Filling Up ’26, + A Better Kibitzer

We’re closing in on the end of the first month of the new year. How’s it going for ya? I think it probably goes pretty well — you’re still here, you’re still able to read this and “kibitz.” That’s a yiddish term for those who look on and offer unwelcome advice — especially about other people’s activities or words. I’ve been places and done things that brought a lot of kibitzers my way. In fact, it’s possible others may have thought of me in that manner.

Having been soundly criticized once because of my kibitz, I was forced to take stock of myself and consider a change in my personality. I may not have become a better man, but I did become a more discretionary kibitzer, especially to he who railed at me about it. When in a group conversation and a friend of mine brought up an ailment in his body (for about the umpt-i-third time, and knowing I had a legitimate suggestion for its cure, I spoke out at him telling him what he should do. It didn’t set well with him; he began with raised voice saying that “everybody is tired of you always thinking you have the answer!” “ Why don’t you just keep your mouth shut!” “Don’t you notice nobody pays any attention to you anymore?” I studied that rant for a few seconds, then as I walked away from the group, I replied to him, “No, I had not noticed that.” Then, got in my car and drove away.

For several days after that, I, with the rest of the group, still met for coffee and the friend I had offended didn’t come in for several days. When he did come back, we all greeted him, and pulled up another chair for him and we went on as usual. But, I wasn’t as usual. Hopefully, I learned something about myself. I don’t know if my friend learned anything and would not ever ask. To this day, I’m better though, I think, …better, …kibitzer that I am.

This reminds me of a story (written in this blog a few years back) of an elderly man in my home town as I was growing up, body bent with his age and ailments and who couldn’t walk too well, but he most days was in the Pool Hall where old men and some others played Euchre at the back. I always enjoyed being there when he was. He was a really good and fast Euchre player—had him once as a partner. He told me quickly every time I did a wrong thing.

This man was well liked by almost everyone. But, once he was sitting watching two young men play a pool game, 8-ball, it was. The one young man was studying his shot, and the old friend yelled out, “perfect bank!” The young man glanced at him and he repeated, “perfect bank shot!” The young whippersnapper pointed to the old friend with his cue stick and said, “You think you could bank this in, why don’t you either shut up or get up here and prove it!” The old friend squirmed around and with a little help, got to his feet; took the cue stick from him and said one bank, this side,” and made the shot. Then looked at the 8-ball, shuffled around to the side of the table and side, “two bank, this corner,” tapping the table with his stick. Then, shooting it perfectly, handed the stick to the young fella and said, “perfect bank” and shuffled back to his seat.

It was the kind of moment when you knew it was perfect one-upmanship. Nothing more needed said, and for sure we all just admired it happening in our presence, the young men paying to play the game, obviously agreeing.

When I wrote about this a few years back, my old friend’s granddaughter, a few years younger than me, wrote me about understanding that her grandfather was kindly remembered: Mr. Hugh Brock, the more perfect kibitzer.

That was not what I wished this writing to be about, just couldn’t make the memory go away. But, enough of it. I wanted to fill in some calendar events to make the year worthwhile. As of this writing I know of 6 Grace Bible conferences this year. Beginning in February:

1.) The Gatlinburg Retreat will be Feb.27 to Mar.1 (yes you can still get a reservation.)

2.) Then April 17-19, at Berean Bible Fellowship, Arab, AL.

3.) In May, the 8th-10th Austin Bible Fellowship is holding a conference in Round Rock, TX.

4.) Grace Bible Church of Chattanooga will have their conference either the last week in Sept. or the first in Oct.

5.) Grace Bible conference in Pensacola will probably be the last weekend of Oct. or the first in Nov.

6.) The Corpus Christi group I believe are planning on their 2nd Conference in early Dec.

There will possibly be one or two more from groups close by and with whom I enjoy fellowship, but I haven’t heard a for sure yet. Each of these conferences will have from 6 to 10 speakers who stand upon the perfect word of God, the King James Bible, preach from their heart as they see what the Lord says, and neither demand anything nor expect anything except the attention of the audience for their service to the Lord.

When the Lord impressed upon these men to become teachers/preachers, they were never told they could expect wealth nor popularity, rather they were led by the desire to “make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery” by preaching the gospel of Christ, which is the “power of God unto salvation.”

If the Lord does not shorten the days by “descending from heaven with a shout…” and my health holds up as it is now, my intention is to be at each of these conferences. May the Lord bless you in your year, and remember to pray for all who will be involved in these gatherings.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

An Avowed New Year – Jan.2, 2026

Happy New Year! Is it for you? I hope it is. Not just another year, ho hum… oh, well… oh, me. Naw, c’mon! Let’s make it a dandy, ok! On purpose. Leaving nothing to chance, but being willing to receive the chance happenings as though they are only ours; only ours to enjoy or to endure. Let’s talk about this kind of things.

Remembering, as we go, the perfect admonitions of our Apostle Paul, found pronounced in Romans through Philemon, but filtered through the wisdom of God found throughout all 66 books of the King James Bible.

