"Unemployment is of vital importance, particularly to the unemployed." Edward Heath, (1916-2005), Politician and Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

It's Wednesday, November 4, 2015, and we are getting ready to get ready to get on with the day that the Lord has given to us. I'm typically the first person here on the property where I work each day. People trickle in and as we close in on 7 a.m., the parking lot pretty much fills up. That full parking lot is something for us to be thankful for. As a metal fabrication business much of what we do reflects the health of the oil industry as a whole. I mention this as a blessing because I've visited some nearly empty parking lots in recent days that just weeks ago were overflowing. Those left behind call themselves survivors but they are not certain about the future. We can't be certain about the future for our small company either. However, our owner, Bro. Ronnie, gives God the honor for the work that we have that at present is keeping us busy. We often mention this to each other. I know the majority of our fellow citizens across the fruited plains are happy happy with the lower gasoline prices. The so called experts tell us that on balance, the pain in the oil patch is worth it given the overall positive impact to the national economy. I'm not so sure about that especially in the longer run. I've said this to remind us all that our lives can change in a heartbeat on any given day. That's why I looked out on our parking lot this morning and looked up and gave God thanks for providing for us all and our families. Amen.

Okay. Confession time again. I've shared about how that I became an accidental fan of NASCAR maybe 15 years ago. I've followed the career of Jeff Gordon for all these years. He is retiring at the end of this year. He has not had a great year but he has run well enough to get himself and his team into the running for this year's championship. The playoff in NASCAR is called the Chase. It is divided into elimination rounds. We are coming down to the end. This past Sunday Jeff Gordon won the race at Martinsville. It was his first win of the year. It came at good time because he is now guaranteed to be in the final four who will race for the championship at the race in Homestead, Florida on November 22. Here's the confession. I was excited during the final laps of the race this last Sunday. Very excited. My man was leading but not by much. It was a nail biter. Even the wife was cheering. When he won I jumped up and down. That's right. I am glad that it was done in the privacy of my own home with only the wife as a witness. Up and down. Aches and pains notwithstanding, I suppose I in some small way felt a part of his victory. I've not decided yet whether to continue my association with NASCAR as he moves on to other pursuits, but, I guess I will no longer be able to downplay or discredit my identity as a Jeff Gordon fan.

Nearly everywhere I show up these days people ask me how many Santa appearances I have scheduled. I suppose that's warranted given the calendar and the status of The Beard. We will be as busy as we've ever been if we are able to fulfill all the requests, however, our big focus at the moment is preparing to enjoy a day of faith, family, fellowship, and last but not least, feasting. There's something about planning Thanksgiving Day that gets the memory engine running in overdrive. I was thinking about coming in the back door at Granny and Paw Paw Mac's house on a cold Thanksgiving Day. The windows would be all sweaty from the stove and oven covered up with pots. Granny would be front and center surrounded by aunts, uncles, and other cousins, in-laws, and maybe even a few outlaws as well. The atmosphere was bursting with expectation. The smell alone almost made one need a chair to sit down just to catch your breath and think about it. Most of the kids were lined up like contestants just in case they called for a volunteer taster or two. We will not be able to duplicate those days exactly but it will not be for a lack of trying. I desire for my kids and grandkids and their kids and grandkids to get at least a wee bit of a flavor for how all of those things can come together on that day: faith, family, fellowship, and feasting. I do have much to be thankful for. Amen. What say you? ....More later. 

"You will never cease to be the most amazed person on earth at what God has done for you on the inside." ~ Oswald Chambers, (1874-1917), was an early twentieth-century Scottish Baptist and Holiness Movement evangelist and teacher, best known for the devotional My Utmost for His Highest.

