MAY HAVE TO CHANGE MY MIND
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ENTRY 5
As you head up our lane , the road splits off to the left. That is the right thing to do if you want to go up to
our horse barns. It is a narrow lane that served as lovers lane per the man who sold me this farm. He would
often have to pick up beer bottles and other items left behind.
Years ago , I was going through one of the most difficult times in my life. We had had a rain earlier that morning and
was trying to walk it off. I know, that probably applies more to physical pain than heartache and heartbreak.
Ihave found the old adage motion is lotion is indeed true and helps us mentally as well.
Yes I had been praying asking God to give me a sign that a breakthrough was possible. As I passed by a large mud
puddle I stopped and stood there slack jawed. My blue mood kept me from realizing the sun had found a
spot in the still remaining heavy cloud cover. I looked into the reflection of the mud puddle and saw the sun shining
in a clear blue background. The logistics of what had to have happened at that moment will bless me
as long as I live. I took a picture of this and I enlarged it .
Sometimes after all the others have left the office, I will go in and stare at that picture and my heart is lifted
and I am reminded of his love for me as I reflect upon that very special memory .
Light is sweet and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.
Ecclesiates 11:7
Once in a while you get shown light in the strangest of places if you look at it right.
Robert Hunter
ENTRY 6
For you to follow this' I will need a little help from you. Please get an 8x10 inch piece of paper. Now please
turn it sideways. place a mark about two inches to the right from the top left hand corner. Please place another
mark an inchdown from the top right hand corner.
The piece of paper represents our back yard. The area above it and to the right is our horse pasture.
The edge of the paper are the where the fence line runs. Great work!
Years ago 5 horses were out in the pasture. They were about 3-4 inches above the mark in the left corner.
I filled a red bucket with horse feed. I walked out from the rear of the house . See some docs still make house
house calls! I crossed the fence and walked quite a ways to them. They seemed started and confused. I did the
same two tone whistle my dad taught me as a youth. I still do this to this day and in his honor.
They all knew what that means. They ran way off to the place on the top right corner and left me standing there
in a cloud of dust and amusement. I always tell people how smart they are but realize I may have to rethink this.
My goofy friends seemed so silly at the time. The more I though about it, God used them to show me we often do
the very same thing! We leave Jesus to go find him.
Jesus is always on the move. You never know where he would show up. His ways of approaching people were so
varied. Often churches try to dupicate a service or pattern that has worked in the past when his spirit did show.
Not realizing by doing this, they are hindering the Holy Spirt and denying the liberty it demands
All I ask if you would keep your heart open to the many ways he can and will use to reach us. It could be in the
form of a song,book, a friends words, a movie scene, or even a blogsite . These are just a drop in the bucket
of the many ways He could drop in on you.
The preacher's sharpest and strongest preaching should be to himself.
E.M. Bounds
When you use your life for God's glory, everything you do can become an act of worship.
Rick Warren
I really enjoy writing . I am so weak when comes to computers and for the most part all new technology. I have to stay up on it to some degree because of my degree and profession and use fancy dancy machines in our office. Right now as I type these words , I am out of my comfort zone. I have found to my surprise a few out there enjoy my gift and here I share freely hoping these words will find their way to someone who may gather strength from them and live and labor with that hope.
I have spent many hours learning how to set up and maintain this so I could pass on and along a story when it came to mind. I have made many mistakes and have lost hours of work simply because I hit the wrong button.
About 3 weeks or so ago , I got a notice that changes were coming . The company I worked with was being bought out by a new company. I liked the old site and it was simple hence the name. It was easy for old dogs like myself.
Things have not been good and I do not like these changes at all. I am having a lot of trouble learning how to do even the basics and this is my first blog since the switch.
I saw a little jar at the counter of a pizza place a few years ago. It said ,' If your fear change leave it here.' I have thought about that many times since. Life is always causing changes. It seems it is something that will never change.
As I sit here typing in my office, our 3 year old dog ' Skyler 'is in my favorite chair. She is adored by our family and has brought us much joy. This has been a wondrful and welcome change. She is no longer a puppy. Time has changed her as well without her permission as it does with us.