(And if it be that till now you haven’t found the reason to use the KJB as your source for truth, consider following this suggestion for the next 25 times you look something up in Scripture: read first the KJB, then as many other versions as you possess, then once again, after you’ve read all the other versions, then re-read the KJB. I don’t care what passage or single verse you’ve looked up, do this; then tell me, which version did you easily understand in the context of those you read. I want to know because I want to compare with you, those versions and the KJB.)

So, in the wisdom of God, we find a foundational truth: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”- Prof.3:5,6. Notice: “he shall direct thy paths. He shall. Not maybe, not hopefully, not “if” anything — He shall! (I hope that is a foremost thought in all your plans for the year —I mean, He said that, right?) So trust the Lord with all things. For the whole year.

Prov.16:3 says, “Commit thy way unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.” (a simple yet broad brush approach — do you trust the Lord?)

Coming forward to Paul, and our Scripture for this day and time is a wonderful, but often misunderstood verse: Phil.4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Do not misread this: it doesn’t say “who” it says “which”—it’s meaning then is more past/perfect: he’s acknowledging the Prov. passages, Paul is saying “it strengthens me to know that I’ll have nothing come my way of which I cannot get through.” He’s full of knowing Christ is the provider, he’s adding that the knowledge of that fact gives me strength to not be ill-affected by whatever. Or, another way to understand is this: you need not beg Christ to provide, you already know He will, so just go do it! Get on with it! If you know that your trust is in Christ’s Calvary work and the Lord God raising him from the dead, therefore He has saved you; it will make your new year easy to bear!!

You, of course, will not be engaging in the same things as me. No two lives are the same, though you might live together, you might share the same office or build on the same job sight, even in marriage; no two lives live out their days the same. So, as I talk with people about the Lord and His word, or talk with them about improving the water they drink, or argue with them that Indiana is better at some things than Alabama (ahem) I have no doubts which things I will excel in and which I might not: what is about the concerns of the Lord in the lives of those I meet I know will come under the watch-care and the strengthening of the Lord Himself. My new year will not be difficult then, even if it might be frustrating or sad or heartache laden—whatever comes my way I’m buoyed to a level above by the Scriptural promise of my Saviour, Jesus Christ.

So, come on, write down your goals or intentions for this new year and check them off as they come by. Make it as happy as the suggestion intends:

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

thanks for reading, The Elder

“Wander”-Ment!

Some days are like this: when I awake, I wonder what I will do today so I wonder a bit. Then, a couple hours later, I remember what I told someone I would do today and re-decide whether I will or not. Does that sound like an old mind to you? Or is it just the obstinance of knowing I don’t have to! These days I don’t have very many “have to”s. Many days I have things I really want to do, yet will allow almost any interference. Then there are “must do”s and I readily attack them and get them finished. But, those days are further and further apart, it seems….time flies when you’re having fun!

Today is a “get-ready-and-go” day; it is the start of the Grace bible Church, Chattanooga annual bible conference. We love going there. Not only do we hear good preachers and bible teachers (10 total) between Friday evening and Sunday noon, but we’ll see friends from 6 to 9 states, some of which we’ve known for 40+ years, some from earlier this year, and the rest from in-between years—but ALL very precious to us. Getting ready and going today will be eagerly anticipated!

Last weekend we went to Indiana (with our son, Steve) to attend the Lockhart Family Reunion. We all 3 really enjoyed our time with the family who showed up for it. Not nearly enough came—you who read this knowing you were not there—yes, this is meant to shame you! I know, some always have valid excuses, but it is nice to drive 435 miles and see as many of you as possible. Hopefully, next year will be better attended. I’ll start now by personal invitation, plan a Saturday in September, 2026 to be at the Elvin & Lenora Lockhart annual family re-union!. Date to be set soon. (If you are not a family member, but you’ve known us for many years, you come, we would love to see you!)

Back to a slightly more current event and a little closer to home: Still looking for a location to hold a Sunday bible class in the vicinity of Gadsden, AL. I need a location at as low a cost as possible, a location which would be a room large enough to hold up to about 25-30 chairs and a front area to stand and have a tripod, white board and lectern on which to lay my bible. It needs to be public, or visible to the public for ease of finding it, and with some parking areas not far away. So, if ideas and thoughts lean your way, first pray for us, then tell me your suggestions and I’ll check them out.

This is a revival of the class held for many years in Alexandria, AL, having had its origin in Anniston, AL, in January, 1974, in the home of John and Martha Sue Sanford, taught by Bro. E.C. Moore, who was a teacher to many of us. That first class was moved to Birmingham after about a year, but left a residue of people still wanting a Bible class. A group of faithful men taught for varying amounts of years, with me being the last one when we lost our location several months back in Alexandria.

It has taken us a while to decide to do this, but perhaps the Lord will guide us to the right spot in either Gadsden, Rainbow City, Southside, Attalla, or Glencoe; or even Hokes Bluff or Jacksonville — one of those 7 cities must have a place which fits our needs, we pray.

Concerning a Bible class, we believe the following must set the perimeters for conducting a worthwhile class:

Declare to all the King James bible is the word of God for today in English;

Teach the word on the basis of believing what the bible says, not what men say about it;

The process taught by Paul the Apostle which is to practice “rightly dividing the word of truth”;

Having an open floor for questions which can and will have bible answers, not arguable.

