. The lady therapist said the last thing they wanted to do was to add to my pain levels. Hello somebody! I can hear some of you now, loud and clear, "Bless your heart." Thanks and I hope you mean it because many times that's what we say in the South whenever we really don't follow or agree with their particular circumstance. They worked me so hard today I felt like I had been rode hard and put away wet. I'll let you look up that colloquial idiom to get the complete meaning, but, if you don't have time I'll use this one: I feel like a bunch of thugs jumped out of a car and beat on me with baseball bats on my legs and hips. Got it? Good. You do know I am exaggerating some. Slightly. Y'all enjoy your Friday and Saturday, while you get ready to do business with Creator God by showing up at the place where believers gather to worship Him and learn more from His Holy Word. Amen.

"The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again." ~ Charles Dickens

Good morning and welcome. Today is Thursday, June 18, 2026, and, as is often said, time is getting away from us, and, it is, it really is. Thanks for praying for our Jimmy. After observation they released him to come home for more observation. Their theory is he had some type of reaction to one of the handful of pills he has to take each day just to keep him going. This is not a completely new outcome for us, but, we are thankful it was not a more serious diagnosis. Today I am remembering my brother Donald who passed away 15 years ago. He was two years younger than me and he was an interesting kid growing up. I think the word unconventional might be the best way to describe him. Or, perhaps nonconformist. At any rate, he typically lived out his time in Donald-world. He loved his jet black dog, Lobo, from the get go. He loved fishing. With a passion. We had a little creek about maybe a half mile away from our home and he would go nearly every day, rain, sleet, or snow, as they say. He would go into the field behind our house and dig him up a few earthworms and take his pole, line, and hook and head off along with his little dog Lobo, to the creek bank, Brushy Creek to be exact. Granny Mac might holler out, "Son, look out for snakes!" He would just laugh. He grew up calling things like he saw them. Our little Church had more hypocrites than you could shake a stick at. It did. It really did. The kind that sat in the Deacon's Corner on Sunday and would take advantage of a widow or elderly person on Monday. Donald would call that out and poke fun at the obvious disconnect. When he graduated from high school, at age 17, he had mom sign for him to go into the Marine Corp. He spent the next twenty years serving our country and much of that time was spent preparing young recruits serving as a drill instructor. After retirement, he worked in a high school ROTC program and also as a manager for a trucking firm. He loved Gospel music and he would often assure our mom that he was ready to meet God. I was able to be with him quite often during his last days here on the planet. He was across the Houston metroplex from me, but, I was the closest family member to him. I am thankful that I was able to pray over him along with my sister and a few others as he departed this life for the next. I also felt very privileged to present the Word of God at his home going service. Unique. That's another word to describe him, almost, from the time he was born. May God comfort all of his children and grandchildren as they remember him today. Amen.

 

Lord willing, this afternoon our old people's singing group, officially call the Legacy Choir, will be presenting some patriotic tunes at one of the nursing homes in our area. The name nursing home often causes people to envision in a negative way a place of neglect and isolation. Because of this, the elderly care business has attempted to present names that tell a different story. A consultancy has these name considerations to help the image of this particular care business: Serene Embrace Senior Living; Graceful Guidance Care Center; Compassion Cove Assisted Living; Caring Whisper Residence; Patient Pulse Senior Sanctuary; Tender Harbor Retirement Haven; Loving Kindness Rest Home; Empathy Elder Cottages; Gentle Grove Senior Retreat; Endearing Echo Care Community; Harmony Haven Elderly Care; and, I kid you not, the list went on and on, and on. I just hope they don't treat me like they have in the past. You know. "Sir, aren't you supposed to be in your room right now. It will soon be time for your meds." Okay. That's a joke, but, for those in my age bracket I will tell you it is one that we all can identify with and even laugh about, albeit nervously. I look forward to ministering to these folks. I know they appreciate any and all opportunities to have contact with, let's just say it like this: The outside world. May God bless us as we seek to minister in His name in and through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

"There is nothing God doesn't know about your life. You may know the past and present, but God also knows the future. Choose today to walk securely - not in what you know, but in what you believe." ~ Dr. David Jeremiah

