"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.