1/14/2019

From 1962 until 1984, I spent most of my time in the retail business, doing an assortment of things from selling men’s clothing in a specialty store (hard to find these days) to diamonds, jewelry and small appliances to carpet, floor coverings of all kinds, furniture, and finally food, restaurants from franchise to startups. From 1984 till 2011, I only preached. Then, sort of in a “backing” partnership, I was re-introduced into retail with alkaline water. 

By 2011, much had changed about retail and the expectations of retail business. I read and was told by many so called experts that retail was going to be shut down by the internet, by “e-commerce” and the viral buildup of computer use that would soon be so strong and vital to every home so that retail could expect to diminish rapidly. This has turned out to be a very bad prophecy. In fact, there are still people murmuring this into the ears of large audiences. But, it isn’t so.

Early last year, I had an occasion to speak about retail in general at a local lunchtime “business” meeting. So, I studied the “stats” on how well retail was doing in the e-commerce driven climate. Since the beginning of online buying and all the braggadocio of how huge it was getting, there has never been a year when retail growth was negative. Every year there has been growth in numbers of stores, new retail outlets, and fewer vacancies in retail centers. Only one year, 2008, I believe, was it even close to being a wash. All years up to the latest figures available show retail marketing to be very healthy.

Among other things, this means that in a marketing atmosphere the retail community has learned how to adjust to the competition, how to make themselves as viable to their communities as they need to be for survival and profitability.  Oh, and incidentally, other forms of commerce, including the e-commerce, legitimate MLM businesses and “large box” locations have all done well in the new millennia! (I guess the lesson to learn is an old saw about business is correct: “Nothing can stop a business(or product) which fits its time!”) (Also, as Jim Rohn used to say, “there’s people everywhere!”)

The SIMH today was one which my father would sing while working (now I’ve come to believe he sang some of his favorites for us who worked for him to hear.) He would break into song, almost like most of us would take a coffee break. The song was a very true application of bible teaching: “Come every soul by sin oppressed, find mercy with the Lord, and He will surely give you rest, by trusting in His word….Only Trust Him, Only Trust Him, only trust him now, He will save you, He will save you, He will save you now.”—written by John Stockton (not the basketball player) in 1874.

It’s Winter, so it’s cold and rainy (versus cold and snowy further north), so there is no point in belaboring it—just get through it, like a bad cold. Sounds like a good Monday to tune into the Bible class at 7PM Central; go to zoom.us/j/210/378/5748 and join us. It’s about the impact of Ephesians on the doctrine for today. Or catch it anytime after tomorrow morning on You Tube Channel, Brother Jerry Lockhart.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

1/13/2019

Looking forward to a good morning of Bible study and fellowship. Old friends and new friends are both expected to be at GBC in Chattanooga for the Sunday morning classes. A couple of people we only met a year ago, and a couple we’ve known since 1975. 

This last couple we first met when we went to a bible camp near Plantersville, AL. Now, if you don’t know where Pineview Bible Camp is, just pick a hill, East of a small state highway, not close to anything; a cow pasture with an open air barn-type building and a concrete block building attached which extended to a screened in dining room. The open air end had a dirt driveway which ran around it,  the ground running down a slope in a wide panorama view of the hill and valley below. To the North down the slope was a girls barracks; to the South down the slope further were some bunk houses for boys.

This camp ran for around 20years, or so. It was never what was known as plush, it was often perfect weather, but some so very, very hot and occasionally it was very, very cold, especially for July. July 4th, 1976, was so cold, the morning class was held for about 25-30 of us huddled under blankets while the wind blew and on and off, rain fell. That July 4th was the 200th anniversary of this nation. We, “the huddled mass” were listening to a young law student, nephew of one of the preachers, give a sermon about how the godliness of a few of our founding fathers was employed during the revolution. It was a terrific message and brought life to the term, “Faith of Our Fathers.”

No, it didn’t get recorded, the only person there who had a tape recorder thought he had it recording, only to find at the end, he had punched the wrong button. Everyone there, and everyone we’ve told this story to has wished for that message. I’ve often wondered if the young man had any notes about it kept away, but it’s no doubt gone. I found out later he didn’t go on to become a lawyer, so why would he have kept the notes? Alas.

