12/12/2018

This is the day we’ll “plug in” the Alkaline Water system in Gadsden, AL. Whether we are able to open today or tomorrow is up to some inspector that will come by after we are making great water! Every day in the Blue Jug world seems to me to get better in one way or another. Of course, it’s fun to watch people (even help a little) get their own store open and know the major product we produce is going to be beneficial to everyone who drinks it regularly. In addition, each store we open, we already can see the next one coming into the group —that’s exciting!

While I sit down to write this little ditty, I’m wondering something. OK, I’ll just ask this: since I don’t know who exactly reads what I write, the question to you is why do you read it? Don’t get me wrong, I’m writing this for me, but to you. It isn’t my intention to write about things I know nothing about, but also it isn’t my intention to bore you with things that do not interest you (not that every paragraph has to please everyone who reads it.) But, is there something in each blog that will be interesting enough to make you return tomorrow? or the next day? I hope so. It is a blog about my life, my life in the Lord, and my life here in this time and place. But, it is also about life’s lessons—the short and sweet (or bitter) lessons accumulated over the conscious years I’ve lived. 

It is also the observance of other people’s lives. There are many people to observe, and many attitudes noticed which render many stories; some funny, some poignant, some almost embarrassing, some written to make known things that ought not occur again, if one can help it. Observations are like filmstrips of past events if they are properly transferred to words on pages. Some filmstrips used to be exciting which now are not. Likewise, some used to be boring and now are more interesting and even exciting, sometimes.

This morning on my FB timeline, a friend asked for one word to describe President Trump. It was a new post and there were no comments yet. So, after I thought about it for a few minutes, I wrote down “Fearless.” Pretty sure some of you will disagree and perhaps would have put down “stupid” or “dumbass” or the more sophisticates, “incorrigible.” But none of these is true. We’re talking about a one word description. He is far from stupid even if you think he says or does stupidly. He isn’t a dumbass, even if some things he says don’t get the results he’s looking to get. Incorrigible will not work descriptively because he has shown a great ability to change, and/or be reasoned with by those with whom he meets.

My reason for fearless isn’t to say he’s brave or careless. It is because he knows some things can be dangerous to him as a man in that position and that doesn’t stop him from wanting the changes he wants or thinks is best. When he attacks the system of the world, he knows how many presidents have been threatened, shot, (injured and killed), and intimidated into a do-nothing finish, or resignation from the office. Whether he has a “death wish” or not, he will go ahead with what is on his agenda. If it were not important enough to see it through, it wouldn’t have been on his agenda in the first place. 

Hey! —I hope that is true of you, don’t be doing things unworthy of your time and talent. And, if you belong to the Lord, do the things “as unto the Lord.” Now, in living in a country free to change leadership every four years by design, give President Trump the liberty to do the same. and if you like the changes that are made, vote for him if he runs. You don’t have to like him to like his presidency.

Illinois has had some really poor politicians which would make a long list. But in the post WW2 years, until the late 60s or early 70s, they had a senator named Everett Dirksen: deep gravelly voice, more conservative than Goldwater at the time, and yet very popular with the press. He was strangely witty and his one-liners would have rivaled Churchill’s. He actually cut a record in those days. I wish I had it. It was an LP (that’ll be Long Playing to you millennials), I think. Politics doesn’t change much. I think “Ev’s” record could teach us a few things if my memory isn’t missing something. I guess I’d better look it up.

Speaking of records, I’m remembering one this morning as the SIMH. I first heard an album played on a stereo in about 1957, running around with some guys 2-3 years older than me. We wound up in a friend of a friend’s apartment in Indianapolis who had a brand new Kenwood stereo component setup. He played an album of music that included Frank Sinatra, Jerry Vale, Dean Martin, Perry Como, Dinah Shore, some big band and I think, Kay Starr. One of my friends ask him why he bought such as that instead of Elvis, etc. He said the stereo store gave it to him to show off the stereo sound. And man, it did. (Next greatest sound for me was a full orchestral sound on a live stage—ah! Awesome.) 

Not real sure the SIMH was on this album, but when I was humming it, it reminded me of the first stereo sound I understood. I was remembering Sinatra singing “Nancy, With the Laughing Face”—which he recorded in 1945, I think. His first wife and his daughter were both named Nancy. Nice song about love. Make it a lovely and loving day.

