A 21st Blogiversary -- Or -- This Might Change Your Life. It Changed Mine.

My 21st blogiversary is in 2 days, but this post won't leave my mind, so here you go.

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This interview with Gerald McRaney, well, shook me up. Changed me. Reminded me of how we as Christians should consistently be. I'll shorten it here:

McRaney:  "My first time on The Rockford files I had a scene to do. I'm in my little dressing room and there's a knock on the door.  I open the door and there's Jim Garner. He says, "Hey Hoss. I just want to welcome you to the show. I hope you have fun."' 

"And that was it. But that was the way that man was. I'm a day player, I'm doing one scene and he went out of his way to welcome me."

"Months later, my parents came out for a visit and I'd arranged for them to have lunch at the commisary at Universal which was a big to-do for them. And I saw that Rockford Files was shooting right across the street."

"I went to see if Jim was there, and he was, and his assistant came to the door. I said, "I just wanted to see if Jim would have a moment to say hello to my parents." 

"Well, there was an executive in there with Jim who said something like, "We don't have time." To which Jim responded, "Well, we're gonna have to make some time, aren't we?" 

"He came out and spent, like, the next hour with my parents and just kept that executive in there cooling his heels, learning some manners. And I will never forget that as long as I live. Jim was the finest gentleman I've run across in this business. He was such an outstanding man."

Oh. My. Goodness.

Today's unfriendly world needs Christians to, daily, walk in that type of excellence! We must find ways to counter-balance all those Youtube videos which say you-don't-need-friends-after-50-just-stay-in-your-cozy-home-with-your-pets-so-no-one-will-hurt-your-feelings.

And instead? It's time to break out of all our cages. To love others, sacrifice for them as Jesus told us to.

"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony ..  Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor... Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."

Colossians 3:14, Romans 12:10, 1 John 4:8

I believe our Country needs a Love Revival, especially all over the Internet. Oh, when will we view this online world as the mission field God meant it to be? When will we stop hiding from people, peeking our heads out only when convenient for us?

Today, maybe?

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Tom and I are nearly finished with our second rewatch of The Rockford Files (free at Amazon). We always begin with season two. It's a top level comfort show for us, like looking through a window back in Time. We love his beat-up old trailer, the taco restaurant next door, the ocean in his front yard, his dad and Rockford's sense of humor. Everything, really.

I hope you'll watch that interview with Gerald McRaney. After 40 years, the emotion in his voice is still palpable. Wow. 

21 years blogging! What an adventure, indeed. How long will I continue? Only as long as I feel Grace speaking through me.

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And as I shared at Facebook:

So! If anyone is sitting around wishing they knew of a kindness they could bestow, here's an idea.

Hope Ann is newish to Youtube and I know she'd appreciate any 'likes' and comments today. She is the sweetest thing since local honey and her last video was her best (imo). It even had a scary ending. Oh my.

Please drop by and comment if you can, ok? I know she'd appreciate it so much.

Thanks!

(Thousands of ways to show compassion online exist like this.)

And what I desire to see all over Youtube? Videos with titles like, "How We Can Love Others Better." "Ways We Can Become More Excellent in Our Relationships." "How To Show People Jesus Cares For Them." "Examples of Kindness."

The Warfare of Love, Part 1. Joyce Meyer.

"It's impossible to be selfish and happy."    --- Joyce Meyer

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Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. *** "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15