Sweet Time With Baby S

I had the opportunity to visit with the daughter and son in law of one of my best friends. Their son was born last week. I walked in and looked at the sweet bundle in his grandmother's arms. The first thing noticeable about him was his hairy head. It didn't take very long to figure out his gentle disposition and quiet nature.  The grandmother let me sit in the rocking chair and hold him. I nestled him against the front of my shoulder. I looked down and fell in love. What a perfect little child! He had long fingers and toes. His little body was perfectly formed and he slept soundly leaning up against my chest.  He did so for twenty minutes.

I never had children of my own.  It is always such a joyous thing to celebrate births and to be a small part of others' happiness. One wonders about what Baby S might be when he grows up. Who will he look like? It always overwhelms me to think about human physiology and how God forms each infant in his mother's womb.  Baby S was no exception.  Those twenty minutes were a delight.  God is so good. It is easy to lose sight of such things in a world gone mad. I am grateful to Him for giving me the chance to share a piece of the joy.  By the way his Mom looked radiant and his Dad had a calm sense of gratitude.  What a blessing.

Personal Update

I am again for looking for work.  I am experienced in care giving and some general office or clerical work.  I would appreciate your prayers as I go back out into the job seeking world....

Personal Update

Many or most of you know that I had the second cataract surgery this past week. It truly has been miraculous in terms of the clarity of my vision.  Those who had the surgery have told me that it would amaze me Indeed it has done so.  I can see the leaves on trees with such detail. I see the makeup of a sidewalk like never before.  I've been wearing glasses for 50 years and now I am free of them.  I pray that the vision lasts this good for a long time.  I am grateful beyond measure and it's fun to be able to wear regular sunglasses.

There is a comparison with our spiritual eyes.  A good friend has told me often that others will have the faith for me until I can see through my own spiritual eyes.  The past weeks my spiritual vision has improved some as I see Jesus Christ for who He really i as revealed in His Word.  I struggle to overcome my own invention of a God that is based on my feelings and experiences.  It is imperative to worship the Lord found in His Word.  I look forward to the clarity of vision that I pray comes in time as I immerse myself in His Word, allow His Spirit to fill my life and surround myself with His people.

Best Burger Ever

Sister Frances and I were running errands and time got away from us.  It had something to do with finding a green shirt for St. Patrick's Day. I digress.  She missed her dinner at the assisted living facility so she mentioned that hamburgers were half off at Dutch's near TCU.  Well, we weren't near TCU and my flesh reared up on the inside--where God can see--and I stayed sweet on the outside. Sweet as in smiling and talking through some gritted teeth kind of sweet. So we went to Dutch's for dinner.  Indeed the burgers were half off.  It was also the best hamburger I've ever eaten.  Much of it had to do with the buns which are imported from Houston.  It's not that the owners aren't Fort Worth friendly but it does have everything to do with none of the Fort Worth bakeries make such things.  Anyway another lesson learned.  Relax, trust God with my day and let Sister Frances pick the eating places.  Thus far she's done very well.

Down Day for Sister Francis

Today Sister Francis and I stopped by her house that she and Sister Maggie had rented for 30 years. It is owned by the Community of Sisters of Charity in San Antonio.  Most of the expensive important stuff had already been moved to the assisted living facility.  However, someone broke into the home and ransacked it. They stole a computer, some printers, brand new sleeping bags and rifled through some personal papers that may have enough information for identity theft.  She spent about 8 hours waiting for the police and insurance people to make their reports. It was a long day for her.  She had already been stolen from on a number of occasions by someone close to her.  Sin is selfish at its root.  All the inconvenience she went through just because some thugs thought it okay to steal someone else's stuff.

I've been convicted of the selfishness of sin in my own life.  At its core sin says I matter and no one else--including God--doesn't.  I've seen it in my own life but today was a painful reminder of how vile sin is to God and to others. Lest I come across as too judgmental I am fully aware of my the depth of my depravity. I recognize that but for the grace of God there go I.  I have to say I long for the day when sin is no more.  The day when Christ is ruling from His throne and the redeemed are singing His praises.  Those who have not accepted His sacrifice on the Cross for them will be outside of heaven.  Believers have been delivered from the penalty and power of sin and we await the day when the presence of sin will be forever banished.  Marantha Lord Jesus. Please pray for Sister Frances...she needs it right now.

