It feels like a lazy Saturday morning. The air is cool, the wind is calm, we both feel good, even Buddy seems good, and the SIMH is more than one. That’s about as laid back as I can get, I reckon. Some days the SIMH is crystal clear, other days something I hear triggers the memory, like the chime our hall clock, or a message tone from my phone. Today, one of the sounds changed the song that was rolling around upon awakening and now, 20 minutes late, I can’t remember the first one!

But the song which came to mind is an old Separate Baptist choir song which had an alto lead for the chorus. My sister Margaret has a strong alto voice (she turned 90 this past February.) The song went, “I’ll Meet You in the Morning” — I think that was the title — “with a how do you do, and we’ll sit down by the river, and with rapture old acquaintance renew! You’ll know me in the morning, by the smile that I wear, yes, I’ll meet you in the morning, in that city that is built foursquare!” Not exactly Scripturally provable, but poetic license aside, I loved to here Margaret sing with the choir behind her.

My first memory of a “choir” singing was at Lick Spring church, just South of Trafalgar, IN, somewhere around 1948-49. The church probably didn’t have 60 people or so, but the choir had about 15-18, several of them young adults. And, they had Herb Proctor, who could knock the keys off the ol’ piano! Herb’s family were all musicians & singers. The oldest members of the choir included my parents and Paul Hogue (his wife Pearl is still alive at about 104, I think. We saw her at Margaret’s 90th party—pretty cool, a 90 year old had her 104 year old friend as guest at her party. Bet that don’t happen much.)

Music has always been a big part of my family’s lives. the one’s of us who don’t sing much, however, can carry a tune. But, we have several who play multiple instruments and some extra good voices. Barb and I used to sing a lot at church, some at conferences many moons ago. We were famous as a trio with our friend John Sanford (well, we were really only famous to the one preacher who asked us to sing…come to think of it, he was the only one to ever ask us to sing!) Never mind about that “famous” part.

Our son who lives in upstate New York is very talented and it comes out more or less on an annual basis. Not frequently, but very enjoyable. His “man-cave” has a wall full of instruments he can play well. It’s one of those things I love to do, listen or watch my kids do what they can do best.

Our 3 children, no longer kids themselves, have always been a joy to us. In good times or somewhat rough times, they have never been a bother or trouble. Oh, yes, we’ve found out from time to time how imperfect they were, but even those things have never been troublesome. Once, when our daughter was in a bunk house with other girls her age, the two boys (grownup young men by then) stayed with Barb and I in a small trailer. They kept us up nearly all night laughing and telling stories of their teenage exploits which we knew nothing about! Once we got over the shock, most of it was really, really funny.

The Lord’s grace has prevailed and we are all very thankful to Him.

Thanks for reading, the Elder.

Ever notice the tiny bit of mental energy it takes to be mistaken, but how much anguishing energy it takes to correct it? I’m sure you have. The lingering knowledge of the mistake, be it a calculation error, a personal attack-type error, or doctrinal, or anything: that knowledge of the error can weigh a body down!

When we set out to atone or correct it, how we do fight the tendency to somehow justify ourselves (even just a little bit) by terms such as, “well, at the time I…” or “I didn’t know it was gonna cause…”  or worse “I don’t think it’s that bad…!” Where does it say we get to be exonerated from our own stupidity? No, we need to learn humility by the total admission of guilt. Self worth takes another hit, BAM! One of the hardest things to learn and retain in our knowledge is the cleansing effect of simply taking the blame. It is a greater form of  strengthening than any form of self-justification.

That’s how eternal life in Jesus Christ is given to us. We all know what we are and all the guilt we’ve swallowed or tucked away so as to not be so noticeable. We look like and feel like we’re not too bad. Like a friend once told me, in response to me telling him “Christ died for your sins,” he came back with, “Well, he didn’t need to do that.” That took me back (no one had ever said that to me) and I said, “Well, sure He did.” My friend said, “I could of done something about ‘em, couldn’t I?”

I said, “the bible says the wages of sin is death.” He said, “Oh.” and walked out the door. About two months later, he stepped into my office and told me and a man sitting with me, “I just wanted you two to know, that I’ve trusted Christ as my Saviour.”

Later conversation with him showed me he had just gotten so he couldn’t stand the inability to do anything to make it alright, and he gave up, and let the Lord save him. Praise the Lord for His matchless grace; He’s gracious to us and He makes it alright.

Interesting stat about my Cubbies (the Chicago Cubs is a baseball team in case someone isn’t familiar.) This year so far, they have won 44 games after being behind—come from behind wins! That’s half their wins! You’d have to say they want to win. Maybe there’s another World Champion here!!

Oh, has football started yet? Just kiddding! Everyone knows football is a Fall sport, right?

