Watchamacallit Wednesday!

 ****I am doing well and I do thank those who worry about me when my stuff doesn't show up stuffed in their email in basket. We had us one of those technical difficulties better known as a cut cable this morning. I've been wailing and gnashing with the telephone repair folks since early but it turns out to be most likely the gas people who damaged the line. At any rate, here we go again!****


Hello friends and neighbors. How is it going? Or, as they said at one time, "What's happening?" I never can remember exactly which greeting is the most popular at any given time. I do know it's Wednesday, September 5, 2012, and I'm here rocking forth and back as I plunk the keys on this laptop. I prefer keyboards that are more kin to typewriting instruments but that is retro squared to the current generation of users. On some computer keyboards, I think they have aligned the keys where it's next to impossible to use them by touch typing. That's a good one. Touch typing. Who needs it? When kids can text without even looking at the keys, and, in many cases, they all use their own self developed system, no wonder they have little interest in typing. Except. Except when they need an official document of some kind. Then they come to me and ask if I would be willing to type it up for them with letterhead and all of that. Makes this old museum piece of work feel like he might just be able to contribute. Something. On some days.

I did see the documentary movie, Obama-2016, last Saturday. I had read a lot about it and wanted to check it out for myself. Essentially, it is a movie that traces the influences from Barak Obama's earliest days. These are the people and exposures that may have impacted his viewpoints and even his motivations in the policies he is pursuing as President. The factual parts of the movie are good. They are facts. Dinesh D'Souza, the fellow who made the documentary is a staunch conservative. He takes these facts and attempts to connect the dots as he sees them. This means he believes that President Obama is on a mission to rebuild America into his ideas of what she should be. The film maker believes that vision to be very much at odds with our heritage and our founding. My eldest son watched it with me. We both could see the factual parts as well as the commentary and the projections that were opinion oriented. Many who see the movie are already so against the President, they are not able to distinguish between these. I feel like the movie serves a useful purpose for those interested in how the President was influenced and shaped growing up. I pray this man's conclusions of what our nation will look like in 2016 if President Obama is reelected will not become reality, but, I do know it is possible, and because of this, I continue to seek God's will for our nation. Amen.

The other day I listened to an interview with a lady who had written a scholarly book on the life of Charles Dickens. The writer was an older lady. A caller asked about a BBC series that depicted life in one of Dickens' books and wanted to know how accurate it was portrayed. The lady hesitated. Finally, she shared that she would have no idea at all since she doesn't own a television and never watches it. She said she would not have time for her research or writing if she watched television. The subject they were talking about was interesting to me, but, her comments about not owning or watching television floored me. She lives in England. Is it legal to not own a TV there? How could anyone function in today's world without having one? Obviously, quite well. Well enough to write an important book on Dickens and to be invited for an extended interview on a national radio program in America. I felt a little guilty, but within minutes I was thinking about what might be on the tele when I get home tonight. Know what I mean, Vern? Sure you do. Have a great day and may God bless. Amen.      .....More later.

Looking for a breath of cooler air.

Welcome back from your holiday. It's good to see you this morning as we continue our search for some fall weather, on this, Tuesday, September 4, 2012. Fall weather? Yeah, I know. This is Texas and we are likely not even beginning to be finished with the heavy duty hot yet. (Expected indexes of over 100 today!) But we can dream. That's right. You guessed it. I have been looking at that temperature map each day and I am glad to report there are still some mid forties, (even one 43, yum yum), being registered overnight in some isolated places in the lower 48. That's not exactly the stuff that blizzards are made of, but it's certainly a huge bunch cooler than it is in these parts. I think from time to time my dreaming gets connected into how low I set the window unit here in our shared office. I heard one fellow say that he had thought about bringing a parka from home to wear to help accommodate my need for cold. He is very much exaggerating folks. Maybe a medium jacket but there's no need for any Eskimo gear here. In fact, it's more of a joke because I do want you to know that I try to do my part in keeping the temperature in a moderate position. I do show respect and I do so because I know their fingers need to work on their keyboards. It's just a little joke, don't get all riled, however, I think I did hear one of them asking if anyone had some hot chocolate. Now, tell me, how funny is that?

