9/17/2019

A good gauge to Fall being upon us is how long each morning does it take for the sun to heat up our “florida room”. For several weeks, early morning temperatures were quite pleasant here in this screened-in back porch. But by 7am, the temperature would have risen to be too hot to sit in it. Fall is officially 6 days away, but yesterday, the cool morning feeling in the porch was still with me at 8am, a full hour later than Summer! Barb has always loved Fall best, and now I have reluctantly come to agree with her. My favorite time of year has heretofore been Spring, but Fall is now on a par with it, I think. 

Putting this house on the market has been the semi-constant discussion for a couple of weeks (at the square table conversation area) and we’ve come up with a short list of things which need to be repaired or altered and we’ve set things in motion to get them done. Then, we’ll list this house with our favorite realtor, Rita, and begin to remodel the small house near downtown Fort Payne. We’ve got great plans for how to make it into a “garden home” sort of look. Another phase in the constantly changing life scenery of the Lockharts! That will be the 22nd place we will have lived in our almost 60 years of married life. I think we’re going to like this one and maybe call ourselves “settled!”

Of course, it takes a lot of discussion to get this sort of thing off the ground. We discuss how to price this house regularly and will until we actually list it or take an offer. It’s the nature of the process. Likewise, the remodel of the “new” place, until we settle on who and how we’ll get things done, it is a part of daily conversation. If we didn’t do these kinds of communication, how could we continue the compatibility? Married life, dear young friends, is work. 

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The SIMH today is a not so old Southern Gospel song, done by the Florida Boys Quartet, written by a lady by the name of Maryjohn Wilkins. I didn’t know who wrote it till I googled it. But, she wrote a dandy: Scars in The Hands of Jesus— “And the only thing there that’s been made by man, are the scars in the hands of Jesus.” A good thing to keep fresh in our minds. You see, we only have access to the things of this earth and Paul reminded us in 1 Tim.6 that “we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. So, when we go to the Lord, we go without our own resources. We are bought with a price, we offer nothing and The Lord, the Righteous Judge gets all the glory, allowing us by His grace to participate in it. Glad my mind went to that song today.

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As the heightened activity aimed at finding a new store location revs up, it isn’t unusual to have new opportunities also pop up. Most often, however, the one that is worked on the most will wind up being the choice. Partly because we educate ourselves on the pros and cons, details and missing details, dollars for this, but no dollars for that, etc., and then we can be more sure of our decision making prowess. Of course, until the final decision is made and work sets in to bring about the move, the personal mental angst rockets around like satellites in orbit in our heads! But, soon the activity will slow and a plan will take shape; a plan to eliminate problems, to illuminate upgrades and new items for the new store and for future growth and ultimate success! That’s why we do this sort of thing!

I have a secret hope for this store to be a show-place for prospects East of the Mississippi and for showing the advantages of owning Blue Jug; a place where we can showoff the best of the business! For Blue Jug (the wholesaler) to be able to serve stores in the Southeast properly, we need to be able to build a regional warehouse. And for that, we need to have 5-7 stores to serve being within driving distance. We presently have only two. But, more will come, especially if the can see a first rate store here in Fort Payne……More to Come.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

9/14/2019

There are a couple of subjects I want to address in this blog, maybe making it a little longer read. Hope it’s not boring. In between the two subjects I will insert the SIMH. Hope it’s not boring, either.

Over the last 64-65 years, I have had the privilege of being in many and various working positions. I’ve worked at lawn mowing when 50 cents was good pay for a normal lawn and $2 was for a huge lawn. I’ve worked (though not very many times) for farmers for $4 per day. Then, the absolute privilege of working in the “patent” drug store in my home town, a lady boss, for $1 per hour! She was a better teacher about how to work than she knew at the time. Her attitude with me was brusk, sometimes grumpy, sometimes poking fun an ineptness. But, one of the things I learned from those three examples is this: Who’s the boss! It is plain and simple, but not easily understood. The customer is always the right! So, the customer is the boss!

In a recent blog, I told the story about a farmer I worked for one day who didn’t pay me. A friend who read the story said he had just had breakfast with that man’s daughter who is a few years younger than me. He said if he had known the story, he could have gotten my $4 for me! We joked a bit about it because that would be a storied event, as well. But, the truth is this: I didn’t deserve the pay. He hired me believing I could do what he wanted me to do and I couldn’t. So, did he owe me? No, he didn’t. He was my customer, I hired out to him. I didn’t know then, but I know now, I owed  him. Not money, but definitely an apology. Oh, I know he didn’t expect one, he just wouldn’t have made the same mistake again, nor did I. After working an amazing number of places in a short (19 months) after Barb and I married, I finally landed what I usually call my first real job—the rest of that previous 6 years from “pillar to post” and, in all about a dozen jobs, had been education—and now at Hamilton Cosco, the real world became real to me: 8-4:30, Monday through Friday, followed by knowing I needed more money and therefore, a second job.