Thanks for reading, the Elder 

12/11/2018

I skipped two days! No, I’m not getting forgetful in my old age, I was just was too busy in the mornings and too tired in the evenings to write anything. I know, I know, the massive throng who reads this blog daily (guffaw, guffaw) is really on pins and needles waiting for the expected upward mobilization of wisdom commencing to flow from these words! There, I talked myself into writing something —anything. 

This is a cold morning on the mountain, but, man, it is beautiful! The temperature is 23, but after the rains we’ve had for several days the cold air has produced the most beautiful heavy frost all around our home and neighborhood. Looks like a light snowfall in the bright sunlight. I guess I should be very thankful I don’t live in North Carolina, huh! One of my friends on FB put a U.S. map of states picture with NC Closed across that state. ‘Bout says it all, doesn’t it?

But this kind of day, bright sunshine and chilly (high in the upper 40s) is the kind of December day we looked for way back in the 60s when I was in retail (first men’s clothing, then jewelry), this really brought out the buyers! The women! I’m probably right in assuming the women still do the bulk of the shopping for gifts, etc., so this may be a big day, at least for a Tuesday. 

I had to really talk myself into going down to the “studio” last night to teach the online class. It was cold and windy and raining and not conducive to wanting to go outside. I could have taught and broadcast from home, but I really wanted to use the white board timeline. So, I went, and I’m glad I did. Of course, the fellowship before and after was great with the few who tuned in live. But, I did use the timeline (hopefully) to clearly delineate the Scripture and its application to us. I pray the gospel was clear, that people who know the Lord were and will be edified by the lesson on who we are, where we are, who we’re going to be, and when and where this is going to occur.

[Monday, 7:00PM at zoom.us/j/2103785748 for live lessons; You Tube Channel/Brother Jerry Lockhart (by date) for the archived lessons.]

I remarked to a friend last evening that I never seem to finish studying out and teaching the books of Ephesians and Colossians. There are so many portions or passages in these two books which fit who and what we are today, and each of these subjects; whether one verse or several verses long, or just here a little and there a little, when put together with like passages found in other books of the bible can and do direct our paths, just like Proverbs 3:5,6 says they will.

About 35 years ago, Bro. E.C. Moore held a recurring Monday night class for young men who thought perhaps they should become preachers. I had already been preaching for about 10 years, but I asked him if I could come and bring young men with me. It was about an hour away from where I lived. He said sure (and I could almost see his eyes say, but don’t you interfere, hehe.) So all together about 4, I think, went with me once or twice, none of which are preachers today. To some, you might think of that as a failure. It is far from a failure. Those men decided they were not going to be preachers because the studied the word of God and found out where their interests really lie. It was good for them to see preaching as it was instead of some primrose path being foisted upon them in a preacher factory—seminary.

One of those men, acting rather irritated as we started home, began asking me questions as if Bro. Moore was teaching salvation incorrectly. The conversation heated up a little as I just repeated the gospel, so I asked him, “when did you, as a lost sinner in need of a Savior, trusted in Jesus Christ, leaving your salvation in His hands?” He exhaled long. Then said, “I don’t know.” I replied, “How then, do you know you’re saved?” Again, long exhale. “give me a minute,” he said. We were silent for about two miles. Then, he said, “I have a Savior now!” And, as far as I know he has never again doubted his salvation, nor, to my knowledge, has he ever preached. He is a terrific speaker and he (at least many years ago) uses Scripture to point his listeners in the right direction. But, I think he’d agree he never became a preacher. He went on to be a father of a large family, and has led a fruitful life in other vocations. Praise God for the simplicity of the gospel.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

12/8/2018

It’s late in the day. It has been cold and raining all day and I blame the weather for failing to write earlier. This morning I was up really early and must have, at first thought, I’ll write a blog later; and later thought I wrote it earlier. Yeah, that makes some sort of weird sense to me. Sorry.

Been thinking about Bible teachers I’ve known a big part of the day, basketball also, has been a big part of the day, also. After all my 3 favorite teams all played today on the “telly.” I’ve watched Indiana beat Louisville and now Duke, then later, Butler also play. In case you’re interested, they’re all 3 doing well this year.

Back to Bible teachers. I listened to a recording by a friend which was done about 10 years ago. It was terrific! At one point, he made a great doctrinal truth known and said, “I know that’s true, I can see it says it, right there!” …Today, though, he doesn’t teach that as a truth. How does that come about? He knew it was true because he could read it, but now he doesn’t believe it because___ he can’t see it anymore? Did his Bible change? I’m reminded of Gal.5: 7,8, “…..who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.”