Good morning and welcome. It's Tuesday, November 3, 2015, and I send out a hearty hello to everyone tuning in today, intentionally or otherwise. What do I mean by otherwise? Easy. Searching on the internet causes us all land randomly onto unexpected sites when we are actually looking for something else. I know this happens to people who land on one of my daily blogs by accident. I have the comments to prove it. I'll not attempt to guess what folks thought when they saw what they found on my blog but I do know that God can use anything He chooses to get someone's attention. That's one of the reasons I always try to include a word of testimony about God's grace, mercy, and love that calls us all to a relationship with Him through the finished work of our Savior on the Cross of Calvary. I'm not trying to argue my beliefs versus what others believe. I've been invited to do that with some of the comments that come to me. I have responded with clarification but I think when the truth is before folks they must be willing to hear and respond to God's calling. To me it's more of my small way of doing what the illustration portrays, "One beggar telling other beggars where they found food and nourishment." It really isn't my invitation. It comes from our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) Amen.

How about this new time change we are dealing with? The debates continue as to whether we should make these time changes. Here in Texas there is an ongoing campaign to stop both the Spring and the Fall clock adjustments. I've talked about this subject before. Researchers tell us that what many think to be beneficial, the "falling back" or reverting to standard time, because it is generally thought to be less physically stressful than the clock springing - forward, and since people get an extra hour to sleep that one morning, however, the research indicates that even a relatively small 60-minute time change can have effects on the body, health and even traffic safety. I'll not quote from all the research but there are established reports of increased incidents of heart attacks with the Spring change and more pedestrian injuries associated with automobile crashes after the Fall change. Obviously, body chemistry, sleep patterns, and environmental conditions are impacted. This impact is more of an issue to some than others. There are experts who think messing with the internal clocks for what they call an already sleep deprived people can lead to negative consequences. So, why do we do it? More daylight supposedly means more leisure which leads to more dollars being spent. That case is not universally agreed upon. Some believe when all the costs pro and con are measured, there is a sizable loss. I don't know. Probably like you, I just change my clocks and work through it as best I can.

I'm getting ready to teach a short series in our Bible study time on what it means to have a thankful heart. I listened to a sermon where the preacher was talking about the transformation that takes place whenever we turn our thanksgiving into thanks-living. I think it's obvious to most of us that actions speak when words may sound high and lofty but with the absence of proof they end up being just that, words only. True thankfulness is grounded in our appreciation for God and His provisions to us. When we are genuinely thankful from the inside out, well, that typically will show up as we go about our daily dealings. And, what a powerful influence it can have. On me, you, and on others as well. This month of November is a month where we all are reminded of God's blessings. I am already thinking about the many times we've celebrated our faith and family during the Thanksgiving season. In my mind's eye I see faces and fellowship and food from my going on nearly 70 years sojourn. Many of those I see have gone on to their reward. These memories are so very precious to me. I've got a lot to be thankful for and I sure need to be exercising that thankfulness each and every day. Let's make this month one for the record book in doing our best to honor God by finding a way with His help to fulfill His admonition to us, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1st Thessalonians 5:18) Take care and may God bless us all is my prayer. Amen.  .....More later.

Example: Comrade Rudolph arguing with his wife and she says, "I'm telling you for the last time it's not rain, it's snow." To which Rudolph replies, "Rudolph the Red knows rain, dear!"

It's Monday, and it's November, and it's already the 2nd day, and it's all happening in the year of 2015. I'm already thinking about Thanksgiving Day and our desire to have as many of our family together as we can. Meanwhile, I told you I would try to lighten up a little. I suppose if anyone should feel like they are not treated with the right amount of respect and dignity, it would be Santa Claus. Since I am closely affiliated with his legacy I do take somewhat personally the little slights, jokes, and other attempts at humor that use him as their prop. It's okay for you to laugh but be aware there are some of us who may not be laughing with you. Just because the current version of this lovable character is primarily mythical, that doesn't mean there are not those who are sensitive to having fun poked at him. One would think Congress would have done something to protect us from this onslaught of political incorrectness, insensitive comments, and outrageous depictions. As far as I know there are no hot lines to call to report these abuses. But, a word of warning here, one should think long and hard when devising a comedic insult against the keeper of the lists. Not a threat, just a reminder to one and all.

