October 21, 2026
Good morning, dear friends! Here I am at 2:20 a.m. writing, so the thoughts will most likely be a tad bit scattered. Add to that being high on Prednisone and Contrast Dye and yep, I’m wide awake, and have been since around 11:30 last night.
I know it has been a spell since I’ve written – I’m not sure if I’m having a “writer’s block,” or am just plain too busy with studies, sermons, lessons and the sort to have much free time to turn the computer on and swap stories with you folks. Whichever the case may be, I apologize, and here are some thoughts.
Being wide awake early this morning, I prayed and praised for the first few hours and then went to remembering many people who have been long gone from this life, but not from my heart. So many dear friends are but distant memories, but at least they remain there.
In a day and age when we live at way too fast of a pace, I try to take time to remember those who left their thumbprint upon my life in positive ways. The Bible often speaks of a person’s death as going “the way of his forefathers.” Abraham is a case in point, and I reckon we will all get a turn at that same process.
For each of us, we to have loved ones who have passed on from this life into the next life. Though their bodies have been long laid to rest, their spirit continues on either in Heaven or Hell, per their personal choice to accept Jesus, or to reject Him. Such a simple choice determines an eternal destiny.
As I remembered different folks who passed during my younger years, I soon recalled an age-old tradition that was often carried out. In the 1700 and 1800s, it was customary to bury a person with their favorite dog. Often the dog would be unitized and placed in or near the casket of their master. In the western culture the same practice would often involve the cowboy’s favorite horse that was still alive at the time of the cowboy’s passing. The horse would be grained, brushed and then led to the grave side of its previous comrade, where the sound of an old 30-30 rifle would join the two at the same gravesite.
Don’t get your blummers in a ruffle, I don’t own a horse, and the Red-dog will hopefully be around to keep Miss Deb company after I depart. Or I’ll be around to continue to hassle Miss Deb after Coffee Cake has entered into the memory column. Time will tell which one of us gets to go first.
For me, I consider my death to be my “Graduation Day!” I’ll get to leave the hallowed halls of life and its many lessons, to enter graduate school sitting under the teaching of Paul, Peter, Moses and of course Jesus for the rest of time!!! I get just a tad bit excited to think of walking through a garden or a green pasture while visiting with Jesus!
But for this day, if He allows us to see another sunrise, we have work to do here and now. I have a meeting with our Pastor about the Men’s Rally we held last Saturday. Thank you for praying and a special “Thank You” to my ‘ol friend Bob who sent us some T-Shirts with “Made For More” on the front of them! It was a geat day. I’m eager to hear Pastor Ty’s feedback and suggestions for possible future rallies.
I also have a meeting with one of my special young men I get to mentor, who will be filling in for me during this Sunday’s lesson at our home church. It makes my ‘ol heart happy to get to hear how the Holy Spirit is guiding him to prepare a great lesson. I see the sparkle in his eyes that once illuminated mine as well. What a special blessing it is to have great men in my life!
Well, my computer just dimmed down, saying the battery is about to sign off. I guess people, horses and dogs aren’t the only things that die. As I plug this computer in to recharge, I plan to do the same with me, I’m fixin’ to plug into God’s amazing word to recharge my life as well. May I suggest that you do the same,
Rambling on with you, Neal
P.S. So that my friend Miss M. here in Lusk doesn’t jump to conclusions about my mental stability: Today’s weather report is 36 right now, headed for 70 for a high. No precipitation in the near future. And no, I’m not graduating in the near future, as far as I know!
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