We don’t have any trouble doing the above in Bible classes—been doing this now for about 48 years and that is what works. Every time. We love discussions and questions, but we cannot remove the final authority—the word of God. It will always be in place. Come on and join us. [NOTE:: we have nothing for you to “join” except to join in fellowship with like believers.]

The format is this: first comes the gospel of our salvation; “…how that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures and was buried, and was raised again the third day, according to the scriptures.”-1 for.15:3,4.

Then comes the defining of the church, which is called the Body of Christ, found in the 13 epistles of Paul who is called the Apostle of & to the Gentiles a total of 18 times.

We hold these truths of the Scriptures to be tantamount to the rest of Scripture, but being specifically to the Body of Christ church.2 Tim.3:16.

Now, come on and join us for bible study. Just look at what “wander”-ment I stumbled upon to write about today.

thanks for reading, the Elder

CIVAL DISCOURSE–SURVIVABLE?

WHEN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT Emily Jashinsky wrote about the death of Charlie Kirk, she asked the question, “Can civil discourse survive in an era of escalating political violence?” An excellent and thought provoking question. I wish I had an answer for her. (I never read her total response because I would have had to pay money to see it all. Too cheap, I guess.)

From my first good job after high school (one I was on for 6 months and was let go because they knew I didn’t fit in banking,) I was very aware of “political discourse.” A discourse is a formal but singular conversation, either oral or written, upon a certain and specific subject in which all parties seem to be knowledgable to their purpose.

In that particular job for several weeks leading up to the election of John F. Kennedy as President in November of 1960, I worked in the Trust Dept. of an Indianapolis bank. The department was made up of 10 men of varying levels of financial expertise as concerns trust: I knew nothing, all the way up to Licensed CPAs and the 11th man, a 30year experienced banker.

One man was a young Democrat and quite proud of it; two men would hardly ever invoke themselves at all; one was a German immigre, and me, who knew nothing except what my Dad had said. The rest were vehement Republicans—6 of them. In those days one had to be 21 to vote, so I was not courted as to get my vote for VP Richard Nixon. John Kennedy was very popular in the Republican held state of Indiana, so the “hotshot” Democrat lost most arguments. Nixon won in Indiana, but Kennedy won the presidency.

Each day in the trust dept., we had time for discussions about politics. There was much vehemence! There were many fuming-walk-aways! But, I never saw or heard of anything near a threat of danger in any form, just arguing the points made. Of course, being outnumbered, the brash young Democrat lost most days, but he never declined to get involved—he came for the fight every day. My witness of it was just that—they all knew I couldn’t vote and so never tried to get me to side, one way or the other. It was a good seat at a fair fight.

The next exposure to politics was about 4 years later when I met and spoke with Lee Hamilton as he was running to become my U.S. Rep. He showed up at our work-place to talk with us (the employees in all the stores of a shopping center in Columbus, IN.) He won that election in 1964 and was a Democrat in the House until the end of 1999.

Lee was in favor of liberal spending and national debt found no place in his discourse. I questioned him about the foreign policy spending of (then) President Johnson and he asked me which I thought should be stopped. I fumbled a retort back about some Southeastern Asia spending and he said, “But, Jerry, doesn’t this seem to you to be the “Christian” thing to do?” I didn’t know what to say, so since his opponent never came around, I voted for him. Many times over the next 17 terms of office he held I wished I had not. But, I was not informed enough to give a discourse-able amount of information to either assuage his popularity or even cause one person to change their mind and vote against him. He won Columbus, IN, a republican city, by a landslide.

When Nixon lost to Kennedy in 1960, he told the press he was going to go to California and that “they,” the press, wouldn’t have him “to kick around any more!” Most people who read that wondered when or where he had been kicked around. But, after Johnson was elected in 1964 and seeing as how he escalated the war in Vietnam, when Johnson announced he was not going to run in 1968, Hubert Humphrey became the Democrat selection and bang! Then, here came Nixon to be the Republican opponent! He knew he would beat HHH, because his louder, bolder and more politically savvy discourse would just plow Humphrey into the ground. And it did, Humphrey was too nice a guy to win. No fighting, no squabbling, no dirt, not even the dirt Nixon had accused the press of previously.

Nixon finally ended the Vietnam debacle but not without a nation wide rapid descent into argumentative discourse which left some going after Nixon and virtually waging war against him till they won and he resigned. Civil discourse took the hit. Looking forward from the 1976 elections to today, it is hard to remember Civil Discourse. There was some in each election: 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96 (both of the last 2 even had a strong 3rd party candidate), 2000 got rougher, 04, 08 first black President, and 12. All of these had fits and starts of less and less civil tongues. So looking back, from Nixon’s resignation to today Civil Discourse has been under attack. Such attacks never start on an even keel. They must by nature build to a loud crescendo and fault into outright Civil Disobedience. The horribleness that we just suffered with the painfully saddening death of young “Voice of discourse for the future” Charlie Kirk shows us Civil Disobedience.

