1-10-25: TBT to 1947 at Harman, Virginia: I was 5 years old and had fallen in the creek three times while playing ‘Follow The Leader’ the previous day at Uncle Fred’s farm.

When we returned home to Harman I was unable to get out of the next morning. Dad carried me to see Dr. J.P. Sutherland and he called UVA in Charlottesville to tell them he was sending them a young patient with a dislocated hip.

Dad took me and Mom to Bluefield to catch a to Charlottesville, Mom carrying a suitcase and me.

One thing I still recall about the ride was a Conductor kept walking up and down the aisles, going from car to car as I think there were several connecting cars on the train. The Conductor kept hollering “ Cigars, Cigarettes! Tiparillos!” Over and over every 20 minutes or so and scores of people were smoking. And since there was not much air circulation, I had my face pressed against the window trying to get away from all the smoke.

I out the window at the and hoped the ride would soon be over.

We were there for a week or two and after X-Rays and such, the doctors decided that my hip joint was out of socket & that my needed to be placed in traction for several months to gently pull it back into place. They called Dr. Sutherland and he came to our Harman house and connected a pulley system in a baby bed next to a window. I could out the window and could be taken out of the bed occasionally, but only for short trips.

Remembering that Dad would pull me down to the Company Store in a little red wagon occasionally

I missed the first half of First Grade and started First Grade after Christmas in 1948.

Mom taught me every day with lessons she devised and when I went to school after Christmas, I knew my ABC’s and could count to and much more.

Dr. Sutherland telling me in later years that the only reason I was walking was because of that pulley system, , and penicillin. Penicillin had just been invented and he gave me a shot of it every day as he came by our house.

Day 4 D words I am thankful for 2020

Day 4...'D' Day..6 things starting with D that have made a DIFFERENCE in my life.

1. First off, I'm thankful for D DAY on June 6, 1944 when America drew a line in the sand as Germany & Japan were readying to take over the with marxist communism...

Nearly 5,000 American & allied lives were lost that day. May we Never forget how much our freedom cost in blood, sweat & tears. None of us would be here without the DEDICATION of the soldier.

2. DOGS....Tippy, Wow, Prince, Champ...All great DOGS! I have heard it said, by DALE Cox actually:”You don’t find a great DOG. A great DOG finds you.”

3. DRUGS & DOCTORS....Thankful for all the DRUGS my DAD & Mom fed me...I was DRUGGED to church 3 times a week...Not really, I really wanted to go!

DOCTORS fed me actual DRUGS like Penicillin & Benadryl like they were real lifesavers!

One DOCTOR telling me when I was about 20 that the only reason I was still walking was Penicillin and Milk, for he had put my right leg in traction for several months when I had DISLOCATED my hip at age 5.

Another DOCTOR saving my life with the miracle DRUG Penicillin with multiple shots when poisoning just about took me DOWN for the count.

4. ....DELIVERER & DAYSTAR ON HIGH...Just two of the many names given to Jesus Christ....DESIRING to give Him DIVINE DEVOTION...Love Him DEARLY!

5. DEVOTIONS...It has been my passion to write and share DEVOTIONS with not only Grundy athletes, but also several other high schools and colleges, writing over 1,000 DEVOTIONS, many of these shared with the teams while 'Shaking the Beans'.

6. DAY..."This is the DAY that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)...As one sage said,

"Every DAY is important. If you don't believe it, just try missing one of them."

Have a DELIGHTFUL DAY!

Day 5 E Words in 26 Days of Thanksgiving

Day 5...E Day...5 things I'm thankful for that start with the letter E..

1. ELEPHANTS... Love these ELEGANT creatures. Remember hearing what Tarzan said when he saw the ELEPHANTS coming through the jungle wearing sunglasses: Nothing! He didn't recognize them.

And I love the story of the ELEPHANT playing tag with a one sunshiny day in the jungle...As the story goes, the ELEPHANT made a misstep & squashed the tiny mouse. The ELEPHANT was so crushed in spirit that he made his way to a nearby log, where he sat down and cried and cried, while sobbing, "I...Was...Only...Trying...To...trip...trip him."

2. EGGS.....Like my former football & baseball coach, Frank Spraker, "I like Eggs anyway you can fix them, but raw!"

There was a boy in college at Hiwassee that used to wake Willard Owens and myself up every morning at the 'crack of dawn', saying, "Let's go get an Egg!"..