Folks, I've said it before and while it may be a 'duh' comment, it's still true: We never know what a day might bring. Today, it is Wednesday, June 17, 2026, and, we have been up pretty much the entire day already. Our Jimmy is back in the hospital after suffering some seizure-like symptoms. The wife carried him to the ER around 1 a.m. this morning and we do appreciate prayers on his behalf. To be honest, we had many other plans for our day but we are trusting God to help us to deal with whatever comes our way. We have so many of our dear friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as family members, who are needing a special touch from Above. They do. They really do. On any given day, literally, my social media feed is filled up with folks seeking God's intervention. That tells me we are a needy people and as the song says, Jesus is right for whatever wrong in your life. He is. He really is. The truth remains the truth regardless of what you or I might be experiencing in this life. God is in control. He is on His throne. And, we can trust Him to see us through. I well remember a young man, having recently lost his beloved father, as he came to the platform and he presented this song:

 

Bow the Knee ~ Songwriters: Mike Harland /Christopher Machen

 

There are moments on our journey following the Lord
Where God illumines every step we take
There are times when circumstances make perfect sense to us
As we try to understand each move, He makes
When the path grows dim and our questions have no answers, turn to Him

 

Bow the knee
Trust the heart of your Father when the answer goes beyond what you can see
Bow the knee
Lift your eyes toward heaven and believe the One who holds eternity
And when you don't understand the purpose of His plan
In the presence of the King, bow the knee

 

There are days when clouds surround us, and the rain begins to fall
The cold and lonely winds won't cease to blow
And there seems to be no reason for the suffering we feel
We are tempted to believe God does not know
When the storms arise, don't forget, we live by faith and not by sight

 

Bow the knee
Trust the heart of your Father when the answer goes beyond what you can see
Bow the knee
Lift your eyes toward heaven and believe the One who holds eternity
And when you don't understand the purpose of His plan
In the presence of the King

 

Bow the knee
Trust the heart of your Father when the answer goes beyond what you can see
Bow the knee
Lift your eyes toward heaven and believe the One who holds eternity
And when you don't understand the purpose of His plan
In the presence of the King

 

Bow the knee
Bow the knee
Bow the knee
Bow the knee

 

 

His voice shook some as he shared this testimony from his grief supplanted by his belief. Our family has been through many difficulties that were often called tragedies and I can tell any and all what I have learned: When it seems there is no way, God is still the only answer. He is. He really is. I've been told by onlookers who say we just find a way to inject God into every challenge. They were so right. We do, and, I hasten to add we should do it as a normal part of our living out each and every day. We should. We really should. Do I always do that? You talking to me? I do not, but, that doesn't change how I should, you should, we all should be seeking God's hand in every breath we take. Okay. I, more or less, threw this together and you may have heard the statement that a person who represents themselves in court as a fool for a lawyer, well, I quickly add that a person who proofreads is own material has a fool for a proofreader. Or, something like that. Y'all have a great rest of today and may God add His blessings. Amen.

"Distractions in church services are common and can stem from several sources, ranging from modern technology like cell phones and digital glowing screens to situational factors such as latecomers, wandering children, excessive noise, or even erratic crowd movements." ~ copied

I get it. Yesterday's twenty Bible verses made it longer than most days, HOWEVER, those verses give hope and they give life, therefore, those twenty verses are worth all the time necessary to read them, take them into our hearts, and to then meditate on them as we go about our living the life God has given to us. That's why I will not make any apologies or excuses whenever I include God's breathed out truths. Are we clear on it now? Just messing with you, even though it's the truth, on this Tuesday, June 16, 2026. I am aware how we have mutilated our attention spans in these media saturated days. We have. Me too! The man of God climbs into the pulpit and announces how he feels led to read a long passage. The response might include a few 'amens' but underneath there is a shifting of individual tectonic plates as the groans can be heard far and wide. I know. People don't have tectonic plates. It's an illustration. Okay? Why do we knee jerk respond like that to the presentation and reading of God's Word? First of all, even as believers our old man nature, (Ephesians 4:22), is still there to wreck anything spiritual. Secondly, the deceiver of this world, he doesn't want us to grow in the grace and knowledge or our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, (2nd Peter 3:18). Lastly, we have our minds on other things. If we are dealing with anything on the electronic screen, our average attention span drops to an average of 40 seconds or less. Me too! A few years ago a wonderful church-lady spoke to me about our services and she said this: "I don't like it when the worship pastor reads from the Bible. We hired him to do the music and reading the Bible is the senior pastor's job." I rest my case, your case, all our cases, and, I recommend we seek God's help today. Now would be a good time. It would. It really would. 