She is loyal and when I turn off the light next to my computer and she hears the click, she will get up to go with me . We click and she trusts me . She will not ask me where I am going or even question why. My plans will will affect her and she will change hers to go with me. Without words, she is teaching me how I should grow and learn to go with the flow of my Lord. Savior, and Master. I find it ironic that as I try to find words to share with you, I am trying to help you grow and we cannot grow without change.
I read one time most of us give God our plans and ask Him to sign off on it. Instead , we should sign our name on the bottom of a blank sheet of paper and let him plan our day and agenda.
Nothing is permanent but change.
Heraclitus
Even the animals- the donkey and the ox know their owner and appreciate his care, but not my people Israel.
Isaiah 1:3
Things seen are mightier than things heard.
Alfred Lord Tennyson
ENTRY 7
Years ago we had a very big snow. I put on my warmest clothes and went and fired up the old Ford tractor
to use the grader blade to clean and clear our lane. Even though I travel up and down our lane each day often
several times, I could not find it. I was about to call the police to report it had been stolen, I chose not to.
Often I preach to others as well at myself even more to , 'Stay in your own lane'. I found this ironic and a bit
humorous because that day I could not even find mine! I grade hard ,always have. I expect a lot and demand
those same traits in others I work with. Today me and my grader blade would not get a good grade at all.
I thought I knew this place like the back of my hand. I mean I headed toward the house and towards the front door.
I thought of all options. Could it be the house moved ?Yes my gravel lane is narrow, but my pride is that wide.
I kept plowing around and hit graveI. I was so happy and so glad I had not called the police . Like a
giant outdoor puzzle I found my lane . Believe me, it was a botch job but we had a cleared road.
Turns out I was way off and after our large turn coming up the hill , I was way off to the right.
A few days later , I told my brother about my snow blindness episode and he shared something a neighbor had
passed on and along to him. His neighbor puts stakes to mark the lane to help you line up and find your way .
Great advice! I went to the hardware store and bought orange stakes which line our driveway from
November to about early spring. Guests to our home will ask without fail what they are for.
These stakes are there to help me remember it is very easy to lose our way when we cannot find our bearings. Even on the hottest days of sumer , these stakes are in the corner in the garage reminding me of my mistake
on that snowy day.
If I could tell you one piece of advice to help you,this is it. Start reading your Bible each and every day.
These precious lines were put in place to help you find your way. It is not enough to read it you must heed
it's age old wisdom. They teach us the boundaries of God's and will stand ready on days when it is
hot as well as days when it is not. They remind us God is in our corner and not only shown the
path home but cleared our sins away with the Blood of his son, Jesus.
The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.
Doug Larson
Purify me from my sins,and I will be clean; wash me,and I will be whiter than snow.
Psalm 51:7
ENTRY 8
When you wake up on a farm, you are surrounded by work. Sometimes you wake up to things unexpected
such as when it snows or the road is washed out by heavy rains. We have had a lot of very high winds
this spring . A downed tree can be a real downer . It often takes hours to cut up a tree, fix the fence
and you count your blessings if the horses are still in the pasture. It is still very time sensitive as I run the fence
to see if I can find the hole before they do.
Yes, I grumble and fuss but it is still a labor of love for me. I have loved these magnificant creatures
my entire life. It is indeed expensive both in time and money to feed and take care of them properly. I've ran
run the numbers and have explained to my wife it is far cheaper than having a shrink.
I hate to admit but at age 64 I understand the old gray mare's problem . We both ain't what we used to be.
Today was a pretty mild day for mid March. With the help of my son, we got thru the chores a little quicker.
I was very pleased he came out to help me .
Many jobs we have to do in the fall and winter I do perform but begrudingly . For example, winterizing the boat'
hooking up the snowblade on the tractor, or putting out the orange snow lane markers described earlier.I am well
aware of the forth coming and must both prepare and take precaution.
