Billy Graham's favorite hymn, 'And Can it Be' written by John Wesley in 1738: 1) And can it be that I should gain An int'rest in the Savior's blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! how can it be That Thou, my God, should die for me? Refrain: Amazing love! how can it be That Thou, my God, should die for me! 2) 'Tis mystery all! Th'Immortal dies! Who can explore His strange design? In vain the firstborn seraph tries To sound the depths of love divine! 'Tis mercy all! let earth adore, Let angel minds inquire no more. [Refrain] 3) He left His Father's throne above, So free, so infinite His grace; Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam's helpless race; 'Tis mercy all, immense and free; For, O my God, it found out me. [Refrain] 4) Long my imprisoned spirit lay Fast bound in sin and nature's night; Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray, I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free; I rose, went forth and followed Thee. [Refrain] 5) No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him is mine! Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach th'eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own. [Refrain]

Welcome to Day 2 of this brand new year, and, I bid each one a hearty hello on this Friday, January 2, 2026. If you use any of the social media apps you are aware of the flood of artificial intelligence aided postings, mostly of altered photographs. In the above photo, the top picture is of yours truly taken in a studio project we did last November. The bottom photo is of how ChatGPT altered that image making me into the quinsintential Coca-Cola Santa. To resemble that particular image of the jolly old elf has been my goal since beginning the Santa adventure some 16 years ago. I didn't post the photo in my blog today to get your response on how well I am doing in reflecting this image, rather, I posted it because it reminded me of what people should see when they look at and interact with us as individuals. Okay. Here I go with another song I grew up singing:

 

 Let The Beauty of Jesus

words: Albert W. T. Orsbom (1916)
music: Tom M. Jones (1927)

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All His wonderful passion and purity;
May His spirit divine all my being refine,
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.

When somebody has been so unkind to you,
Some words spoken that pierces you thru and thru;
Think how He was beguiled, spat upon and reviled,
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in you.

From the dawn of the morning to close of day,
In example in deeds and in all you say;
Lay your gifts at His feet, ever strive to keep sweet,
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in you.

 

I will tell you this about that. Because we still have what the Apostle Paul named as the 'old man', (Ephesians 4, and Romans 6), living in us, showing forth our Savior when it really counts, that is, in our day by day living, well, it can be challenging. Don't make me go into detail how I know that to be true. My point in bringing it up is that we should not give up. Sure. In reading a number of lists that people have posted as new year resolutions, the 'be kinder' came up often. True kindness to others for believers is when we reflect our Savior and our identity as His own as we go about our daily living. Again, the Apostle Paul calls on believers to have the mind of Christ, Philippians 2:5, and, that's likely where I need to work going forward in 2026 and beyond. You've got this covered already? Good for you! Sorry to disappoint you, but, I am, at best, a work in progress with a long way to go. You will pray for me? Thanks so much because I need all the help I can get. 

I will close with this. How about us praying one for another that we will make progress this year in the area that matters most, our spiritual walk. Got it? Good. Take care now. You hear? And, may God add His blessings. Amen.  

"Another year! Use it kindly; you will not have it long, and almost ere you are aware, it will be past." ~ Charles F. Raymond, "This Banner Year," Just Be Glad, 1907

