There Is No In Between

Sunday Check-In

Santa Enjoys a Pumpkin Pie made with Bing Image Creator

The fact that Christmas items were showing up on store shelves before Halloween was over, tells me that we are not really moving from Thanksgiving into Christmas, but it’s been the Christmas season all along. What a letdown January will be. But let’s not think about that now.

This is my Sunday night check-in. If you are looking for brilliance, Bible exposition, or amazing observations, you are in the wrong place. If, however, Santa eating a Thanksgiving pumpkin pie is your style, welcome.

Here are some pictures I’ve taken recently.

We enjoyed Thanksgiving at our house. Me, the picture taker, neglected to take a picture of all of us together. It was the four of us and mom. Even though it was low-key, the food was fantastic and we enjoyed good conversation.

Friday I drove over to D’Arbonne National Wildlife Reserve. I’ve only been once before. I enjoyed the drive down Holland Bluff Road. I could see all the pickup trucks parked along the way, deer hunters I presume. (That means no wandering around in the woods!) There were several trucks with trailers at the boat launch. I didn’t take a single picture, but I did stop at the picnic table near the boat launch and enjoyed some time listening and enjoying and praying. A photographer friend has given me some instructions on how to see some other areas near there, and one day I’m going to take a day and explore. Of course, I have no objection to retracing my steps along Moon Lake or Black Bayou.

We have a new eatery nearby in the location of the old Pickle Barrel restaurant. The Salad Station is the name of it. When I first heard of it, I wasn’t excited. I love the owners, but salad is not my main vibe. Still, I gave it a try, and man is it good! It’s a big salad bar (with anything I think you can imagine!), and also baked potatoes and soup. I’ve been three times now and look forward to more. If you’re in the Monroe area, make sure to eat a meal there soon. I wish Brad and Ashley all the best in this endeavor.

It was my brother’s birthday today. Gary is three years younger than me. He and his family live in Bay City, Texas. Though the kids are off at college, they came home to celebrate and my niece Abi was baptized. Gary said it was the best birthday present he could have, to be able to baptize his daughter. I’m proud of my brother and his beautiful family.

Reading

I’m reading with vigor John Stott’s book Baptism and Fullness: The Work of the Holy Spirit Today. I love his irenic spirit and commitment to the Biblical text. Every book I have by Stott is excellent, but this one has me turning the pages quickly. Some of the other books I’m reading seem to be bent on correcting the ideas of others. Stott does this, but it is not his main aim. I think this week I will finish Pastor, Jesus Is Enough: Hope for the Weary, the Burned Out, and the Broken by Jeremy Writebol. I think what Jeremy did is brilliant. He took the seven letters to the churches in Revelation and reimagined them as being written to the ministers of those seven churches. He uses those themes to work through the work of ministry. I’ve been very encouraged by this book. Upon the death of Rosalynn Carter on November 19, I am re-reading Christmas in Plains: Memories. Since I’ve read it before, I know it is delightful.

Listening

I’ve been listening to SiriusXM’s Sleep Christmas channel. Ambient Christmas music, I think only available on the app. It’s great non-disturbing music of the season for reading.

Watching

I heard all the hubbub about Dolly Parton’s halftime show last weekend for the Dallas Cowboys. This 77-year-old songstress has dressed provocatively for, oh, 57 years or so. I don’t have anything bad to say about one of my favorite singers. After watching that, my main observation was the way she was hanging on to the stage prop. They didn’t give her much room up there. Do you have a favorite Dolly Parton song? At Christmas, I’m still a little misty when I hear her sing Hard Candy Christmas (yes I know what movie it was from!). Dolly has done duets (and trios!) with several singers, and I like almost all of them. But one of my favorites is not very well known. What a great combination to hear Dolly’s unique country voice with the great and gravelly Neil Diamond singing You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling. I wish there were an entire album of songs with them singing together. That half-time show? Come on folks.

Thanksgiving Day I watched All The President’s Men … again. The movie holds up after all these years. However, in our digital age, it would be a different script.

Well, welcome to the Christmas season (which started two months ago). There is no in-between. When one comes to an end, the other has already begun. Try not to get caught up in the rush. Enjoy this time of thinking more about others and looking out for opportunities to bless. Find a good advent devotional so that you do not lose focus. Here’s my suggestion:

S. E. Reid’s Pilgrim God: A Poet’s Journey Through Advent. I know these readings are going to be a huge blessing.

Thanks for reading and liking this post. I’m just checking in with you … and I’d love to hear how you are doing … what you’re reading … what you’re listening to … and what you’re watching. Work hard, rest well, and stay connected. The world needs you.