The man whom we thought was capturing the message on tape, was an elderly man who owned a small motor home and every year went to the streets of Montgomery, got permission to, and brought children to bible camp. (Today, he’d probably be arrested for trying that.) His name was Merrill Yates. He was a bit eccentric, but he was a fine man. He brought these kids to bible camp because he loved them enough to want them to hear the truth of God’s love for them; that He would send His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to die for their sins, and after being buried, God would raise His Son from the dead to show these kids and the world how they could have eternal life. Merrill did that for several years, perhaps all the years that camp was in existence. I’m looking forward to seeing, if the Lord allows it, the Salvation tally sheet of Mr. Yates effort, to seeing how many of the street urchins from Montgomery were truly saved at that camp (or the result of it.) 

“Living in Canaan’s Land” was the song in my head this morning. Of course, I’m not living in Canaan’s land and I will not gain it for an inheritance. There will be many saints of old who will be there, though. But, God had a different purpose for the time frame in which we live, a purpose that “fills up” what His purposes include: We are the church, the Body of Christ which will reside “far above all heavens” and we have a purpose in Christ, not in ourselves, nor in the “Land” the Lord promised to other people. 

If you’re interested in knowing more about our purpose for God’s plan, tune in to the Monday night bible class at zoom.us/j/2103785748 each Monday, 7pm Central, for the next +++ of Mondays. Or, it appears on You Tube channel, Brother Jerry Lockhart each week by Tuesday morning. This is what we will find out by studying the book of Ephesians.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

1/12/2019

I was looking up “Amazing Grace” this morning, trying to find a version with back up singers whose version was the SIMH today. It is a great memory, but I couldn’t find it. There are so many terrific versions of that great song, but I think my current favorite is the Celtic Woman version that includes some male backup singers. Just terrific. (Amazing Grace could be the SIMH everyday, know what I mean?)

This search caused me to look up some Bible words: wondrous appears in the bible 15 times, all in the Old Testament: 12 times about the Lord’s “works,” and 3 times about His “things” He has done. I believe this lends credence to Israel’s promises of God concerning the land, etc. But, that’s just me. 

In the new testament, especially Paul’s writings, his use of adjectives placed upon the Lord and His word are more likely to be glory, glorious, lively, etc. Perhaps to help us define our inheritance and expectations. What a God and Savior we have! He’s thought of everything we might every need to know for peace and security. Read and study your King James Bible daily or as often as you can and the windows of understanding “let the sunshine in!”

In a couple of hours, we’re off to the campus of the University of Alabama to watch a basketball game with Texas A&M. This’ll be a first time on campus for me since I tried to find someone to show carpet to as a wholesale salesman in 1974. Somehow, I doubt the campus will look the same. Tuscaloosa was about 60,000 population if you counted students at that time. Now it is 100,000+ and is in a Metropolitan area of more than 240,000—mercy! there’s people everywhere! I’m looking forward to the lunch with friends, the ballgame and the new view of the city. Usually, I just see only what’s next to the interstate.

About 20 years ago, coming from Texas to Guntersville, AL for a bible conference, I went around Tuscaloosa, had lunch in Northport (across the river from Tuscaloosa) before going cross country the rest of the trip. It was thoroughly enjoyable. I love this country and all it’s back roads and I’ve been on some doozies! From Northport to Jasper to Guntersville was a rolling hills, winding roads trip which I can still recall—some barren looking, some simple country life, some great small towns, but never boring. Maybe I’m the only person who likes doing that. It’s alright if I am, I’ll not stop, when I have the chance, I’ll do it still. 

Not long ago, Barb and I discovered there is an appointed route (mostly in Blount County, I think) to see several covered bridges here in North Central Alabama. We enjoyed the day, winding up in Oneonta in a small cafe with its own unique flare and worth. A really fun day. More recently, we’ve done that closer to home in several directions—South, Southeast, North, and West. West in our own county (Dekalb) there are two parks not often even heard of: High Falls (a county park) with beautiful waterfalls and a flat rock bottom river of clean beautiful water running slow enough for children to play, with daredevils diving off the falls into deep pools below and a great walkway; the other is a small state park called Buck’s Pocket, not very developed but great views of hills and dales. This land is our land, this land is your land….

