This is Later, Gator!
The Monday Night Check-In for March 9, 2026
Hello Friends! It’s time for the Sunday…no… Monday night check-in! Welcome to new subscribers - we always love to hear from you in the comments. Thanks to all of you who texted and emailed asking me about last night’s missing post (zero). It was such a long day, and there was just too much on my mind. By the time I thought about this post, I couldn’t do it. So, here we are on Monday!
Mondays are typically my day off, but today was the monthly preacher’s meeting at the Naff Avenue church of Christ in Bastrop. It was good to visit with a few of my preacher brothers. The minister from Ruston, Casey Clement, presented an excellent message that was partly on the warning signs of burnout. Casey, along with Michael Shows and David Dean, offers The Simply Christian podcast. Check it out if you like podcasts.
My book A Sinner’s Guide to Grace has been free for a few days, and I’ve given away nearly 800 copies. That offer ends around midnight Monday night, so hurry if you’d like to have it to read now or later!
FORSYTHE CHURCH OF CHRIST
Forsythe is a busy place these days. I commended the congregation yesterday because of the way they have not allowed the expansion of our fellowship hall to keep them from doing all kinds of great things for others. We are coming near to completion, and it will be great to settle into the new spaces available. Sunday, we spent time in John 13 looking at the amazing servant heart of Jesus as he washed the disciples’ feet (including Judas’). Notes and audio are HERE. Doug White has a few more lessons in his series on Angels (videos HERE). GriefShare continues for another three weeks, and this season will be over. This month we are collecting items for Grace Place, a great outreach to the impoverished and homeless (wishlist here). Heartfelt women’s ministry was tonight. I’m grateful for all the many acts of service being offered at Forsythe Church.
READING
It’s been a few weeks since I reported finishing any books. In the last few weeks I have wrapped up several reads!
This week I finished Haunted River by J. T. Bishop. It’s the first in a series of mysteries with a touch of the paranormal. It was very enjoyable!
I also finished The Art of Suspense: Mastering Mystery and Thriller Writing by James Glass. Jimmy was our next-door neighbor for a good while when we lived in Pascagoula. He is retired from the Navy and has written several thriller novels. Since my first murder mystery is coming soon, I wanted to read his thoughts on this!
I read Faith, Fitness, and Food: A Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle by Dr. Shane West. Dr. West was a field medic in the military, is a father, and has some outstanding insights about the relationship of faith, fitness, and food!
This week I finished HIM and I: A Story of Fractured Identity by Onidis J. Beaudin. This was a strange story, but oddly enchanting. I did want to read it all to see where it was going, although at times I was wondering if it did have an ending at all! I was surprised by the ending, although there were clues!
Finally, I read When Imperfect Becomes Enough by Robert Nguyen. This was an account of a struggle with mental illness. It includes touching poetry and helps readers understand what those with mental illness go through. It was not a long read, but one that unsettles the heart a bit.
Wow, I’m impressed with myself! I have other books going now, but I will share more later. GoodReads tells me I have read 19 books. I confess I am behind in our Bible reading schedule, but committed to catching up. They are reading Numbers at the moment. I just finished Leviticus and have Hebrews to read through. No worries, I’ll be back with the gang before long!
LISTENING
Toby Mac sings Heaven on My Mind. It pictures people being reunited with those who have gone. I knew that the last frame would be him greeting his son. Sorry for the spoiler… but that got me.
Although many Substacks have paid subscriptions, my posts are always free! I do have a Hope Remains Gift Registry if you’d like to show some love! Check it out HERE if you are interested. If not, I still love ya!
WATCHING
The new CIA show on CBS has had a good start. It’s good to see Nick Gehlfuss (Chicago Med) with a new role.
SUBSTACKERY
Spencer Conway contemplates the beatitude, Blessed Are Those Who Mourn.
Tanner Olson offers Reflections on Releasing a Book. I highly recommend his newest, Getting Through What You’re Going Through.
Cheryl Rutledge-Brennecke celebrates Spring with reflections and photos in Show Me Your Shamrocks, Spring Robin, Tarts, and Weeds!
Intercessor Todd leads us in Praying for the Bride of Christ.
Allison Chapman shares her Little Storybook Rabbit Cakes, just in time for Easter!
I think we can all identify with Will Norris when he writes, When My Words Fail…
Scott dives into an ancient question. Lukan Fingerprints: Who Actually Wrote Hebrews?
THANKS
If you’re still with me, thanks for reading! This night owl has done his work. If you read this far, bless you! Take care, friends. Work hard, smile often, rest well, and stay connected. The world needs you now more than ever!