3. EVERLASTING WORD.....EVERLASTING LIFE....."Forever, O Lord, is Your Word settled in Heaven." Psalm 119:89....God & His Word is from EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING...And so are we: There was a time we never were, but after we are born, there will never be a time we will not be...Sobering thought isn't it? And we get to choose where! May we EXALT our EXCELLENCY on High!

4. ELDERS....I've always heard that we should 'Respect our Elders'.....Now I are one!

Paul ordained ELDERS (also translated bishops, shepherds, pastors & overseers) in Every N.T. church he started, so it must be of utmost importance.....

5. EAGLES.....Who doesn't like to watch this majestic bird in flight? (And to think, the turkey was just a few votes short of being selected as our National Emblem!)....

Just know that the EAGLE represents freedom & one of our great freedoms is the 'Right to Vote' which has been granted to us by our soldiers & not our politicians!.....If we fail at the Ballot Box to protect our freedoms, it will sadly take Bullets to repurchase it again somewhere ages and ages hence.

Hoping & Praying that we will all be a more thankful people....As Paul said in Hebrews 13:15: "By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our giving thanks to His Name."....

And as Paul continued, "In EVERYTHING give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Happy Thanksgiving!

George Carlin's Views on Aging

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we’re kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions.

'How old are you?' ' I'm four and a half!'

You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key.

You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.

'How old are you?' 'I'm gonna be 16!' You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16!

And then the greatest day of your life! You become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony. YOU BECOME 21. YES!

But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed?

You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away.

Before you know it, you REACH 50, and your dreams are gone….

But! wait! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!

So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40 , REACH 50....

and make it to 60.

You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that, it's a day-by-day thing;

You HIT Wednesday!

You get into your 80's, and every day is a complete cycle;

You HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there.....

Into the 90s, you start going backwards;

'I Was JUST 92.’

Then a strange thing happens... If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again:

'I'm 100 and a half!'

May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!

George Carlin's views on aging....Ha-larious!

Ellie Grace Fields Birthday Poem...Written at age 11 for Pop's 78th & Nana's 73rd

It’s your birthday!

Hooray Hooray! It’s true

You should stay up late! 

And eat lots of Cake!

Then your birthday will be great!

Go outside!

Stay inside!

The choice is up to you!

Get the balloons and streamers too!

To decorate this place!

For you I would go allll OUT!

So with this in mind I shout!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOOOOOOOOOOU!!!!!!

😁🥰😘😘😘😘🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🤩🤩🥳🥳🥳🥳🍨🍨🍨🍦🍦🍦🥧🥧🥧🧁🧁🧁🍰🍰🍰🎂🎂🎂🍭🍭🍬🍬🍫🍫🍩🍩🍪🍪🥳🥳🥳🥳

I hope you BOTH have the BEST, BIRTHDAY, EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!🥳

Day 7 in 26 Days of Christmas 2019

‎Day 7 in 26 alphabetical days of Christmas...G words:
"GLORY to God in the Highest and on Earth, Peace! GOOD will to men!" Luke 2:14...
This was what the Angels shouted to the shepherds at the GOOD SHEPHERD'S Birth, for it was through Jesus's death on a cross 33 years later that allowed Peace to enter our heart and soul, even though Jesus did not come to bring peace to the world: 
Matthew 10: 34:"I come to bring a sword," Jesus said..
.
And for certain His truth divides, as in the Sheep from the GOATS...
I love the song: 
GOD'S Little Lost Lamb And Here I Am.

Jesus is also referred to as GOVERNOR at his Christmas Day birth...In Matthew 2:6: "And thou Bethlehem, out of Thee shall come a GOVERNOR that shall rule My people Israel.

(But aren't you GLAD that the Israel of GOD today are GENTILES?)

He is the GREAT LIGHT! Isaiah proclaimed in Isaiah 9:2 "The people that walk in darkness have seen a GREAT LIGHT: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them has the light shined."....

When Jesus raised the widow's son from the dead, all of the people GLORIFIED GOD, saying, "A GREAT PROPHET is risen up among us and GOD has visited His people!"....

Sing with me, How GREAT Is Our GOD! GLORY!...
Praying we will be ready for that GREAT END DAY, where Jesus said in Matthew 24:30:

"They shall see the SON OF MAN coming in the clouds of Heaven with Power and GREAT GLORY...