 

Yes. I am aware there are those who are not very good at reading period, much less, God's Holy Word. I recall something I read about the respected man of God, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, (1834-1892). He had a seminary for would be preachers in the Church he pastored. He had a strong viewpoint about his students learning to read well from The Scriptures. He believed God's Word was what people needed to hear from the pulpit, therefore, for those who were poor readers, they were to receive special attention in order for them to clearly present the truths from The Bible. That's not so much of a problem in today's world. While we may want to find excuses for not paying attention to the hearing of God's Word, the problem is mostly much closer than we would like to admit. Yes. I know. I use it perhaps way too much but as our pastor likes to say, "If the shoe fits buy a pair in every color." The saying I'm talking about is this one from the song that was first published in 1925 in the Book of American Negro Spirituals: "Not my brother, Not my sister, but, it's me oh Lord standing in the need of prayer." I can tell you this, by experience, my friend: With God's help that's one excuse we can do something about: me, myself, and I. Amen.

"I finally got eight hours of sleep. It took me three days but whatever." — Unknown

Hello everybody and welcome back to this episode of the long running series which at times has been summed up as, "Really?" Thanks for showing up on this Monday, June 15, 2026. I am a little late climbing the stairs today because I accompanied the wife of my youth for her CPAP breathing apparatus fitting. They have made quite a few improvements since I was fitted for mine around 10 years ago. She essentially got a brand new Cadillac Escalade and I believe the one they gave me had to have been a used 1960's VW. Ha! The technician said I was due a new unit if I needed one. That caused me to think some. If I get a new one and I use it as much as I do the old one, well, I might not want to create any waves. Just saying. However, here's where I am coming from. I need to use one. I do. I really do. However, I need it to be 100% without any requirement on my part. I'm not trying to be difficult. I am expressing my need here. So, please be kind. I need one that pretty much does everything it should do without me having to do anything. Period. Nothing. Zero. You say they don't work that way even with the newer models, and, I say, why not? Surely there's a market for people like myself. You what? You hope not. I asked for understanding and kindness. All those face fitting adjustments and having to sleep a certain way, come on, man! At any rate, the wife should see some good results because she is much better at following instructions than I am. I did learn a few things from the technician working with her. For instance, the unit and its components need to be cleaned weekly. I didn't know that. I was following my own instinct. You know when the distilled water container turned green I knew it should be rinsed out. Ha! The way he described the weekly cleaning protocol, well, it's enough to keep one awake at night. Know what I mean? Good!

 

And, I quickly add how I am not poking fun at those who are helped to get much needed rest while sleeping. I was just laughing out loud, mostly at myself. I do that. A lot. In fact, the older I get it is the more material I find right here in my own skin. I share some of it, but, if I were to reveal much more, well, you would think I most likely need professional help. And, you would be very much correct in that assessment. I do need help. I need help every second of every minute of my time here on the planet. In short, I need the Lord God of Heaven. What say you? Here are twenty random verses that pertain to God as our Helper:  Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." /Deuteronomy 33:26 "There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty." /Deuteronomy 33:29 "Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, the shield of your help, and the sword of your triumph! Your enemies shall come fawning to you, and you shall tread upon their backs." /2 Chronicles 14:11 "And Asa cried to the Lord his God, 'O Lord, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O Lord, you are our God; let not man prevail against you.'" /Psalm 37:40 "The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him." /Psalm 40:17 "As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!" /Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." /Psalm 60:11 "Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man!" /Psalm 73:26 "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." /Psalm 118:7 "The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me." /Psalm 121:2 "My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." Psalm 124:8 "Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth." /Isaiah 41:13 "For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, 'Fear not, I am the one who helps you." /Zechariah 4:6 Then he said to me, 'This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.'" /John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." /Romans 8:31 "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" /1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." /Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." /Hebrews 13:5–6 "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'" /1 Peter 5:10 "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." (Quoted from the English Standard Version ESV) One thing I am sure of, the words I write may be fallible BUT those from the Word of God, the Bible, they are always infallible, always and forever. Amen.

