ROCK SOLID FAITH

Oct. 22, 2022

There is a large rectangular rock that sits in the front yard of our home. It would be off to the right as you approach our house from the front . Before I tell you it's name, and how it is used, and special it is to me, I want to tell you first where it came from.

I have spent many hours of my life on that rock. Sunday evenings were especially lonely for me as I left my home and family and headed back to the pressure of school . Almost always, I would go and sit on the rock before heading back on and up. I wondered what life would bring my way. I wondered where I would live and if I would ever find the gal God had for me. I prayed he would protect and watch over her and keep her safe until the day. As I did this I wondered about the color of her eyes and hair and what she was doing at that very moment. I also asked he would allow me to recognize her when that day came and he did just that but that is another story.

My parents owned 40 acres north of Bristow. This large rock was out in our horse pasture under the highlines that cut across their property. I noticed the large stone one day and suggested to my dad that we bring it over to the yard. We used my grandpa's Ford tractor . We could not push it in the bucket with our arms but laid on our backs and did a leg press to roll it over in the bucket. It sat for many years of to the right as you came up the driveway. It was about 30 yard from the front of their home.

This rock is very special to me. My parents have passed on and their farm has been sold. One piece of my youth has remained rock solid. I went down and brought the rock to our farm and placed it carefully trying to duplicate like it was down home.

I learned years later my wife of 40 plus years name would be Kim. He eyes would be hazel and her hair brown. My mom was stunned when I brought her home with me on a Friday night because I had never did that before. On another visit , I asked her to walk down to the rock with me and I proposed to her .

I still spend a lot of time there and it is one of my favorite places to pray. In fact, I plan to go there in a few minutes Lord willing to thank God for the gift of life and for allowing me to share this story with you. More time than not I am by myself but sometimes our dog Skyler will go with me. Often our cat Sushi is laying on the sun warmed rock as evening approaches as I come home from work.

I do not think cat's pray but Ian not sure. I have seen my sons sit on the rock and talk to God and it warms my heart to know they know God and ash Him for guidance .

The rocks name is Ebenezer . It bears that name because of a Bible story and I invite you to look it up.

I praise God for being a place of refuge and stability for me in a world that is fast paced and always on the move. I am moved to tears because How could I ever doubt his ways knowing he has brought me this far!

This big stone reminds me of my home and the memories made there. It reminds me of all the unknowns I had and how God has came through for me each and every time. It reminds me of El Roy ( the God who sees). God saw this farm , my wife, our sons , and this day as he does tomorrow.

This rock is not lucky nor magic. It is a place where I go to pour out my heart and talk to and with my maker.

He lets me feel His presence and His peace. His love and care for us are everlasting and in Christ we have nothing to fear. May our faith and trust in Him remain rock solid!

Then Samuel took a stone and sit it up between Mizpah and Shen and called it's name Ebenezer ;for he said, ' Till now the Lord has helped us.'

1 Samuel 7:10

To touch a child's face , a dog's coat a petalled flower, the rough surface of a rock is to set up orders of brain's motion,

to touch is to communicate.

James W. Angell

There are years that asks questions and years that answer. Zora Neale Hurston

As you come up our drive and after you cross the small creek,you pass between two field stone

pillars that match the stones on our home. There is a light atop both of them . Right now, one is green and the the side is white. The green light is to show support for all the people who serve our military as well

as those who have done so in the past.

At Christmas i hang white lights along the 4 rail horse fence. We change the white one to red and

The entryway is good to go. The placement of the red and green has a reason behind it as well.

It may seem to be be random but Iassure you is not the case.

On a plane the red light is always on the left side and the green is on the right side. green and right both

have 5 letters and this was how I was taught to remember as a boy. This applies to boats as well.

Our oldest son, Josh, is a navel aviator. He and his wonderful wife , Christina, are a week or two from going

to Japan. They have lived in several places over the last few years. They lived in Fallon Nevada

most recently and we were blessed to have all of our boys and their girls under our roof and together

the holidays.

Since they aproached our farm from the west the right light was green and the left one was on the left

came home. When they were out east in Va it was the reversed. Japan is on the other side of the world

so I am not sure what I will do. I have not stepped it off but am told it is about as far east to west as it is

west to east.

God is a concerned loving Father who loves you so much! He has made a way for you to come

home through his son Jesus. The porch light of heaven is on . You have a green light my friend.

Because of the red blood of Jesus ,your sins are forgiven . Your approach is cleared as well as all your sins.

As far as the east is from the west,so far has removed our transgressions from us.

Psalm 103:12

ENTRY

Yesterday I went out to check on the horses. It has again been vey hot here of late and a daily chore

to top off the water troughs will cool clear water.As I make my rounds the horses ususlly get excited when they hear the sound of our old red ATV. Because this vehicle usally has horse feeds as well as carrots, we c call it "Chuck" short for chuck wagon .

There is a mare and two young ones in the south pasture. I whistled and they did not come. I banged on the

red tubes on the gate with the scooper. It makes a sound that sounds like a hillbilly dinner bell. I had seen them the evening before and knew they were ok. I surmised they had found a place with a breeze and had it made in the shade.

I set the bright orange bucket filled with feed and carrots in front of the gate. This bucket was a physical reminder for me to "lets do this later". I had some mowing to do and that filled several hours of the afternoon. I kept looking down at the water tank seeing they had not yet drank from it and for the first time became a little concerned.

I went down to the gate and did the two tone whistle my dad taught me. I do this in honor of him and have taught my sons to do the same. They all would turn and prick up their earsand know it was me if I did this even in a crowd.

I banged again on the gate and in no time flat heard the three of them flat out running as hard as they could

go. They seemed happy to see me and even more to see Chuck .They were breathing heavy as they devoured their snacks.

My friend I believe God is calling all of us. As we read Scripture, we learn he calls us all differently . Many people tell me after I speak that I missed my calling. I would quite my practice and enroll in seminary school tomorrow if I felt in my heart that is what God wanted for me. I answered my "call to the see" many years ago. I love the interaction I have with patients for the most part. I never would have believed God would and could could use me to write these stories for his glory.

He has blended and used the very things I love and hold dear such as horses, hunting , and rivers . I am often very surprised at how stories and lessons come together in such a way that I know it is not me but him working through me. Here is the exciting part, he wants to do the same with you. You may not be called to write or do eyes but you are being called . What do you do that gives you joy and satisfaction? There is your best clue in regard to what God is calling you to do.

I pray that at times this website feeds you. I write for all God's people and not just those who gather under the steeple. All I know is when I do this with the hope of pleasing my Savior, it just feels so "write"!

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things

you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3

When you empty yourself, God rushes in.

A.W. Tozer

For the man who prays in his heart ,the whole world is a church.

Sylvain of Athos

drgregorygordon

ROCK SOLID FAITH