GLORIOUS GOD, Praising you this Saturday, the 7th for the GREAT Victory we have in Your Son, and the GOOD GIFTS You GIVE us each & every day....not the least of which is GRACE, (GOD's Riches At Christ's Expense)...

Truly, unmerited favor, O GOD...May this Christmas approach the beauty of the first one...
On a Starry Night in Bethlehem nearly 2,000 years ago.
In Jesus's Holy Name I pray, Amen.

WHEN ROCK & ROLL CAME TO THE COUNTY....

Things really started hopping in Buchanan County Schools during the decade of the 50’s. All county schools had something called ’Sock Hops’ in the school gym or cafeteria.
At Garden High School, Bill Miller told me that Grace Woolridge organized the Sock Hops and spun the new Rock & Roll tunes on a record player in the gym.
“It was called Canteen, and we ‘Got Down’ I tell ya!” Bill smiled in remembrance.

My wife Sandy and Brother-In-Law Bill Kennedy both attended Hurley High School, and in looking at their Rebel Annuals, there were pictures of some of the students doing’THE TWIST’….

Rock & Roll music had everybody Groovin’ and a Movin’ & Reelin’ with the Feelin’ at all five County Schools…The Whitewood Indians and Council Cobras had Sock Hops as well, for Rock & Roll music took both the County and America by storm.

I was introduced to Rock & Roll music as an 8th Grader in 1956 in the Grundy High School Auditorium (Site of the present day Appalachian School of Law.). Paul Altizer had formed a band he called ’THE JIVIN’ FIVE’. Since the music was new to most students and teachers, it took a while for the students to get with i that memorable day. Some of the teachers didn’t like it, and sat there with a scowl on their face. I remember lookingat the back of the auditorium to where Principal John Meade was standing with a big smile on his face. He had decided to let this newly formed band perform before the student body while charging 25c each to raise money for the March of Dimes.

Larry Williams explained to me how ’THE JIVIN’ FIVE’ got their start:

“Jack Gentry, the Grundy Band Director, asked myself and four others to form a band to play the Big Band songs of the 30’s. and 40’s. Songs like Chattanooga Choo- Choo and Blue Moon. But we started experimenting with some of the Rock & Roll songs that were just coming out. Especially some of Elvis Presley’s songs, like Blue Suede Shoes, and That’s Alright. When Mr. Gentry saw what we were doing, he remarked that folks would forget who Elvis Presley was in six months.
Boy! Was he ever wrong. Elvis had a #1 hit for 25 straight weeks in 1956. Songs like Hounding, Don’t Be Cruel and See You Later Alligator”….

“So, we got Paul Altizer, who was not in the school band, to help us get started. Paul was a singer and a piano player. Paul pretty much organized us and we practiced at various homes on weekday nights. Mostly, in Ray & Bonnie Wright’s basement , which was located under the old WRIGHT’S MARKET at Vansant. The original Five were me on Tenor Sax, Harry Guy Hall on Clarinet, Russ Altizer on Drums, Karen Hurley doing vocals, along with Paul Altizer on piano, and also the fearless leader of The Jivin’ Five,” Larry concluded.

Ron Cole participated with the band on many occasions, and as Ron explained to me. There were a lot more than five that participated over the next five years or so, including Bill Blake, who’s Dad, also named Bill Blake, managed Sayer’s Brothers Department Store in old Grundy. Both Bill, the son, & Ron spun Rock & Roll tunes as DJ’s at WNRG and had legions of listeners. (There was no FM station at the time.)…
(It’s been said that if recordings of Ron and Clyde Varney working together were available today they would be priceless, for it was a laugh a minute with those two doing much more than advertising and spinning the hits.)

Jack Woodard remembers driving down to the radio station just to watch Bill Blake spin the Rock & Roll tunes…
“Bill Blake couldn’t sit still. He kept patting the equipment with his hands while moving to the beat in his chair. Quite a show!” Jack said.

Jack also remembers that The Jivin’ Five performed at Bill Griffith’s place at Royal City for a few years in the late 50’s. Bill’s son, William Griffith, later ran a store there called THE FRIENDLY MARKET. Jack, who also played the BASS DRUM in the high school band, went there often to watch The Jivin’ Five… “And maybe dance just a little,” Jack laughed.