One of the last jobs today was quite pleasant. We unplugged the blue floats in our horse drinking
troughs. They keep the water from freezing and are very helpful. Most do not realize this, but a horse
can drink up to 10 gallons of water per day!
One of the fields has a small pond in it. The horses can drink freely from here anytime they they want .
If I fail the tank they know what to do. A few times the heater had been pulled out of the trough usually by a
playful youngster and the tank is frozen solid. I then will take an axe and bust through the ice as to let them drink
from the pond.
Often I stand there in awe to see how they have broken through the ice with thier rock
hard hooves and beat me to it. God had given them instinct ,and tools to help them survive when they come
to their own rock and a hard place.
He has done this for us as well. God gave us the Bible . It is hard to live in the world these days.
Fences are being torn down that should still be up. Others are being put up that we should not put up with.
Jesus is referred to a rock so many times. He loves taking care of us. His boundaries ar too protect us from us.
Let him him into your heart and ask him be your master, you will find a freedom in Him that most will never know.
Farming looks mighty easy when your plow's a pencil and you are a thousand miles from
a cornfield. Dwight D.Eisenhower
So if the Son sets your free ,you will be free indeed. John 8:36
It paws the the earth and rejoices in its strength. Job 39:21
For the water turns to ice as hard as rock, and the surface of the water freezes.
Job 38:30
The same fence that shuts others out shuts you in. Bill Copeland
ENTRY 9
A short distance after turning up our lane, you will pass over a small stream. Many times the hard rains
wash out our road and debris must be gathered up and hauled away.
My wife and I moved to wonderful Dubois County in 1985. I was amused by the fact many of the old
Germans could not correctly pronounce the letter" V "on the eyechart.
Years later I saw a Russian grandmother for an eye examination. During our time together, she showed
me a picture of her blond haired granddaughter and said her name. I started with an" N". I found to my surprise,
I could not make that sound or anything even close to it and tried multiple times.
If she had offered me a million dollars if I said it right, the money would be
left right there on the table. As silly as it sounds, I could not get my tongue to twist and turn that way.
I would not have been able to do it even if my life depended on it!
Please allow me to let this little story flow back to a story in the Old Testament in Judges, chapter 12
The word 'shibboleth' means little stream. The correct pronunciation of that word was a matter of life or death.
It was used to at a ford in the Jordan river to tell if you were from that area or a foreighner.. If they said it
right, they went right on through.If they were unable, they lost their lives as did 42,000 people.
All kinds of animals, birds, reptles,and creatures of the sea have been tamed by man, but no man can
tame the tongue. James:7-8
All right say Shibboleth . If he said , Sibboleth because he could not say the word correctly, they
seized and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. Judges 12:6
There are years that ask questions and years that answer.
Zora Neale Hurston
ENTRY 11
I am off today . I am at home recovering from a recent back surgery. It is windy and rainy and a
dreary day indeed. In awhile , I need to get in the shower and go to a local farm store to get horse feed.
I love going to this store . I do dread going today.
My back is starting to feel better. The sciata and pain in my left leg has been absent hours after I came to.
When I go to the store, I am going to have to ask for help. I am not allowed to pick up anything heavier
than a milk carton. To be honest, I felt a slinge twinge when I had my cereal earlier.
When I get up and get up courage, I am going to push myself and push my pride aside. I don't
see or talk to anyone let alone let them see me in this shape.
Now mind you I am not gonna wear a tux as I am out and about. A pair of jeans and a long sleeve tee shirt
should do. I will not wear a watch because I am not a slave of whistle and bell today. I will wear a leather
bracelet on my right wrist and my wedding ring.
You might say,' I thought you said you hate wearing jewery.' I do but many years ago I young man did something
and said something that has caused me to wear my ring when I am out in public ever since.
A group of strong men passed through our area. They were called the THE POWER TEAM. I was able to help
fund their trip to Jasper as they used their feats of strength to draw in crowds as they put on a strong
witness for Christ.