The day John Kennedy was shot and the day Charlie Kirk was shot created in me the exact same emotional condition. So terribly saddened, and yet so vehemently angry that such a thing would happen — both emotional upheavals — why did I see these two things in my time here on earth!? I cannot explain what this feeling is. It is a foreign, yes, alien feeling in me. I want: I don’t know what. Should I be able to express this better? Should I rage at somebody to do something? Should I just beat down this feeling to let it die in my heart and mind? Or should I find a better Civil Discourse to spend my time on? I don’t know, oh my, I just don’t know.

My Bible tells me who is the lover of chaos. It is Lucifer, the “god of this world” and the “liar, and the father of it.” He is also know as “the prince of the power of the air,” a phrase not often mentioned of him, but clearly in Ephesians 2, and yet a power so obviously being used against us today! He is known in Bible language by 17 other names, all of which represent a certain edge of chaos in people’s lives, whether they be children of God (saved people) or children of the wicked one (lost people.)

So, he is the kingpin of all the chaotic issues between people. Question is, can we stop his attacks? No, the bible clearly shows that his demise comes about one day and we’re just not there yet. Might be today, might be 40 years, might be another 1,000 years. It isn’t our plan. It is the Lord’s!

I am so very thankful the Lord Jesus Christ is in charge of the finish of our faith. (“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”) How He said He would finish it, He will do. We praise His name for the plan! And we want it right away.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

Age Isn’t Wisdom, God Is!

Today is September 1, 2025. In four days (Friday, Sept.5, 2025) I will be 83 years old. It isn’t that I wish to advertise this; that’s not why I bring it up. I bring it to your attention because of some things I know that anyone 20 years or more younger than me likely do not know.

Mentioning this will likely make some of you angry and have you muttering, “What makes this old dude think he knows so much!” I don’t think I know much, but I know more than you do. But, some will say, “He don’t know anything about ,,,,,,,,!” and you’ll be correct. But there are myriads of subjects that from about age 14 till now I have been awakened unto and most of the last 3 generations of people have had these things hidden to one extent or another: Partially hidden truths are not known truths at all. Most often forgotten as soon as spoken.

1.) The first truth I know which most younger people do not know is this: The King James Bible is the word of God, the actual word of God for English speaking people! (Who, by the way, have translated the KJB to more than 300 languages around the world!) Right away, most of you have decided to not go any further. That’s your loss, if you do not. People have asked me for more than 50 years what makes me say such a thing. I give all of them and all of you the same answer, do this: Get all the versions you can find together, line them up and open them all to Matthew 1. Begin reading each version one after the other on each chapter as far as you can go in the New Testament….If you have trusted Christ as your Savior, it will easily show you without argument, probably within a few chapters, but no question if you get as far as Heb.11, you will know beyond a shadow of a doubt the KJB is the word of God!

2.) Because of the new knowledge found in #1above, you will now know what is trustworthy in the world for knowledge, understanding, and the application of same, called wisdom. You can read further about this in Proverbs 1 through 9:6 and receive the promise of all three qualities.

3.) If at this point you have read and absorbed to the best of your ability, point #2 above, now turn to 2 Timothy 2:7 & 15, agreeing to do what these two verses say. In other words, if you want to understand anything the Lord will lead you into first believing and then engaging, take v.7 literally. Then in accord with v.15, learn what it means to believe things which will please God for your life activity to be approved by Him when you go see Him, by learning what “rightly dividing the word of truth” actually means. You see, it didn’t say “rightly dividing the word of God”…no, no, no. It said “Study,…by “rightly dividing the word of truth.” This same bible will show you by comparing Scripture with Scripture that the “word of truth” is the “gospel of your salvation”—Ephesians 1:13.

The same man (Paul) who wrote these words also said twice in Galatians 1 that if any man or angel taught you any other gospel than the one he (Paul) had given them, that man should be accounted as accursed. [Note: away go denominations, galore.] Your understanding can and will grasp that truth. Let it. In Gal.1, read seriously verse 6-11, to grasp this.

4.) By now, you are wondering how many friends and relatives will believe that you think the KJB is the true word of God. But, you might be surprised by this. You will think of friends and relatives who are saved and think they will be so glad to hear this!! Yet, when you tell them they’ll likely be angered that you should be so bold! Then, some others, some you may think have no hope of going to heaven will say to you (in one way or another), “thanks, I knew His word needed to be something we could get our hands on, somehow. I’m glad it’s that simple.”

This short 4 point blog here is a lot to digest. Have questions? feel free to call me. Want to argue? don’t bother calling. Just try the process.

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow.”
Thanks for reading, the Elder

Where does time go? Oh, It’s Today!

A little while back, after about 10 years of going to a small town South of here twice per month to teach a Bible class, our meeting room was cancelled on us. There was about 12-14 of us when everyone was there, so most of the time 9 or 10. Great bunch of folks who love the Lord and love His word enough to put up with me as a teacher. But, not having a place to meet, some of us began to try to find another suitable place to which we could all get. We didn’t have much luck, everyone’s rentable meeting room space think they are a major destination point and have many $$ requirements too much for a small group. Since I had not begun this group, rather had just been asked to teach it, I hesitated to “take over the search”—so to speak.