Minor Miracle

Today my family went to visit my Dad who is in an Alzheimer's unit nearby.  My two brothers are here from out of town. They, along with my sister and Mother, went to visit this afternoon.  I haven't seen my Dad so alert or animated in a very long time.  He even was naming the people in some photos we had on hand.  He knew my brothers. He said my name. He laughed and cut up with us all.  It was a blessed small miracle from the Heavenly Father. Dad has been mute much of the time I'm there or with my Mother.  It was a glimpse of my Dad as he used to be. I am grateful for the blessing of a moment with him as he once was.

Speaking of miracles....my brother Wesley is fighting pancreatic cancer.  He's a man with a strong will and soft heart. He is one who is trusting the Lord for whatever may come.  Pancreatic cancer is a tough one to beat.  I would appreciate any of you who might pray for him.  I know it would mean a lot to him too.  Specifically pray that the tumor has been shrunk enough by the chemotherapy that the doctors can perform surgery to remove the rest of it.  Thanks be for the Body of Jesus Christ.

An Ode to My "Oafus"

Around noontime today my sweet, sweet Spirit aka "Oafus" slipped into a peaceful sleep.  Her nickname "Oafus" came about from her strong stature and uncanny ability to trip me up and to knock Kellie for a roll. Her antics were all from the gentle giants kind nature but she was stronger than she realized.  I had her for nearly ten years and she brought much into my life. I rescued her from the street after she had broken her hip and could no longer hunt for food. She almost died trying.  It took a while for us to catch her--she was faster on three legs than we were on two.  Finally, one morning she lay on an old couch at my other apartment complex.  The maintenance man hauled her into my dog crate and the rest as they say is history.

I tried to foster her for awhile. It seems true that sometimes we don't pick the dog but rather the dog picks us.  Even though everyone kept telling me she was my dog I remained unconvinced. Finally I figured it out.  The vet was most kind in repairing the hip and reducing the cost of her care. I visited her twice a day and we'd walk around the animal hospital. I repeatedly reminded her to "put your foot down Spirit." She did.  She had a heart that wanted to please. She had one bad habit about chewing hard plastic items like TV remotes and electric hair blowers.  So when I finally realized she was mine, I bought a Spirit sized crate which saved both of us it seems.

Any of you who have ever had a pet knows the pain of the loss.  She was a kind and gentle "scent" hound. I'll always remember her walking with a slight limp on the left side from her surgery with her nose down trailing whatever had been in the yard.  Only one time did I see the true fox hound.  There were squirrels in the attic of my former apartment.  One remedy to get rid of them is to spray fox urine as a deterrent.  Unbeknownst to me the maintenance man had sprayed fox urine on the tree the squirrels used to get into the roof eave.  Spirit and I were walking nonchalantly down the sidewalk. All of a sudden her head snapped up and she raced toward the treated tree. It took me about fifteen minutes to pull that dog off that thing. She had finally found evidence of a fox...She never seemed any more triumphant.

I will miss her.  She wormed her way into my heart.  She even won over her older sister Kellie.  She hates to admit it but I know she misses her too.  The place won't be the same but I am grateful for the time the Lord allowed us to have her. I am grateful she is at peace.  I hope Randy Alcorn is right in his book on heaven. He makes a pretty good case that our animals will be there...

Personal Update

I had my first cataract surgery this morning and the surgery itself went well. I am staying with my family tonight.  There is a slight issue with some leakage from my prior radial kerotatomy surgery twenty years ago.  Thus I have not been released to drive or be alone. I see the doctor tomorrow again for a check up tomorrow again.  I am grateful to the Lord for the reality of medical science and hope to be all better soon! I have the next surgery in a month and look forward to it.  May God be praised. 

Personal Update

My sweet Spirit had a bad bout of pancreatitis but there is no malignancy or tumor.  She'll have to have a change of diet and no table scraps (they weren't much of an issue anyway. Gratefully it wasn't anything more dangerous.  I didn't get offered the part time job but the facility is keeping my application for some day shift positions that might come available soon. I am looking forward to having my vision improved through the surgery Monday morning.  I am grateful to be living in a time when they can do so much! Praise the Lord for such mercy. 