Yes. I know. I have written about the blogger up there somewhere in those cooler regions that has likely put out the same type of nonsense about wishing for some warmer temps. Knowing human nature, it's easy to see how a change of venue could have the opposite effect on almost anyone. Including me? Perhaps. At my age I most likely could not handle the colder air like I did as a younger whipper snapper. I had a wonderful teacher. My grandfather. He would not allow me to be cold. It was not something we could do much about on the deer stand with below freezing winds whipping around, therefore, his approach was to think about something else. You know. Mind over matter and all of that. He didn't call it that but he did tell me that I would only be as cold as I allowed myself to dwell on it. Please don't send me some analysis that explains how this might have contributed to my recurring lack of mental clarity. It's a little late for that and the way I see it, I suppose it's better to be longing for the cooler air than to be searching for a sweater in the summertime. Or, something like that.

I mentioned my brother's birthday yesterday. Our Granny Mac's would have been tomorrow. She and my brother always had these close together birthdays. His often landed on Labor Day and we could easily get them confused. Granny was a remarkable influence on several generations. Because of circumstances beyond our control and theirs, she and my grandfather ended up helping to shape our lives. Granny was not perfect and she could get steamed, but, she did love the Lord and always pointed us towards Him. That was a consistent message from them and from my mom. No matter what. Stay in touch with God and He would make a way for you. They didn't have an easy time of it in their lives and they didn't project that our destiny would be carefree either. What they did do was to both say and show us that we can always count on the Lord. Always. And, I thank God for their influence and of course my mom's still at it today. Now that's what you call being blessed even though I'll share a little secret with you. I did have a cold thought or two on that deer stand. Amen.      .....More later.

Don't send any flowers just yet.

***Today marks the 64th anniversary of the birth of my younger brother Donald. He went on to his reward in June of last year. I pause to remember him, his service to our country, and for those, like my mom, who continue to mourn his passing each day. I also pray daily for his children as they continue their sojourn here. ***
 
Happy Labor Day. Life and death. They are a constant companion. This is what I'm thinking about on this Monday morning, September 3, 2012. Bill Cosby has had to fight off more than once the obviously erroneous reports, so far, of his demise over the past several years. This most recent one came about when someone put up a RIP Bill Cosby Facebook Tribute. Having to prove you are still alive sounds funny but it really isn't, when you think about it. The famous quote which is often misquoted from Mark Twain about how the report of his death was an exaggeration is an interesting study in how these things happen. This happened some 115 years ago and it all started with a published article in the New York Herald that reported Twain, then 51, to be “grievously ill and possibly dying. Worse still, we are told that his brilliant intellect is shattered and that he is sorely in need of money.” Note the ironic added commentary. Nothing could have been more wrong. Twain was quite well, both in his health and his financial affairs, and just happened to be in London to cover Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. I have included a copy of a note from Twain that originated the famous quote. It states that he had a cousin who had been very ill and that was the source of the false report. In any event, Mr. Cosby wanted everyone to know that he is not dead, yet.

I fell for one the other day. I saw a link on a friend's Facebook that had a link to a story about a big Disney real estate deal in our area. It looked very legitimate but it turned out to be a joke but I had already sent out the information and after having checked it out, after the fact, I had to send out a retraction. Fortunately, I had only sent it to a small group. Someone asked me the other evening at our local fellowship if I get a lot of political stuff sent to me. I told him that I did, constantly. He asked if I had seen several that he named. I told him that I typically delete them as fast as I get them and if I see one that I might take the time to read, that I will check it out thoroughly before quoting from it, or emailing it to someone else. I could tell he didn't care for my response since most of what he receives supports his theories about our current President. That little deal about the real estate hoax reminded me once again about how easy it is to be hoodwinked. And, I do not want to be part of a chain that sends out falsehoods. I actually think the Bible has something to say about that. Food for thought for us all to consider, including yours truly.