Today, one of the group reminded me how long it had been and is very interested in re-starting the class: as am I! I have now set a time and will search out a place to meet and I’ll do this as I have done for the past 45+ years. “The night is far spent, the day is at hand…” our apostle wrote. For what, then, are we waiting? I will get after it and because of scheduled stuff in the next 4-6 weeks, we’ll set the first renewed meeting for the 2nd Sunday in October. Then till the end of the year we should be able to meet the 2nd and 4th Sundays each of the 3 months; 2026, we will take care of later.

You say, “Where?” I say, pray the Lord leads us to exactly what we need. You say, “Will that work?” I say, it has worked out many times having been left in the hands of the Lord.

Do I believe I will find a place to have this? Yes, if it is the Lord’s will for me to go there, a place will become available. Will I hunt for one? Yes, because there is already a group there. If there was no group, I would hunt for a place if I was asked to — that part has already occurred for this group. I’ll keep you informed and trust the Lord will make His will known to us.

Time to do the Lord’s will for studying His word is what I have. But, as our title puts it, where did it go? Whether I have an October class to teach will occur if I have the time to do it. Whether in a new location for the above mentioned group or not, if I have time to do it, I will teach God’s word to all who will listen. Time is what I have and all I have. If you, my friends, understand this premise even a little bit, pray with me for these things that 1.) I don’t get in the way; and 2.) that it will bring glory to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you.

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I’m having fun watching the Chicago Cubs this summer even though, as usual, some days I want to scream at them! Most days this year they’ve played really great baseball in a big struggle with the Brewers to lead with NL Central. This week, due to rainouts earlier, a series wound up being 5 games in four days, Monday through Thursday. Milwaukee won the first game, but the Cubs have won 3 in a row (last Wednesday night game was a thrill to watch.) But, the 5game series ended on Thursday with the Cubs second loss and they go forward to only play other teams for the rest of the season. C’mon Cubbies!! I hope they get into the playoffs at a good peak in performance and do well there—-a World Series in 2025?

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In a few days, exactly the 26th of August, we’ll be starting a bible class here in our town at 8AM. some business friends and I have talked about this for several years, off and on, so we’ve set the date and pray for the Lord’s leadership daily.

Over the last 49 years I have started 8 or 10 bible classes which for a variety of reasons were short-lived, even a couple where no one came. One bible class when I first started had only two attendees—both teenagers, both still believers to this day. We met for 6 months, then my family moved and that was that. Another was in a home where so much opposition came from a family member that the host said they didn’t want to continue, yet one man was saved there! Etc. Every class has taught me more than I have ever taught others. If others have valued from the class it was the Lord’s word which taught them.

Of the number of bible classes and pastoring I have done in the same 49 years, some have been for as much as 27yrs, some as few as 3-4 years; some as few as 3 persons regularly, some as many as 80-85 regularly. But all those which I put in the category of successful would have been brought to that by the Hand of the Lord. Not because I was anything other than the guy doing most of the talking. None of this brief recollection should imply I believed I did a good job, but for sure I believe I did what the Lord wanted me to do. If I look for biblical “calling” (as churches might refer to clergymen as being), I see how our Apostle Paul was called and informed of the Lord as to what he would be doing. I did not have that kind of calling. Late in his ministry, Paul told Titus to “appoint bishops and elders.” The Lord never instructed me to do that. On the other hand, our apostle Paul said, “If any man desire the office of a bishop, let him be…” thus and so.

As age began to beset me, I never believed I should choose my successor or replacement. I have no biblical reason to do so. Contrariwise, I have thoroughly searched the examples of men who did try to appoint one and in every case, the following pastor caused problems, or the congregation revolted or the church fell prey to an interloping offense…or in some other way destroyed the “successful work” of the originating pastor or bible teacher.

It was easy for me to see and I still contend: the ministry is of the Lord and is in the hands of the one who has it, he becomes aged, and he leaves it. New ministries are welcome to begin, but as the Lord leads; not as a departing elder dictates.

ergo: I’m not leaving just yet, but if I do, find yourself another man of God who will teach the Bible according to 2 Tim. 2:15 and 2 Cor. 9:8.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

Aug.22, 2025

ONCE, THEN ALWAYS = TIME

SOMETHING FUNNY, ONCE / Time on our hands

We elderly often get blamed, even laughed at because we start conversation by saying, “One time when I…” and the tittering begins, often by those who believe their voices are not being heard. But us old guys, we don’t care! We’re gonna tell our story anyway! So, by gosh we do. We don’t even care if they’ve heard it 304 times in the last 5 years, we’ll tell it again and again and again!

