dual personalities

August 26, 2025

He must increase, but I must decrease*

by chuckofish

The nice weather continues. I know it will get hot again, but fall is in the air!

I watched the video of John MacArthur’s memorial service which was held last Saturday. (Most of it–it was over two hours long.) Alistair Begg, John Piper, Joni Eareckson Tada, Sinclair Ferguson all spoke movingly of their friend. Sinclair Ferguson, though, is really wonderful. (He starts at 1:51:00.) Interestingly, the Bible readings were the same ones read at the OM’s memorial service! John 14:1-6 and I Corinthians 15.

I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. ⁵¹Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, ⁵²in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. ⁵³For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. (I Corinthians 15:50-53)

As Albert Mohler wrote: “John MacArthur will be greatly missed and deeply mourned. He demonstrated faithfulness over a long lifetime of honorable ministry—a remarkable gift to Christ’s church. His race is now complete—and what a remarkable race it was. But, remember this: Pastor John MacArthur would be the first to say that the priority above all other priorities is that the faithful exposition of Holy Scripture continue until Jesus comes. Soli Deo Gloria.”

Amen.

And, yes, there was a bagpiper.

*John 3:30

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August 25, 2025

Deepening personal humility and the amazing bounty of God

by chuckofish

August continues to wind down. I have been thinking more about small joys and I ran across this quote from Pilgrim’s Inn, which I have quoted before:

“…Hilary enjoyed himself, just as he had enjoyed himself drinking the port. Increasingly, as he got older, he enjoyed things. As his personal humility deepened, so did his awareness of the amazing bounty of God…so many things…The mellow warmth of the port, the pleasure of the game, the sight of Lucilla’s lovely old face in the firelight, and David’s fine hands holding the cards, his awareness of Margaret’s endearing simplicity, and the contentment of the two old dogs dozing on the hearth…One by one the small joys fell. Only to Hilary no joy was small; each had its own mystery, aflame with the glory of God.”

I can really relate to this, can’t you? Coffee with a friend, a glass of wine with my daughters and joking about New Jersey “Charbonnay”. The satisfaction of filling in a hole in the driveway with Quik-crete (just add water!) with the boy.

Along those lines, daughter #1 and I went to a good estate sale on Saturday. It was at a big old, well-maintained three-story house in the old neighborhood where I grew up. We got a few books and some pretty blue juice glasses and Lamar gave us our usual discount. We drove by the old manse on Westgate and it was good to see it totally renovated and looking good. Interestingly, it is owned now by a law professor who is also a faculty fellow with the Carver Project. The world is more than we know.

Meanwhile the twins went to the farmers’ market out in their neck of the woods. And the prairie girls got ice cream.

After church on Sunday, daughter #1 and I went to our favorite winery in Hillsboro for the first time this year!

We had a lovely time sitting outside listening to live music on a really lovely day.

So remember, no joy is really small, after all, and all are aflame with God’s glory.

And don’t miss this:

Go Mizzou! What?! (Not a joke.)

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August 22, 2025

And let us consider

by chuckofish

It finally cooled off in flyover country and it is quite a relief. We’ve had a “too darn hot” run here in August. Soccer practice was even called off! But it is bearable to go outside again, thankfully.

Kindergarten is going well.

And third grade, so I hear, as well.

Meanwhile, I have been keeping busy and my shredder has been a-buzzing. I am making progress.

Also, as you know, John Wayne movies are my comfort food for the soul. This week I watched The Alamo (1960) and I was impressed. It is a fine, moving film, with excellent performances from all three leads and the supporting actors, including Frankie Avalon. And the last 45 minutes or so brought me to tears several times. Really. I could not find any good clips on YouTube, so you’ll just have to take my word for it.

Well, I am looking forward to a visit from Mr. Smith this afternoon and dinner at the boy’s house tonight. Tomorrow there is a good estate sale to check out and a chance to say ‘hey’ to Lamar. It’s the little things, right? Never overlook those everyday joys!

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

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August 20, 2025

Way back Wednesday

by chuckofish

I was thinking about my grandkids going back to school on Monday and in particular Katie, who started Kindergarten. (I hear that she was a bit disappointed that she did not learn to read on the first day.) Anyway, I looked up my class picture from Kindergarten in 1961–there I am on the right with the bangs. I liked school. I had made it through Junior Kindergarten and learned the ropes. I have no doubt that little Katie will like school too–she has a long road ahead of her!

“I suppose identity depends on memory. And if memory is blotted out, then I wonder if I exist–I mean if I am the same person. Of course, I don’t have to solve that problem. It is up to God, if any.”