SIMH today is “To Love Somebody”  BeeGees. This may have been brought on by listening to some BeeGees hunting for something else about two weeks ago. (There’s no real reason songs pop up in my head every day, is there?)

Thanks for reading, the Elder

Yesterday, on my “free-lance” day I did some things in town, then decided I would look for a couple of things to help my planning of bigger things, ad infinitum. I stumbled into a good bit of conversation when I ran into one of the Blue Jug’s customers. She and her husband have been discussing the value of a store in Cherokee county (nearby). She works in Fort Payne so it isn’t something she could be very involved with, but still they have an interest.

After the talk, I decided to drive to Cherokee County, look over the two main towns which are about 5 miles apart and see if I saw a good location or any other hint of a reason to put a water store there. Small cities have this place in my heart and sure enough, it has arisen in me to find someone who wants good water for those areas. 3 small cities, 1 huge lake, and a total of about 23,000 people. The business would grow on a continual increase for years to come (but, it probably will not be a fast start.) Some day soon, maybe.

Back to small towns: there’s a sameness to them which seems boring to many people. I find all that to be comforting, somehow. Not that I need comforting anymore than normal, but I like seeing things that have worked for decades just stay in place. Then, to see a small town looking forlorn causes me to want to “fix it” (as if I could.) I talked to some people in a unique restaurant who told me about their bosses—hometown boy and girl who started and built up a good business, then started another, then another (the one I was visiting), and now a new venture—four businesses in one small town. It pleases me to see that kind of entrepreneurial effort work.

The birthday dinner was a smash hit! Low Country Boil, followed  by Burnt Sugar cake and pecan praline ice cream —what more could a man ask?! And all our local family came and a swell time was had by all!!

SIMH—This came to mind the second time I got up this morning, may be a portent of things to come—“Goin’ Out Of My Head” outa my head over you, outa my head…..(I can’t remember who sang that, never like it anyway.)

Thanks for reading, the Elder

Today, about an hour from when I’m writing this, I officially become 76 years old…er, “of age.” I have a hard time thinking of myself as old. I’m not complaining about the years, I enjoy 7 decades of memories (most of them); and I seldom feel the age. Because of where I go most days I talk with a lot of folks who are aging  a bit more harshly than it seems I am. (I recognize I might be delusional.) So, I’ll just thank the Lord and my parents and my wonderful wife for good health and just get on with it!

Gonna be out and about for a while today—it’ll be a freelance day for me. Sarah is graciously giving me a day off from her store, Barb doesn’t want me under foot as she prepares a birthday meal for me and the whole family, leaving me to do whatever is before me to do. Gonna make it enjoyable.

SIMH today came almost immediately after I awoke:

“One sat alone, beside the highway begging,

His eyes were blind, the light he could not see.

He clutched his old rags, and shivered in the shadows.

Then Jesus came, and bade the darkness flee.

“When Jesus Comes” the tempter’s power is broken

“When Jesus Comes” all tears are wiped away

He takes the gloom, and turns it into glory!

For all is calm, “When Jesus Comes” to stay.

In case you never heard that before, it was one of Lester Roloff’s two theme songs on his daily radio station. When I first began to study the bible(44 years ago), Bro. Roloff was one of the first radio programs I would listen to in the car each day. His other theme song was equally memorable—perhaps on another day.

Just a further thought about listening to radio preachers while spending several hours each day studying. The radio playlist gave me about 8 or 9 differing voices and doctrinaires to argue with while being alone and neither winning nor losing an argument. It was a great learning tool. I’d drive along saying, “No, that’s not right, you’re not considering this or that and what about that verse!!”  or sometimes just saying “Amen!” Then, when studying on my own, I could either correct myself or feel thankful I had seen some truth to which the poor radio preacher was blinded. Some of them taught me a lot, some didn’t. But I learned a lot about what was an important difference and what was not, what certain denominations believed and what they didn’t. Part of a great informal education.

Thanks for reading, the Elder.

Below is what I wrote for yesterday, then forgot to put it on here. so, you get it anyway!

What an interesting time of year. Summer vacation times are about past, Labor Day has come and gone, and for most people, the busiest time of the year are the next 4 months. We’ll see if this year holds to the tradition.

In Blue Jug Alkaline Water Store & Health Markets we’re expecting some good things to happen. We have several stores on the brink of getting open and good growth in our existing stores. It is fun to watch this unfold. Work just doesn’t quite measure up to what it is like to preach the gospel of Christ or teach what I see in Scripture, but it is a lot of fun.

SIMH this morning and has been rolling through on a couple other mornings is “The Power of Love.” Written and recorded by Jennifer Rush, then Celine Dion, and also sung by the German(?) lady named Helene Fischer. All 3 did it beautifully.

