December 19, 2014 (Friday)
AGAIN my back is “giving me fits.” It seems to hurt worse and last longer with each attack. I had my back x-rayed and the machine sent back pictures of some old man. Not much help there. I received confirmation this time that my lower back went into spasms; the evidence was clear. No I don’t have an M.D. but I know a spasm when I feel one.
AGAIN I was allowed to narrate the Christmas music program by the choir. It had been years since I had done that. Nat King Cole popularized a song entitled, “Again.” It went, “Again, this couldn’t happen again, this is that once in a lifetime, this is that thrill divine..” The words fit my thoughts as I did it.
AGAIN I was asked to sing and speak at a party. This time it was our Sunday School class. I never thought I would be asked again at my age, but I was, and so I did my best, bad back, scratchy voice and all. The spotlight was shared by the Horan’s niece, Emma, who sang Christmas songs in magnificent fashion with a beautiful voice. That was last night.
AGAIN the Bethel Baptist Church in Ingleside is without a pastor and has asked me to preach for a while. So I’ll be there next Sunday and probably at least several months to come. I certainly never thought I would be doing it again, but here we are. This will my fourth interim with them. I know I will enjoy being with the folks there, and I hope they will feel the same.
Some things we enjoy AGAIN, AGAIN AND AGAIN:
Sing them over again to me,
Wonderful words of life,
Let me more of their beauty see,
Wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty
Teach me faith and duty.
Refrain:
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life;
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life.