–Jorge Luis Borges

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August 19, 2025

“‘Rando’ is a slang term for a person of no significance.”*

by chuckofish

There are still an amazing bounty of flowers still blooming in our flyover town. It must be all that rain we had in the spring. Long after the Daylilies in my yard are gone, Don’s garden is still pretty lush…

Meanwhile the twins started third grade and Katie started kindergarten. Sunrise, sunset. And I guess that means the summer is over…

This picture of the prairie girls reminds me of the conversation I had with Lottie about her recent trip to Oklahoma. I said, oh yes, they have great clouds in Oklahoma–big sky, big clouds. And she said (with a bit of a tone) well, their clouds are no better than our clouds here in Missouri! I stand corrected.

Here’s a wonderful reminder from John Piper about God’s provision for us.

We won’t endure on our own. God brings brothers and sisters in Christ into our lives to help us along the path to heaven. That’s actually one of the great themes in Bunyan’s famous allegory Pilgrim’s Progress. Faithful and Hopeful are the friends Christian needs, his fellowship, along his path to the gates of the Celestial City.

And I really like the new Zach Williams song, don’t you?

*Oliver in Only Murders in the Building

Mabel Mora – “I’m a stranger that lied to you a bunch. And you’re two randos that dragged me into a podcast.”

Oliver Putnam – “‘Rando’ is a slang term for a person of no significance.”

Charles-Haden Savage – “I used context clues, but thank you.”

Oliver Putnam – “You’re welcome.”

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August 18, 2025

Who may climb the mountain of the Lord?

by chuckofish

I spent a lot of time with ~~my therapy dog~~ Mr. Smith this weekend. Also daughter #1 and I went through more stuff. She also played DJ and we listened to old CDs, which we haven’t done in ages. (We bought an old LP at an estate sale on Saturday and that got us started.)

Don Williams is just the best for whatever ails you–I think even Mr. Smith mellowed out to his dulcet tones.

I went to church and Sunday School; the sermon was on Psalm 24.

I love that the Westminster Shorter Catechism answers the question, What is the chief end of man?, so clearly and concisely: to glorify God and enjoy him forever. That is what Psalm 24 is about. God is the creator and we are the worshippers–with clean hands and a pure heart.

Have a good week. Pet a nice dog, listen to some good music, worship God and enjoy Him forever. Feel the joy.

Blessed is the man
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
²but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

(Psalm 1:1-2)

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August 15, 2025

Up to the stone wall

by chuckofish

It’s Friday again–do you have plans for the weekend?

Me neither. I have been reading some poetry. Here’s one:

A Time to Talk

When a friend calls to me from the road
And slows his horse to a meaning walk,
I don’t stand still and look around
On all the hills I haven’t hoed,
And shout from where I am, What is it?
No, not as there is a time to talk.
I thrust my hoe in the mellow ground,
Blade-end up and five feet tall,
And plod: I go up to the stone wall
For a friendly visit.

–Robert Frost (1974-1963)

And I thought this was actually funny…

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August 14, 2025

Life flows in a clear stream

by chuckofish

The summer is drawing to a close. The boy and the twins took a last trip to the zoo before school starts and rode the train. I had lunch with my old friend and former administrative assistant and heard all about the goings on at the university. I took the Mini in for an oil change.

Katie starts kindergarten today! She met her teacher yesterday and wore her favorite dress which belonged to her aunt back in the day.

I am looking forward to September and the return (hopefully) to some semblance of my old routine.

Life goes on and I am grateful.

“I had turned away from the picture and was going back to the world where events move, men change, light flickers, life flows in a clear stream, no matter whether over mud or over stones.”

–Joseph Conrad, Lord Jim

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August 13, 2025

Covenant

by chuckofish

Daughter #1 sent a photo of a rainbow yesterday evening and I ran outside to see…

As the appearance of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the surrounding radiance. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face and heard a voice speaking.

(Ezekiel 1:28)

Awesome.

I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth.”

(Genesis 9:11)

For more on the rainbow as the sign of God’s covenant, read this.

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August 12, 2025

Walk of life

by chuckofish

The twins came over yesterday morning so their parents could go to work (school doesn’t start until next week). Lottie and I did another Hobby Lobby craft. The bud said no thanks and brought up tubs of Lego from the basement to play with. Then they went upstairs and entertained themselves while I puttered around. Then we went to the Sunnyside cafe where they wolfed down dinosaur pancakes and bacon and read the hilarious riddles on the kids menu.

Then I took them to their Dad’s store where they are allowed to look at iPads. They are happy kids. Praise God.

In other news, I am re-watching all the seasons of Only Murders in the Building in preparation for the fifth season which begins in September. What can I say? I just love Charles, Oliver and Mabel and the plot twists and turns of the show. I love what the show says about friendship and loneliness and families. It is the best thing on TV.

We also want to mention that it is the birthday of Cecil B. DeMille (August 12, 1881 – January 21, 1959), legendary American filmmaker. Between 1914 and 1958, he made 70 features, both silent and sound films. He is acknowledged as a founding father of American cinema and the most commercially successful producer-director in film history. So we should all pick one of his films to watch. He made a lot of good ones.

It is also Mark Knopfler’s birthday. We have been fans for a long time.