Several other girls participated with THE JIVIN’ FIVE up into the early 60’s. Paul’s sister Janice, Carol Combs, Alberta Salem, and Becky Hurst. All four of these helped out with vocals.

Songs like Rock Around The Clock, Tutti-Fruiti, Ain’t That A Shame, and Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On, really resonated with County teens. Truth to tell, our parents were less excited about these songs. My Dad would just shake his head. And this was typical with most adults, for they were more into Gospel and Country songs. The Huff-Cook Gospel Hour was popular on Sunday mornings, and on the country side, Ralph Stanley and Bill Monroe could sell out the Morgan Theater in Grundy on a Saturday night…and Little Jimmy Dickens’s classic song, ‘Come Home It’s Suppertime’, closed out the WNRG station every evening at dusk..

But Rock & Roll was here to stay. The Golden Years of Rock & Roll were the 50’s & 60’s, and royally celebrated at all County Schools.

Certainly, you could understand most of the words and there was no profanity.Some songs didn’t make much sense, but they were catchy and sounded good coming trippingly off the tongue. Some teens could really 'Get Down' on Tutti-Fruiti and Be-Bop-A-Lu-Lu…Charlie Brown, Peggy Sue, and Wake Up Little Susie…The list is long!

The Grundy High School Class of 1958 has their 60th Reunion at the Grundy Fieldhouse this Friday night at 7:00 p.m. while also watching the Grundy Golden Wave entertain the Honaker Tigers on Homecoming Night. The 1958 GHS Class remembers well the Sock Hops and the Golden Oldies. Their Class has also invited my Class of 1960, as well as the 1959 Class.

Clyde “Nose” Keene, who passed recently, will be remembered at this Reunion. Clyde was a 2X MVP for the Grundy Golden Wave (57 & 58) and a 58 graduate…. But a frequent attendee of any Reunion he heard of….
And when the music started, Ol’ Nose glided on to the dance floor to kick up his heels and ‘Get Down’…
Always with a Big Smile on his face!

RIP Nose…Your Golden Wave Golden Oldie Spirit lives on!

June 13 Entry My Father's MEMORY BOOK

My Father's Memory Book...
"We lived in several houses at Harman. I guess Thelma had it hardest when we lived above # 2 Trestle. Since I worked the Hoot Owl shift, I remember looking down at our house as I trammed a motor across the #2 Trestle, and oftentimes Thelma would be standing at an ironing board ironing clothes even though it would be approaching midnight. She sure didn't get much sleep, and as far as that goes, I didn't either when I came home after daylight. Thelma didn't have to fix me breakfast, for I generally ate some of Thelma's delicious cornbread with milk poured over it before retiring for the day, usually to about 2 or 3:00 p.m., but sometimes up at noon. Oftentimes, since I was Chief Foreman, I would have to go in an hour or two early to plan where everyone was going, and a hundred other things... and stay an hour or so after the shift to fill out reports and such...Twelve hour shifts were common for me, and some of the hard working employees would want to Double Back & do two shifts for Double Time pay. And then there were some that always wanted off to go deer hunting or something. Frustrating, but I just tried to keep a cheerful attitude and do the best I could, and try to treat the men as I would want to be treated.
The house above #2 Trestle was a cold house right beside the road. There was an abundance of coal dust and noise, for the big fan that blew air deep into the mine roared continuously night and day. We loved to sit out on the porch, but even then it was hard to carry on a conversation, what with all of the fan and road noise. Cold house that was heated with a Warm Morning stove in the Dining Room. It was a small house with only two bedrooms, Dining & Living Room, Kitchen and one bathroom. (But lots of folks at that time lived in a house with two rooms and a path.... No indoor plumbing!)

Larry and David both went to Hiwassee and East Tennessee State. At Larry's graduation from ETSU, I was sitting beside of the father of one of Larry's friends, and we were discussing mining since we were both coal miners. Two ladies sitting in front of us suddenly turned around to face us with big smiles on their faces...
"I bet we can tell you what your occupations are!" one of the ladies said.
"Alright, go ahead and tell us," I said.
"YOU ARE BOTH HIGHWAY PATROLMEN!' she said, knowing she had us figured out.
"No mam," I said, we are both coal miners."
"She never said another word and just humped up and turned around quickly. Some people don't seem to care for us coal miners. I guess they would rather be cold. Mr. Ratliff and myself were dressed nice. No overalls, so I guess we fooled them. Coal miners have had a hard life, especially the early miners before the union came along to help them."