Hearing him was a joy. Thinking of where he has wandered off to is not joyful, though. I scratch my head about some things men change their minds about. They look back at when they believed the same way I do and have for about 44 years, and they say, “I used to believe that but now I see differently.” Then, just about every time they make a comparison, they imply rather strongly that I and men who believe as I do are following some man. Not so for any of us. We’re about as independent a bunch of bible teachers as can be. We don’t get together and compare notes, we don’t even all agree on some minor points of doctrine. But, on the basics of understanding God’s word and knowing how to study God’s word, we all agree. And we agree because we study it, not because a man somewhere in our past taught us or told us we had to believe it this way!

Next subject, please. It looks like a pretty sure thing we’ll have 8 Blue Jug stores open by the end of January. The eighth has purchased their system and that usually means they are 6-7 weeks from being opened. Some things just get to going good, momentum is on our side for the new year, perhaps.  

Speaking of the stores, December is a strange month. More about that later in the month, but at the start of this past week, I wouldn’t have thought it could be that bad. By weeks end, though not altogether a great week, it finished better than I thought it would. The season hasn’t come to us yet, I guess. I want to commend Sarah on being wise concerning “stocking up” for the holidays. she has a good cautious nature. It’s going to serve her well, I think.

“C’mon On-A My House” was the song on my mind shortly after I got up this morning. Rosemary Clooney sang that (she’s George’s aunt, I think.) It may be banned shortly. Good thing she didn’t mention enticing someone with candy! Wait! Oh, NO,  she did!!

Thanks for reading, the Elder

12/7/2018

So today is the day that will live in infamy. And it does. The attack of Pearl Harbor on this day in 1941, substantially changed the lives of Americans from that day till now. Everything changed. A war ensued, raging in two continents for four years, This war became known as “the big war”—WW2. History lessons have been written and re-written about the battles, the bravery of men, and the cowardice of a few. The politics are still being cussed and discussed, claimed and disclaimed, and the further we get from that war started 77 years ago today, the less we know about the why of that war.

I was schooled in a very patriot-centered era and also in a patriotic town and school. After being in the adult world for about 14 years, I began to read and listen to some thoughts which made me re-examine the history of this war. That study caused me to go further into the events prior to and leading up to the Civil War. In the decade before the war between the states, I found history taught in schools to be very lacking. Obscure, one term presidents, a skirmish with the Mexicans, nothing significant. But, that wasn’t true. It seems the decade preceding wars are very significant.

Today, people talk about a “shadow government” in our country. I know when it showed up: It was in the shadows of the beginning, 1775 to 1784; then it grew bolder and had a presence in the 1850s, then bolder yet in the 1910-18 years, infusing itself into our lives while the public sat asleep and did nothing to correct the bend away from our constitution. Before two more decades were completed after the first world war, our country had lost its grip on the wealth and prosperity which had been the hallmark for the first 125 years. The “shadow government” had little resistance by the time the “day of infamy” arrived. It took the better part of two centuries for the “god of this world” to penetrate the people of this land to the point of capitulation, but we were all in by the time John Kennedy was elected. 

Understanding the “way things are” in the world gave Pres. Kennedy a different purpose than just going along to get along and as soon as he began to speak and plan changes to bring us back to basics, they had him killed. The Warren Commission puppets finally just gave up and concluded little old Lee Harvey Oswald just thought the whole thing up by himself. Good grief, what a farce! 

Where were the heroes of the two wars “to end all wars?” They were not being heard from. The quest of the shadow guv was in high gear and it hasn’t been slowed down since. In the 1990s, a Supreme Court judge said publicly that the U.S.A. had to listen to the world’s interpretation to know how to judge our constitutional rights. ….Good grief, again!

If you think all this is not true, study it for yourselves. I did, I won’t bother with it much, but you should know where you are, why you are, and know who your enemies truly are because you do have to live in their world.

Has any of this surprised the Lord? Our Saviour, Jesus Christ: is He wondering if He can finish His course? Is God dead as Neitzsche  said?

Of course not. God is still the God of the whole Universe. His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ is still the “heir of all things.” We are still, one by one, being saved by the facts of the gospel, “how that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, was buried, and was raised again the third day according to the Scriptures.” “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” God will seal you by His Spirit and you’ll belong to the “Victor!”

But this worldly situation should serve to make us sing a great song, all day long, to ourselves or to a crowd: “This World Is Not My Home”—I’m just passing through, my treasure’s all laid up, somewhere beyond the blue”…. A great song about a great hope and a greater eternity. Even so, come Lord Jesus. This world will wear us down sometimes, but our hope will make us shine like the Son!