"I prefer radio to TV because the pictures are better." - Alistair Cooke

New photo of my blog assistant.

We made it folks. We did. Give your self a round of applause because we made it to Friday, June 12, 2026. Those who have followed me for any length of time know how much I enjoy listening to old time radio or as they say, ear paintings from yesteryear. On our way back from Louisiana the wife was able to use her phone to tune in to some recorded series from back in the 1940's. She put them on the radio in the car and the ones she chose were back to back detective programs from popular series back in the day. I do get into listening and seeing what I conjure up as the program progresses. I even enjoy the commercials, typically, for products that no longer exists. I did become so focused on one episode of the show starring the master detective Nero Wolfe that I nearly ran through a red light. I did stop but I will admit I was slightly jutting out into the intersection. That prompted my riding partner to take immediate action to end my listening enjoyment. I will have to dream up my own ending to that particular program because she informed me that running red lights was not to be tolerated. She did. She really did. I was so nice about it. I don't think I even reminded her of her recent black out spell where she actually hit another driver. I was so kind not to even mention it. The radio programs cause an interesting thing to occur. One has to think and imagine the action taking place. Orson Welles called it the theater of the mind. And, that it is. There are literally hundreds of preserved recordings of old time radio programs on a variety of streaming platforms. Check them out. I leave the subject with this comment: "I have long thought, and still think, that radio is magic. Television is OK, but radio is magic. If television had been invented first and then radio had come along, people would think, 'What a wonderful thing this radio is! It's like television except you don't have to look at it!'" ~Charles Osgood, 1989

 

I visit by phone with our eldest nearly every day. We talk about all that's going on in his world including the work world where it is always challenging. One of the things I gather from our daily discussions is how the more things change it is the more they stay the same. Technology may change but people issues which are still the heart of any operation, well, they are just that, people issues. So much of what he deals with seem to be identical to things I've dealt with in the past, you know, been there and done that. One of the things I try to do is to input some learned wisdom since I no longer deal with the workplace. What kind of wisdom? For me, it has to do with me being more understanding, less judgemental, and, perhaps being more flexible. People have been people since God created Adam. And, I quickly add they have been fallen people, born sinners, since Adam chose to listen to Eve. That's just the truth, period. (Read the first three chapters in the Book of Genesis.) Because of that, I think perhaps in my many years of managing people I could have offered a more caring spirit when dealing with people issues. I also could have remembered me, myself, and I, when others failed to hit the mark, so to speak. You know. Live and learn. I can't go back and change some of the ways I handled things, but, I can pass down some of what I have learned. One example. I told him the other day what a fellow manager said to me one day, "Buddy, I like you and you have a great reputation, but, sometimes you need to think about this: Who died and left you in charge?" That helped me. Humility will go a long way folks. It will. It really will. And, it happens to occupy much within the pages of God's Holy Word. It does. It really does. Y'all enjoy your Friday, Saturday, and, make an effort on the First Day of the Week, Sunday, to show up at the meeting place where believers gather to worship the Lord and learn more from His Word. Amen.

John Knox, Scottish minister and noted Christian writer, (1514-1572), uttered these piercing words and then died, "Live in Christ, die in Christ, and the flesh need not fear death."

Well, surprise, surprise, I am back here at the ole blogger ranch where me, myself, and I, along with Lil Miss Biscuit are doing our best to embrace this new day, Thursday, June 11, 2026, and, being sure to thank God for it. We had traveled to the east side of Shreveport, Louisiana, to visit a dear friend of the wife who is nearing the end of her journey here on the planet. The story of how they became friends is somewhat convoluted, but, I will give it a short overview. This lady's husband and I began working together in the early 1970's. Somewhere along the way, the wife met his wife, and, that was it. It was. It really was. They became bosom buddies and while he and I worked on many projects together, our relationship was predominately business and professional. He and I worked together for over twenty years. He left the company due to a medical issue and life continued for both our families. She is now 89 and he is 85 and our time with them yesterday was something heart wrenching but also very special. I had not seen them in over 30 years, however, the wife had been stopping by occasionally on her way back from visiting and helping to take care of her brother. It was hard for the wife to say so long for now to her dear friend and we were able to pray with her husband as he is the caretaker and the situation is very challenging. There's so much more to our story because of the long association but it reminds us all how that this life is fleeting and we all should make certain we are ready to go at any moment, and, we do that by giving our heart and life to God's provision for salvation, His one and only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