That no doubt sounds a little heavy for a day set aside to honor workers by giving them the day off. But that little pea sized brain of mine deals up a steady flow of what you see is what you get, better known in the computing world as WYSIWYG. We will, however, enjoy the day as best we can and I certainly hope you will do the same. Speaking of labor, it is good to remember those who are standing in the gap for us all, as they serve in harm's way. I know there is something called war fatigue here in our country but may we all be reminded that our troops can't have the luxury of such thinking, they have to be at their best every single day. The photo of the little kid kissing the screen of her daddy who was deployed was posted on Facebook and thousands have indicated their support by liking it. This one really does communicate the sacrifice they make and I pray for them all, often, and I encourage you to do the same. Amen.           .....More later.

“Secularism, materialism, and the intrusive presence of things have put out the light in our souls and turned us into a generation of zombies.” ― A.W. Tozer

We find ourselves face to  face with Friday. It is the 31st and last day of August in the year of our Lord, 2012. It would be interesting if we brought back and began to say each time we give the date, year of our Lord. We would certainly find ourselves on the wrong side of political correctness but we would be siding with historical accuracy. While the new designations have all been changed to reflect religious neutrality or better put, no religious significance at all, this doesn't change the fact that every time we view or use the date on our calendar, it does represent the number of years counted from the projected birth of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Deny it all you want, but the facts are still the facts. (Fact definition: A thing that is indisputably the case.) While the origin of this saying is hard to nail down for attribution, it remains true: "Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but no one is entitled to their own facts." When it is all said and done it's not just history, it really is HIS STORY.

You did not accidentally land on the indexed sermon page. Just my two cents adjusted for inflation. I'm closing in on some 70,000 page views since I began this blogging venture. That is a pretty big number if you ask me. However, it pales in comparison to the videos that go viral on sites like YouTube. Some have generated millions within hours of being put out on the web. But, that's okay because we do not know who might be landing on this, that, or the other site, but we do know that God can work to make contact with folks, regardless. I remind us all once again of that evening service where some teenaged boys came to chat up some girls. They were doing their macho thing, flexing their 'look at me' techniques. The preacher stood up and opened the Book. When he closed the Book those same macho boys ran down that isle balling their eyes out. They had kept an appointment. Not with the girls they intended to meet, but with Almighty God Himself. This means that you and I can be an influence to others by leaving a word, or deed, that reflects the truth of God, and it is the truth of God that changes people, period, whether they accidentally land on a blog or go to a Church service, in this case, these fellows ended up looking for love in the right place! Amen.

Let me share this with you. One of the things I enjoy most about our daily visits is how I sit down and while at times I have something in mind, often what ends up being sent out just shows up. I wish it was more than that. But, that's how it works sometimes. I actually work through the process and at times I end up scrapping the whole thing. It just doesn't resonate or do it, for me. I hear you. You think that I have allowed some to slip through that should have never seen the light of day. I agree. However, occasionally I will randomly visit something I wrote years ago that are a part of this compilation, and to tell you the truth, when I read it, it still has something to say, and I am thankful that it does. I am aware of the process here. It does require moving information from inside that thinking apparatus onto the electronic page. Or as Paw Paw Mac used to encourage: "Son, use your head for something other than a hat rack." But, the blessing comes when I know that what I have shared has made a difference in my life, and I am confident that it can in others' lives as well. And, I suppose that keeps me going. Have yourself a wonderful Saturday and Lord's Day Sunday and we will see what shows up for Monday, Lord willing. Amen.     .......More later. 

I wonder if they have a Sweet 116 motif?