T words Alphabet Prayer...

O TRUE and TRUSTWORTHY God, THANKING You THIS THROWBACK THURSDAY for giving us THE TRUTH, and THE TOWER OF OUR SALVATION, Your Son, THE Master TEACHER, who purchased THE CHURCH with His own blood, also referred TO as:
THE TRUE VINE, THE MASTER TEACHER, THE LIVING BREAD, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE, THE ROCK, and THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE...

Realizing THAT every single one of THESE TITLES start with THE & THAT THE means One Father.
THERE'S only One TOP DOG, so to speak, and You alone are TREMENDOUSLY TERRIFIC. 
YOU TRUMP all Father!
Your TIMELY TEACHINGS are TREASURES THAT TELL us how to achieve THE THRILL of VicTory, while avoiding the agony of Satan's deceit.

THANKING You TODAY for placing a TUNE of THANKFULNESS in my heart...

THINKING also Father THAT TODAY is THE TOMORROW we worried about yesterday...
Give us Grace for TODAY & a TREMENDOUS Outlook O God. May we all choose TO be on Your TRIUMPHANT TEAM.

Because of Your TRIUMPHANT Son,
Amen.
T words alphabeT prayer.

Alphabet Prayer...J Words...

JUST JUDGE of All, O Great JEHOVAH, I ask for mercy and JUSTIFICATION and not the JUSTICE I deserve. 
Grant that my Friends and I will lay aside all JEALOUSY this Monday & be JUBILANT as we encounter Your JAM-PACKED, JAW-DROPPING JEWELED works... 
May we JOIN You on that JOYFUL JOURNEY Your Son, JESUS, made possible on two JOINTS of wood.... In JESUS' Name, Amen...(Alphabet Prayer...'J' Words)

Alphabet Prayer....

ALPHABET PRAYER that I've been praying 'Every' Night since I was in UVA Hospital undergoing 3 brain surgeries in 2006: 
Almighty God You Are An Awesome Amazing God. Thank You for All blessings And truth found in You Alone. To You who gives so exceedingly Abundantly Above All that we Ask or think, I say, ‘ Allelujah!’ Thank You for the Atonement And America the

Beautiful is what You are God! Help me to have a Be-Attitude as I Build my Being on Your Holy Bible. Your Balm of Bountiful Blessings Buoy my Being.You are the Best! Bravo!

Coming to You in prayer is so Calming Great Comforter. Thank You for sending the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to purchase the Church on Calvary’s Cross. You Cheer me!

Desiring to give You Divine Devotion, may I Dream of Your Deity and awaken to the Day Determined to Deliver Your message of Deliverance O Daystar on High.

Exalted Excellency . . . Every blessing is from You Eternal God . . . and is intended for Everyone Everywhere that we too might have life Everlasting.

Forgive me O God that I might be a Faithful and Fruitful Friend…. Fighting the good Fight to the Finish. Thank You For Forgetting my sins, and as it were, putting up a NO FISHING sign when You cast them into the deepest sea.

Glory God! That’s what I want to Give You. Thank You for the Greatest Gift ever. Grant me Grace to Gladly have a Gratitude Attitude.

Hallelujah! O Holiest of Holies . . . thank You for the Harmony of Your Heavenly Handiwork and my Happy Heart.

Increase your blessings Immortal I AM. Immerse me now In your Incomparable Ideals that others may come to know the Immeasurable Joy found IN You Alone.

Just a closer walk with thee O Just Jehovah is all I ask for. Thank You for the Joyful Journey I have because I’m Justified in Jesus.

Keep me O King of Kings and Keeper of all creation. I’m Knocking at Your door to Kindly thank You for your Kindness that I might Keep on Keeping on for You.

Longsuffering Lord . . . thank You for Letting me Look into the perfect Law of Liberty to discover Your Love and the Light of the world. Let me Lovingly Listen to You and others….and Learn to Laugh at myself.

Merciful Maker . . . how Marvelous that Your Majestic Motivating Message is Made Manifest to my Mind.

New each day O God is Your Nurturing. Help me make a joyful Noise as I travel Your Narrow upward way. May I be more Neighborly as I Navigate every Next and Now of life.

Only You God are Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent. Open my eyes that I may always be Obedient and have an Optimistic Outlook.