Okay. Here we go. It is the one and only first day of 2026, written as January 1, 2026. Happy Thursday and I do have some resolutions to share with you today. The first is heartfelt. I mentioned to my long-term proof reader that it appeared I might be drifting towards a wee bit of wordiness. She was quiet. She didn't argue but I, based on some 64 years of experience, interpreted her response: "You think?" Point taken. I will think about trying to do better. In fact, I resolve to think about thinking about doing better. How about that for a solid commitment of resolve? I updated the tag on my blog. I will confess I had trouble coming up with a rhyming word for 2026 but thanks to Google AI, I was able to do this one: Still In the Mix in 2026. It does give a smidgen of presumptiveness, however, if I am able to climb the stairs and sit in the chair on any given day and if I am able, using the electronic means to produce another edition, well, I consider myself to still be in the mix fully knowing that it could change at any time. I'm sure some out there wanted a clarification on that one. Not really? I also added the qualification that states I will, if the Lord agrees, turn 80 in this upcoming August. (I think most are aware that we believe life begins at conception, therefore, since my mother carried me 9 months, well, do the math, I am already well over 80.) But given how age is counted, if I make it to my official birthday in August I will join the narrowing percentage in that this male population group makes up roughly 3.3%, (80 or older), in our country. Back in the day when I worked in downtown Houston in the high rise, since I was a department head the company provided me with a membership to the historic Houston Club. I did think I was somebody. Think about it. The company provided the membership cost. The company paid the monthly expense. I ate there often and I did get to rub shoulders with folks who thought they were somebody too. Many of them were very much more recognizable than me. Truth is, looking back, as Paw Paw Mac would say, "It didn't amount to a hill of beans." I recently heard a preacher talking about a major newspaper interview with the mayor, at that time, of New York City. When the reporter asked about how the mayor viewed his accomplishments in office, he replied with something like this: "If there is a God and if there is a judging process then there is no doubt in my mind that I will be first to go into heaven based on all the good I have accomplished." Those comments were in the published interview. The pastor went on to lament how the world pretty much sees it the same way. If there is a judgment, then the good will be weighed against the bad and if I've done more good than bad, I get in. Sounds good. Right? Well, that, my friend, is not how it works. It doesn't matter if you are burned at the stake for your stated fidelity to your faith, unless you know Jesus as Savior and Lord, you will find your place in hell. If you give all you have to the poor but you do not know Jesus in the free pardon from sin, well, you too will find your place in hell. Okay. I admit it. I decided to postpone the curtailment of wordiness until tomorrow. You know. Sing along with me: "Tomorrow, tomorrow! I love ya tomorrow! You're always A day Away!" Back to the matter at hand. I'll leave us all to consider what many believe to be some of the most chilling words spoken by our Lord, "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’" (Matthew 7:21-23 English Standard Version). I suppose this sounds like a welcome to my menu for the first day of the new year: Conviction, conviction, conviction! I do take responsibility for it, but, I must tell the truth again, I sat down, you know like someone ready to play the piano, and, this is the song that came forth. It did. It really did.

 

I would like to think that paragraph looks longer than it really is. What? You too! At least we have found agreement on something. I do have some aspirations for this upcoming year. Essentially, they have to do with growing in the grace of our Lord and Savior. At my age? Don't be alarmed, but, yes! If I do grow, then many of the areas I wish to improve will show up in my serving during the time I have left. Those areas include use of my time, my talent, my treasure, and, my testimony. Those pretty much cover impact on my family, my brothers and sisters in Christ, my friends, and, any and all others I come in contact with, oh yeah, including those I have trouble getting along with. The bottom line, and I don't mean to sound morbid, but, I have so much to do and so little time to do it. You are right. I should have started earlier. Without any malice or forethought, I think my response to us all is this: Physician heal thyself. Until next time, have a great day and may God, who is timeless, in the time we have available in this brand new year, bless us all, for His honor and glory. Amen. 

Galatians 3:7 ~ New Living Translation ~ "The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God."

