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 very 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 usually get excited when they hear the sound of our old red ATV. Because this vehicle usually has horse feed as well as carrots. We 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 "let's 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 drunk from it and for the first time became a little concerned.
I went down to the gate and did the two-toned 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 ears and 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 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
ENTRY
When I am not working, my style of dress is pretty boring and quite predictable. Even since
my college day, jeans ,flannel shirt with rolled up sleeves and boots.
I picked up one of my best friends yesterday morning and he drove about 40 miles
to the closest Cracker Barrell for breakfast. We have did this many time over the years
and it was great to hang out with him and I already look forward to our next jaunt.
We met up on a Saturday morning and I was running a little behind. I came out of the gate slowly
and rushed around trying to get dressed and out the door. I opened my hunting sock drawer
to get a pair of socks to wear under my boots. I grabbed the first two I saw . They were completly
different in both color and thickness. I knew that if I looked I would find another pair that was just
like the two I put on.
I am a little surprised at my lttle quirk in regard to this. I am very picky about some things
and for the most part a fan of balance and symetry. It doesnt matter to me and in a weird way , I prefer having socks that do not match. I have done this so long it doesn't feel right to me when they are alike.
Years ago, we went up to Louisville for a huge boat expo. They had fishing boats, ski boats, and cabin
cruisers so large they would qualify as small yachts. One even had a place for aa chopper to land on the rear of the giant boat!I am not sure how many vessels we boarded that afternoon. To do so , you had to put a slipper over your shoes or just take off your shows before touring the boat.
The little slip ons were too little for my big boots. I unlaced my boots and just carried them from boat
to boat . it was very crowded and as we walked everyone stared at my two mismatched hunting socks.
I could not care less but my wife's face was a shade of red that makes one think of October leaves.
I think I enjoyed looking at her more than the big boats.
The salesman that were aboard these high dollar vessels also looked down at my feet with both amusement and perhaps disgust. The did not turn red as the leaves but they decided to leave me alone. I guess they decided I could not afford a high end vessel if I could not afford matching socks. This
worked out quite well for me . I saw a few smirks and sneers out of the corner of my eye . This odd look blessed my socks off , and I walked through them among them without being bothered.
This is a lesson and a reminder for all of us. Maybe sometimes we are too quick to judge and look
down on those who do not live up to and match our own expectations.
It is New Years Eve. I do not mean to brag but I have enough money to last me the rest of this year.
We are about to cross over the threshold and through a new door. It is my prayer that God will bless
your socks off in 2024!
If we could sell our experiences for what they cost us, we'd all be be millionaires.
Abigail Van Buren
Only God is in a position to look down on anyone. Sarah Brown
You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.
James D. Miles
ENTRY
A few years ago, I found something on ebay that caught my eye. It is just a few feet away from me
and it sparkles and shines. It is an aluminum vintage Christmas tree. It has a color wheel that sits
on the floor and the wheel turns and as it does projects four different colors on the tree.
Many times I turn off all the lights and sit quietly in my office and stare at the tree. As I do it
takes me back to a time and place where life was a lot simplier.. my childhood. My family never
owned one of these . The small white church where I grew up had a small one. Each year, it was placed on a small table off to the left side in the very front.
I would sit there and watch as the tree changed color . I am not sure I paid any attention to the preachers words as I stated at the tree .As it turns out, I think the words I heard influenced me more than I realized at the time. a young boy, that little church had a big impact on me and my life. My faith was growing
and little did I know but in a few years I would need it more than ever. I went off to college and met
very smart people who thought it was stupid to believe in Jesus.
I remember one particular Christmas when I was struggling at many diffent levels. I had just came home
and was very tired after a long drive. My mom wanted me to go see a play put on by the kids .
I agreed to go but my heart was not in it at all. When I got there it seems they were needing
someone to be God's voice in this little play. They talked me into it but I did not feel qualified or worthy.
I agreed to do so and stood out of sight behind a white curtain. When I spoke for God I talked slowly and clearly holding an empty paper towell holder to my lips. I do not remember my lines or the verses I uttered. I do remember the wonderful feeling I had as I had in my heart for being allowed and choosen to do that.
The gal that asked me to do that did so on a whim but I feel it was from Him. She had no idea what that
that meant to me and it warmed my heart and lit a fire that had almost went out.
I still get that feeling when I am asked to give a talk or participate in a church service. I get
great satisfaction and that wonderful feeling of peace and refreshment even as I type these very words . I do so with the hope my efforts please him. I live with the hope that perhaps they will be found on a day when another's light is flickering and about to go out. I am both honored and shocked God would use me to play a part. He knows my heart and my true colors better than anyone including me. Turns out as I read my
my Bible , it seems he has used to flawed and blemished people to turn other's hearts around and back to him.