If cooler days and cool evenings keep coming we’re going to enjoy the Fall. Now all we hope for from our atmosphere is clean air and LOTS OF COLOR !! Some years we have it, some we don’t. Last year, not so much. Maybe this will be a good one.

As usual, on a holiday Monday, I was kicked back relaxing when a text came rolling in asking “Are we having a Bible class tonight?” Recovering from my reverie, I quickly said yes, then changed my thinking, got my Bible and went to “the studio” (neat name for where I stand to do the class.) Several people were on live with us and I don’t think I made too many mistakes. Thank God for His marvelous grace.

It’s best if I start my day now, the first day of the super-time of the year. Remember, my friends: every day is the Lord’s Day.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

Sitting here in preparation of going to the mowing task thinking about our past: in our 58 years of marriage, we have owned 38 vehicles, most of which were cars, as well as having 4 different “company cars” to drive for a variety of time each. We’ve lived in 21 places, one being for 15years and another for 10years. So, we’re like the insurance company which says, “we know some things, cause we’ve seen some things!” It didn’t necessarily make us very wise individuals, but these numbers alone should make you wiser-than-you-used-to-be! If we told a story connected to each of the 21places, the 38 vehicles and all 58 years, how large would that book be?

Perhaps I should go mow instead of continuing in this vein…..

Today, I may face the need to mow about two-thirds of our cow pasture, er, I mean our lawn. Maybe this will slow down the growing some. There are signs of that and I don’t know whether to be glad or sad. I really enjoy the lawn and seeing all Barb’s work bringing it to fuller growth and maturity. But, Fall brings such cool mornings and late afternoons and the pleasure of being out in it without having to take the time to decide when it will be ready to mow again.

We didn’t have this dilemma in Texas. We just had two seasons there—Hot and Not. Just kidding Texas friends, I remember long Falls and long Springs. I say these things about Texas for the benefit of the rest of the country’s attitude. And I know you appreciate my furthering the cause giving less reason to come and crowd up the state of Texas

Recently, in Mentone, AL, I visited the best little “farmer’s market” around. I say little because it is little. You have to visit it in a hurry because it isn’t open but 3 hours and only 8-9 booths; some produce, some crafts, some homemade breads, best honey around, and good free coffee, if you’re a mind to. But, the best thing of all is the conversations. You can just start up with anyone and it is easy to find yourself 15 minutes later, still in that conversation.

Today, I found myself talking to a restaurant manager I know (briefly) and telling him a story or two from my home town. (Proving that he is clearly a better listener than I am a story-teller.)

He politely listened as I told him about Cort, an elderly man when I was in high school who was known by everybody for miles around as a tremendous h.s. basketball fan—when I played it had been years since Cort had missed a game. He was asked by a newspaper reporter one day what was the secret to winning in h.s. basketball? Cort replied, “simple, get ahead and stay ahead!” The reporter come back with, “how do you do that?” “Make the first basket, then match ‘em, basket for basket!” Ol’ Cort said. …That is simple.

I walked up to a wood carver’s booth and saw a tool box which had on its lid a bumper sticker promoting “Ocracoke Island” (outer banks off NC coast.) Since we have a friend living there, I ask were they from there. They said, “no, but we’ve loved going there for years! Our grown children living in New York still ask if we’re going there this year, every year.” Then we went on to talk about the island, our friend’s achievements, etc. What a wonderful, casual conversation which, hopefully, will lead to more and with more substance.

Substantive conversation is better than prittle-prattle, don’t you think?

Thanks for reading, the Elder

This morning we’re going to be in Chattanooga at Grace Bible Church. We have enjoyed the fellowship of that church since about March of 1975. It has gone through some changes since then, but, I suspect we have, too. (I even suspect you have, my friend, right?)

Wouldn’t it just be awful to look back 43 years and not see any changes? Ugh!

Some mornings just have a way of reminding me to thank the Lord Jesus Christ for His grace and power. Reminds me of the song, “Twas Best to Let Him Have HIs Way with Thee.” Chorus line goes:

His pow’r can make you what you ought to be;

His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free;

His love can fill your soul, and you will see

’Twas best for Him to have His way with thee.

Yesterday, Barb and I found a small store in a small town near us which had a unique inventory, a remarkable inventory of really healthy foods all the way, literally from soup to nuts. If you’re ever off Interstate 59 to get gas or rest stop in Trenton, GA, take GA136 west(north) about a mile, part way up the hill, and on the left you’ll find Uncle Lar’s Outpost. It has entered our long list of places to which we will return—and this one is close enough that we actually will make it back there.