For 2 years, I worked the day job and then evenings and Saturdays at Dalton & Payne men’s clothiers. I loved every minute of that—even the embarrassing mistakes became part of the lore which I loved. And, let me tell you, that’s how I learned to always view the customer as being always right!

Then came 4 1/2 years in jewelry, 4 1/2 years in carpet/furniture, all 9 years in a new town, Danville, IL. In both these experiences, it became outstandingly noticeable just how “right” the customer always was! In one case, I assured the man he was perfectly alright even though I was leading him by the arm out the front door! He was right about the product and we took care of it for him. But, he couldn’t talk to my ladies in the store in that manner (nor our watch-maker) and so I escorted him out and assured him I would do that again if he persisted. He continued to buy from us, but only if I was the one who waited on him. He was right and was satisfied. Over the second 4 1/2 years of that span, the customers all made much more expensive and often once in a lifetime purchases. It was harder to keep the principle, but we managed. 

But in matters of monies owed to those businesses, the principle was set in abeyance until the money was received or the goods recovered. I repossessed some things and threatened some liens on houses, but we always got paid. Once had a builder who was putting up “tract” housing about as fast as was possible and we sold him the carpet for them. I was warned by my boss, the man might not automatically honor the pay at completion (he enjoyed using someone else’s money).One week, we very unusually put carpet in 3 houses—on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. He told me on each of the first two, I’ll pay you Friday for all three, but he had the invoices each day, signed by his foreman. On Friday, I went by to get the check and his secretary told me he was out of town till Wednesday next.

Interest on money was pretty good in those days, so on Wednesday I took him a new invoice. I figured the interest owed on the first house—6 days, second house—5 days, and the third house—4 days. I think the total interest was like $18.44. He wanted to know what that was. I simply stated, that’s for the use of our money for that many days. He stared blank-faced a few seconds and wrote the check. He said, don’t ever do that again. I smiled and said, I won’t if you won’t. He said “deal.” Money is figured tight on new house deals and he knew it, there was no favoritism there.

[The SIMH today was perhaps another one that I’ve had before, but worth a special note or two more (no pun intended.) It was Bohemian Rhapsody—by Queen. It is such a compelling piece of music and such a tragic story as to bring out the pathos of futility of life for unbelievers. Every time I hear it (especially played orchestrally, I have to listen.) I often think of some friends we’ve lost through tragedies such as murder or suicide and I feel for their families still. But, those are stories for another time.]

The years have rolled by faster than a weaver’s shuttle since then and yet the principle , the customer is always right remains in my mind. After another roughly 10 years in retail and two colossal failures, I found myself at a crossroads of life—did i really want to preach and teach God’s word or did I want to remain somewhat double-minded about it all? For the next 33 years, I preached and taught bible classes over a wide span of the states of Alabama and especially Texas. Even in bible classes or church settings, the principle was true. Those who sat before me and listened, even with comments, and some arguments, they were all precious to me. If we disagreed about doctrine, my intention was always to let the bible be the only authority.

But even so, there were times when someone obviously was not going to return, they disagreed so disagreeably. Most of the time, those were the saddest moments. If I was away from home (usually alone), I would drive away weeping, either openly or deep down in my gut. Not a pleasant way to go home. If the situation meant I was still with some folks, usually there was much conversation about the disagreements. I loved that particular thing to happen, because I knew I would learn from the others who were going to give me their opinion. I wanted the feedback. How could I have made the adversary to know the truth and keep the fellowship with the disagreeable one. And, if I needed to change, the Lord’s word would give me the right way to speak next time. So, you see whether in business or in spiritual matters, there is always a sense in which the customer is always right. Even if they are wrong.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

9/12/2019

Sometimes startling news can tip the scales of decision-making and prompt new and innovative things. Like day before yesterday, we got the news that our building (where we have my daughter’s Blue Jug Alkaline Water and Health Market) has been sold and the new owner desires the building to be used for something else, so she was delivered an ultimate for moving her business. It was a little bit unreasonable and I’m sure there will be some extension on the time, but it spurred into action the plan and formulation of “what’s next?” for her business. So we’ve, collectively, been brainstorming on how to go about doing what is next. This is fun! A little harried, but fun! 