I might be exaggerating a little. Perhaps I am the prime example of the verse of Scripture that says, “…all men are liars.” Well, not prime, but since the verse says “all men” I’m pretty sure it means what it says. My father would sometimes (not often) get into a joking mood and love to cause even just a little rise or laughter or embarrassment, maybe. Once, we were standing in a Sears, Roebuck in Indianapolis and Momma was trying to buy something while me and one brother were standing near a mannequin, a male mannequin. Daddy started talking to the mannequin, we laughed at him. He said,…to the mannequin, “These guys think I’m bein’ foolish. Do you think I’m foolish? If you do, nod your head.” The mannequin never even twitched. He looked back at us and said, “See, that dummy thinks I’m smart!”—-was that a lie, you might ask? Well, it was a fabrication, of sorts, right? Foolish jesting? Or just entertaining a couple of boys who wish they didn’t have to stand there waiting on Mom, maybe.

Memory stories, those short happenings we witness, whether very funny or deeply serious with poignant after affects are part of our lives and, for me at least, enjoyable to remember and jot down while freshly floating through the memory river-(banks.)

But! It is August 1 and I have procrastinated enough about the rest of what I wanted to say in this blog—The importance of the rest of this year! We’re going to do another September Adventure, only this time without a rented RV. Turns out that was a one time only event….as of right now, ya never know, next time we’ll haul a car behind an RV, hire a driver, then spend longer and go further ……. Naw! what am I thinking! O course that last September journey to (finish) seeing all 50 states was completed.

We have, however, picked out some places we’ve never seen, things and people we want to see. That’s a plan being formed and a reason to go to Indiana for the ELVIN & LENORA LOCKHART FAMILY REUNION in late September. Sooo, we’ll extend our trip to include 4 or 5 of those special things. More reporting afterward and, as they say on WKRP, “film at 11!”

October brings us to a really great time and place for a bible conference in Chattanooga, Grace Bible Church, and I believe it is the 45th! That’s a truly blessed weekend and has become a reunion for old and new friends, filled with great Bible teachings and fellowship. Hope YOU are planning on being there, October 3,4,5th.

In November a pleasure trip (elongated weekend) to Texas for the marriage of some dear friends, one of which I’ve been friends with since 1986, nigh on to 40 years—(hmm, he must be getting old.)

This will cause me to miss the Pensacola Bible conference for the first time, I believe. But, ya know, sometimes people actually schedule their events and don’t ask my permission. A slip up on their part, but hey, ya just can’t control some people’s schedule, ya know?

December brings us back to Texas again — this time for a new Corpus Christi Bible Conference! — first weekend, but as yet I don’t have the location. It’ll be great to visit there again. When we went to Texas in 1986, I drove to CC for a weekly bible class constantly for 13 years. The faithfulness of that class shall ring through eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I have much to be thankful for in the memories from that class.

What else might come our way in the remaining months of 2025, we shall leave in the hands of God our Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Spirit which teaches us His word and will. I know this about that: if you are saved, having put your eternal life into the Hands of the One who bought you with His blood—knowing “..how that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures, and was buried, and was raised again the third day, according to the scriptures..” —that makes you in the same church as us. There’s only one valid church in God’s perfect will for us. It’s called the “Church, which is His body” several times in Paul’s epistles.

You know, getting saved gives us eternal life, but there does come a judgment before the specific eternal inheritance is meted out. the Lord looks at our works in His name. He refers to these as either containing “Gold, Silver or Precious Stones” or conversely, “wood, hay, and stubble.” then he uses fire as the judgment trial. Obviously, the latter 3 are going to burn up leaving nothing but worthless ashes. Likewise, obviously the first three will go through the fire and come out more glorious than before! And that will determine our reward.

Our task then, is to understand God’s will for us and tend to it while we are here, leading to the day which will “tell all” and we go into glory with whatever our time spent with the Lord while here has produced. the “reward of the inheritance” should not be our goal; pleasing the Lord should be our goal. So, His instructions for us are in one plain but often obscured verse: read it in your KJB—2 Timothy 2:15. Let me know if I can be helpful in any way.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

Big Newspapers, Again? No, Sorry

July 15, 2025___ 2025? Really?

If you’ve been a reader for a while you may remember a column some time back about my growing up time, a time, even in small town (439) America, when we actually had 3 newspapers delivered daily in our little town. Hardly anyone read all 3, but many people would get the morning delivery, Indianapolis Star and then their choice between either The News or The Times from Indy, or The Franklin Evening Star (more news from our county seat), which was delivered with the mail which came from Franklin to Trafalgar on a train!

My family, as I remember it, always took the local and one of the Indy papers—usually The News. The News had the right comics, according to my older brothers, and the hardest crossword puzzle, according to my Dad and one brother who always wanted to beat Dad to it! I grew up with a household that didn’t have TV till 1957, so all of us except Mama would read the paper, cover to cover. Being the youngest, unless I was home when it came, I didn’t often unroll it to see the headlines first, but whomever did spoiled it for the rest who were waiting by telling the headline out loud!

That really didn’t bother anyone unless it was BIG news like TROOPS IN LEBANON!, or something like that….you’re old if you remember that. I can’t remember which was first, either that or CAMP ATTERBURY CLOSING SOON! That caught everyone’s attention in town! The camp was not an old established camp like many around the country, but was built especially for WW2. In fact, only a few days, I suppose each week, was the camp closed to through traffic from Edinburgh to Nineveh. Nevertheless, nearby Trafalgar received a lot of traffic for businesses from the camp and all its employees. At various times and for various reasons both my parents and one sister worked there.