That famous chapter in the bible, you know the one, “to everything there is a season…” Ecclesiastes 3; just after all the poeticism of “a time for…” there is a verse which reads: He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God taketh from the beginning to the end.—verse 11. What does it mean that He set the world in their heart: who’s the their? According to the verse before and after, it is “man.” Personally, I believe that’s why we love being here. It is the hope of Scripture which makes us see there is a better day ahead. The promise of eternal life is truly real, ever before us, and as the song says, “the best is yet to come!”

Thanks for reading, the Elder

1/11/2019

Being raised in the 1940-50s and now looking back to that era shows me an assortment of astounding things. I started school the year Harry S. Truman won election. I never paid any attention to it, of course, but during that time and the four years which followed, an Army Camp (Atterbury) was close to our little town. It was built as a temporary camp for the 2nd WW and kept open by Truman, sort of in view of the crisis in the Korean peninsula. So, when the camp began again to grow in personnel, several people from our town worked there—my sister Margaret, both my parents for a short period of time, and many others. As wars will do, our little town of 400+ was economically healthy then.

We had 4 filling stations, 2 grocery stores, a drug store, dry cleaners, hardware(which was also a burgeoning Allis-Chalmers tractor and New Idea farm equipment dealer), as well as, a lumber yard, feed store, grain elevator, florist, and 2 barber shops! There were also small businesses including at least 2 restaurants. We had all we need. A grades 1 thru 12 school (the Redbirds!) and 3 or 4 churches. We just didn’t need anything else. My dad (for a short time) had a blacksmith shop.

Somewhere just after Eisenhower was elected in ’52, he shortened and caused the Korean war to cease fire, establishing the de-militarized zone which still exists today. One of the camp-shut downs was Atterbury, and all our town folk had to go elsewhere to work, mostly Indianapolis and Franklin. During the camp closing process, an officer brought his family to live in our town, a son my age and smaller children. I was friends with the boy for a year or so before they moved on. He was a totally undisciplined kid. He disrespected his mother (probably not his army officer father) and was wild in his thinking of what was fun. So, one day, for no particular reason, he got into a fury about President Eisenhower’s election (1952). It was loud, inside the classroom (I think because of rain), and brought the ire of several teachers and the principal into the room. This boy quickly blamed it on me and one other boy, either Floyd or Curt, none of us being to blame for anything. I’ve often engaged in political debates among my friends since then, often heated, seldom settling anything (if ever.) But, I don’t think I ever saw any “tuck-tail-and-run” event quite like that boy’s retreat.

Later, he told me if his dad found out he was arguing politics, for or against whomever, he would get skinned alive. I remember telling him if he hadn’t brought it up, he wouldn’t have had to lie about us. He never apologized, he never took the blame, …end of friendship. I wonder if that young man ever learned life’s dearest lesson: we are responsible for our own actions. I hope he did. The bible principle in this is “every one of us shall give an account of himself to God.”-Rom.14:12.

The SIMH today was one of the favorites of all “sing-alongs”: I’ll Fly Away. This really old favorite was written in 1929 by Albert Brumley. Recorded by just about everybody. Recently made more popular by Allison Krause in the movie “Oh, brother, Where Art Thou?” Whether piano, banjo, guitar, fiddle, whatever, it is a great tune which presents a real soon possibility of biblical prophecy fulfillment. The “in the morning” portion is an homage to 19th century songs, which spoke of morning as the awakening from death, that is, resurrection—Some golden daybreak, I’ll meet you in the morning, etc. there are a lot of songs making a morning reference. 

And when the skies are as beautiful in the mornings as this week has been here, I fully understand the application of Christ being the “bright and Morning Star.”

Thanks for reading, the Elder

1/10/2019

Wow, what a beautiful sunrise! The third day in a row. Well, Winter will soon take care of that. But, winter is also why morning air is as clear as can be. When I worked for a man who had his own plane, we knew it would be smooth sailing through the air and much clearer skies in cold weather. (I’m pretty sure there are several of you who could explain that better.) Even though I’ve always had a “fear of heights” it never bothered me to fly, be it a small plane or a huge one. So, if Gene (the boss) said go with me—-I was ready to fly anywhere, anytime, but cold weather was easier (less bumpy) and the planes have exceptional heaters.