A friend and I have been reading hymns to each other as part of our mutual edification. I am grateful for my church and BSF that continue to sing some of the old traditional types of music.  There is some wonderful newer music and I have been blessed immensely by it.  Some of the older hymns have such strong doctrine in them I hope we don't lose them any time soon. 

Personal Update

My dog Spirit is being treated for pancreatitis but it appears there MAY be a problem with her liver and pancreas.  The x-rays showed that there is an enlargement in both areas.  She has not been able to eat for a week and has dropped 5 pounds.  That's about 12% of her total body weight. She's staying at the vet's while the treatment is going on.  I would appreciate your prayers. Also I have a job interview at The Courtyards on River Park and would also appreciate prayers for that.

Personal Update

I went to the retina specialist today and he said everything looks good with both retina (s) or retina(e).  Whatever.  They did some tests that encouraged me my vision could significantly change for the better.  I am grateful for the grace of the Lord in all regards. As Jerry Bridges says in his book Trusting God..."God is completely sovereign. God is infinite in wisdom. God is perfect in love."

Personal Update

I saw  eye doctor this morning and got a good report about my very bad vision. I'm going to have cataract surgery in mid February and the second eye in mid March.  My eyesight has been very blurry and I've been quite concerned.  I appreciate and praise the Lord for going before me with the provision I'll need.

I'm seeking the Lord earnestly about some things and appreciate any prayers as the Lord leads. I've got a long way to go but trust that the sovereign, wise and loving God will meet my every need as I approach Him eagerly and with a humble and repentant heart.  May we all continue to progress in sanctification and fight the battle with grace, might and truth.

Personal Update

I'm sick and appreciate your prayers!  It's hard being alone but am using the time to depend more on the Lord.  Thanks.

Personal Update

There are times when I just have to ask the body of believers to pray for me.  I don't want to go into specifics but please pray that I take my thoughts captive to the promises and character of God.  He is our only hope.  I have had such an in depth background in secular psychology and there are some deeply rooted ares of sinful thoughts that I need to destroy in the sense of II Corinthians 10: 4 to 5. "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,"


I've not always applied the Word of God in my life as I should have done. I've allowed other thoughts to become almost knee jerk in their reflexive nature.  It's hard to love the Lord God with all my mind because of the years of not doing so.  Yet with practice, perseverance and the prayers of the saints I can overcome. The first two things are obviously my responsibility.  The last one is yours...I am grateful I can post a plea and people will intercede.  I don't know where I'd be or what I'd do without the body of Christ.

Personal Update

No blog post of any significance.  I just got back from Care Now...I have a sinus infection and am headed to bed. Thanks for all who pray.

Personal Update

I solicit your prayers as I endeavor to take EVERY thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ.  It's been a rough couple of days for me.   Also I'm looking for some fellowship time with believers especially during the first two weeks of January.  If you are free, let me know. Thanks.

Personal Update

It's been awhile since I've updated my blog. There are reasons for that and someday I may explain them. In the meantime I appreciate your prayers for all those who have and are coming along side me to help. The other day I made a list of some of the things believers who are "In Christ" possess from Ephesians One.

• Righteousness
• Heavenly citiznship
• Every Spiritual blessing
• Holiness and blamelessness
• Redemption
• Forgiveness of sin
• Grace lavished upon us.
• An inheritance
• Predestined to believe
• Holy Spirit's sealing
• Spirit of wisdom and revelation in His knowledge
• Adoption by the Father
• Freedom

Personal Update

Obviously I haven't been blogging as consistenly as I once did! I hope that in the days to come I can be more consistent again.  Many of you know that I am experiencing some health issues that have yet to be resolved. I am grateful for all that the Lord is doing and trust that His purging, refining and shaping of my character is His best and good for me at this time.  I know I fail greatly but it is my heart to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ. Trials are hard. Here on earth is our only opportunity to suffer well for the Lord. I appreciate your prayers and am grateful for all for have come alongside in so many ways.  How precious is the family of God. How grateful I am that the Lord has placed me in the middle of such gracious believers. To Him be the glory.