Remember the book, “Oh the Places We’ll Go!”? That’s the kind of excitement this generates. Nothing about the next 90 days will be easy, but it will be an exciting process and energizing to work against the deadline of whatever the moving date winds up being! I’m just a “hired hand” in all this, maybe a little counseling, or a reminder of something, but I look forward to my part and the expected grand new look of the finished product! For several months (nay, years) Sarah and the rest of us have been talking about what to include, what to promote, and what to expect. Some of that may still come on an “in stages” program due to the timing and what sort of store space she can find. Even if all that happens now or over a longer period of time, it will include the much needed upgrade to our system and the overall store “look” will create an elevating and perhaps a very purposeful move.

Every so often my SIMH wends its way back to Alison Krauss. This morning it was “A Living Prayer”—by her. A beautiful song and a beautiful way of saying what is my relationship to the Lord and what I wish for that to reflect. I really enjoy most of her music and her band. Also, the duets she comes up with—she’s a little like Willie Nelson concerning duets. Willie once said, “If I ain’t done a duet with you, what makes you think you’re popular?” 

Back TO the BIBLE:: We really enjoyed the first regular Sunday afternoon Bible Class here at our house. We were small in number but huge on the doctrine of the Lord. We had a good discussion, though not too long, good fellowship and a plain and simple look at how the Bible transitions from age to age (or dispensation to dispensation.) 

We’re just a little more than a week away from the bible conference in Chattanooga, Grace Bible Church (if you need information about going, go to understandingyourbible.com and give Bro. Steve a call. We always enjoy this conference and I think this is the 40th. Many friends from many states will be there and the fellowship is sweet. I hope you can make it. I look forward to seeing you. We will not have the pleasure of Bro. Brian Sipes and family. Bro. Brian has been very ill and is recovering, but the breath for preaching and the stamina to do so is still not recovered. And, Bro. Robby, Brian’s son, is preparing for a wedding for his oldest daughter and they will not make it to the conference, either. They will all be missed.

One month after that conference is the Navarre, FL bible conference, conducted by Bro. Byron Wiggins. I look forward to going there, also, and the friends I get to visit with there include some coming from Texas! Love my Texas friends!

Had a short conversation a day or so ago with the new Presbyterian pastor in our town. I told him I was a dispensationalist and was I correct in assuming he was a “covenant theologian,” to which he replied yes, he was. And that ended the conversation. I tried to continue, but he said he had to go and seemed rather put out by having to talk with me at all. Gee, I hope he comes back for more water. He gave me his card, maybe he’ll lighten up a little. I assured him on his way out the door, that I thought we could still be friends. He’s young, he’ll come around……Don’t ya know sarcasm when ya hear it?

Thanks for reading, the Elder

9/7/2019

Another birthday come and gone. I had a great day and many well wishers on FB and by mail. I don’t know how many, but it seems to get to be more each year because of FaceBook, I suppose. Now, on with a new year—I’ve never been what I now am. That’s always somewhat true, isn’t it? Birthday and answering the question of age just sort of makes it seem more real. At the moment, 77 is no more difficult than 51 or 28 or 19. Just a new number to attach to a storyline.

This morning’s sun is heating up a little quicker than the last two days. The morning of my birthday was a cool 58 degrees on our mountain, love that. Today, not so cool. But, it shall not deter me from mowing, just gonna do what makes me get hot, then I’ll put off the rest for a couple of days. Grass isn’t growing as fast now, late Summer days the grass does get tired of growing, I think. (Some of the weeds in our lawn do not take notice, however.)

Personal history is creeping into my mind as I begin to write, hope it’s not boring. One of my first good jobs was with a company called Hamilton Cosco. I was told by the “Personnel Dept.” (now called HR—Human Resources??) that the COSCO was short for the Columbus Company (it was in Columbus, IN.) When Mr. Hamilton started his company in the late 30s that’s what he named it. He manufactured, boxed and sold what was then called “safety matches”—little match sticks in little thin wooden boxes which would strike only on the sandy edge of their box. Safer than the old kitchen matches which were larger and could be struck on anything but water and would light. (Barb’s dead could strike them on his pants leg.) 

Somewhere after the War, which had changed what Mr. Hamilton had manufactured to supply-room shelving, Mr. H met a neighboring factory owner named Q.G. Noblitt. Mr. Noblitt, with a partner named Frank Sparks owned a factory which had gone through several name changes (then being known as Arvin Industries.) In 2011, Arvin was dropped and the company today is called Meritor—a meaningless name.

When Mr. Noblitt and Mr. Hamilton became friends, Mr. Noblitt once told Mr. Hamilton the one thing he regretted more than anything about his industry was that he allowed his name to be taken off the company officially. Mr. Hamilton, after due diligence of study, musing that all three of his sons were coming into his business, decided on the name HAMILTON Cosco, honoring his name and still honoring the city. When I worked there, January, 1962 thru July, 1964, that’s what the company name was. About 8 years later, in Chicago, I ran into one of the older men in the company  who told me about the last of the three Hamilton sons to retire and the stockholders changed the name of the company. I related to him what Personnel had told me about the family name preservation and he said, yes, but none of the Hamiltons had ever stipulated that legally and the company had taken another big directional turn and the stockholders demanded the name change. COSCO is still in the name.