Incidentally, this was not the SIMH, that was an old sappy love song by Nat King Cole—“That Sunday, That Summer.”

Thanks for reading, the Elder

12/6/2018

What is it with this world’s idiocy about what is offensive? Somebody doesn’t like “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” and pretty soon it’s the talk of multi-media expecting the goose-step, politically correct effect and removing it from their playlists! (This is really a ridiculous issue taken-up by people who thrive on a little chaos, using it like a feeding tube.) If these same people would take up a cause to get rid of gutter language from “rap” music and some rock music, they would be summarily dismissed, called religious nuts, racist, homophobic, and banned from the industry! Here’s what to do with music you feel offended by: turn it off. And if you think it may be a danger to your children, tell them why. Suggestions in music seldom, if ever, are the cause of some offense taking place. Get over it and live your life without wasting your rant time!—that last part was to me, I shan’t waste anymore time. Rant over.

Every year during December I find myself smiling and saying things like “you, too!” and “have a great one!” to those who wish me a merry christmas. [Psst, I don’t care if you wish people a merry christmas.] I truly appreciate the friendliness of this season, but am curious every time as to why the person is doing it. Does the well-wisher mean “isn’t it a lovely or loving time of year?” or “can I tell you about my Savior?” or “I hope you’ve got plans like we’ve got plans” or “oh well, I guess I gotta  say this” and on and on.

Here’s what I want to do: I want to say, “you know, we should set aside some time to talk about when Christ was really born” or “doesn’t it bother you to see the idolatrous practices become so prevalent that only us 1%ers even know the truth?”(sarcasm) or just be bluntly honest and say, “Happy Holidays! and may the Lord bless your new year!” I guess the latter, the blunt way is the most acceptable. 

If it is a round-the-table discussion, I’ve learned by many stupid mistakes to frame the truth in an answer-to-a-question way. Obviously, then, the conversation just stops. But, that’s better than driving wedges into further discussions about things higher up on the importance list. If I were to actually have a list of top priority topics, talking about the paganistic practices of halloween, christmas and easter would be somewhere down around number 25, maybe as far down as 35th. I’ve had highly respected preachers argue the point that Christ gets named, at least, on christmas and easter. As far as I’m concerned it is a weak argument because it is least even among those families which have a solemn moment about it, or even the reading of Scripture about Christ’s birth, it’s just a few minutes and then back to the frivolity! 

So, you ask, what do you do at the holidays? (You were about to ask that, right?) I just go along. As I said, it’s pretty far down the list. If we are invited to a party, we go and enjoy the fellowship. When the family gathers, we are just really happy to be with them. If we host the family or friends, we have “Winter” decorations up, just a few (haha) and we welcome everyone in with as little said about the day itself as possible. If you have a decorated tree, and you ask me to teach a bible class in your home, I will gladly stand right in front of it and teach a class. You can’t offend me in this, I am the oddball. But, I will not have a tree up in my house, I do not sing carols, and if I give you a gift, it probably will not be referenced as a “christmas present.”

As religion often does, it takes a biblical event and creates ritual practices out of it, presuming upon the grace of God in which we live. Because the Lord said certain things to certain people doesn’t cause those things to be made into the rule of practice for who we are and where we are in His plan. There are several things I could bring up concerning this, but an easy one is church membership and hierarchy. There is zero reason for either of those things to be used. 

So, why do you suppose any church, let alone all organizations of churches practice these two non-biblical admonitions? (If a church is simply of the Lord, then the Lord must be depended upon to keep track of who are His, and keep track of who’s in charge, etc.) Man’s will is to keep track of what the Lord knows quite well, and maybe gain something for the organization through solicitation or expectation of duty exercised members. And the bigger a church gets, obviously it has to have more professional people, and more support to pay the “staff” and “faculty” and the “district office” and the “national agency” and the “international effort” ad infinitum. See, one thing does lead to another and apostasy sets in easily. The devil just smiles and goes on. Thank God for His matchless grace!

Oh, by the way: the SIMH was not “Baby It’s Cold Outside” (though that fits the day, brrr) it is “Don’t Rock the Boat, Baby”—The Hues. Ya know, that might be offensive, too!

