It’s 4:30am as I sit here typing. I woke up about an hour ago and was ruminating in my mind and praying when it dawned on me it was exactly 5 years ago in early January that I was at the brink of dying from Covid, lying in ICU. Again, three years ago in the beginning of January I was at the brink of dying, lying in ICU with Pneumonia. Between these two “three-week long hospital events,” Mur’s health started going downhill. We walked together through a long “valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23). Then Mur was mercifully graduated and eternally settled, “With Multiple Honors and Crowns,” into her heavenly home. I continued in that long valley of the shadow of death. She is with Jesus, in all His glory. I miss her. But Jesus is still with me. Each day I awake to a new day that God has made, and I intentionally affirm with the Psalmist, “I will rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24). Then I follow that positive affirmation with a prayer of commitment to GOD: “I am available, God” (1st Corinthians 9:19). “I know I am on assignment, 24/7” (Matthew 28:19-20). “I am your ambassador, and I know YOU have my back!” (1st Corinthians 5:20). My prayer for YOU is that you will join me in prayer as we enter the adventure of this New Year, 2026. Put in the words of the late President of Youth for Christ, Bob Cook: “Walk with the King, and be a blessing!”
Now, if you have time, and want to know what God has been doing in my world over the last three years, read on…
It was quite a change immediately after my pneumonia three years ago. I left Novelty, OH, where Mur and I lived for 52 years with our family, sold our house, got rid of everything except what we shipped to North Carolina in one POD, lived for a couple of weeks with my daughter Tammi and her husband, and then moved into my two-room apartment in Countryside Village, a relatively small Retirement Community, in rural Stokesdale, NC.
You all know, I never planned to retire, and I have not changed my mind to date. My routine has changed, and my commitments have diminished some, but I still operate under the banner I’ve encouraged many of you to have – BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED. So…..
I live in the light of what the Psalmist declared in Psalm 92:12-15: “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. THEY WILL STILL BEAR FRUIT IN OLD AGE, THEY WILL STAY FRESH AND GREEN, proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright; he is my Rock.’”
I continue to broadcast over the radio. A nearby radio station carries my program. In addition, starting a few days ago my program is now going out in Brazil in the Portuguese language.
I wrote my tenth book – Serendipitous Encounters. If you would like me to send you a copy let me know (include your mailing address).
I’ve led a half-hour Vesper service for the residents once every month for over two years.
I’ve had many opportunities to share the gospel in conversations over meals and in casual encounters and prayed with some as they invited Jesus Christ into their lives. One was baptized in our community pool.
Virtually all the residents are in their 80’s and 90’s and face many challenges, especially regarding health. 911 ambulances are a common sight here. Loneliness is high on the list of needs. Hard of hearing, and short-term memory, make conversations hard at times. Giving Biblical perspectives and encouragement is a daily opportunity. I have to trust God to enable me to “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1st Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Early in my time here I had to change my driver’s and car licenses and title. When it went easier than I thought I decided to celebrate at a nearby Panera. After siting down with my coffee and bagel I noticed a man at another table studying a Bible. I thought, why celebrate alone. I went over, started a conversation and found out he was a widower like me and a retired pastor! We had such a good time we started meeting regularly. He introduced me to another retired pastor who goes to the same church as I, Tammi and Bill and their son’s family attend. The friendship with these two guys has been a real God send – “iron sharpening iron.”
Since Tammi and most of their family live in North Carolina I see them more often. But this holiday season, I got to Chicago to see Greg and Jeff and most of their families over Thanksgiving. Tammi and I took a short trip to Georgia to see Debbie and her family. And all of Tammi’s family were here over Christmas. I actually got to see and hug 37 of our now 41 family members. What a blessing that was!
Well, that gives you a taste of my life down here. I miss you. I appreciate all who have visited me here or who call, text. email or mail me. It would be great to hear from more of you. I love you all and appreciate your faithful prayers.