It is a strange loss to me, though. I knew all three of the sons, though they were a lot older than me, and liked all three (Bill, especially.) I’m sorry for the name loss, though I don’t even have one piece of stock—can’t vote.

Bill Hamilton took a liking to me, even expressed it to me when I left the  company. He took notice once, when the factory went on strike, that their strike meant nothing to me and I came to work in the office without regard to the name calling, etc., when I crossed the picket line. (One picketer said to me, “How dare you, bud!” I answered, “How dare YOU, bud! You gonna pay me to stand out here?” He just stared and I went on in.) Bill Hamilton was standing at the door with a smile on his face and shook my hand as I went in to work and asked me what my first name was. From then till the day I left, I would say Hi, Bill and he would say, Hi, Jerry. Not a big deal? It was peaceful. Never got me any favors, but it was peaceful.

One of my department bosses in that office once said, chastisingly, “That’s Mr. Hamilton to you, Jerry.” Bill heard that, stopped and said “It’s alright, Jerry and I know each other.” I liked that—never did like that department head, though.

Oh, the stories life brings to us and our minds can recall. Sort of indicative of what might be. After I was saved (shortly after leaving the Hamilton COSCO company) I took a look back at all those people from there in my mind and wonder still yet, how many of them will be with me in eternity. Only our Lord Jesus Christ knows that answer. I think there’s some I’ll look for, if I’m free to go look.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

9/5/2019

Happy birthday to ME! Happy birthday to ME! I don’t know why I’m so happy, I turn 77 about 7:45 this morning. I guess that’s better than not turning 77 this morning, harumph! Nevertheless, every year this day comes around and I am somewhat amazed to still be here, and actually feeling pretty good, too.

I’ve had a couple of days in the last week wherein the SIMH is a lovely song, seemingly a girl singing about her mother, or at least some influential person in her life. The beautiful rendition which sticks in my head is done by a young lady I find on YouTube music videos named Katie Melua and the name of the song is “I Will BeThere”  The full concert version (an entire orchestra behind her). Evidently, she wrote this song, I cannot find another writer. I love listening to her sing it, especially with the orchestra. 

Barb and I are off to Birmingham for the day. Gonna get a good breakfast, visit a couple of shops not found here, and maybe stay late enough to eat “Lupper”—you know, late enough lunch to not want another meal in the evening. We’ve liked doing that for about the last 12-15 years. It gives us the freedom to eat all we want in the two meals and no muss or fuss in the even-tide. We lived in Birmingham (Hoover) for about 2 years in the mid-70s, then away for almost another 2 years, then back to Birmingham again (Helena) for a short period.  We said many times that if we had to go back to any town we’ve lived in previously, we’d choose Birmingham. So, we’re glad we live close enough now to visit.

Of course, it has grown like most cities with increasing difficulties finding things as they were “back then.” But, what the heck, just go find someplace new. Many, many offerings in this city. A couple of the old places are still there, but the plethora of places to eat great food are many and we don’t worry about finding something we’ll enjoy. 

Facing another of the challenges in business this week, if I can. the Blue Jug stores offer Alkaline Water at a filling station (a flat sink with spigots which dispenses our great water into the containers provided by our customers.) They fill, pay for the produced water, and carry their jugs of water home with them. We also offer packaged snack foods in sealed containers, and sundry other things, also completely sealed. For that, health departments in more than one state desire to place us in a category called “food establishments” and impose those rules on us. So far, the new owners have just complied and jumped through the hoops. But, it seems incumbent on us to get this definition changed. We are not a food establishment. Some of the regulations imposed are fixtures which we shall never use because the design of them are for sanitizing utensils used in food preparation and service—which we don’t do. Trying now to figure out how to properly write our explanation to the health departments of states, counties and cities in order to simplify our process and save our store owners some opening time and money, if possible. I think it’ll take a little while.

Well, once again, we are into September and my Cubbies are faltering. Actually, this year has been a season of trials, tribulations, and injuries which have kept the potential greatness from showing out and making them champions once again. I don’t have a lot of confidence it will all come together in the last 24 games and see them rise to the top in the post-season rings! Amidst the multiple injuries on players in all areas of the field there were also a couple of oddities. One, concerning a fairly young player (a big part of the World championship squad) had to work out a suspension imposed by the team for domestic violence. He diligently performed his civic duty, then came back through the rehab, even in his baseball prowess, working his way through the minor league assignments with gratitude and in humility, admirably. He’s now back and very helpful to the team. Seems like a fine young man.