The SIMH today is a beautiful song, used primarily as an invitation hymn. They are some of the most melodic hymns ever written. This morning I awoke to singing “I Surrender All.”—written by Judson Van DeVenter with music by Winfield Weeden, first published in 1895 (that’s a few days ago.) It has been done by many people, choirs, instrumentalists, in every genre, I suppose. I like soprano solos of it better than the rest, I think. 

Invitation songs are not what I would use in a church service today, since I don’t believe an “invitation service” should be used as it is by those who are evangelical. In the most general sense, but vast majority, invitations (or altar calls) are a misuse of the message of the bible. churches want people to respond for their own benefit. I realize how harsh that sounds, but why do it? Is it not to be able to “see” the results of a stirring message for Christ? Yes, it is. But, do we not “walk by faith, not by sight”? Yes, we do. Then, do we need to see who emotionally responded and “glory” in the results” No, we don’t. It is used as a bragging point, imminently bragging about the preacher or the effectiveness of “our” way. The bible plainly teaches us, “he the glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” 

Many would argue that this does glorify the Lord. Ok, then, show me the instructions for an invitational service in the Bible. There isn’t one. That settles that, in my mind. Whether the message was great or not, whether the individuals were “moved” by the pressing of the Spirit, should come as a freely expressed reality by the one who was moved, but not by the emotional coercion of a beautiful song. (One song I always thought was wonderful as a song, irritates me when I look back at the religious days of invitations: “While we wait and while we plead,……” “won’t you come to Jesus now.” “Why not now, why not now, why not come to Jesus now?” and it repeats. That’s a good question, won’t you come to Jesus now. But, should it be as begging and pleading towards them that are without? Or should their heart and mind be persuaded by the message even if no one in the audience or the preaching staff ever finds it out? 

I’m very glad a larger “computer” is keeping tabs on who is saved or lost. “The Lord knoweth them that are his.” (It is a sure foundation, He said, sealed—2 Tim.2:19.)

Oh, hey! If you happen be one of those who watches Sunday morning preachers of the grace of God, this coming Sunday, Jan. 13, Grace bible Church in Chattanooga is going to broadcast both hours, at 10 and 11:15am, on their website, understandingyourbible.com  (At least, that was the last plan I heard. Hopefully, it will be worthwhile.) Isn’t it great to get good usage out of this electronic age? Bible classes, live and recorded, going around the world. A sign the time is near? Here’s the answer you’ve all been waiting on: I don’t know.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

1/9/2019

We had a couple of nice days of Winter weather, but today, though sunny is going to be rather chilly. OK, we can handle that for a couple of days. Then, let’s get back to nice again, OK? What, you don’t take care of the weather? Hm, I’ll have to go to a higher power, I can see that clearly! Hope your days are going well, no matter what the weather is.

We are back with a SIMH this morning: “Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone” —Bill Withers, 1972—“I know, I know,I know,I know,I know, + 20 more times, many more artist from Michael Jackson to Joe Cocker have recorded this classic hit. I know,I know,I know, it is a good one to remember.

The sharing of duties in a startup company which has no office staff is sometimes a little trying. If we had a staff of a couple of people who could handle the execution of our plans and offerings to our stores these things would all get done quickly and easily (that part’s coming, it’s coming. Perhaps by the end of this year.) Growing this new venture, full of challenges, is a lot of fun for an old man who has time to do his small part.

I wrote an explanation of why we believe the best water for the world to be drinking is water with alkalinity so I thought I’d include a couple of paragraphs, in italics:

If your heart is in helping people with a basic need while providing for your own, this is the business for you. Most retail business formats are burdened with high inventory costs and/or outrageous franchise fees causing the initial financial burden to be very high. We think we’ve found a better way! We’ve put together a business plan that will fit many average, hard working people, as well as entrepreneurs who may want multiple stores.

Here’s Blue Jug’s story: After several years of successfully providing really great Alkaline water for thousands of families yet seeing dozens of ways our stores could improve, the officers of Blue Jug have found a better way for retail minded people to be their own boss and develop a successful business in their community.