Good frosty morning from my little piece of real estate to wherever you happen to be, on this New Year's Eve, December 31, 2025. Yep, we dipped momentarily below freezing here after hitting 83 degrees (°F) on Christmas Day. And, I used that my real estate wording advisedly because here in the state of Texas, even though our property has been paid off for years, well, we still get annual property taxes and if you don't pay them, well, your property can become their property which in a way I suppose it already is since they tend to have control over it. You do know what I mean. Right, Vern? I do not want to use a cliche here but for us, New Years Eve is mostly like, let me see, it's like Wednesday before the anticipated next day Thursday. I know. That sounds so boring but since I am into overused phrases, it is what it is. I do know that God gave us time for a reason. No. It's not just so we can have an alarm clock, however, the alarm clock metaphor does fit the primary reason He gave time to us. That is that we might think about where we have been, where we are now, and where we are headed. That sometimes involves the proverbial wake up call. For slow learners like me, it typically involves numerous wake up calls from The Front Desk Above. Okay. I've pretty much worn out that illustration, but, I do think it's okay to have God meddle in our business and He has promised to do just that when it involves His own. Last Sunday our pastor brought a message regarding the communication God had with Abraham before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorah. (Genesis Chapters 17 and 18) God visiting and talking with Abraham. Now that, my friend, is an awesome thought. I remind myself that Abraham was a man, like me. We are well aware of the times he made wrong choices and failed to operate as God would have had him to. However, this man Abraham with all of his missteps, he was known as the Friend of God. (James 2:23, Isaiah 41:8, 2 Chronicles 20:7). That same fellow. The one Jesus said he had seen His day and rejoiced. (John 8) God talked with him. Sure. I know Abraham became the father of the nation of Israel and he became a model of faith as made clear in Hebrews 11. My point? God deals with individuals on a personal basis. With all the flaws, warts, and blemishes, He still loves and cares for His own. That sermon was dealing with a different point, but, it spoke to me in this way: He still wants me to be all that I can be within His plan and purpose for my life. And, as a Christ follower, you too! Okay. That is what I call a handful of thrown together thoughts to encourage us all as we get ready for a brand new year. I'm glad God didn't give up on Abraham and He will not give up on you and I. Amen.

 

A number of years ago we hosted a Thursday evening meeting in our home. It was a gathering of folks, mostly from our local fellowship, and, we had snacks, songs, and, yours truly brought a spiritual devotional. The folks who came were typically, older. Duh? We did have a few that were not so old. Those who showed up always wanted us to sing songs that meant a lot to them. We would often sing the same songs every week because they asked or perhaps, insisted would be a better way to describe it. Songs that spoke to them like, Victory In Jesus, Just A Closer Walk, I Know Who holds Tomorrow, and, one that seemed to connect folks to their heritage, In the Garden. I thought about that particular song as it relates to God's communication with His own. If you've never heard it, look it up on YouTube. Just do it. Here are the lyrics:

 

In the Garden, written by Charles Miles and published in 1913

 

I come to the garden alone,
    While the dew is still on the roses,
    And the voice I hear falling on my ear
    The Son of God discloses.
 
        Refrain:
        And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
        And He tells me I am His own;
        And the joy we share as we tarry there,
        None other has ever known. 
         
    He speaks, and the sound of His voice
    Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
    And the melody that He gave to me
    Within my heart is ringing.

Refrain:
        And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
        And He tells me I am His own;
        And the joy we share as we tarry there,
        None other has ever known. 

    I’d stay in the garden with Him,
    Though the night around me be falling,
    But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
    His voice to me is calling.

Refrain:
        And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
        And He tells me I am His own;
        And the joy we share as we tarry there,
        None other has ever known. 

I can tell you this about that. Many tears graced the faces of these seasoned saints as they contemplated the truths found in this song. That gives us all something to think about. It does. It really does. Until next time, stay up, watch the ball drop, (we saw the video of the testing of it, so we have no need, ha!), be safe, and as always be ready to offer up praise and worship to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Amen and Amen.