Every week, usually more than once, The News would have Camp Atterbury stories. These stories would be talked about throughout the town and caused increases in business from slightly to large amounts. The 2 grocery stores, one, two or three restaurants, a big hardware, an Allis-Chalmers tractor dealership, small lumberyard, grain elevator, patent drug store, 3 barbershops (for a while) and multiple garages and filling stations had become pretty dependent on the camp’s supply of government wages filtering into their pockets from the supply of the need and want. (Not to leave out the funeral home, pool-room, a dry cleaner, my father’s blacksmith shop, a large canning factory, and our own bank, and two lodges with auxiliaries and 3 churches with 4 more less than 5 miles away—all of which contributed to the town’s life daily.) That’s a bunch of service and commerce for a town of 439 with a grades 1 thru 12 school and all it’s employees.

And all 3 Indianapolis newspapers and the Franklin Evening Star delivered every day! Think of that! Can you imagine a town that size today having anything besides a filling station/convenience store and a post office?—oh, yeah, I forgot the Dollar General.

The earliest television was from Indianapolis as channel 6-NBC and channel 8-CBS. About the time I entered high school (1956-57), channel 13-ABC joins them and shortly after that an independent, channel 4-WTTV came on from Bloomington, then they came and built a tower just outside our town—tallest in America for a short period of time.

Were we lucky? Those of us who grew up in the sort of small town I just described? I thought we were then, and all along my journeys through these eight decades, I always think of those environs as the best of the best, no matter what things I might have experienced living “larger.”

Beth Yarbrough said,
“In the moment, we seldom see the essence of life for what it really is – but the view from a distance is crystal clear. When that happens, we reach back, hoping to touch – to say thank you – to give life to the thing one more time. In my case, every time a rooster crows, a screen door slams, or a mockingbird sings over a summer morning, I am there – with a grateful heart.”

She wrote about old homes and homesteads being saved all across the Southeastern United States. She takes or “borrows” photos of places that are in abandonment and some which have been restored, glorying in the facts concerning their history, in spite of the troublesome times through which almost all have been. She writes short pages and is easy to see her work on Facebook. Most all of you who read this blog from time to time would fully enjoy her work, I wager.

Now, when privileged to return for a 21st Century look at it little Trafalgar, I nearly always weep inside because of what’s been erased of my town, but stand in awe at what has been transformed or created anew. And I wonder; had I been here all along, would it have seemed to affect me the same way? Wouldn’t wager on that, mind ya.

Thanks for reading, the elder

Big Day! Big Continuing Days!

July 1, 2025–the second half

Well, the Big Day has arrived, past, and executed flawlessly! Of course, I’m referring to our 3 children’s year long plan of putting together a 65th Anniversary party for my wife and I which occurred last Saturday, June 28, 2025. Our actual wedding date was earlier in the week on Tuesday. So that night, we went to a most exclusive restaurant on top of one of our nearby mountains (Monteagle, TN) and had a sumptuous dinner. Then, home to anticipate the upcoming party time!

The event was a great party! We were so filled with surprise at the higher than anticipated attendance, the fun we all had fellowshipping together; 30 or so relatives, about 50 or so bible study and grace believers from churches, and more than expected townspeople and several visitors from pretty far away—what a wonderful group of friends and loved ones! We came home so filled with that kind of love, mmm.

But the highlight of the afternoon was in the program which involved the two of us being seated in front of all 3 of our children speaking individually about us and presenting to each of us mock-academy awards. The said so many wondrous things about us to all those people that now we might have to really try to live up to that! How we gonna do that?? Truly, we felt not just honored by them, but challenged a bit, we will notice ourselves a little more to each other, towards the 3 of them, and others, especially toward our grandchildren, then others which may be in our paths. We accept that challenge, but with some trepidation, yet calmed by our dependence on the word of God for guidance. We are so very thankful and blessed. (I know our blessings as stated in Eph.1:3 are heavenly blessings, not necessarily noticeable here on earth, but we cannot escape the feeling of being blessed overwhelmingly.)

Now on to other things. The continuing Wednesday evening online bible study which you can find on FaceBook simply by my name — Jerry Lockhart, or on Youtube channel, Brother Jerry Lockhart, is about to start another segment. The first took most of the first 6 months of the year, the next will take a while, also. One hour (almost) each week to define the purpose and the practice of “rightly dividing the word of truth” as we are instructed to do by Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles (the world we live in) in 2 Tim.2:15 in order to “shun” the incorrect habits of religions which refuse the simple truths of the Word. For the record, I believe the entire King James Bible contains the words which God has inspired authors and translators to preserve as His words for us today. English speaking people have carried these words into hundreds of foreign land and translated them from KJB to native tongues. Did the Lord know they would do this? Of course. Was He able to see to it they would be understandable to those peoples and lands? Yes. The King James Bible is the word of God.

Every version which has come out since 1881 has either changed words, has missing words, or whole missing verses, or all 3 of those error-ridden things because those doing the translating wanted to be able to copyright their efforts (which they all did) and to do so, those three erroneous workings have to be in the narrative. If you doubt what I’m saying, do yourself a favor, lay as many versions as you can beside the KJB, start in Matthew 1 and compare the words and verses. Be honest with yourself and with the Lord and He will show you the truth.