Sometimes there is more to a business than just success at the cash register. It is necessary for the continuation that a business has a good “bottom line,” of course. But a common occurrence in every store is this: customers filling their bottles and jugs with our water will notice we are conversing with someone new and the customer will interject things like, “I cannot be without this water, it is the best there is!” or “you’ll be glad you started drinking this water,” or “my wife will yell at me if I go home without our water.” And, like this or not, sometimes they tell us of something in their body which has improved and that their health is better. It is illegal for us to make any claims about these kinds of testimonials. Most amazing that truths have to be hidden, ya know?

I’m off to do more of whatever I do everywhere I do it!………………

Thanks for reading, the Elder

1/8/2019

The national championship has come and gone. What a remarkable pair of football teams! I’m an Alabama fan (since 1974), but they looked shocked from the time I started watching (middle, 2nd quarter) and never seemed to recover. Clemson was set to be perfect last night, and nearly pulled it off. Perfection in an athletic event is generally an impossibility if there is an opponent. But the Tigers looked the champions they became and Bama didn’t. Congratulations to them and thank God for a coach not afraid to mention the name of the Lord Jesus in his speech. (I don’t believe the Lord blesses football games, but He does care for His Own.) 

Will the NCAA send in the investigators if these two teams are in this same position next year? Probably. The world loves a winner, but not if a winner wins all the time. What the world loves better than a winner is to cry “foul!” if a winner just keeps on winning. The world loves dirt dug up whether it be  on an individual or a school or a team, think politicians, etc., etc.

We started a bible series last night on the Grace For All Monday night class that perhaps some of you might like to follow. Each Monday night at 7pm Central, or on You Tube channel, Brother Jerry Lockhart, we’ll continue to explore the doctrines of the book of Ephesians for the next whatever number of weeks. You know, that part of bible study which is centered on who we are, when we are, where we are, and how we are is not boring. I might be boring, but the bible isn’t at all boring. Besides, if you disagree with me, you do not upset me if you comment. If I cannot validate my position by Scripture, I am wrong. So, we started last night with just a few online live, thank you gentlemen, but the You Tube channel has it, if you want to catch up. We just covered some things which can be seen in the first few verses and certainly did not exhaust all that can be seen. I have no timeline (syllabus) for how many weeks this could go on because Ephesians, like our lives themselves, is inexhaustible. 

Just another word from my past: Yesterday, I mentioned a man named Bob who was 11 years older than me. He was one of the truly unique and eclectic people amongst whom I grew up. He was about 4ft, 10inches tall and had a hump on the back of his left shoulder, I heard from an accident when he was a baby, though he and I never spoke of it. He loved basketball and reading books. If he couldn’t talk to you about one of them, he might just walk a way. But he also loved playing pool—it was very scientific to him. 

Bob would challenge anyone who wanted to play him with a bet on the game. He bet according to what he believed your ability to pay might be. I’ve seen him play for a dime, and for a $10 bill. (That would be me for the dime, and I never came close to beating him.) His eyes were so low to the ground, his table top perception was “nearly perfect” (his words.) I left that area in 1964 and I don’t think he lived long after that: he developed another love, he loved to drink booze. I think that was his downfall and end. I will probably tell a couple more “Bob” stories. Like Mo, he was a memory maker just walking around.

No song this morning. Hmm. Maybe the song function of my brain doesn’t work if Bama gets beat? Nah, that’s not it. 

Thanks for reading, the Elder 

1/7/2019

Well, here goes: the final “up-surge” of energy to start the new year. The way the holidays fell on our calendar week this year gave us two starts to the new year. We who were back in the business world last Wednesday noticed not everyone went back to work. But today, today’s the day to really get ‘er goin’! Today, we say, there is no waiting now! …hope y’all feel that way and you get on with it.

Speaking of that attitude, I want to tell you my intention (which sometimes takes right or left veers) is to begin the year’s Monday night bible classes with the start of the book of Ephesians “as I see it.” That is to say, if you disagree with me, no matter how adamant I sound on the video, I’m not angry with you nor am I going to avoid you nor call you names. My reason for teaching this is multiple. First, it is US (you and me) in Scripture. Oh, yes, it is coupled with all of Romans through Philemon and a part of God’s total plan: Genesis through Revelation. But, it is us, it is now, it is imperative we know and understand how this book applies. No matter how many cross-references you hear and read with us in the class, it is Ephesians we are studying and will be in it for a while. 