The other odd occurrence, a veteran and champion on two teams had some personal family problems (never being explained—and that’s as it should be) which took him away for about 75% of the games played this year. He, also is back and may provide the strong will the team needs. It’s very interesting to watch and to read and hear about. I always wonder how much the Lord and His Word enter into these trauma recoveries, if at all. I guess I’d have to be a much closer friend of the team to find that out, wouldn’t you think? I can pray for them. These two, the young one and the old veteran, are both very much favorites to me. If my prayer is worth anything, they have it. Of course, if they are not saved nor going to be saved, it won’t matter except to me. (If this last statement raises questions in your mind, please ask me what I meant.)

Thanks for reading, the Elder

9/3/2019

Well, we had a bible class Sunday, here in our home. We enjoyed it. We want to do this on an every Sunday afternoon at 4PM schedule. How about if you check your schedule and see if you’d like to make it to some or all of these classes? It started as an introduction to what “rightly dividing the word of truth” will lead you to in personal study. That will be the theme for about a year. Probably. Maybe longer—the “basics” are hard to finish, it’s just all so basic! Hope you can make it and if not, will you please pray for those who do make it, and for me. (If interested, text me at 210-378-5748 and I will give you our address and some special driving instructions to get here—everyone knows how really great my maps are!)

Speaking of praying for the class, many years ago I was prompted by a friend to read a biography of Francis Schaeffer, a post WW2 missionary to Europe. I obtained and read the book, L’Abri written by his wife, Edith. The story is about how they survived when missionary funding was cut off and they found themselves with only a crude place to live and little else. Francis continued to invite people to walk and to have bible and philosophical discussions, usually winding up with people (the roaming nomadic peoples with hardly any roots left after the devastation of the war) needing a place to stay the night, or 2, or 3, or weeks on end. So they named the place “L’Abri”—french for The Shelter. (There are several in Europe now.) Edith wrote that she and Francis decided on one theme prayer for L’Abri: that the Lord would bring those He wanted to be there, and that He would keep the rest away. Barb and I adopted that prayer around 1983 and have used it ever since for any and all bible classes I’ve ever started anywhere. Please pray with us for this new bible class each Sunday.

It’s sometimes hard to relate in a few words how truly wonderful it is to see someone get excited because they are able to understand a simple truth in the bible which has been hidden by their own religious exposure or upbringing. There is a different “light” or gleam in their eye when something hits the “I got it!” spot in their mind. It is overjoying to those of us who’ve been privileged to have understood it earlier. Precious, precious memories.

SIMH this morning about 4:30 (and it’s kept me awake) was “He Keeps Me Singing”—you know, “There’s within my heart a melody, Jesus whispers sweet and low….” (about 6 verses.) The verse which awakened me was the 2nd verse: “All my life was wrecked by sin and strife, Discord filled my heart with pain, Jesus swept across the broken strings, Stirred the slumbering chords again.” Indeed, I was awake. And He Keeps Me Singing! Great big thanks to Jake Hess, author, who was a singer of considerable note.

We did a lot of work on the yard this holiday weekend, especially on Saturday and on Monday. Barb said she was going to work 4 hours on the back yard yesterday while I was doing some studying. I went out after four hours and we wound up working together another two and a half hours! This yard is big! But, hopefully, down the road 6-8 months, when Spring rolls around perhaps, it will pay off. The beauty of the foliage will be wonderful with another year’s growth, I believe. Then will be scale down time and we’ll move to a smaller place. That is another prayer-worthy item.

I have another birthday staring me in the face. Thursday morning about 8:45am I will become age 77, Lord willing. Some days, I can’t hardly believe it, some days I can. Like now, after the lawn and yard work of the weekend. It might take a little more than one day to get rested up from it. But, fatigue isn’t a bad thing if one can take the right supplements, eat good food, and sleep will. Most times I do that. And the meal at the end of the day, yesterday?! Ummm, good! Now, I know having lived in Texas for many years has great advantages over the rest of you poor folks, but we had Shrimp Paesano last night! Maybe some of you have been to San Antonio and had the privilege of eating at “Paesano’s” restaurant. If not, I’m sorry. It is such good food! Barb found their recipe for Shrimp Paesano several years ago and has perfected the way to do this at home. Pretty sure I can’t do it justice by trying to describe it better than this: while we were eating, she asked me what I wanted for my birthday dinner on Thursday. After thinking for a few minutes, I answered, “I think this is it!” That’s how good it is.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

8/31/2019

Having just stopped scrolling through Facebook posts has left me with very little to say this morning. But, perhaps the muddle of idle thoughts will coalesce. There’s always hope, right? It was interesting to see this long and seemingly serious discussion about what to call God and Jesus. The participants called to mind how God was spelled in Hebrew (but there is an argument there) and how Jesus is spelled in Greek/Hebrew/?? I was wondering to myself, why not call God God or Lord God or God Almighty or Jehovah! Did any of these folks not read Exodus 6:3? 

