My Texas

Common Sense Commentary: After nearly 30 years pastoring the church my wife and I, and our children, established in Florida, during my last months there, my health broke and I had two major surgeries. My doctor, knowing the state of my health, told me I should think of retiring and look after my health. I told him I just couldn't bear to leave the church  and felt it would almost kill me to leave.
He was quiet a moment and then said, Dr. Blair, you can continue pastoring here and soon have a big funeral or go home to Texas, live a lot longer and have a small one. Mrs Blair and I prayed about it and it did nearly kill me for a couple of years, but we are both still alive and quite well. I love Texas and thank the Lord often for extending my years and allowing me this blog ministry. But I still love that church ... those wonderful, generous, loving people we shared the heartbreaks and blessings with for so many years ... the best years of our lives. But we came home to Texas so we wouldn't be a distraction to the unity and effectiveness of the church. It was the right decision and we still have the precious memories to bless us in these later years.

Here is a Texas song I learned as a small boy, in school, and have sung it all my life....

The stars at night are big and bright Deep in the heart of Texas The prairie sky is wide and high Deep in the heart of Texas The sage in bloom is like perfume Deep in the heart of Texas Reminds me of the one that I love Deep in the heart of Texas A WALTZ ACROSS WEST TEXAS Wyman Meinzer, the Texas State  Photographer, used to live in the old  jail in Benjamin, TX. The photo of  the coiled rattlesnake appeared on  the cover of a wildlife magazine in  the 80's. He said there were times he  crawled a long way on his belly to  get a good shot of a wild animal. The music is by Doug Smith. Doug  is from Petersburg, Texas and lives  south of town. Doug plays by ear-  He cannot read music, but has many  CDs. A pickup accident left Doug  paralyzed and he does not play any more. Most of the pictures were taken in  the rolling plains (cap rock to  Seymour, the Fork, 6666, and  Waggoner Ranches). There are some  scenes in Palo Duro Canyon. Please take a moment to watch this.... I don't know if I've ever come across  such a skillful combination of music  and amazing animal and landscape  photography. The changes in the  tempo perfectly compliment the scenery. This is simply a beautiful portrayal of  the unique part of our country. Click here: Wyman Meinzer's West Texas God Bless Texas, American by Birth - A Texan (by birth) & by the Grace of God

My friend Chester Grimsley, a lover of Natures glory and wild things, dug this video up for me. Chet and Rita, and their children were among the members of that wonderful Florida church. Thanks Chet, for the video. It expresses what I feel about my state, and why I came home when father time ran me down. RB

https://vimeo.com/150451822?from=outro-embed