A blond haired young man named ,Kenan, with hugh forearms and arms tore a copy of the New York City with
his bare hands. Kenan is a bible name. Adam and Eve had a third son named Seth. Seth was Kenan's grandfather. As he prepared for the task at hand, he removed his wedding band. He just said in passing
that he never removes it but this is his only exception and he cannot do it with the ring in place.
I would guess that book was 4-5 inches thick and he went right through it. What he said as he put the ring
back his hugh hand has stayed with me down through the years.
He said I do not like to wear rings at all. He said, "I wear it for my wife. When I am and about, it shows and
and says I am taken. I belong to my someone and her alone".
No other feat of strength or words made a stronger impression on me that entire show. I found
where my ring was stored and have worn it since. Lord willing, I will have it on my finger in the store
in a little while. My back is still stiff and sore and I walk funny. My marriage to my beautiful wife Kim is
stronger than ever. I thank God for all the people he has used to help my faith get stonger. I marvel at all
the various ways he can give us handy advice I praise him for allowing our paths to cross!
The spiritual battle,the loss of victory, is always in the thought world.
Francis Schaeffer
Greatness lies not in being strong, but in the right use of strength.
Henry Ward Beecher
What counts in making a happy marriage ,is not so much how compatible you are, but how
you deal with incompatibility. George Levinger
ENTRY 12
A few feet away from me is a walking stick that I bought from an elderly patient, years ago.
He was always on the hunt for them. When I see a twisted young treewhile I am deer hunting, I think of him.
He would take them home and put a nice stain on them . He told me how a young vine wraps around the young sapling and causes it to grow up twisted. Willie took this deformity and turned into something of beauty.
The one in the corner is very thick and sturdy and would come up to about my shoulder. Its leans in the
corner but it almost was put to use as I was needing extra support when I was walking after my back procedure.
I love almonds and in fact my favoite candy bar is Almond Joy. I have a craving for a new cereral that is vanilla and almonds. I have been going through it since I have been off. Someone needs to cut me off.
Our youngest son Jarah recently married a wonderful gal we all love named Kirby. The kids bought a nice home
in Jasper and live 10-15 from us.They have a nice back yard.
I guess I am too sentimental. I bought a planter that looks like Santa's boots. I dug up a small
cedar tree roots and all and gave it to them as a Christmas gift. I thought they might want a tree from
our place for their place. They seemed to like it and the idea behind it and probably will put it behind
their house in the spring.
Can you imagine if I gave them our Christmas tree that Jarah and I cut down and used
our great room? They would think I was nuts!
People are always grasping for power. Even the 12 disciples were trying to discuss among themselves
who would be topdog after Jesus died instead of being crushed when Jesus shared what was forthcoming.
Moses had a brother named Aaron. He was to be a leader but many of the others did not like this. God
had 12 walking sticks to be left in the tabernacle overnight and before the Ark. He had one from each of the 12
tribes and they were to put each of their names on their on own staff.
The next morning the staff that belonged to Aaron had come alive and had produced flowers
well as ripe almonds! It seemed this staffing issue was resolved .It seems God found great joy( almond joy)
if you will in showing how easy it for him bring back to life things that are were dead.
God is a specialist at making something useful and beautiful out of something broken and confused.
Charles Swindoll
Some circumstantial evidence is very strong,as when you find a trout in the milk.
Thoreau
The staff of the man I choose will sprout,and I will rid myself of this constant grumbling against you
by the Israelites. Numbers 17:5
We know that no one ever seizes power with the intention of relingquishing it.
George Orwell
ENTRY 13
In my office , I have a large bookcase. It houses just a few that I have read over the years. It is quite
full and several stacks are around the corner waiting better placement.
I love to read and I think this was developed and encouaged by my dad as I was growing up. He
was a welder for Alcoa but I think my dad could have done about anything he set his mind to do.
He was not a big talker and was on the quite side but I was allowed behind th curtain and I am quite certain
that water ran quite deep.He continued to read and learn his entire life and he shared many
of those things with me.
I am setting at my large hand crafted desk made by a wonderful carpenter years ago. His name was
Joe Mccay. The day it was delivered I was able to come home for lunch. I was quite pleased with the way it
turned out.