And how about Jesus: why not call Jesus Jesus or Jesus Christ or the Lord Jesus Christ or Immanuel or Raboni or Master? But, I suppose that would be too simple. Most of these folks who wish to keep these things as the front-most discussion do not believe the Bible is simple; they will not accept the “simplicity which is in Christ Jesus,” nor do they accept the King James Bible as it says it, where it says it, to whom it says it. If they were to take that approach they would lose their hold on those who presently believe them—their religion. Hm. 

Religion. The opiate of the masses. When IT becomes the lead thing instead of Christ being the sole answer, religion will soon become one of two things: either a “dustbowl of regret” or a cult. If its peril comes quickly (when it is easily found to be corrupt), its patrons are left with regret. But, if it grows or is added to past the first generation, it will soon carry man-made religiosities (bad doctrine) and Christ will no longer be the Savior in the simplicity He intended—see Paul’s 2 Cor.11.

The above paragraph partially explains why I do not believe in denominations as having any validity. The Lord never instructed any one of them to be in existence. 

I truly doubt that people like Luther, Calvin, the Wesley brothers, John Knox or many others had in their minds at any time during their earthly ministry that something should carry their name forward as if they had been some great thing. Yet those churches have become so very cult-like in every doctrinal practice, just as the church they all came from, the Roman Catholic Church. Go to the doctrines of any denomination you can name, look at their written “statement of faith and practice,” and then sit down with your King James Bible and compare and contrast see if they always agree with it—they will not. So, what does that make them? a man-made cult. An organization which has created its own authority. They will exalt a person or an angel or a founder. They will practice rituals which are solely their own, They will alter or mis-apply some (or many) bible passages. They will borrow things the bible declares that God gave to others and claim them for themselves. And finally, they will (in one way or another) place great emphasis on money or gain or both. The other picture of a cult is what their reaction is toward someone who “leaves the fold.” They ostracize, shun, and speak evil of them. In the extreme, they persecute them forcefully.

If you now attend a church, examine it carefully. Look for its historical beginning to see how the Word of the Lord was placed: was it believed or merely used? Was it left to be the only authority, or did the church fathers claim some special reverence? Do they give titles other than pastor, teacher, or evangelist to anyone? (note: in Ephesians, the last church doctrinal book written to be placed in the bible, these are the only valid offices amongst believers.)

So, be careful, my friends. Watch carefully where you spend your time, your resources, your money, etc. If you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, is there a reason why you should “belong” to a church? No, there isn’t. Plain and simple. If you just like the place, you certainly have the liberty to go and be a member, but don’t make claims about how the Lord sent you there. The Lord will send you to that which exalts His name and His Word and will build up your faith in His Word.

As to the SIMH today: It was one right after another, several being Orchestral and Chorale arrangements of rock n roll music—usually very beautiful. I had watched several of those on YouTube yesterday evening and there they were early this morning. I hope you have a very blessed weekend and seek the Lord early. Oh, by the way, 

We are having a bible class here at our house tomorrow morning as a way to tell some folks about the Lord and about how to study His word. If you are anywhere close to Fort Payne, AL, come on by about 10AM. You may call or text for the address.—Jerry Lockhart, 210-378-5748

Thanks for reading, the Elder

8/29/2019

In  1980, Dolly Parton, had a hit called “Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle To You”—for about 30 minutes this morning I was SIMH-ing it. You remember, “Flickering embers of love, I’ve known one or two, but old flames…..” That was it. I thought it wasn’t going to go away, but like every morning, the song comes in and goes out: sometime. 

Today will be the first time I’ll be in the store the entire day since last Christmas eve, I think, and that was a short day. The short explanation of what we do and what we arrive to is in the following paragraphs. I hope it isn’t boring to you. I tell this or at least part of it, every day. We get a real assortment of inquiries as to why we do what we do. Maybe this explains it.

Misinformation can be a lot worse than no information, can’t it? When the bombardment of written opinion comes blietzkrieg-ing into your eyes and ears, don’t you wish for a “bomb-shelter” for your mind? I do.

Take, for instance, the opinions from supposed experts concerning alkaline water, or water with alkalinity, or however you want to say water with a high pH(base.) I’m truly amazed at how little information these experts have gathered to then form such an opinion to put forth as though they had reached the proper conclusion, when all along, they had started from the wrong premise! Let me see if I can enlighten them—or, maybe I’m like them and haven’t garnered any real expertise, either. Hmm, maybe we can figure out how to get to the truth.