"Consider Your Ways" ~ Old Testament Writing of Haggai

Good morning and welcome to today's sermonette. Just joking. Today is Tuesday, December 30, 2025, and, it is 40 degrees (°F) outside here at the ole blogger ranch. While that's not cold compared to many who are iced in, it is a dramatic drop from the above average temps we experienced in and around our Christmas celebrations. I have a confession to make. I watch a lot of sermons. I do. I really do. If you ever become interested I highly recommend YouTube searches for our Pastor, Dr. Jerry Chaddick, another great pulpit expositor, Pastor C. T. Townsend, I also enjoy hearing the verse by verse presentation from Pastor Gary Hamrick and Pastor Skip Heitzig, the teaching approach from Pastor David Guzik, and, the through the Bible teacher, Dr. J. Vernon Magee, and, Pastor Chuck Smith, Dr. Charles Stanley, and many others. As we get ready to say goodbye to 2025 I randomly landed on a couple of expository presentations from the Prophet Haggai written to the nation of Israel. I have taught that passage myself more than a few times, however, it is an accountability text that reminds us how we are here for a purpose. Accounting for what I accomplished in 2025 is a difficult process. Accounting for what I did for the kingdom in this soon to end year is even more arduous. Why? I suppose because it makes me aware that God has blessed me to be a blessing. Only what's done for Christ will live on and will meet us when we leave this life for the next. The Haggai passage is all about how Israel was using the resources for things other than what God had called them to do. And, as a result God was not blessing the outcomes they were pursuing. The Prophet was sent by God to call them to account for themselves in terms of their specific calling to rebuild the Temple which lay in ruins. That was why they had providentially been returned to the land. Go back and rebuild the Temple. They started to do that but opposition came and the work stopped. They then turned to other pursuits, like building nice homes for themselves and using their resources for other endeavors. God's message was clear, they needed to stop and consider what they were doing. And, that's what I need to do. Take stock of where I am, what I have been doing and compare that to the calling God has on my life. In their case, a great revival came as they returned to the work God called them to accomplish. Like I say, self accountability in terms of kingdom efforts, well, it is always convicting and I don't particularly like thinking about it. What about you? Here's the interesting thing about their response as recorded by Haggai. When they got up and began again to pursue their God ordained assignment, God's Spirit returned to aid them along their way. 

 

I will have to account for me, myself, and I, because as a Christ follower I need awareness of what God wants me to do and then I need to evaluate my progress towards His calling. I look at it like this. I didn't land on these two different fresh expositional sermons from the Book of Haggai by accident. Sure. I am very familiar with that Book, however, God can speak through His Word to anyone at anytime He chooses, including me. I've got my own wrestling to do with my own self. Here's my recommendation for you. Go and read the short two chapters in Haggai. Prayerfully consider what God is saying to His own chosen people which you and I are if we are saved by the blood of the Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ. I often look up teachings by a specific passage like the Book of Haggai, just make sure the individual presenting God's Word is a trustworthy steward committed to rightly dividing the word of truth. (2nd Timothy 2:15) Believe me when I say this. I have plenty to say grace over in my own camp, but, this is what got stirred up since very early, way before the crack of dawn this morning and now I have released it for whatever purpose God chooses to use it. And, may He speak to each one according to His will, and, in so doing may we hear and respond. That would be my prayer today. Amen.

 

Footnote: Expository preaching and teaching seeks to allow God to speak through the passage being presented. Here's how Dr. Albert Mohler, President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, describes this approach, "Expository preaching is that mode of Christian preaching that takes as its central purpose the presentation and application of the text of the Bible . . . all other issues and concerns are subordinated to the central task of presenting the biblical text." 

A Daily Ride Earth gives to everyone, And every Year a Trip around the Sun. ~ Arthur Guiterman, "Of Stars," A Poet's Proverbs, 1924

Good morning and I am thanking God today for my sister, JoAnn, who, as of today, Monday, December 29, 2025, has been blessed by God to attain 81 years here on the planet. She's not had an easy go of it for many of her years, however, she walks by faith and is an encouragement and inspiration to us all. That's her behind the couch on the right, and, that's yours truly on the couch sitting on the left next to mom. Looking at that photo taken on Resurrection Sunday, 1953, in Hornbeck, Lousiana, in the living room of mom's parents we were visiting, Granny and Paw Paw Mac, and it is worth noting that JoAnn and I are the only ones left in our sojourn in this life. Dad, Jimmy, Kayla, Donald, Mom, (step dad Jose), and Frances, they have all gone on to their reward. I believe we will see them again on the other side. I don't altogether understand how that will work but faith in The Scriptures inform me that I will. We sing much about that as we remember our loved ones gone on before. One that I grew up singing was entitled 'Glad Reunion Day'. It was written by a prolific song writer, Adger M. Pace, and published in 1940. It's one that reflects our hopes of seeing our saved loved ones again: 

 

The lyrics may be hard to see in that photo of how it appeared in the song books we used, in shape note style.