 

We came back home because looking at the amount of time it was only about an hour more to cross over into Texas and travel down through east Texas to get back home. In fact, we were able to make choir practice since we were passing by that way. How does all of that impact old people? I woke up this morning sitting straight up in the recliner with my glasses and my boots still on. The wife said I was sleeping so soundly she didn't have the heart to wake me up. That is where we came up with the saying, "I will not need to be rocked to sleep tonight."  At any rate, I woke up feeling a wee bit achy but refreshed and ready to get out there and go again. Well, not too far this time. Please. We do have the old people's choir practice this morning and then we will be meeting many of the other old folks from our local assembly to have lunch at that wonderful place for old people to gather, that's right, Luby's. And, don't tell anyone because it will be a huge surprise, there just might be a spontaneous song being heard at that gathering. I think they call it a flashmob, but, we will have to show up to see. Remember, I wrote about the importance of showing up a few days ago. I did. I really did. Take care now, you hear. And, may God add His blessings. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ~ GOD’S WORD Translation ~ "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this."

Good morning and welcome to the early edition of today's insights into this, that, and the other. Thanks for showing up on this Tuesday, June 9, 2026. I will not be publishing a blog tomorrow or on Thursday because the wife of my youth and I are traveling to Louisiana to visit a very ill lady who has been a special close friend to the wife for around 50 years. Please pray for this dear lady and her husband at this most difficult time. God knows all about it. We had our men's Bible study at 7 a.m. this morning. I have my first actual physical therapy exercise visit at 10 a.m. Hey, I remember it well when they said, "Hey, go ahead and retire, you've done your 60 plus years, enjoy all that free time." This afternoon we leave for our travel. It's around a six hour drive which used to be nothing, not even a drop in the bucket. These days we break it up if possible so we will stop at the wife's sister's place and spend the night and then get up early Wednesday and travel on. On the way back we will do the same thing.  

I will close up shop early today since my physical therapist has plans for me. I have been doing some of the exercises she gave me and it has actually helped my mobility some while at the same time it hurts like ole billy heck. Yeah. I have heard that one, no pain, no gain. Oh well. It is what it is, and, we will see how it all goes. I will keep you posted. While I am at it, thanks so much for all of you out there who stay in touch by reading my daily postings. I do appreciate the feedback and the support. I do. I really do. In our early Tuesday morning men's Bible study we are going through the letter written by the Apostle Paul to the local called out assembly meeting in Ephesus, Greece. Ephesians. We covered the first part of the first chapter today. Wow! It tells about how believers are guaranteed a certain future in Christ, and, we have the Holy Spirit living in us to make sure it all comes to pass. And, as Mark Lowry likes to say we all love the 'it came to pass' because it means it didn't come to stay. Amen? Yes and Amen. Have a great rest of the day and I will see y'all, Lord willing, come next Friday morning. Amen.

 

 

"What’s the secret to having a smoking hot body in old age? Cremation." ~ Readers Digest online

Good morning and welcome to the second day of this brand new week that God has allowed us to wake up and seek Him and His provision on this Monday, June 8, 2026. One of the things you hear much about from older folks is their experiences as they seek to interact with those providing their health care. I've been writing these blogs since the summer of 2007 and I betcha that truth could be validated in my own writings. By comparison, I most likely wrote very little about health care earlier in my sojourn. At the same time I have killed a lot of keystrokes writing about my nearly 25 year battle with Type 2 Diabetes. Today, as I near the road sign marked 80, I spend a fair amount of my waking hours chasing down a variety of medical specialties, and, that gives old people something to talk about. It's like two ladies in the waiting room sharing all the gory details of their most recent surgeries. My primary care for several years recently retired. I have a new one. My old primary care told me that getting my prescriptions authorized by the new doctor should not be a problem. Wait just a cotton picking minute! So, today I get to meet, live and in person, my new primary care because they want to see me before rubber stamping my prescription renewals. No problem. I don't have a need to see him but they have a need to see me. See? My wife has seen him already and she has already built a rapport with him. They had a follow up via teleconference the other day and I heard them laughing it up. Really? The first challenge will be to get his name even close. Dr. Phetsamong Nhonthachit is his name. My pulmonologist told me to think about it like 'no-touch-it' said together, Dr. Notouchit. Oh well, I mention all of this because it is how days are often defined for older people. It seems we find ourselves always getting ready to get ready....and so it goes. Welcome to my world. 