Hope you can make it, or watch on the You Tube channel.

The same attitude as found in the top paragraph above applies in some other areas of our lives this year, also. We’re “kick-starting” a deeper understanding of how to take our business to a different place; a further understanding of how to protect our name, our system, and the world’s understanding of our system and our product. More later, but I’m excited to get to watch this unfold. (and it will take more than just this year, I’m sure.)

The SIMH this morning took me a while to get it found through Google. As usual, it wasn’t the internet’s fault, I was making the wrong words out to be the title. “If you could see me now, one who said he’d rather roam,” is not the name of it—it’s just what I remembered of “Lovin’ Arms.” Kenny Rogers sang it, et al. But the one I liked the best is by Dobie Gray, who also did “Drift Away” and several other great ballads.

Yesterday, I told a short story about an old friend. Today, I’d like to tell you of a life-changing moment, one that I’ve remembered often in my life and the truth of it applies, even though I’m pretty sure it wasn’t the Spirit of God which taught me this. The young man who said the following statement to me did, however, in a very short time after, claim Christ as his Savior and to this day gives testimony to God’s grace.

He graduated from our h.s. about 6 yrs before me; went to the military,  come back and started college, playing basketball for a small college in Indiana. He was working on the farm and saw me smoking, at age 15. He said to me, “Are you on the basketball team?” I said yes, I hoped to make the starting five that Fall. He said, “Then, why are you smoking? Don’t you realize you jeopardize your chances and if you make it, you could jeopardize the team’s success?” I didn’t remember ever having heard the word “jeopardize” before. When I went home, I got out the only dictionary we had, used primarily to help my Dad and sister when working crossword puzzles. 

After looking up jeopardize, I realized the truth of what he spoke. However, being the smart aleck teenager I was, I said not if I hide my smoking, and didn’t quit. But, I never forgot the magnifying affect of knowing what that word meant. Truly. Just one word. It entered into my thinking about a lot of things from gossip to hurtful words, and other such.

Shortly after that, I was telling another young man (who graduated about 11 years before me) about the jeopardize thing. He said he had that sort of experience when he learned the word animosity. I said, what does that mean? he giggled his funny little laugh and said, “look that one up, also, and take the last explanation of it.” So, I did. I saw it meant a “killer instinct” but the final use was to not let your opponent up if you had him down (or something very similar.) Later, I asked Bob how he had applied that to his life. He said, “ever play checkers, or cards, and feel sorry for the other guy?” I said, yeah. He said, “animosity will teach you how to not let sympathy cause you to wind up losing. If you want to win at basketball, I suggest an animosity toward who you are playing, not to beat them up, just to not let them win.” I never forgot that application, either.

2 words. What a Summer’s education that turned out to be!

Thanks for reading, the Elder

1/6/2019

My old friend, John, turns 76 today. He catches up with me every January 6th. I have no idea how I remember his birthday each year, I don’t remember most of those I’m supposed to. John and I were friends from his first grade on (he was a year behind me, probably cause his birthday is in January.) After about the 3rd grade, at the start of the school year, John would tell me who his girl friend was. Then, he’d change girlfriends after or as soon as his sensibilities were tormented, somehow. As we got older, I don’t know if we ever argued, maybe, but I can’t remember one. My Junior year (his Sophomore) we were the starting guards on the varsity basketball team. And so, we were the next year, also. So, for countless practices and 43 games we were side by side. 

John’s family were farmers, both cash crop and dairy. Both the years we were on the varsity together, John had to milk the cows (35-40) in the evenings. In order for him to make it back to the school to go to “away” games on the team bus, several times I’d go home with him after school and help him milk. We got quite good at knowing how to do what and when, sort of like being on the basketball floor, except for the smell. But it was a good lesson in a coordinating workforce. Of course, neither of us knew that at the time, we were just trying to make the bus at the school.

The “coordination workforce” made us get better on the b-ball court. The first year, I made a lot of passing mistakes, John took several bad shots. The next year, neither of us had those problems. The difference: we won most of our games. He once made something like 21 or 23 free throws in a game. but, mostly the two of us fed to Martin and Daryl to shoot—they could score. I asked John a while back if we had had the 3 point shot, would he have led the state in scoring. He immediately said, “Hell, no! But Daryl would have!” He’s probably right.