This I know. Every time I see a negative article, be it a self-proclaimed expert, or a doctor or a scientist, they are addressing the negativity of the following method: About 16 years ago in 2003, some people brought a Japanese Medical Device to America because they thought they could sell this device to Americans to make alkaline water in their homes. It worked and they did sell many of them. In the process, they “stole” away the term alkaline water by calling what they sold an alkaline water machine. In reality, they sold an acid water machine. It just was possible to get alkaline water from it by separating the water molecules by their acid/alkaline pH reading. This machine was being (and still is) sold to Americans for $4,000 or so. (They have a cheaper version and they have a more expensive version.) This is now being referred to as “alkaline water” by everyone who knows its perils! If you drink too much, too high on the pH scale, it can cause some problems for you. That company even warned its clients of the possible side effects and concluded don’t drink it too long without a break from it.

That’s not good. BUT, THAT’S NOT THE WHOLE STORY!

TODAY, WE HAVE IT CORRECTED

In our world, prior to our soil being ill-effected with everything from war, paved roads, synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, etc., going back about pre-WW2, we received alkaline anti-oxidant water from the ground; from wells and springs and pristine streams. But the nearly endless bombardment of all these non-natural dumping, spraying, pouring and paving(giving run-offs of petroleum byproducts, car exhaust—you name it) has left us with no naturally occurring alkaline anti-oxidant drinkable water.

But, not to worry. We have that great water! WE HAVE IT CORRECTED! We duplicate what nature was able to do until all that stuff hit the earth. Whether we start with polluted ground/stream water or we start with the common tap water, we take it back to the same condition as when it fell from the sky. 

When we do that, we haven’t yet made it to be like ground, well or pristine stream water was originally, but we do have it clean and very capable of receiving the good things it takes to be once again alkaline and antioxidant to our bodies. So, from that cleaned condition, the water is poured over and through the correct mineral content which the water will receive and make it to become its best self! From 8.5 to 9.5 alkaline, with a negative Oxidative Reduction Potential (—ORP) is perfectly compatible to our bodies, and that’s what makes our water with alkalinity to be the best in the world.

Blue Jug Alkaline Water and Health Markets produces this perfect drinking water, “all you can drink,” every day. When you have time, you should try our water.

Everything natural as can be is what rules our principles in Blue Jug. That makes everything simple as can be. Similar, in fact, to my approach to the King James Bible as the true word of God. It (the KJB) makes the gospel of Christ a very simple thing to see, understand and trust: Christ died for our sins. He was buried. He was raised again from the dead. Believe it.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

8/27/2019

In the cool of the morning, after a day and evening of soft rain, sitting on the porch in under 70 degree weather, on August 27th, it is hard to say this is Summer. Yesterday the high temp here was only 71. Today we might see 82, but for now, 70. ahhhh. nice Summer. 

Ol’ Johnny Cash came shuffling into and out of my head this morning with a song of his I can’t remember hearing when it would have been popular called “I Won’t Back Down.” Well, if a purpose is worthwhile never back down. If it isn’t worthwhile don’t enter into it in the first place, right? Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne wrote this song and Johnny, along with many others including Pearl Jam covered it. Good principles, Tom and Jeff. They wrote this in 1989, 12 years before 9-11, which caused it to get a lot more plays and a variety of artists recorded it.

This will be a short blog, today. I’m still trying to get my week unfolded. Yesterday, though cool, was a very quiet day for accomplishing anything. Last night’s bible class went well except that on Zoom, the live broadcast was ok, but I forgot to record the first 34 minutes of it. So, those who hunt it on YouTube will only get the second half. But, I did manage to get the FaceBook video to be right side up! That’s an accomplishment, I guess. Anyway, I don’t think this will be a very long rant.

Found out that a friend in years past, who had been living in the Philippines for a dozen or so years, has passed away. I’m so sorry his life ended so young (about 50). He leaves four very fine children who are blossoming in their adulthood, his legacy, I suppose. Mark had a good testimony of when he trusted the Lord Jesus Christ and there he will spend eternity. Amen, Mark, Amen.

Looks like the opening date for the new Blue Jug Alkaline Water & Health Market will be about mid-September (16th, or so.) As it stands right now, I’m planning a trip out there—Greenville, TX!

While this short blog starts the second year of writing for me, I’ve been somewhat inconsistent in the past few months which has to change. I’ve decided that from here on I will do 3 blogs per week, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. There’ll probably be exceptions, but that will be my plan. Hope you can abide them. (It takes planning to be that kind of regular, but I believe I can disciple myself into it.) I will also be changing the headliner photo. Buddy has now been gone about 5 months, we’ll put a new picture up in a couple of days.