Praise you O Perfect Physician, Prince of Peace…. My Prayer is that I might Press on to receive Your Precious Promises . . . and Point People to Your Profitable Plan and Powerful Possibilities.

Quicken my Quest for the Quality of life found only in You O Quintessential Spirit.

Revered Redeemer… help me Redeem my time and be Redhot Ready to Run the Race with Relish. Thank You for your promise to Restore me when I truly Repent.

Sustainer of life . . . help me to Seek Your Son and the Spring of Living Water, Salt of the Earth. Thank You for Sending Him to Strengthen me and present the way to Salvation.

Triumphnt Teacher . . . May I Think Thankful Thoughts as I Thrill to Your Timely Truths.

Unto You O God I come to Unburden my heart to Your Unending love. It is only as I Understand Your plan that I feel Upbeat and Useful.

Verily father . . . Your Voice from the true Vine alone gives me the Vim and Vigor necessary to be a Victor and not a Victim.

Who am I Worshipful Father that I am counted Worthy to be Washed in Your Living Water? How Wonderful are Your Words and Way!

Xalted are You in all the earth most Xcellent Holy One! You alone Xcel!

Youthful Father I Yearn for Your Ways as I Yield to Your Yoke. Yes!

Zoom in on your would be Zealous servant O Father that I might not Zig or Zag in my Zeal for You. Zzzzzzz

Truth to tell though, most nights I'm asleep long before I get to Zzzzzzz...LOL...

But I was in the Neuro Ward while at UVA...Most days I didn't know my name or what year it was, or even where I was...Once when they asked me where I was, I said, 'The Little Prater Church of Christ Beauty Parlor'...And in my mind that is exactly where I thought I was, even though the Little Prater Church of Christ has no such facility....LOL...Peggy Lowe, who attends at Little Prater, did do my hair, but I have no idea how I came up with that...The only thing I seemed to remember for certain was the Alphabet, and since I couldn't stand any noise or TV even, I just prayed the alphabet over and over and over...
It gave me Great Comfort and Peace....& still does....
To my dying day.

Day 26 in 26 Days of Alphabetical Valentining...Z WordZ...

ZELL, there's ZERO days left, ZO I would just like to ZANK all my ZILLIONS of ValentineZ who have faithfully followed all 26 postZ by giving each of you an all expenZes paid trip to ZURICH, Switzerland... 

Plus a yearZ supply of SWIZZ CHEEZE WHIZ...

To take advantage of this one-time BonanZa, ZIMPLY ZEND $100 to me in a SASE & Z will take care of ZE rest my Happy Valentine!

YeZ, ZURE Ship haZ come in my ZILLY Friend!

Day 25 in 26 Days of Alphabetical Valentining...Y Words...

TodaY is a Great Day to begin or continue in a YEARLONG YEARNING to Learn & Lean on our Savior Jesus: 

"Take My YOKE upon YOU and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowlY in heart, and YOU will find rest for your souls. For MY YOKE is easy and MY burden is light."...Matthew 11:29-30...

(Certainly, when compared to the YUCKY YARNS the YAHOOS of this world have to offer, there's No Comparison...LOL)...

May all of Jesus's Valentines who are YOUNG-AT-HEART take on a YEARNING YEOMANLY like Attitude that we can live 'One Sweet DayY up YONDER in Heaven with The One Who promises to forgive all of our YESTERDAY sins ....when we sayYYES to Him & have the YESABILITY to obey His Life-Giving Commands...

I'm not a YODELER, but YAHOO anyway! YIPPE-Ti-YI-YAY!
YEARNING TO Learn & ObeY...
YES!

Day 24 in 26 Days of Alphabetical Valentining...X Words...

May we all be XENODOCHIAL this February Valentine month...
XENODOCHIAL simply means: 'Friendly to Strangers'...

Hoping & praying we can do so w/o getting shot or slapped..
(I've been fortunate so far, taking this word to heart by giving away over 1,000 chocolate Dove Hearts.... & Halos.)...Probably much more, but I quit counting long ago...

Kinda gives a rush to see a frown X'd out & replaced with a  smile from a friend.... & make an Angel of a Stranger with the Halos....I meet some & make some........LOL

Day 23 in 26 Days of Alphabetical Valentining...W WORDS....