But, then, back home. Yesterday started one of the most invasive “seasons” there is in America, the 149th iteration of college football.(Nov.6, 1869.) We have bunches of sports, especially in colleges — you can “major” in any sport imaginable, but nothing grips the nation like college football. I’ve live in 4 states, 2 where football is “king” and two where basketball is “king.” However, the “F”ball is king of media attention, even in the “B” ball states. “F”ball is talked about, wished for, worried over, written about and celebrated 365 days a year. Newspaper space share is heavily football, even in all other seasons. Commentators of baseball (longest season) talk about football, even while broadcasting a baseball game. It’s uncanny.

As you might imagine, I watched football last night. Roll Tide!

Now, go study your bible. 2 Tim.2:15 & 1 Pet.3:15

Thanks for reading,  The elder

Talk about early morning things, today I am up at 3:30. There’s a popular meme on Facebook which gives license to us old people to get up and do things in the middle of the night. And speaking of the middle of the night, there was an old custom a good while back (before the industrial revolution) which lasted for several generations (Western Europe, the Mediterranean, America) where communities would have a “middle night.” It was referred to as between “first sleep” and “morning sleep.” Researchers today call it Segmented Sleep, if you want to look it up. Some people used it for prayer and meditation, others socialized with neighbors and friends, and some finished chores. This custom may have had its roots from B.C., even. In thinking of why people would have done this, it seems to me Winter might have brought it on for the purpose of re-stoking the fire for warmth. Or Summer might have caused it due to the bedrooms heating up when the cool winds stopped flowing through. In Southern climes the custom included bringing the supper’s dessert to one’s porch and inviting the neighbors over to help you eat it up!

So modernism of the last century chopped away at another good custom, imho (in my humble opinion.) We can blame this one, too, on central air conditioning and TV—like, who today knows their neighbors well enough to sit on the porch and visit in the middle of the night?

SIMH this morning was “Jesus Loves Me”—not as most of us sing it, but as Whitney Houston sang it in that movie.

Speaking of neighbors, those that live with 2-3 houses of you: 1. Could you put names on them and on their children? 2. Would you know if someone not in the family was going into their house at a questionable time? 3. Personalities aside, would you be comfortable having them in your home? 4. Would you let your daughter date their son? or vice versa? 5. How about calling them for help if you were in a tight spot? — any one of them?

We who claim to be in the “fellowship of the mystery” should be ashamed if we can’t answer these 5 simple questions properly. So, here’s the last question: “When Christ, who is our life shall appear…” how many of your neighbors are going with you?

Thanks for reading, the Elder

Computers are truly amazing if one knows what one is doing with the keyboard and mouse. If you’re as illiterate as I many things just don’t seem to work. Early in the life of “home” computers, I desired to have one and got one, somehow. I can’t remember much about it except until “Windows” came out and I had it installed, I just couldn’t get the hang of it. I found out what an illogical person I was, computers being perfectly logical and I could not “work” the blamed thing! Yesterday, I was reminded of that. I worked 2 hours on what a computer guy could have done in 12-15 minutes. Computers: bane of the simple-minded man.

SIMH today was an old one from the OakRidge Boys, “Bobbi Sue.”

Why did whitewall tires go out of style? Recently, I bought a new set of tires for our car and remembered in years past being asked if I wanted whitewall or not. (Long time ago, I know.) Today, not even an option unless you bring it up and wait for your tire store to get them. That’s interesting to me: did “we” quit wanting them? or did “they” quit wanting to make them? I’m pretty sure the large, raised lettering on some big duelly, or sports car tires come in colors and cost extra, but no whitewall tires, hmm.

I have this friend who buys and sells motorized vehicles of all sorts–sort of a secondary income thing–and  has a story for me every time I see him. It’s remarkable. He always makes several hundred dollars or maybe two thousand on his deals. Buy low, sell high. Assuming he’s telling me the truth, he’s quite a wheeler-dealer, impresario maybe. His latest was an eleven year old luxury car he bought for $5G, drove it to a tire place for a set of tires, went into a restaurant  and was offered a thousand dollar profit. He said no, he wanted to drive it a while. Drove home and some man offered him $1500 and he took it. Made $1500 in one day with one car and never had to even run an ad. Wanna know what if had been me bought that car? It would have stopped running before I got to the restaurant, or when they put tires on it they would have found 7 other things wrong, and it would have been 3 months, 53 people would have come looked at it, and I would have “cut my losses and run” with a $22 profit. Sheeesh!

AND ANOTHER THING: “(Christ) was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.” If there were sins still charged to us, how could Christ have been “raised for our justification”? Once He took the sin (sins) did He then bring them up again? No, the word is “delivered” He delivered the debt for payment, it was accepted. No more sin (sins). Done deal. And, as in Eph.2:5, we were “quickened” when Christ was “quickened.” “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”

Thanks for reading, the Elder