Thanks for reading, the Elder

8/24/2019

Well, this marks a year I’ve been writing this blog. A year. It has zoomed past. I know my writing is more like that word I used in the first blog when describing what I was going to write about, Prittle-Prattle. That wasn’t in the dictionary then and I’ve not yet written enough prittle-prattle to get it in there. Prattle is and means what I’m saying, but I persist that it has always been called prittle-prattle in my vernacular. I do appreciate you reading it all, anyway.

Writing about the SIMH has been the other almost constant in this blog. (Oh, by the way, today’s SIMH is “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone.…” —Charlie Pride.) Charlie had  a lot of good songs and I enjoyed most of them. He just sang, recorded, appeared—as far as I know he never played politics or ran into trouble with the law, or became notorious in any other way. He just sang good country. Been married to the same woman for 63 years. Charley’s still  going strong: his website shows a strong schedule clear through the end of the year. He’s 84. I like that, and I hope he continues to do what he does because he loves it, not because he has to. He’s also a minor partner in the Texas Rangers Baseball Club. 

As you know, we all have unique stories which cover our lives, but Charley Pride has a dandy: he was a minor league baseball player for several years and as his hopes faded, while he played in what used to be called the D League, along with a fellow named Jesse Mitchell, the two of them were traded to the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro League for a used bus! Charley has often told the story, don’t know if Jesse ever told it.

But, along with that SIMH this morning, I began to think about some of our friends in Texas. One couple we love dearly are promising to come by and see us on their way to attending the upcoming Chattanooga Bible Conference at Grace Bible Church next month. We’re so looking forward to their visit and to the conference, as well. Some others in Texas, I have determined to get in touch with and see how they do. There are days when I really miss many folks there. Some I see on FaceBook, but some I just need to hear their voice. I’ll make some calls today…or soon.

We met many people in Texas with whom we were only able to be in fellowship for a short period of time. Some moved, some didn’t like what or how I preached, others,,—who knows. I’m pretty sure there were those who were offended by me, partly because I was abrasive with some. Others, perhaps didn’t understand what I was trying to show them about the Lord and His Word. Still others would have made the choice to believe what they wanted to believe and just stayed in their religion. There were some who left their religion in favor of bible study and fellowship, then later went back to their religion. Most of that would have been my fault for various reasons. 

What makes us believe what we believe? What gives us our personality? Once, in a long discussion with another preacher, we engaged in a back and forth conversation which if we had been in the company of other people could have turned into a deep argument, I suspect. It was about these two questions: why do we believe what we believe? and, where did we get our personality? We were friends and alone, so we never let it heat up or become contentious, we just talked about it. I never changed his mind, nor did he change mine. His position was that people believe what they want to because they have an ulterior motive—either good or bad—and they conclude this or that belief will help them reach their goal. I said that would imply they only had one goal, which I don’t believe. Ulterior motives always have an alternate goal (survival instinct, sort of.) I mused that people believe for relief and peace and their cause follows that goal and is (or can be) in many aspects of one’s life. One believes vacation should include time alone, another believes vacations should always be with family. One goes to the beach, another would never go to a beach. One goes to high ritual religions, others can’t stand the rituals, and on and on it goes.

On the personality question, my preacher friend was of the opinion that our personality was formed by the time we were 12-14 years of age and we never changed it. He even went so far as to say we cannot change it! On that, I cannot agree. When I disagreed with him about personalities, he seemed shocked! Why, he said, you can’t show me one person whose personality has ever changed. I said, you’re looking at one. He had not known me as a lost man, he had not known me before age 30. He didn’t know me like he thought he did. Nor I, him. 

To clarify what I see as the answer to these two questions (and yes, I’m sure some of you will disagree—sheesh!), I have come to believe what I’ve learned which cannot be shaken or forced by later revelation to be placed into the “I can’t say for sure” category. The sum total of what I believe is that total—if it can’t be doubted nor made to be unsure, it’s in the total belief corner of my mind.

As to personality changes, they come by the change in what we believe. If we doubt more, as a general rule we become more passive. If we gain more proofs of what we believe, we become more adamant which will alter our aggressiveness. Then, time and interaction with people becomes related to these paths. Do many people stay the same? Yes, absolutely. Yet, the trait we see as the same has a beginning point: the point in which we met them. If we met at 10, 20, or even 40, we would not have been the same personality as when we were 60 or 70. 

Two forces at work in this world have the desire to be the dominant factor in  these two areas of our lives, belief and personality. One is the Lord, whose stated desire is that “all men be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth” The other is the counterpoint, or the devil, whose desire is that people not know the truth because it exposes him for what he is (another bible terminology for him is usurper.)  There, is that enough to think about today?

Thanks for reading, the Elder