WISHING my WISE, WITTY, and WARM-HEARTED friends a WONDERFULLY WINSOME WEEK-END...or WEEKDAY, as the case may be....
 & may WE all WORSHIP our WONDERFUL Savior on the Lord's Day, WHICH, in reality, is every day of the WEEK. As the Psalmist WISELY WORDED it: 
This is the day that the Lord has made; WE WILL rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

"WHEN I am afraid, I WILL trust in You." Psalm 56:3...

"WHATEVER you would that men should do to you, do ye also unto them." Matthew 7:12...

WORTHY of note: WHERE there's a WILL, I WANT to be in it...LOL...

Day 22 in 26 Days of Alphabetical Valentining...V Words...

VICTORY rests with the Lord. (Proverbs 21:31)...
"But thanks be to God, Who gives us the VICTORY." 
(1 Corinthians 15:57)...
No matter how VIBRANT& VIGOROUS we think we are, we all have a Sin VIRUS that makes us VULNERABLE to the pangs of death, but thankfully, as the Apostle Paul declares:

"O Death, where is thy sting? O Grave, where is thy VICTORY?"...(1 Corinthians 15:57)...

Yes, Jesus gives us the VICTORY, but we do have to receiVe it & we do need to take note of Jesus's words:

"But in VAIN do they worship me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men." (Matthew 15:9)...

Many of Jesus's BIBLE VERSES start with VERILY! VERILY! which means Truly! Truly!..Thinking we should make every effort to obey Jesus's VERY VERY important words:
"He who believes and is baptized shall be saved." 
(Mark 16:16)...

Jesus's God-breathed, Holy Spirit filled words should have VALUE above all!

No matter how VELVETY smooth a preacher or any person's words may be, our salvation hinges on Jesus's VERILY VERILY words, as our VALENTINE sent from God...

As John the baptizer said when he saw Jesus walking toward him:
"Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world."...

The Life-Giving VALENTINE VICTORY is ours, but only if & when we claim it on His terms....

V-RRROOOM!!...Just as a car engine makes this sound, may we also VACATE our sins...

 & Roar to VICTORY!

Day 21 in 26 Days of Alphabetical Valentining...U Words...

UNDERWHELMING...& UNREAL...How few of my UNIQUE friends liked my S & T words...UNPOPULAR I guess...UGLY?
Them...or Me...or USENS, as they say in the mountains...LOL...

So, I'm making this one short:

U are UNFORGETTABLE Valentine b/c of UR UNIQUE UPBEAT UNSELFISH UNUGLY UNDERSTANDING UNTO me to give me UNCLOUDY days...

URGING U 2B His UNPRETENTIOUS Valentine 2 day also.

U R 2 Sweet 2 B 4-Got-10!

Day 20 in 26 Days of Alphabetical Valentining...T Words...

TODAY, TUESDAY, may we be TOTALLY THRILLED by the TOUCH of THE Master TEACHER'S Hand, who is THROWING out THE Lifeline TODAY THAT we might TAKE TIME TO be Holy as we TRUST in His TIMELESS TRUTHS...
Softly & TENDERLY He's Calling!
Christ is THE ONE who desires THAT we stand TALL and TRIUMPH like a THOROUGHBRED TOGETHER, as 'One T.E.A.M.'...
TOGETHER Everyone Accomplishes More, as it has been proven THAT one TEAM of horses can pull, not TWICE, but Four TIMES as much as one solitary horse...
We are TOUGHER and more TENACIOUS when we know someone is pulling TIRELESSLY TOGETHER with us TO be THE TOP DOG...LOL...
in TRIUMPH...(TRY+UMPH)...LOL...
And while we are TRYING, let us consider THAT THERE are no TROUBLEFREE lives or situations...

We will do well TO TRUST in His TIMELESS TRUTHS. THIS verse should make us TREMBLE:

"In vain do THEY worship ME, TEACHING TEACHINGS THAT are commandments of men." 
Matthew 15:9...

Unless it's THUS sayeth THE Lord, we are in for a TOUGH ride & even TOUGHER landing...LOL...
Let's be TENACIOUS, for we have much TO be THANKFUL for & look forward TO:

"In a moment, in THE TWINKLING of an eye at THE last TRUMP, for THE TRUMPET shall sound and THE dead shall be raised incorruptible."...In other words, we are going to live forever somewhere...& we get to choose. It's like an election: God is voting for us; Satan is voting against us....
But we cast THE Final TRAILBLAZING vote...