I did watch some of the opening game of this year's edition of the world series. However, it was a regular night game and I typically do not stay up that late. Fourteen innings. I did check the score the next morning. We do have the DVR recording feature. It does record a number of different programs. I'm trying to remember if we've ever watched a program that we recorded so that we wouldn't miss it. Maybe we have. I think our middle son helped his mom set that up. I see the light on when it's recording. I'm not sure I know much more about it than that. Our remote still mostly works. It's perhaps the most used electrical component around our place and ours is showing its age and some disabilities. Certain functions no longer operate. Don't worry. We may not be able to figure out how to play a DVR recording but we can find a workaround for the TV remote. It's that critical. And, the good news is how you can still rotate through all the channels. That part still works. I know. They sell new ones. I could get a replacement. I'm loathe to introduce another variable into the equation at this time. If I sit a certain way and tilt my arm when pointing to a specific targeted area it might just get me to my intended destination. I will tell you this. I can't think of anything more painful than watching the wife use the remote. It's worse than someone dragging the shovel over the concrete driveway. In both scenarios the hair on the back of my neck ends up standing straight up. I suppose we all need a little tension in our lives.

You do know that I am just playing around. Not with the facts. They are what they are. Just maybe in how I describe them. What's that? You think maybe I went overboard on the lightening up? No doubt. Tomorrow I'll likely return to my fair and balanced interpretation of the happenings that make up the 24 hour cycle of life. Here's a final little ditty to finish up this throw away blog. ~ "Just before Christmas, an honest politician, a generous lawyer and Santa Claus all got into the elevator at the Ritz Hotel. As the elevator traveled from the 5th floor down to the ground level, one-by-one they noticed a $50 bill laying on the elevator floor. Which one picked up the $50 bill and handed it in at the front desk? Santa of course, the other two don't actually exist!" ~ (Adapted from a submission to a forum from a fellow named John Bains.) I seem to recall using that one before but it was still funny again to me and some days that's the best I can do. That should do it for today. I do hope that maybe you were able to smile at least one time. I actually did when I put this together. Have a wonderful first Monday of November and may we all be found seeking God and His provision today. Amen.  .....More later.

"The world is wrong side up. It needs to be turned upside down in order to be right side up." ~ Billy Sunday, professional baseball player turned influential American evangelist. (1862-1935)

It's Friday and yes, I do thank God that it is, but, I also thank Him for every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday also. I know that most of you know the week begins on Sunday. Right? Monday is the second day of the new week and Friday is the day before the last day of the week, Saturday. Stay with me class. We honor our Savior on the first day of the week by joining together to bring honor and glory to Him because He rose from the dead on the First Day of the Week. I have, forever and ever, advised folks to start their week off right in order to have a good week and that would involve taking care to recognize Him on Sunday. Confused? Don't be yet. I still have more. This particular 6th day of the week lands on October 30, 2015. I'm not upset with those who get those x's on their eyes when I talk about the calendar in this way. Oh yeah. How did the first day of the week become the meeting time of the local assembly? That is a good question. It is certainly true that if our Christian influence is contained to only that one day then we have missed our calling and our mission. However, there is a reason we meet on Sundays. There are a number of Scriptures that indicate the early congregations gathered on the first day. Look them up. The last writing in the New Testament in most Bibles but also in my opinion chronologically is The Revelation of Jesus Christ. In that last writing we see the Apostle John saying this: "I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,..." (The Revelation of Jesus Christ, Chapter 1, Verse 10) I am well aware there are stacks of books that address this issue and I've not attempted to be thorough, just sharing my thoughts. That's all. Nothing more.

I am not attempting to turn my daily visits into a theological journal. However, when stuff comes to me and I feel the urge to share I usually do. Am I opposed to people meeting on other days? Of course not. I'm just giving my thoughts. Again. Nothing more. Here's how you know when the politically correct culture is now living in an alternate universe. A major university in Wisconsin recently formally announced that the words politically correct are now deemed no longer culturally acceptable on campus. They reason that often people use this as a way of attacking people who some identify as being superficial and overly sensitive. Here's the deal: If someone is offended over something that in your opinion they shouldn't be, well, you cannot get off the hook by saying that person is a part of the politically correct culture. See how that stings? I am sorry but this stuff is just about as crazy as anything I have ever seen. But if that doesn't get you going here's another one. The famous well balanced news source, NPR, is currently running a story trying to find out the root cause of why ugly and often older women are represented as evil in the fairy tales from yesteryear. I see a class action suit coming. My understanding is tales like Hansel and Gretel are pervasive in almost every culture with different names but the same story thread. Sounds like the case will have to be heard in the United Nations. I would say we all need to just 'man up' but that saying is officially on the don't ask don't tell list. Or something like that. When folks ask what state I live in I might just have to say, the state of Confusion.