He and his helper were putting it together and we talked about the weather.
It had rained that morning as it has today . We talked about the rain and I quoted a Scripture Joe was not
familar with. He later shared with me in private his helper did not know the Lord . He asked Me to pray
for his friend and give Joe the words to help move him closer to Jesus as they moved furniture. Joe
sensed the Lord was on the move that day as well quoting Scripture to them unaware of his
lack of faith.
Ole Joe was a quite man and was not preachy. I sensed his faith was as strong as the massive desk he
had built for me. He told me that as he made the furniture , he often prayed over it as he was working.
He said that he always did when it was delivered and that he had prayed over my desk that the work of
his hands would bring God glory. Joe passed away a few years ago but my computer that I am using right
this moment sits upon the desk I feel is answering his prayer.
When you aim for perfection, , you discover it's a moving target.
George Fisher
Prayer moves the hand that moves the world.
John Aikman Wallace
If the clouds are full of water, they pour rain upon the earth.
Ecclesiastes 11:3
Everybody talks about the weather ,but nobody does anything about it.
Mark Twain
ENTRY 14
I am tired this morning . I stayed up too late. When I was younger , it was not a big deal. I could
cheat the clock and jump in bed and sleep fast. These days it is not all that easy. It hurts too much
and I can get through it' but I do not like living this way.
My mind is sluggish and I had high hopes of writing a lot as I am off today. I struggle to think of what to put down
simply because I stayed up too late. I know I said that earlier.
I am off today in more ways than one. It is Saturday and I do not have to see patients . I took a large
piece of metal out of a young man's eye before noon yeasterday. I will consult with him in a few minutes
and still might have to go in depending on his pain and status.
I know I can pull it off but hope his eye is fine after he removes the patch needed after the foreign body
removal. Will will not be able to play this by ear... it's an eye thing.
The weather people predicted that the first part of April wil be hard on the midwest. Last night severe storms
all around us without damage. I put the horses in the barn trying to protct them from half dollar size hail
which did not occur.... thank God!
I stayed up past midnight praying and watching as the weater came closer and closer. I was relieved when
the tornado warnings all expired and I staggered half asleep up the stairs to a nice warm comfortable bed.
I said a little prayer and thanked God for yet again watching over our home and farm. We all know
that our lives can be turned upside down in a few minutes and all watch helpless as they approach.
Earlier I wrote about the driveway prayer when we make it back home safely from travel . We need to all thank
him for watching over our homes and protecting it from storms, fire, theft , etc as we are out and about.
ENTRY 15
I also moved our brown SUV into the garage because of the threat of hail damage. Years ago we had
About 4 thousand dollars of hail damage to two of our vehicles. It also put the hurt on our roof as well.
A few weeks later , I drove my red dually to a local dealer for an estimate for insurance purposes. It was
an extremely hot day. I was met by a young friendly guy and I explained why I was there. I told him the golf ball
size hail damaged my hood but there was no other areas affected.
He asked if I will pull into the garage so he could look it over. I thought to myself how all young people are so
fragile these days as I did so. He would rather work in the shade than go outside and get all hot and sweaty.
As I pulled into the garage , he opened the drivers door and stood and looked over the top of my truck. The hood
damage was nothing compared to how bad the top was riddled!. This kid had been trained and knew exactly
what he was doing. He told me to look it over as well. I think I turned as red a my pick up. I don't think
he could see it because of the shaded garage.
The Lord showed me something I did not know yet again. I was humbled. I am always to quick appoint
my self as judge in areas of where I am lacking of both information and jurisdiction. Storms can
teach us much about ourselves. Maybe they humble us because they put a dent in our own faith in
ourselves .Maybe we don't like them because they damage our illusion that we are in control. It comforts us
that they are just here for a short time and will soon pass on and through. Perhaps that is what scares us
the most . They remind us that this applies to all of us as well.
E
ENTRY 16
Years ago, we had a violent storm pass through. Our boys were all young and it was around Memorial Day.