Thanks for reading, the Elder

12/5/2018

“The Wonder of it All” —is the SIMH today and is a well written picture of the grace of God in our lives. (I don’t know who wrote it, sorry.) I wish I knew a good way to express the grace of God to show even those who do not believe on The Lord Jesus Christ, those in other “religions” and non-religions, etc., that they also live in the grace of God. Perhaps they’ll not be able to see it because of their own activities or their own dogmas, but if they could see we who believe the truth of God (who are often at odds with them and are thought of as enemies of their faith), we know and understand their position is not hampering His grace from being the aura of their lives the same as it is ours.

By that phrase, aura of their lives. I mean whatever metaphysical environment mankind forms around his life’s activities and purpose does not invoke wrath from the almighty, or other “gods” interfering, nor does the one True God send out his “posse” to whip others into the straight and narrow. The God of the bible, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the same who is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, He does not interfere in anyone’s life today because He is not angry with the world any longer. (Read very carefully 2 Corinthians 5:14-21.) If there is one passage which the vast unsaved should understand, oh how it should be this one. 

But, you see, the previous chapter says it can’t be. That precious truth cannot be understood first. 2 Corinthians 4: 3,4 shows first, one must believe the gospel of Christ. What we (who do believe the gospel of Christ) need to remember is that at anytime anyone can come to that belief; never give up on a person even if you have no further relative contact with them. The power of God unto salvation is not you, but the gospel of Christ. And that might come out of the mouth of anyone who knows it. Just leave them in the hands of the Lord and His Holy Spirit.

You might say, well, they are blinded by “the god of this world”—that’s what those verses say. True, but just in front of saying that, the verse said they “believe not.” Which came first, the blinding or the unbelief? The unbelief. Well, then, they can change their mind. Now, take a deep breath and depend on God’s Spirit to convict and be ready, always, to give an answer. Take into your practice these words from Paul: 2Tim.2:23-26, which in short say, why not depend on the Lord to help, you probably can’t change anyone’s mind but your own, anyway. Be wise, but harmless as doves.

It’s a beautiful, but cold day up here on the mountain. Yesterday was my favorite way to spend Winter. It was mid 50s all the way to mid 60s and sunny. I enjoyed the day. Today, it’s sunny but in the 20s. C’mon back, Spring-like weather, c’mon back. Alas, I fear, not. This is just early December! We’ve got a few weeks left since it isn’t even officially Winter. It’s because we messed with the clock, right? If we could just talk the “powers that be” into Spring-ing forward the weather would cooperate!

Well, since Winter is here, we might just as well get used to it and figure out the best way to use it. Here’s one thing I know and we tell all our water customers: Each person needs more water in the Winter than in the Summer and here’s why: we have drier air inside our houses because of heating, we have drier air outside because of cooler temperatures and winds which dry the atmosphere more, and we “layer” on more clothing, which can rob the body of moisture by absorption. So, drink more water! 

(That would be Alkaline water, of course.) By the way, our new terminology which will be used every time we can work it into our conversation or printed material, is to refer to our water as “water with alkalinity.” This better defines the manner and method we use to make water the way the Lord’s plan showed, by appointing the affect of the proper minerals and maximizing the value to our bodies. Water With Alkalinity—that’s us!

Hope this day goes well for you.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

12/4/2018

I once read an explanation of “writer’s block” which I didn’t understand until just now. You’re probably saying, “why is Jerry going to tell us what writer’s block is?” Because I have it. Thought maybe this would help. 

I always heard the phrase, “I sat down to write and nothing came out.” What struck me, just now is that it’s not about thoughts. The thoughts are running around like pre-schoolers in a gym! There just doesn’t seem to be a handle, or a corner to latch on to and slow the thoughts into some form of “chatter” or “banter” and therefore make some sense out of all the random rabbit trails. The man who wrote the explanation said he couldn’t make himself hit the keys on his typewriter, but that it wasn’t a fear. He was a multi-hit writer and I wouldn’t doubt his experience, but for me, it is just collecting the thoughts with some sort of order. It’s getting better just talking about it. Here goes.

“Short People” —Randy Newman, 1977, is the SIMH today. Randy’s music has a sort of wry humor coupled with a frivolous disrespect that can bring out loud laughter much of the time. He’s short and I’m short so this song always catches my attention. I will also stop and listen to his “Let’s Drop the Big One Now” which is about using one of these Super Bombs the big boys in the world like to say they make—his song says “drop it and let’s see what happens.” He also wrote “I Love LA” and  “Momma Told Me Not To Come.” Fun music.