At any rate, that’s what the bible class is doing for the upcoming months and what we always use to show God’s spoken and written will for all mankind. His will starts “God our Saviour, Who would have all men be saved and to come unto the knowledge of His will”—1 Tim.2: 3,4. As you probably know the salvation part is very simple: “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved”—Acts16:31. Because the good news says, “…how that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, was buried, and was raised again the third day, according to the Scriptures.”—1 Cor.15: 3,4.

Have a continued good day and week and Independence Day celebration!

And What Now?!

[[ The Author’s Apology: this is neither a sentimental treatise nor a bible lesson. For that matter, it also isn’t a complaint nor a brag. It just seemed appropriate for the day, I guess. Happy reading! ]]

The third week of June, 2025 is upon us. Pretty sure I don’t understand the rapidity with which we seem to fly through the year—48.5% of this year is gone! I’m absolutely astounded at a couple of things: first, how did this happen without me so much as noticing it slip by! Next, why have I not done 48.5% of all I wished to do this year? Is it slacking down my work-load? Or is it, more likely, doing the wrong work? In such case, why haven’t I changed my position, pattern, plan and prosecution of such work!? Almost as a side note, the bible puts forth the principle of “for as “he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Since that’s the case and yet what we seek for in accomplishments we do not seem to attain, is then, our thinking wrong? Obviously. But how radical to decide to erase all that in favor of a new plan for the next 6 months. So we vote to “stay the course.” “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” “We’ve just begun to fight.” “You’ve seen the start, but wait till you see the finish!”____and other such truck. Maybe so, maybe no. Oh!

To most of you, that paragraph might not make sense. But, to some of us, more goal oriented than drive oriented, we just wish to see the achievement. A drive oriented person sees the start toward and yet not worry about the finish. Whereas a goal oriented sees accomplishments in stages or steps towards the desired end, as another bible verse says “the desire accomplished is sweet to the soul.”—Prof.13:19. I have so loved that verse for many years. Not that I have lived that way, especially not in preaching or teaching God’s word. In fact, being called to be an ambassador of God’s word unto others keeps me from establishing a goal or even an expectation. (Apply 2 Cor.3:5 here.) It really is none of our business who the Lord might lead toward us; we would be very poor choosers of who might become a strong believer, trust the gospel, and then be used of the Lord because we said or taught a certain doctrine or thought pattern.

Back to that other side of my life’s desires in the past 7+ years: building of many High Alkaline water stores. At the start of 2017, Chuck & Laura, with Sarah & I began to think in terms of a new way to be free from an inhibiting supplier and become our own wholesaler for just two stores—theirs and ours. But searching out all we would need caused us to see things in our industry about which we had not before known. Things like advances in system efficiency; exceptional quality of minerals to manufacture our water, and ways to buy at wholesale level everything a store might need. Indeed, we became BLUE JUG ALKALINE WATER AND HEALTH MARKETS.

Within a short time span after July, 2017, other people who were tied to those with whom we had formerly been associated said things like , “we want to be a blue Jug, too!” etc. Yet when we considered this, we knew we couldn’t go out to recruit these stores to change from what they were to what we were, so we did not recruit even one from that number. Then came some who never had been with the previous company and after looking at the way we built Blue Jug, they desired to be like us, not the other way. So then, what were we to do? We could have done nothing, of course. But, we believed we were doing some things extremely well and that others could follow our lead. We examined franchising: whew! We didn’t have the money to do that! Then, we decided we could become a licensor of our name if someone wanted to buy the equipment we had and use our name. So we did that. We’re still glad we did this. People can be in business for themselves while carrying a chain store name and absolutely the best Alkaline Water our world has ever seen, in fact, “Water the way it’s meant to be!”—great slogan, Sarah!

So, here we sit. Nearing the end of June, 2025. We now have 17 stores with our licensed name on their front and on their products with the best drinking water possible in this world going out the doors —-thousands of gallons a day! We thought by now, we’d have a few more. Telling our story people will say, “Wow! That’s terrific!” But, living it on this side we wonder why there aren’t 50 or more stores. Showing people how well the top stores do, helping them choose the best locations, training them with every aspect from product jargon/lingo to technical side of changing filters and mineral packs timely, taking special note as to ROI rapidly, … and they don’t owe us a royalty or adv. payment every month: why don’t we have 50 stores?

Many relatively small store franchises require a net worth of half million $$ and up, and working capital of $200-300 thousand. Our stores can be outfitted, inventoried and open for less than $100,000 total: Yet, why don’t we have 50 stores open? If our owners work the store, their ROI is almost always under 2 years. Placing a licensee/licensor related chain store into a ranking system doesn’t seem possible. If it were, with our 17 store list of stores, none of which have slid into failure nor have had to have been closed; I’d say we ranked pretty good: pretty good, indeed! Yet there isn’t a rush of business wannabes trying to get one open….Maybe tomorrow….on into July!

Thanks for reading, the Elder.