 

I mentioned that stereotypical comment about the two ladies sharing their surgery stories, well, move over ladies, because older men, (full disclosure requires me to say I are one.), they are not in the least bit reticent when it comes to sharing their medical stories. I will say this about how things go in today's world. I spend a fair amount of time in waiting rooms. That used to produce a plethora of stories in the wide ranging conversations being exchanged. Not so much anymore. Why? If there is a WIFI signal, everyone is looking at their phone screen instead of blabbing stuff to their neighbor. I still get some great material from time to time as the wisdom of Yogi Berra helps, "You can observe a lot by watching." If you don't know who Yogi Berri is, maybe you should try one of those blogs devoted to pets. Joking only. I've said before and will say again, being in the waiting room often reminds me of how blessed I am. My heart typically breaks for the little ones who appear to be dealing with serious health challenges. Look the other way? No. Pray for them as you see them and seek God's provision on their behalf. Sure. There's some funny stuff too. Old people going to the wrong door when they hear their name called, the elderly wife mothering her husband can produce some gems, and, then, I saved the last because it is the one I know the most about. Me. I actually have thought about who it might be that will look at me and find something to write about in their blog. I also get to see the joy on many faces when I hand them one of my Santa Claus photo cards. Kids. Yes. But, I quickly add, kids of all ages. Okay. That should be enough, already. Right? Y'all have yourselves a great day and may God add His blessings. Amen. 

Early in my Santa journey I learned a universal truth: You cannot please everyone, no matter how hard you try!

 

 

Flashback to Friday, June 5, 2009 (My thoughts some 6,209 days ago.)

Admit it, we are all swimming in the deep end of the culture pool!

 

What’s your all time most memorable commercial? No doubt you have one that sticks in your mind. It may be dated since many new ones come on the scene each year but we all have been inundated with hundreds of thousands of video, print, voice over, signs, and every form of advertisement imaginable, that is, if we have breathed air on this planet. While we might like to think this bombardment has not influenced us, we would be kidding ourselves to try and defend that position. This particular feature of the culture war is what I have before me on this Friday, June 5, 2009. Not surprising, a recent top ten vote for most popular commercials by USA Today included two beer commercials, three cola ad spots, the famous “Got Milk?” promotions, and the burger “Where’s the beef?” campaign.

However, the ad chosen number one by a wide majority was not that familiar to me. It is one put up by Monster.com in 1999 that runs black and white footage of children talking about what they want to be when they grow up. Each child in the commercial speaks about a particular underachieving goal as their passion in life and at the end the punch line is how that Monster.com has a better job and future for every person. I watched the ad and remembered it but it certainly would not have made my top ten. My list would include the recently resurrected “See the USA in a Chevrolet!” by Dinah Shore, (Sadly, it is being played now as a swan song for the GM bankruptcy.); the “Plop Plop, Fizz, Fizz, oh what a relief it is!” Alka Seltzer ad along with another one where the fellow says, “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing!” (These ads may have appealed to me because it was back in the days when we didn't know that indigestion needed some very expensive medication for an ailment called acid reflux!) These are all from the past and I am too, but, brand identity does end up being a part of the life we live especially in this commercialized world.

Jesus told us to be in this world but not be of this world. (See John 17 and 1st John 5.) That’s one of the toughest challenges you and I will ever face. The incessant drumbeat of all things worldly surrounds us and our children every second of every day. To say otherwise is to do the proverbial ostrich head in the sand maneuver. We may think it cute for our little ones to be able to sing the latest beer tunes and quote the less than wholesome memorable lines from TV ads but there is a corrosive element to all of this and as the old saying goes, “The steady knock does wear the rock.” Seeing it for what it is goes a long way in beginning to form a response to try and fulfill the admonition of our Lord. We can’t escape the deluge of commercialized media but we can do all we can do to offset it, to reduce its influence, to change the channel, or whatever is needed to deal with this issue. I’m not saying you can do what the old Pepsodent ad proclaimed, “You will wonder where the yellow went when you brush your teeth with Pepsodent!” But you can do what you can do with God’s help. This is some food for thought as we enter our Saturday and Lord’s Day Sunday. May God help each one as we deal with the life we have! Amen. ….More later.