Today, I go to the new Blue Jug store in Gadsden, AL to communicate with the plumber. No, I would never tell a plumber how to do anything. It’s just to be sure he doesn’t miss seeing everything about our water system and then have to make a re-visit to the store. If he understands the needed water flow and drains, he’ll see exactly how he needs to do his work. Hopefully, he will not ask me questions about stuff I can’t answer. but, this also gives the Gadsden owner a chance to see every facet of the system and what it takes to maintain it. There, don’t I sound like I know what I’m talking about?

We now have an eighth store being readied, this one in Abilene, TX. Not a doubt in my mind about its success as they are another area plagued with water which needs the improvements our system brings. The couple doing it are very astute young people and seem to understand how to do what they want to do. A good grip on life, if you will.

We’re beginning to think in terms of the year ahead in some respects, though not trying to be putting “carts” before “horses” or anything like that. Yesterday, I mentioned scheduling conferences in the new year and how important that is. Setting dates is what causes the flow of events and workloads and people to get together and have it all work out for the glory of God. Since 1979, (at Pineview Bible Camp), I’ve been involved in several hundred camps and conferences in several states and they always come together. About 4 have been stopped by hurricanes and one camp was shortened by a water issue. Other than that, it has been an amazing thing to watch how the Lord provides. (Speaking of that, there was a shortfall of one of last year’s conferences and a balance is still owed. If you have an interest in helping out with that, just get in touch with me and I’ll get you in touch with how to help.)

But, all in all, we’ve found a great joy and peace in believing the Lord is willing to provide and we’ve been blessed by the salvation messages we’ve heard from a long list of preachers over 39 years and also been the recipient of much doctrinal instruction that edifies those who already belong to the Lord, from learning how to speak the gospel more clearly to making apparent the overall plan of God. If you happen to be in the number who have not been to a conference, I recommend in this next year you attend at least two. Pick out two in areas you like or want to visit so that you can also enjoy the scenery as you enjoy the bible clearly laid out.

On the business side of my life, Blue Jug will grow next year. Of course, we don’t know how much, but we believe it will continue to be an exciting adventure into the future of a couple of desperately needed improvements in the manner in which we get water. (We gotta have water, and the better we mimic how the Lord did it from the beginning, the better off the people who avail themselves will be.) So, we know how to do this, the mimicry of the Lord’s way, it is finding the people who agree with us who also have a desire to bring this to the public’s attention. We hear and see so many people have some aspect of their health improved by what we do with water that we know it is what should be done. As Sarah once answered an interested couple who asked what she thought of the business, she said, “It is a ministry I didn’t know I had till we were open.”

Thanks for reading, the Elder

12/2&3/2018

[I didn’t write a blog yesterday (sorry), so today may be slightly longer than usual.]

As I walked into the first hour bible study at the church I go to (when I’m not preaching somewhere else), I realized I wasn’t seeing the usual people. The man who has been in that church longer than anyone else who goes there wasn’t out front blowing the leaves and debris from the front walk and portico because his wife has had a stroke and is now recovering at home where he cares for her. When I entered, I saw a longtime friend sitting at her usual seat but alone, her husband’s dementia is bad enough she’s had to put him in a facility which can handle him. Behind her, another lady sitting without her husband who’s recovering from another malady. A man whose wife left him and another who is a widower of late were trying their best to not be lonely and another who is left alone wasn’t there in his place. 

I don’t write this to sound morbid or forlorn, but to take note that things change. People who are “always there” aren’t always there. Things happen, people die, and others have needs which arise that requires special care. We miss them, but we go on. We gather for the fellowship and for hearing the words of the Lord spoken and read.

After my initial “hellos” I noticed these people were genuinely enjoying each other’s company—they were in sweet fellowship with each other. Sure, they miss those who are absent from their midst, but they were remembering some short but joyful stories about kids, grandkids and about each other! My heart and mind switched back to the rejoicing side of life! I was happy to be in their company! Soon other happy faces, and some younger families full of life and awareness of those around them entered in and readied themselves to hear a good bible lesson. And all was normal again.

The SIMH today is the opening song at yesterday’s second service: “Christ Returneth” —written in 1878, possibly by H.L.Turner of Chicago. It was first published by Ira Sankey. Mr Sankey was D.L. Moody’s song leader and sang special songs in all of Mr. Moody’s revivals and gospel meetings for many years. Really great lyrics, here’s the chorus: 

O, Lord Jesus, how long, how long

Ere we shout the glad song,

Christ returneth! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Amen. Hallelujah! Amen

Saturday was a very quiet day for me. Barb was gone till about 5, sports were not very involving…well, yes there was a rather exciting game starting in mid-afternoon: Alabama played Georgia again for the SEC title. For about 3 quarters of the game it looked like Alabama was going to lose. But, then the reverse of last year’s National Championship happened. Last year, the starting quarterback for Alabama was pulled from the game in favor of a “hotshot” Freshman who sparked the team and won the championship!