We now have the word police, the thought police, and more are being formed every day. Does it have an impact? A 12 year old girl from a local 7th grade recently testified before their district school board on an exercise her teacher required them to participate in. I'll not go into all the details but I did listen to the entire testimony and I read several different articles. The teacher essentially required the students to agree that God cannot be proved and to answer any other way would get them a failing grade. The little girl said her friend was so upset she cried. She and her friend answered that God was a fact, not an opinion or a myth. The teacher singled them out for their answers and marked them wrong before the class. The video has gone viral. Now the school board is saying the teacher was only trying to encourage critical thinking skills. Their statement is typical and it sounded to me like a public relations response as they attempted to gloss over and cover up exactly what these children were subjected to.  (The school board has now rejected the complaint of this young lady and sided with the teacher saying their investigation did not support her claims. However, they have removed that exercise from the classroom and it will not be used again.) Here's my take: You may think I'm just flailing my arms here and there on things like political correctness, word policing, and yes, even those who would outlaw certain thoughts, but, this one young lady gives an example of the reality of this stuff being implemented and integrated into our society. Sorry to end our time together on something like this but that's what I had on the front burner and that's why I served it up. Have a great Saturday and Lord's Day Sunday and I will try to take a little time to refresh and maybe even lighten up a bit. I can't be sure. But I will try. Take care and may God bless us all is my prayer. Amen. ....More later.

"You have to stay in shape. My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was 60. She's 95 today and we have no idea where she is." ~ copied

It's good to be able to greet everyone today on this Thursday, October 29, 2015. I hear some people who say that Halloween is their favorite holiday occasion of the year. Really? That doesn't even register with me. I can see how it might be enjoyable but their favorite occasion of the year? I think sometimes that I am out of sync with most of the world. I was telling our eldest son the other day about us being devoted watchers of NCIS. It is often the most watched program on TV each week. But, it doesn't attract the highest number of the advertiser's target audience of the 18-30 year old folks. I read something about it. The average age of all people watching TV programming is 42-44. The average age of the huge audience watching NCIS is 62-64. My son responded by essentially saying now he understands why he just couldn't get into it even though he had tried several times. He has something to look forward to in another 15 years, reruns of NCIS! Here's another thought. We were switching around and landed on the new Supergirl TV show. The wife and I watched it for a few minutes but we could not believe the awful, poorly written and delivered dialogue and how totally absurd the whole thing was. We couldn't stay with it. The next day the critics were falling all over themselves. They thought it was great. Superb. Finally, a woman super hero. We pronounced it unwatchable and they heralded it as must see. No wonder we can't seem to get with it the way others do. That may be the reason they have so many hearing aid commercials on the programs we watch.

In the class I teach at our local fellowship on Sunday mornings we just finished a verse by verse study of the Holy Spirit inspired two letters written through the Apostle Paul to the believers who were members of the local called out assembly meeting in Thessalonica, Greece. That congregation was born as the Gospel was preached and men, women, boys and girls came to know Christ. The persecution from the Jewish community was great. The persecution from the pagan folks was also great. The Apostle Paul took Godly pride in this small flock as he recognized their evangelistic fervor. He had only been able to spend a short time with this newly established fellowship, therefore, these letters were sent to increase their understanding of critical truths. One of the underlying themes from these letters emphasized the certainty of the return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Some in that congregation misunderstood this truth. Others attempted to use it as a way of manipulating people. Think about it. Many times we feel intimidated whenever the subject of end time truths comes up. Why? These were for the most part new believers but Paul knew they needed to know the truth about the way that God will conclude His plan and purpose here on earth. No series of books on the subject. No seminars to attend. Just the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Our class learned that whenever we truly recognize and take hold of the truth of our Lord's return it should become a present reality in our day by day living. It's that real. It's that important. And, we have God's word on it! Amen.