 

Lyrics: 

Glad Reunion Day

There will be a happy meeting in heaven I know When we see the many loved ones we’ve known here below. Gather on the blessed hilltops with hearts all aglow. That will be a glad reunion day.


(Chorus)

Glad day, a wonderful day, Glad day, a glorious day; There with all the holy angels and loved ones to stay, That will be a glad reunion day.

There within the holy city we’ll sing and rejoice, Praising Christ the blessed Saviour with heart and with voice. Tell him how we came to love Him and make Him our choice. That will be a glad reunion day.

(Chorus)

When we live a million years in that wonderful place Basking in the love of Jesus, beholding His face. It will seem but just a moment of praising His grace. That will be glad reunion day.

(Chorus)

 

While we are enthralled by the truth illustrated in that song, I would be remiss not to point out the overwhelming joy to be experienced, as Bro. Pace wrote it, "Basking in the love of Jesus, beholding His face It will seem but just a moment of praising His grace That will be a glad reunion day." We love to think about seeing mother and dad and others, however, on that day we shall see Jesus, the One who gave Himself up in our place that we might spend eternity in His presence, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I am looking forward to what all this means. I am. I really am. I hope you are too. Again, Happy Birthday Sis, and, may God add His blessings. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV: "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you").

Good morning and welcome. Today is Friday, December 26, 2025, and, we are dealing with what I generally call The Day After situation here at the ole blogger ranch. All those hours of preparation, all those efforts trying to make the day as special as we know how, and, within maybe five hours or less, it's all scheduled for the memory book. Some good ones too! I used to watch our boys play. I then spent time, a lot of time, watching our grandchildren play, and now, I spend the time seeing our great grands do their thing. What do I call someone involved in those slices of life moments? I would say blessed beyond measure. What say you? I cooked up some chicken parts, some pork rib-lets, and, the star of the menu, one dozen good sized steaks, and, I almost forgot, a partridge in a pear tree. The steaks were mostly medium to medium rare with one or two well done. That reminds me of a friend who used to order his in this way, "When you think it is well done through and through, cook it for another 5 minutes and it should be just right." Hearing that caused me a fair amount of grimacing, however, this is America and we can choose how we want our steak cooked. I mean, think about it. There are people who actually pour steak sauce on top of a perfectly cooked steak. While that makes me want to run and hide, it is how they like it. One of the slogans for A1 went like this, "Makes steak sing." It makes me sing too. In fact, it reminds me of watching the black and white version of Titanic from 1953, I can see in my mind's eye those people left on the ship singing 'Nearer My God to Thee' as the ship slips into the icy waters. Okay. I will grant you that might be a little over dramatized, but, it does convey my thoughts on the matter. A word picture, if you will. (And, in answer to your question, we do not have any of those types of sauces on our premises, just so you know.) Here's how we assess having our annual Christmas get together: Twenty of us came together, we had fun, we feasted, we had wonderful fellowship, and, in the prayer I prayed over the day as we all gathered together was that we all would be reminded of our Savior and how He came and how God planned it all so that we might be made right with Him, and, that we might even enjoy a day like yesterday. ("All good gifts come from above..." James 1:17) We've never really had one of those knock down and drag out kind of days and I really can't remember any major difficulties encountered. I return to that theme I mentioned above: Blessed and, again I say, "Thank You Lord for giving us a good day. Amen." 

I think most of us are familiar with what we generally refer to as a good tired. The wife and I were both in the good tired mode when it was all said and done. My grandad used to say, "It won't take long for me to be rocked to sleep tonight." That was exactly the truth for me last night. It didn't take long. And, yes, my friend, I'm very thankful for that too. I am. I really am. Thank You Lord! Amen.

May God add His blessings!