Saturday, this year’s quarterback (that hotshot Freshman from last year’s heroics) was injured and could not continue, so the smartest coach in the country sent in the last year’s starter who had been on the bench the whole season. Guess what? History repeats itself! He sparked the team and he brought the team from behind to win the SEC championship! What can they possibly do for an encore a month from now!! This is the stuff which makes novels and movies popular! I’m pretty sure I saw Coach Sabin choke up talking about this remarkable thing that just happened (he don’t choke up) and the remarkable young men who pulled it off.

That! was exciting a finish as I’ve ever seen! ….Well, let me see: I’ve seen a few. I remember in  decisive basketball game back in the 80s(?), seeing Danny Ainge (next to last man to get pro contracts and big bonus offers in two sports coming out of college), with 4.5 seconds on the clock, take the pass inbounds and dribble the length of the floor past all 5 defenders and score a layup to win a championship game! Zigzagging past 5 defenders 94 feet in less than 4.5 seconds!

How long do you think I could make this blog just remembering winning plays in sports? Pretty long, pretty long. Like the time I saw….oh, never mind. What else is going on?

The 2019 schedule of Bible conferences is beginning to take on reserved dates. Plans are being made for several of my preacher friends to go to a couple of Florida conferences in January and February—great time of the year to have Florida conferences, don’t you think? Then in March my plans are to be in conferences the first 3 weekends: Gatlinburg Retreat/Conference, Central Texas Bible Conference in Austin, followed by my brother Jack’s church hosting a conference the 3rd weekend in March. That could be a busy month. Perhaps in a few days, others will be added to our calendar.

It’s Monday, go have a tremendous week: build what you know needs to be built, fix what needs fixing, start what needs started, finish what needs finishing! And be ye thankful!

Thanks for reading, the Elder

12/1/2018

I didn’t know, when I awoke without a song today, that it would be as solemn a day as it is. Turning TV on to “catch up” on the news, I found out about the death of George HW Bush, “Bush’41”, as he became known. He was a very fallible man, as we all are. But, watching the accolades being poured out has reminded me of the not so distant past, including the days of Reagan, Reagan-Bush, followed by Bush ’41, and living through those years as a minister of the gospel of Christ and a pastor to a few.

[It is important that I reiterate here my own testimony of faith in Christ and Christ’s work alone for my salvation, lest some might think me to be too liberal in what I’m about to write. I am a “salvation solely by the grace of God” preacher. There is no work by man involved in the individual salvation of any man today, and it has been that way in the entire church, the Body of Christ, since the Apostle Paul’s salvation and his preaching of the mystery of Christ. Therefore, if a person tells me, or I hear the testimony of that simple faith in Christ, it isn’t incumbent upon me to question their personal salvation, though I might be critical of some and their display of it.]

The “National Cathedral,” an Episcopal Church, is not known for great personal evangelism, nor known as a bastian for the preaching of the simplicity of Christ. Their doctrinal statement is fraught with error when compared to the “mysteries of God” delivered to, through, and by the Apostle Paul in Romans through Philemon—doctrine given solely unto the Body of Christ. But, that church was, for many years, Bush ’41 and his wife, Barbara’s home church. 

Pres. Bush ’41 had a testimony of faith in Christ. It was a simple faith and testimony. I have no reason to doubt it. His words expressed he was fully expecting to go be with the Lord, and he spoke of it often (so say they now that he has passed away.)

Some of you might have heard me use the terminology “give as much grace as you take.” That’s the grace I’m making reference to, saving grace. That this grace might reach into other parts of people’s lives would be a natural outcropping. We’re taught by Paul to be “tender-hearted” toward others and to forgive, “as Christ hath forgiven us.” We should and we do. If you do not find yourself holding a grudge against another, you have, no doubt, forgiven as Christ hath forgiven you. 

But, as is very noticeable, we didn’t shed this natural, mortal body of sinfulness when we trusted the Lord for salvation. And daily we face this sinfulness our nature foists upon us, all of which are forgiven by God for Christ’s sake and for the righteousness of His Body. 

