To the best of my recollection, February remains in the category of ‘Winter Months’, but you wouldn’t know it in North Louisiana. The few icy days we had in January are a distant memory and the sunny and fairly warm days make us feel blessed. This Faux Spring is potentially going to lead to another cold snap, but no one is complaining for now.
My wife’s sister, Carol, is visiting with us for a few days. Friday we went out to Black Bayou for a few hours and enjoyed this beautiful day. We did see an area with three smaller alligators and I looked for momma gator, but did not see her. Below are three of the ones we saw. As you will notice there are a lot of feathers in the water. I fear a heron or egret was supper for the day. That is the circle of life, as we know. As long as I was not supper, I’m pretty much ok with this. As always, clicking on the picture (if you are looking at the website) will give you a larger image.
In another part of Black Bayou we saw the fairly large alligator below. The water is up (as I mentioned in an earlier post) and it’s starting to look more like a real lake again.
At Forsythe Church, my sermons will continue through the Gospel of Mark. We were in chapter six today. Two amazing stories - the feeding of the 5,000 with just a few loaves and fishes and Jesus walking on water - were the subject. I am tying the next four lessons together under the theme of Keys to a Courageous Faith. As you know, the notes are available each week in our Forsythe Sermons Substack and on our YouTube channel. On The Holy Lens (daily photograph, passage, and prayer), we continue praying through the Spiritual Armor this week. I’m also continuing to lead a GriefShare group on Sunday afternoons for the next couple of months.
READING
This week I finished Steph Broadribb’s Death at The Beach. I should say that I listened to the audiobook. I enjoyed this series that began at a retirement community where there was a murder. This brought together some retired detectives who became friends and set out to solve the case. I’m still reading Ted Galdi’s Elixir, a thriller I’m enjoying. I’m also finished with Albert Camus’ The Stranger. I really can’t even explain that. Friday I started an audiobook called The Guests by Margo Hunt. It’s a fairly recent book and I can tell you that the tension being set up by Hunt is making me uncomfortable! I think that’s the sign of an excellent writer! I already know what I’m reading after Elixir and Stranger … but if I tell you now what will I write about next week? In my Bible reading plan, I am finishing Exodus in the next few days and then on to Acts.
A little reading humor my sister Charlene posted on Facebook:
WATCHING
I’m the king of picking out the worst things to watch and not even finishing them. But this weekend I picked out two winners (at least, to me!). The Greatest Night in Pop is a documentary about the making of the iconic We Are The World video. I was moved by the stories and the heart to do something to help those who were starving in Africa. We also watched Leanne Morgan’s I’m Every Woman comedy show on Netflix. I find her hilarious and she manages to do so without the flood of foul language that most comedians seem to rely upon. Other than that, the latest episode of The Traitors was great.
LISTENING
Most of the time when I am studying I need to have something in the background, but it can’t be intrusive. I’ve enjoyed this video with worship songs played on a guitar. Also Chill Music Labs’ videos are ambient enough to serve the purpose but also with enough elements to keep your mind attentive.
SUBSTACK
I found Katie Hawkins-Gaar’s post I Will Be, They Would Have Been, It Will Be to be a profound expression of grief and what she calls ‘grief math’.
Did you know that Billy Joel has released his first new song in 31 years? I didn’t but I’m glad I read Paul Scheer’s post and learned about it. Great song. I loved Paul’s reflection about artists who know when to stop trying to do something new and just appreciate what you have accomplished.
Billy Joel - Turn the Lights Back On (Official Lyric Video)
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT I posted some pictures from a visit to Black Bayou you might enjoy. That post is HERE. Make sure to check the comments for an awesome poem by Deb, and check out her enjoyable Substack.
Thanks for spending a few minutes with me on this Sunday night update. I hope your week ahead is filled with the best of God’s good gifts. I’ll leave you with a last few pictures … a Robin and Squirrel in back yard, and a few of our pup Cali. Work hard, rest well, and stay connected. The world needs you.