Dear Family in Christ,

As a small boy living on a ranch in West Texas in the early 1940s it was a great treat to go into town on Saturday. If my parents had it to spare I would be given a whole two bits (that is 25 cents if you don’t know)! With that I could buy the ten cent ticket to see that week’s double movie feature, a Coca Cola, a bag of popcorn and a Sugar Daddy big enough to last.

In addition to the two movies, during those years they showed a serial episode that left you in suspense (so you would want to come back next week), a cartoon, and there was always a ten minute Newsreel called “The March of Time”. It always ended with stirring music and a booming “TIME MARCHES ON”.

It is true. Time will not wait for any one. The years pass by with alarming rapidity. The things we put off till tomorrow never get done because when tomorrow arrives it is today, and we will surely do it tomorrow.

There is a story in the Bible about a Roman governor named Felix. In Acts 24:24-27 we read….

“24 But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, ‘Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.’

26 At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him. 27 But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.”

In two whole years of talking with the Apostle Paul time was elusive and could not be found. Felix’s love of money hid time.

Marcus Antonius Felix and his wife Drusilla died in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the 79 AD on the 24th of August. For Felix, time and hope ceased as it will for all unless time is found to call on “the Name of the Lord”

Romans 10:12-13 “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”

If anyone reading this has not found time to call on His Name, be born from Above, and becoming that new creation in Christ (2nd Corinthians 5:17) you cannot do it any younger, and no one has a guarantee of tomorrow or even a next breath.

God sets before all of us LIFE and DEATH. He even tells you in Deuteronomy 30:19b to choose LIFE because you have value in His sight.

I started out to write something different but I got carried away.

As far as what is happening to me, I am doing well, God it seems is not through with me. There is still work to do. I minister on a limited scale, distribute Bibles, read the Word, pray and enjoy family. I can truly say I am a blessed man and can testify that God is a good God!

Health wise I do the chemo thing once a month and see other physicians now and then. The cancer is not spreading. By the grace of God enhancing the treatment I am stronger and more active though I need to use a quad cane or walker.

My most grateful thanks to all my family in Christ, your expressions of Christian love, genuine concern, prayer and unsparing help encourage and lift me up.

God bless you all,

Bob Bell

Texas Theater picture source: https://ballinger-tx.com/forms/about/historic-photographs