That complete and utter forgiveness, however, doesn’t keep many of the sins in the lives of saved persons from becoming bad works, or in Paul’s explanatory words of judgment by fire: “wood, hay and stubble.” Paul warned “many who have sinned and not repented” (2 Col.12:21.)  To the rest, he warned of these activities as something from which to stay away—see Rom.16:17, 18 and 1 Cor.5:5, 9-11 and more places in similar vein. The passages teach us what to do. Forgiving one another in the same way God for Christ’s sake has forgiven us is simple and easy. But, it doesn’t make life or our walk with the Lord easy unless we obey the “staying away” part of those admonitions listed above. Giving grace in forgiving others isn’t about ignoring what has occurred. Christ doesn’t say to the sinners saved by grace, “hey, go do the bad, so it’ll make my grace look good.” Paul had to put up with that nonsense in Rom.3:8, and even clearer in Rom.5:20 through 6:2.

And, so it is with someone like the former president and his religious association. I’ll accept that he, by testimony will be in the same eternity with me, but I won’t go become an episcopalian, nor will I practice what he practiced. And just as I didn’t seek his friendship and accompany him in his unlearned position, I shall not commend him for it either. 

My prayer for the next 5 days of national mourning is that the hearts of some will turn to the word of the Lord, coming to see where and how the Lord’s plan for our lives is spelled out in Romans through Philemon, then from all Scripture for doctrine. Do I believe that is possible? Yes. Do I believe it will happen? No, not nationally, but maybe in one person, or a few.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

11/30/2018

Seeing as how this is the birthday of our firstborn son (happy birthday, Steve), it is quite fitting that I should have this SIMH “Anticipation”—Carly Simon. That’s what was rolling around this morning. “These are the good old days, these are the good old days…” Well, yes, as a matter of fact they are. 

The “good old days” came from a man writing about commerce, about how trading was “back when.” Daniel DeFoe, in 1727, used the term to lament a loss of how things had been in the past. Hmm, 1727. Things had not been real good before 1727, didn’t improve after 1727, haven’t improved any generation since. Just changed. Nothing had become worse, just changed. Might have been worse for some, but things are changed in an attempt to improve. However, nothing improves: just changes. Nothing gets better, even if it’s better for some. 

We mollify our own position by crying out for change on the one hand, or crying out for staying the course, on the other. Lives become established upon certain principles or a certain “policy.” To “police” (verb) is to clean things up for them to be able to stay the same. To “politic” (verb) is to attempt to use a newly chaotic position to initiate change or stop a probable change. Now, see how well that fits into what we call “politics?” So to run for political office is to mess with the policy. Our “policies” get messed with every two years. Our Executive’s policies get mess with every four years. Our peace and our judiciary policies are more likely effected by choosing policy makers every 6 years. “We accept it!” cries one: “we reject it!” cries the other.

And, where are the “good old days?” It’s most likely back when we had our way. Or, back to a time period from which we remember only what our memory brings forward as a positive. How much more fun was the old school yard! Or, baseball was better when we weren’t so organized, when we chose up sides based on the top grip of a bat handle, when dads were only involved to stop fights!

And even when schools were not air conditioned, or even when we did have to huddle around an old steam register to find heat (if there was any.) We forget all the wishes we had then, in favor of remembering the laughs, the victories, the things we got away with! Good old days. I remember them well.

When Steve was born, we lived in a house across the street from my parents which had 3 rooms and a closet, but it had a path out back which led to the “outhouse.” (How many of you have to look that up to know what I meant?) When he was almost three months old, my dad, my brother Pete and his wife, Judy, and I went to the semi-finals of a basketball tournament and got snowed in—had to spend the night with a couple thousand of our closest friends because the roads could not be driven upon. That story sounds really unique (and it was), but I never mentioned the lack of good food, the hard bleachers to try and sleep on, nor the cold which crept in, nor the no communication with the outside world. (There was no hand held personal communication devices in 1961, one pay phone in the hallway which didn’t work because the lines were down.) Good old days. And on and on it goes.

I’ll take today. I’m old, but I’ll still take today. I have a 10 year old truck and a 16 year old car, but I have electric windshield wipers. If you’ve never driven in a rain or snowstorm with vacuum wipers, you don’t understand why today’s world is completely and utterly finer than those good old days. Seem silly? No, it is practical. I dare say Mr. Daniel DeVoe of 1727’s wish for the good old days was just as impractical as vacuum windshield wipers.

Short rant today,

Thanks for reading, the Elder