Don't get me wrong. I am very thankful for the work of so many great God fearing scholars who over the years have given us the outcome of their years of devoted research and study. At the same time, I used to be one who was intimidated by this subject. I've dealt with pastors who feel unqualified to teach or preach about end time events. Therefore, they don't. That, my friend, is not only ridiculous, but it serves the enemy's purpose in hiding the truth from those who need to hear it. If ordinary people can get hold of this truth who in the first century huddled together and by an oil lamp were instructed from their teaching elder who read to them a Holy Spirit inspired letter, then why would that not work today? I know. I've more than belabored my point but coming to this understanding was a major breakthrough for me and that's why I am still talking about it today. You wondered? Now you know. What happens when we fail to get hold of this truth? We certainly will not make it our reality for our day by day living. Get it? Making it our reality will cause us to make decisions and choices with this in mind. Okay. At least you know how I feel about it. As they used to say back home, "Don't be a stranger." I'm sure as a young fellow I didn't know exactly what they meant. But I do now. May God bless us all is my prayer. Amen.  ....More later.

"The Bible is clear that those who fail to heed the Lord's discipline - whether nations, cities, or individuals - suffer devastating consequences." ~ Charles Stanley

Hello and welcome. It's Wednesday, October 28, 2015. Thanks for dropping by the ole blogger ranch. Maybe we can visit for a few minutes to get our day started. My new little coffee maker must know he's on probation because thus far he is doing a pretty decent job of making the most of each of those Community smooth and full flavored, medium to dark roast, K-cup individual serve pods. That would be more of an embracement statement as opposed to an indorsement. I will be the first to say there's not a lot of wiggle room between the two. I'm thinking seriously about disconnecting from the political stuff for a while, at least as it relates to the national scene. I'm not sure what God is up to regarding the future of our nation, the United States of America, but I do believe in His sovereign working according to His will and purpose. The way that I see it, the national election coming up next year will reveal something about His plan being worked out. My fear is that He will give us what we as a people deserve and that could make for very difficult times indeed. Why would He do that? The pattern we see in His word shows Him doing things like that to get the attention of those who need to turn back to Him and seek Him first in all things. I really don't see a lot of viable alternatives in terms of candidates who will challenge the far left liberal track we've been on for the last eight years. The operative word would be 'viable'. But that's just little old me. One thing is certain. I believe God will work it all out for the ultimate good of those who love Him and who are the called according to His purpose. We do have His word on that. (Romans 8:28) Amen.

God's promises are the basis for our hope. Our hope is not found in the concept of 'hope so' or luck, but rather, it is the assurance that comes from His presence in our life making our hope in Him a reality to be lived out each and every day. I'm not sure exactly why I shared that but I do know it is true and perhaps I needed to be reminded of it today. This means we don't have to be pessimistic because we have God with us. Amen. I read the statement the other day from a young lady who was announcing that she was disconnecting from Facebook. She said it had become too much of a distraction and for the most part it did not add anything positive to her life. She did enjoy keeping up with her family and her friends but so much of what she waded through each day was junk since it typically was either self adulation or ego driven. She asked her family and friends to message her so they could find a different avenue to stay in touch. I see where she's coming from. There's a lot of stuff flying all over the place out on Facebook. For me, however, it is still productive in maintaining contact with folks all over the world. From family to missionaries in far flung places I am able to communicate and share on the fly. The other stuff, well, I will agree that it can be both dominating at times and also vexing, but, the good still outweighs the bad for me, and, I am pretty good at skipping. You know what I am talking about? The old joke. The blacksmith told the visitor not to touch the horseshoe because it was hot. The visitor grabbed it anyway. He put it down right away. When the blacksmith asked what he thought he was doing, the fellow replied, "It just doesn't take me that long to look at a horseshoe." That's my mode when dealing with some of the junk out on Facebook.