The skies were that scary gray-green color that is usually present with most tornados.
The weather forcasters were urging us to seek cover and we did. We had a half basement . As you went
down into the basement you stood on a landing. Under the landing we had stored many things mostly in boxes.
I frantically threw the boxes out onto the floor and my wife and three young sons were taking shelter under it.
Often large hail accompanies these deadly storm and the largest hail my eyes have ever seen soon pelted
our back deck and yard. I always thought that hail was smooth but these were tennis ball size and had stickers
points all over them. I guess by now you have picked up the fact I should have been huddled with my family
instead of looking at the hail.
I cracked open the door amd grabbed about three or four of these big hailstones to show my guys after
the storm. I put them in the frezer and was about to go downstairs when something in the yard caught my eye!
It was the largest hailstone and made the others look small. The hail was still coming down. I was
going against better judgement to get this softball sized hailstone out by the maple tree. I wanted this if anything
for proof because no one would believe me. I knew that if I went out there a hail stone could knock me out
and napping in the yard during a tornado was most probably a rather bad idea.
I used my head and headed for the basement. I was scolded for the delay by Kim and she made a drat as
I told her about the giant hailstone. I almost went back up and out. Soon the storm was passed and
I ran up to see if any remanants of the monster remained. As I looked out , I could not believe my eyes. The smaller
hailstones had almost completly melted. The big one that I almost risked my life to fetch was still there intact.
it was a miracle!
I was spot on with my size estimate of the object. What I though was a softball sized hailstone was not a miracle.
It was a softball.Can you imagine the damage a object this size could do if it hit a person in the head especially if
they are already soft in the head like me?
I hope this story amused you. You would be surprised how many times hail is mentioed in the Bible.
In the last chapter of the Bible , hailstones that weigh 100 pounds will be seen and hurled down upon the earth
from the heavens as plagues are released .
My hope is that you would turn to chapter 16 in Revelations and read it for yourself. My prayer is you will turn
from your sins and take refuge in Jesus! I can not think of any place in this world or even outside it that is any
safer.
ENTRY 10
I like watches . I always have. I have way too many and at last count it was around plenty five of so.
None of them are expensive and probably the nicest one I bought for less than 200 bucks.
The funny thing is ,I don't like wearing them. I know you thought you were stange !
I always wear one to work and will often change them depending on my wardrobe but they
are casual. The nicer ones I will wear for weddings etc but many times find the battery has died.
I am dressed up and am ready to go and find they are not.
I do not like wearing jewelry of any kind. The first thing I do is remove my watch and wedding ring
when I walk in every evening. If it is my day off , it would be very unusual to see me wearing a watch.
You see on of the things I hate most about my job is the fact that my life is divided into 15
and 30 minutes blocks of time. It is stressful because not only are we usually full, the day is full of
surprises.
Many times we overcompensate for things. I fight tooth and nail to keep my weekends free
and I detest being overbooked or even being booked at all.
Years ago, I would take pictures and cut out of watch ads and put them up on Powerpoint
various talks. My goal was to show them something they have seen many times but never noticed.
Yes I enjoy doing that that. In the ads , more times than not the time displayed was 10:10.
The reason is because the human eyes likes balance and evenness. It pleases the eye as they want you to buy.
Digital watches often are set to this time even to this day as well.
When a policeman hears a 10:10, they know a fight is in progress. I hate to alarm you, but there is a
fight going on right now in your own heart and mind. How you feel right this minute will tell you which side is
winning. Please read John 10:10 and perhaps commit to memory. Use that verse and consider saying it out loud
when back up is needed.
Years ago, I spoke to a large youth group. I shared this with them and suggested setting an alarm
to go off at this time. A young mom approached me as I was out and about at a retail store.
She wanted to share with me that since that talk, she has set her alarm daily to 10:10.
He who bestows his goods upon the poor, shall has as much again , and 10 times more.
John Bunyan
The thief comes only to steal, kill , and destroy.Ihave come that they may have life, and
have it to the full. John 10:10