May each of us TAKE advantage of THIS TREMENDOUSLY TERRIFIC opportunity to make our calling and election sure:

"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence TO make your calling and election sure: for if ye do THESE THINGS, ye shall never fall. 
2 Peter 1:10...

"And THESE were more noble than those in THESSALONICA, receiving the word with all readiness of mind, daily searching THE scriptures TO see if THESE THINGS were so." 
Acts 17:11...

May each of us read and study God's Holy Bible: 
THE Holy Bible directs us TO a TENDER-HEARTED Savior, who we can only get to know through TAKING TIME to understand the scriptures.... May we TAKE notice of Paul's words:

"Study to shew THYSELF approved unto God, a workman that needeth not TO be ashamed, rightly dividing THE Word of TRUTH."...
2 TIMOTHY 2:15...
Have a TREMENDOUS TUESDAY Valentine!

Day 19 in 26 Days of Alphabetical Valentining...S Words...

SAVIOR Like A SHEPHERD, SHELTER In The Time of STORM,
SUNSHINE In My SOUL...
SOARING this morning that we can SING SPIRITED SONGS like these above about SOMEONE SO SPECIAL as our SAVIOR Jesus Christ, who is always STANDING by to lend a SYMPATHETIC ear to SAVED SINNERS, whose SOLE mission is SUMMED up: 
"For the SON OF MAN has come to SEEK and to SAVE that which was lost."...Luke 19:10...

Our SAVIOR SACRIFICED SO much, may we SINFUL SINNERS:
"Never be lacking in zeal, but keeping your SPIRITUAL fervor, SERVING the Lord." 
Romans 12:11...

Considering all of the unrest in our land due to SENSELESS SCHOOL SHOOTINGS, let us SEEK the SAVIOR this Monday:

"If My People, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves, and pray & SEEK My Face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their SIN, and heal their land." 
2 Chronicles 7:14...

Happy Valentine's Day to our SYMPATHETIC & SUPPORTIVE SAVIOR....
May we SNUGGLE up to the SON OF GOD with a
SWEET Hour Of Prayer this SIZZLING Monday...

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our SALVATION." 
Psalm 68:19...

"You are the SALT of the earth."
Matthew 5:13...

Closing with this SUCCESS provoking SUPPORTIVE thought:

There's no thrill in easy SAILING when the SKIES are clear and blue; There's no joy in merely doing things which anyone can do...But there is SOME SATISFACTION that is mighty SWEET to take, when you reach a destination they SAID you couldn't make....

Be a SELF-CONFIDENT SAVIOR-DRIVEN SUCCEEDER today.

Day 18 in 26 Days of Alphabetical Valentining...R Words...

America REALLY needs to get back to teaching the 'Three R's' if we R going to be RENEWED & RISE above our problems...
But I am not REFERRING to READIN' RITIN' & RITHMETIC..LOL
1. RESPONSIBILITY: Teaching kids & adults to 'Man-Up' & stop the blame game...while being RELIABLE & RESPONSIVE to timeless truths...
(Perhaps a REFRESHER course on Kindergarten teachings of RESPECT for each other?))...REALLY...LOL

2. RESPECT: REALIZING that every RASCAL we meet has REALLY cool & REMARKABLE qualities. RAH! RAH! RAH!
{Love the way MMS in Grundy nearly always produces REVERENT & RESPECTFUL kids): 

3. RESOURCEFULNESS: Everyone can do something to REVITALIZE themselves & REFRESH others, whether in word or deed....RAH! RAH! RAH!

"RENEW A RIGHT spirit within me." 
Psalm 51:10...
"REJOICE in the Lord, O you RIGHTEOUS, for praise from the UPRIGHT is beautiful."...
Psalm 33:1...
"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you RICHLY."
Colossians 3:16...

And since today is the Lord's Day, let's RISE up & be RED-HOT READY to worship our REDEEMER with the REDEEMED at the Church the ROCK OF AGES purchased at Calvary...

May you have a RECORD-SETTING DAY ROLLING out the RED-CARPET for others who desire to RUN the RACE...
"REDEEMING the time for the days are evil." 
Ephesians 5:16...

Love the song 'CHILD OF THE KING':
My Father is RICH in houses and lands;
He holdeth the wealth of the world in His Hands,
Of RUBIES and Diamonds, of Silver and Gold,
His coffers are full...He has RICHES untold.

Happy Valentine's Lord's Day!
RAH! RAH! RAH!