I get questioned from time to time about how I put together my daily blogs. The best way to describe what I do is to say they are always a work in progress. I write a paragraph here and there. Most of the time my blogs are pretty much put together before I do the final edit on the day I send them out. There are times when I do them from scratch at 4:30 in the morning. That can be challenging but it just works out that way. I recently heard some people discussing the huge success of the Seinfield TV franchise and how that show was self proclaimed as being about nothing. It made a big deal about the trivial and insignificant details in life. There are times when I have that feeling about the stuff I write about. Much ado about nothing. However, I am convinced that when I share a word of testimony about the Lord, well, He can use that to accomplish whatever He chooses. I'm not grasping for some redeeming quality here, just stating the facts. I know much of what I talk about is 'me' centered. It's that way because it's my life and I will be the first to recognize it's not always that exciting. I am encouraged from comments where folks say they were caused to laugh, remember something from the past, even shed a tear, or were encouraged in the Lord. That does help to keep my motivation stirred. Thanks. Have yourself a wonderfully blessed day as God provides for each of us. Amen. .....More later.

"What does Santa bring naughty boys and girls on Christmas Eve? A pack of batteries which at the bottom says 'toy not included'." (copied)

We had ourselves one very busy weekend just passed. Today is Tuesday, October 27, 2015 and I'm still thinking about how we were doing our best to get here and there to take care of this, that, and the other. I left a little early Friday afternoon from work in order to get home and get changed and drive out to the country for a wedding Friday evening. The wedding was for the son of a couple we've known for many years in our local Church. In fact, we watched the daddy grow up with our boys. Now he and his wife have married off the first of their three children. It was a beautiful outdoor ceremony and everyone breathed a huge sigh of relief because the rain held off. After the wedding we went to the hospital to visit a dear friend, (the grandfather of the groom), who is dealing with various complications from his battle with pancreatic cancer. We were able to share a prayer with him. He and his family have been special to us for over forty years. Up early Saturday morning to get ready to get ready for a photo shoot at the professional studio. I have been privileged to work with Mindy, the photographer, for five years now. I love her work. The shots above were taken to promote the upcoming two days where we will be making scheduled photographs. I understand and she understands that I am a prop because the children are the stars of the show. I think you can see that in her work. We had a full day on Sunday with much rain, Church, morning and evening, and when it was time to say goodnight it didn't take long. Not long at all my friend, not long at all. We needed the rain and we are thankful for it. At the same time we pray for those who were impacted by some localized flooding.

It was so very wet on Sunday. I always worry about folks getting in and out of our Church meeting place without slipping. Especially our older folks. I put up some cones just to alert everyone of how slippery it can be. I was talking to one fellow about it and we both had to agree that it's not our older folks, but rather, it is us older folks. I don't know about you but it's hard for me to include myself in that category even though I have the social security number and the wear and tear to make me a full fledged member. Maybe that's my way of dealing with it. Sure. I am aware of all the stories about how this age is now the new much younger age. They need to interview those pesky relatives of mine. You know the ones I'm talking about. Uncle Arthur (Arthritis) and Uncle Bursy (Bursitis) would be good ones to start with. If they don't give a full account there are others waiting in the wings. Here's some advice given by the great general and wartime hero George S. Patton: "Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired. When you were younger the mind could make you dance all night, and the body was never tired... You've always got to make the mind take over and keep going." It will take me a while to digest that one.

The wife was out of town recently and I ran by the Taco Bell to pick us some tacos for the pot luck supper we have each Wednesday evening at the Church. I told the young man that I wanted two of the ten pack deluxe tacos. I could tell he was new. They seem to have a lot of new ones at that location. And, at my age they all look about 12 to me. He kindly reminded me that there were 10 tacos in each of those boxes. I couldn't resist. I said, "Can't you tell that I am really hungry?" He rang it up. Well, they don't really ring up things anymore. It's all electronically controlled by a computer. That way it tells them exactly what to do and how to make change. Lord help them if they have to make change without the terminal telling them what it should be. He gave me the amount I owed. I then asked was he going to give me the old people's discount. He chuckled and said he would be glad to. I had learned previously that if you don't ask they are not supposed to offer it. Just think. Looking at me, he may have offered the discount to a fellow who was way too young to receive it. He gave me the discount but I left still wondering about the chuckling part. You know how these things trouble the minds of us older folks. I may be kidding. I may not be. I'll have to get back to you later on that one. Enjoy your day and may God add His blessings to it. Amen. ....More later.