Here we are. We found it. It turns out to be Thursday, August 30, 2012. We have been praying and continue to pray our way through this storm named Isaac. We have numerous loved ones impacted by this weather event. Prayer and preparation. That's right folks. That's how we roll. We pray to God because we believe the song to be accurate: "He's got the whole world in His hands." We also appreciate the meaning of when as contrasted to if. When troubles come. When the storms batter. When this life gets hard to deal with. We can hear through the Word of God the very voice of our Savior as He came to His disciples as they were beat and battered by the storm, "Do not be afraid, it is I." We all will experience the 'whens' in our time here on the planet. But we can be certain that He knows all about it, and that He cares. He may not cause the storm to change its course but He will see us through, and we can be certain of that. How about a good hearty Amen to the truth about God's unchangeable care for His own? Amen? .......Yes, Amen!

Talk about surviving in this life, I read about the world's oldest person, Bessie Cooper, as she prepares to celebrate her 116th year in her sojourn here, this coming Sunday. She has lived most of her life in a very small town called Between, Georgia. Born in 1896, she has witnessed a lot of history over her lifetime. They had a big celebration this week and named a bridge after her. Her comments about some of why she has made it this long, "I mind my own business and I never eat junk food." Now if anyone has rights to living proof of the efficacy of their advice, well, I wouldn't argue with Bessie. As I read about this in The Walton Tribune, I also noticed that Harmony Baptist Church in that same area is preparing to celebrate its 125th anniversary. They are doing so with the publication of a new cook book with recipes that date throughout the history of the congregation there. One of the ladies heading up the project said their church was full of good cooks. And, may I just say this. Good cooks in Baptist Churches does match up very well with my experience. May God bless Bessie Cooper and may God bless Harmony Baptist as they continue to live out the life God has given to them. Amen.

I don't know if you have paid any attention to some of the hurricane tracking models but talk about going in all directions. They are called spaghetti models and they reflect the guesses of storm experts who put together models of what they think the storm will do. Here is a good one. As Isaac got closer and closer to making landfall, they showed the different models, and they commented how they had finally begun to reach consensus on a tracking projection. Duh? Let me see if I have this right? Once the hurricane hits, all the prognosticators can tell us with a fairly high degree of accuracy where it landed. No. I am not making fun of these scientists. I only point this out in passing because it tells us that with all the sophistication and technology known to humanity, we are still unable to always get it right. That should not make us to be despondent and looking down. No. That should make us dependent and looking up. I just knew you would want to know about that little insight. Not so much? Okay. Now that you have read it, you know for sure, 100%, that you were not interested. Now you know. See. I always do my best to contribute something. Have a great day and may God bless each one. Amen.        .....More later.

"Howdy, Pardner."

This is the best of the rest of the story, not from Paul Harvey, who has gone on to his reward, but from your ranch hand scribe here at the Old Blogger Ranch. It is Wednesday, August 29, 2012, and I bid you a cowboy welcome where you can hear one say, "The only reason riding a bull is worthwhile is the opportunity to meet a nurse." You might also have heard this one: "It's okay to speak your mind but it always helps to have a fast horse to ride." You might not think I know much about cowboy stuff. You would be correct. However, the big company I worked for did buy a huge amount of property one time and it had a working dude ranch on it. What do corporate folks do when you buy a new enterprise? You integrate it into the business, that's what you do. These cowpokes had to have job descriptions written and they then had to be classified, you know, for the payroll system. All their gear and such had to be inventoried so the assets could be managed. It was a hoot for the programmers and support folks who worked on merging all of this stuff into the computer world. I can only imagine what the fellows riding out on the prairie thought when they received their first piece of corporate communication. They may have remembered this one, "Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a fool from any direction." Looks like it is time for me to sing a little of the Get Along Little Doggy song and move on down the trail.

