Ale for the Soul

Hope everyone had a very Christ-filled holiday season.  I sure did, even though yours truly wasn't able to spend time with family.  The second best option was to spend a few hours with the men and women of my support group.  We had a great time of fellowship over a hot meal.  I took two to-go plates to friends of mine whom I knew probably didn't have family nearby to help celebrate the season.  Then I spent the remainder of the day in solitude.  On Tuesday I also celebrated my 49th birthday.  Yes, the last year of the age decade is coming to a close.  Not sure how I feel about it as I reflect back on the time spent in my current place of residence.  Why can't I be happy and experience the abundant joy I know is possible through the Lord Jesus?  He has so richly blessed me, yet I often fail to "taste and see that the Lord is good".  Happiness is fleeting, but joy can be had in spite of life's circumstances.  Try as I may, I keep missing the long-sought after co

About a month ago, my mentor and friend passed away from a very aggressive form of cancer.  Thinking it was an issue with his gall bladder, he was shocked to learn it was Stage Four cancer.  Wow, can't imagine how he must have felt to all of a sudden have mortality staring at him in the face.  Shaking my head in disbelief at yet another friend transitioning from this terrestrial sphere to eternity.  Five total in almost three years.  Unfortunately, unlike a few of my other friends, Pat passed away without Jesus.  This makes his death even harder to bear.  Today his family will hold a Celebration of Life service at the Lecture Hall inside the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens.  Since I wasn't able to get off work to attend, I will remember the life of my friend in a special way while on duty at the cigar shop.  A celebratory smoke while enjoying a cup of coffee is in order.  One day soon, I also hope to frequent the coffee shop we would often meet at for times of sharing and accountabl