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." — Charles Dickens

Here's how my day is going thus far. I had written what I considered to be a good blog, but, at the last minute I decided to hold it back for another day. Sometimes it just goes like that. Therefore, I am sitting here thinking about today, the one given to us by our Heavenly Father, this one in particular, Thursday, June 4, 2026. I didn't want to be in a situation where I wished I could have unsaid something, if you catch my drift, so, I am moving on to another subject for today. Today's admonition in the verse given in the title image does not mean that we are thankful for everything that happens to us, but, rather, we give thanks in every situation because we know God is still our Father and it is will for us to have a thankful spirit. Some theologians distinguish between being thankful in all situations versus being thankful for all that happens. This is a great test of our faith because no matter the circumstance we know that we know that God is still on His throne and we are still His child, therefore, even in the midst of turmoil or chaos we have something to be thankful for. There are even times when some have come to believe their great challenge while tragic was actually a stepping stone in their walk with God. The renowned pastor/teacher Dr. J. Vernon Magee when his 'Through the Bible' radio program was at its peak, he came down with cancer. This was a crippling development in his life. As he was unable for some time to do his programs and as he often lay on his sick bed he became aware of something. That 'Through the Bible' program had become a worldwide phenomenon and Magee was taking credit for it being successful. He repented and gave it all to God because he came to know it was God at work not Magee and he had been the instrument in the hands of The Almighty. He gained remission and returned with a new perspective that changed it all. It was God's Word, it was God's provision, it was God at work, and, He deserved the honor and glory involved in reaching the lost around the globe. Period. Cancer became something Magee was thankful for in the sense that God used it to get his attention and to change him. Was he happy to get cancer? No. Did he enjoy all the medical procedures and treatments? No. Was he able to see God's hand in it all? Yes, and, Amen. Dr. Mcgee passed away in 1988. Yet, he is still preaching and teaching 24x7 through God's Through the Bible radio program which airs on over 800 terrestrial radio stations across the U.S. and Canada. In addition to these radio outlets, the global ministry broadcasts in over 100 languages and dialects to more than 160 countries. As the old preacher I grew up hearing used to say, "Ain't God good?" Yes, and Amen.

 

I know how easy it is for anyone to become discouraged living life where things can be at times overwhelming. How do I know that? Been there, done that, too many times to count. We can talk about how people rise to the occasion, they buckle down and persevere. While that's commendable it is different than having God as an ever present help in our time of need. (Psalm 46:1) I think about how unpredictable things are in this life. They are. They really are. I will not catalog again all the tragedies our family has faced over the past seventy plus years, but, there were enough to go around. The following song has become a staple in our family. It has been sung time and time again in our gatherings as a local called out assembly, and, in our personal times of reflection and worship. It has been very often sung at the home going service of one of our loved ones. It reminds us all of some important truths:

 

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow 

 

I don't know about tomorrow;
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from its sunshine
For its skies may turn to grey.
I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said.
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what lies ahead.

 

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

 

Every step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb;
Every burden's getting lighter,
Every cloud is silver-lined.
There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eye;
At the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains touch the sky.

 

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

 

I don't know about tomorrow;
It may bring me poverty.
But the one who feeds the sparrow,
Is the one who stands by me.
And the path that is my portion
May be through the flame or flood;
But His presence goes before me
And I'm covered with His blood.

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

 

Music and Lyrics by Ira Stanphill (1950)

You can look that one up on YouTube and find it recorded by dozens of folks. And, there is a great story behind the writing of that song so Google the song and the writer to read about it. My grandfather could not sing a lick, in tune. However, I've seen him singing and swaying many times to that song with tears rolling down his face. He knew about troubles and trials, but, even greater, he knew Who held his hand. Amen.