I still see him once a year, hope that continues for a while. He’s the same guy. (Wonder if he’d say that about me.) He’s just as irascible as he ever was, perhaps add cynical to that. Like me, he came from and was the last of a large family. I may think of another story or two.

I had an old song on my mind earlier, it went away, another came to mind:”Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You”—Dolly Parton and Merle Haggard both recorded hits of it. That first song must have had something similar in rhyme or style—strange to me how many songs are in my mind, stranger still they pop in and fade quickly. I don’t listen to much music and haven’t for many years. Strange thing, the mind.

There is just about the same amount of study and preparation needed for the things I hope to get done this year as there was 6 days ago. In other words, I haven’t spent the week studying anything I intended to or needed to learn. Hoping for a better week coming up. It will be better in one sense: I’ve studied some for the re-start of the Monday night bible class. That and listening to two good messages this morning should kick-start the week! I praise the Lord for good bible teachers who have no fear in laying out what they see in Scripture. Hope you’ve got a great place to attend or a place to teach. 

Thanks for reading, the Elder

1/5/2019

It is a fine, sunshiny day on the mountain! Wow, what a difference an overnight can make! We’re going to have the pleasure of the Winter sun for about 5-6 days, then back to raininess. Which is ok, but not a great expectation.

The music (as SIMH) this morning was the old “Big Top Circus” theme. (Big Top Circus was a Saturday morning TV program in the 1950s.) We didn’t have a TV, but about 2 blocks away, my oldest sister and her husband had one. So, I got to see that show and one or two “cowboy” shows on Saturdays. Since that music didn’t have words, I can’t describe it properly: da dum, da dum, da deee, da, da dum, da dum da dee—-see, it just doesn’t “sound” right, does it?

Just a final word about 2018: when I mention about other Blue Jug stores opening, I should clarify something: “We” don’t own any of these stores. We are part of a wholesale company which sells the equipment and licensing of our name to people for them to own their own business and get the benefits of our experience and directions for reaching their goals. There are 7 principals involved at one degree or another, none of which have thus far profited from the wholesale company. We decided to learn how to handle growth this way. We have no debt, and it will be several more units open and re-investing capital made before the wholesale company is capable of creating an income for anyone. We’d rather do this than other options such as “sell” a portion or stock optioning, etc. 

2018 was a good year. We started with just 2 stores and a new one few days in December, ’17 and now we have 6 open, 2 more will be open in just a few weeks. We expect several more this year, but we face much work. It’s a great new year expectation. Hope you are interested enough just to watch how it all goes. I’m old enough to be genuinely happy to be a part of it.

Tomorrow, Barb and I are going to do one of our favorite things. We’ll be going to Grace bible Church in Chattanooga for morning bible classes, but before we go there, we’ll go to one of two favorite places for breakfast. The Daily Ration is one, the other is the former Egg and I, now called first Watch. Both have delicious breakfast foods from wide and varied menus. We’ll choose one or the other, leave home about 6:15 (we lose an hour going to Tennessee and/or Georgia) and have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the food and time together.

Day after tomorrow, I will restart my Monday night online bible class after taking the last two Mondays off. That’ll be 7:00PM, Jan.7, and it is a one hour bible class in the comfort of your easy chair (careful, don’t go to sleep  on me.) I’m looking forward to the class. I hope the Lord leads instead of me. You pray for that, too.

One of the big disadvantages of aging is it often requires planning conversations about subjects hard to talk about. Things like becoming infirm, incapacitated, or needing constant care. Things like which of you is going to go first, what if…, and then other what ifs are introduced. It can get to be long conversations which one day will have to include your children and possibly grandchildren. None of this is pleasant to do, but it cannot be ignored too long to one’s own peril. It’s like writing a will—a necessary evil. This may be a good year for these things to take more formal shape. We’ll see.

I better close this before it gets any more maudlin. How can one be maudlin on such a beautiful day? Let’s don’t. Let’s go enjoy the day and be happy!! The Lord is with us, amen?

Thanks for reading, the Elder