I've actually read some of what folks say when they critique other people's writing. I read one recently that had this ugly analysis, "You couldn't write your way out of a wet paper sack." That's what I call cold. I actually don't deny that it applies to some of my own musings but it still stings just reading it about some other fellow's stuff. As you can tell, that fear hasn't slowed me down. I suppose nearly all of us were born with that critical gene. In fact, one of those most frequently mentioned peeves I talked about the other day had to do with people who criticize other people for doing essentially the same things they do. It is real easy to criticize. It actually comes quite naturally. Jesus wasn't pleased with those who went around knocking others while missing their own glaring flaws. You will remember His comedic description: “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." (Matthew 7, Verses 1-5)

Thinking about it, I guess I could qualify for some expertise as a stick cowboy. I sure enough did my share of shoot-em ups when I was a kid. We had reenactments of all kinds and the thought police would be working overtime if kids still played those same Cowboy and Indian themes. Even back then we had trouble getting someone to play the role of the one who gets shot or who ended up with a bunch of arrows stuck in their body. Getting shot wasn't too bad of a role because you could really put it on with all kinds of wailing and gnashing before succumbing to your fateful end. I traded all that for what I do now in rounding up keystrokes, branding them, and then setting them free to forage out on the prairies of the information highway. Yes, occasionally some of them ricochet, some hit an innocent bystander, and at times they even explode before they get off the ground. But as they say here at the Old Blogger Ranch, "We all have pieces of crazy in us, just some of us have bigger pieces than others." I actually think I resemble that remark. Have a great day and may God bless each one. Amen.        ....More later.

Life consists of more than just good home cooked meals. Really? Give me some time. I know that's true but I'm still thinking about it.

Good Tuesday morning. Good to have you along for the ride. I admit it can be bumpy at times but I'm afraid in this case it does come with the territory. It is August 28, 2012, and we are anticipating all that God has for us today. Last Wednesday evening they had the beginning of a series of back to school activities for our teens at our local fellowship. I checked in on them and found a large group enjoying a big pizza feast in the fellowship hall. Brother Richard, our youth pastor, invited me to enjoy some of their food. I graciously declined and explained to him why. I told him my wife had returned from Louisiana and she had fixed me a great supper that evening. I went on to tell him about it. Crispy fried pork chops, field peas, fried okra, rice and gravy, sliced tomatoes, and homemade cornbread. I explained to him how I had drizzled that homemade canned pepper sauce over it and then sat myself down with a big glass of iced tea and enjoyed every bite. His response was classic Brother Richard: "Brother, I can see that picture clearly and if it was a prison I know exactly what you call a meal like that. It's called your last meal." Now that's what a call a good come back, and given the quality of that meal, anyone would enjoy it, anytime, and perhaps even for the last time. And, I would add my personal delighted culinary Amen to that!

I know some of you are really wanting to know where my diabetes control program fits into this type of frenzied eating story. Let me put it to you this way. On one end of the spectrum you have a category called Perfection and on the other end one marked Failure. Many of the experts advise a finding of a middle ground that is personalized based on the need of the individual. This means that I do enjoy, occasionally, the meal described above. I typically eat only one, albeit generous, portion. That is a monumental change in discipline from a few years ago. And, I do also attempt to compensate some when I have wandered a little off the reservation. The objective is to do my best each day to try and keep myself out of the ditches on both sides of the diabetic highway. This does not mean what I do would work for the next person because there are a vast amount of variables with this disease. One thing I am sure of. It's not likely to go away and it is something I have to take into consideration most of my waking hours. I can't be totally sure if it has occupied any of my sleeping hours because if it did I'm pretty sure it would likely be nightmarish enough that I would not forget it.

And, be sure you know that I am not complaining. I am very much thankful to be able to do as well as I am with this ongoing challenge. Sure, I would love to wake up one morning and it be gone and one day that will be the case but until that home going day, I will continue to do what I can, with God's help. Even as I sit here banging this blog out I can think of a number of people I know who have the same illness but are constantly dealing with significant issues. And, I am not one who thinks we can take solace in knowing there is always someone worse off than ourselves. It is more of an appreciation for God's provision that we should be thankful for, because, regardless of what happens in this sin cursed world, He is working out all things for the good of those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose. That's a truth that works for any of us dealing with any challenge, regardless of its severity. Okay. That will do it for today. Have yourself a wonderful Tuesday and Lord willing I'll catch up with you, next time. Amen.         .....More later.