The full measure of a man is not to be found in the man himself, but in the colors and textures
that come alive in others because of him. Albert Schweitzer
Whatever comes from the heart carries the heat and color of its birthplace.
Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
ENTRY
Christmas brings a plethora of thoughts and feelings. I sit here at my computer and think
how different it is now from years ago. Two of our sons live close by and plan to drop by our
house later today with their wives. Both are soon to be fathers, and it is very exciting to think
we will soon be grandparents.
Our oldest son is in the military and lives in Japan. He will not make it home and this stings a bit.
He has been in close to ten years and this is only the second Christmas he has not made it home.
We feel very blessed for the times and are very thankful for those. We try to focus on our many blessings
and try to think about all we have instead of what is missing. He has his orders and will be returning
to the states in early March. He will be in florida for about a month and we hope to go down and visit.
I look forward to the feel of the warm sun on my face but even more to my son's strong hug and embrace.
I love to read and enjoy learning new words. Not long ago I stumbled across the word, atiptoe. After
looking it up , I drew a little picture of a face looking over a fence at me and I can only see his eyes.
This will help me remember its meaning. Atiptoe means to look forward to something with great excitement.
It is kinda of a word that almost makes sense .
I imagine the little man I drew is standing on tip toes to see what is beyond. I chuckle at my self and
because as I share my thoughts with you this very moment, I am doing just that. The presents are
still under the tree . I know nothing that my wife or son' presents will give me as much pleasure as just seeing them and being together. We will laugh and have fun and just like that it will be done. I know
that sounds sad, but tell me if I am wrong . I will watch them go down the drive and will look forward to
the next visit. The upcoming florida trip if God allows will march on and we will headed back home with a brown face and a blue heart.
Life is at times complex. The same family that had tears of joy picking up family at the airport a few days ago will soon shed tears of sadness as the same loved ones depart. So I guess what I am trying to say
is we should try to again focus on today and what we have and what we have had. It is ok and perfectly
fine to look forward to the future but not so much that we miss the wonderful things that are right here
right now.
I thank God for the gift of life. I thank him for sending his son, Jesus. Because of what he did for us we
will be able to live with him forever. It is hard to imagine a place without hardship, tears, fears,
and good byes. Do you hope you are going to heaven are are you sure? There are only two types of faith
for those who do believe. There is hope so and know so. Give your heart to Jesus today. There is nothing you
could give to him that would please him more. Nothing you you have been given , own, or done can
give you any more joy or satisfaction than his presence in your life. His spirit will help you weather the weary, dreary, and teary days all the while reminding you the best is yet to be and we can look forward to them
with atiptoe.
The same fence that shuts others out shuts you in.
Bill Copeland
The moment after Christmas, every child thinks of his birthday.
Stephen Uys
The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears.
John Vance Cheney
ENTRY
Christmas is just around the corner. People are out and about looking for the perfect gift for loved ones
and family. The malls are still quite busy despite online shopping. Every evening I do my little routine and take our red ATV down to get the mail before I go over to the horse barn to feed my friends. It seems each year there are more and more magazines. They are there to remind me what I need and is lacking in my life.
I feel most of us are pretty good at that on our own and do not need any help in that regard.
I saw a cartoon recently that had a medievil theme. It showed a large catapult pushed up close to a castle
wall and the castle door was shut tight. The man in command told his men that it was Christmas
and it was time to release the magazines .It made me chuckle and think of it watch evening as I open our mailbox.
Holidays, especially Christmas, makes me very nostalgic. Even though the boys have grown and flown the nest, this time of year brings many wonderful memories to mind. My wife places pictures taken down through the years and she puts them out around the large nook where we eat our meals. I look at them often and it feels good and yet stings a little at the same time. There is not a parent out there that does not exactly how these bittersweet memories tease our very hearts.
Years ago ,I was walking out to do something in our garage. Christmas music was playing in the house.
Our middle son,Jace ,and our youngest ,Jarah ,were in the great room. They were laying on their stomachs side by side both leafing through a Christmas catalog. The fire was on and it looked like a Hallmark commercial . As they turned the pages, they both pointed to something they hoped Santa would bring them. They were not aware of my presence and were excited about the presents... of a different kind
Christmas was just around the corner and hopes , desires, and expectations were high. I felt a sense of peace come over me as watched them.
As I did so, a bible verse came to mind :
How pleasant good and pleasant it is when brotherS live in unity.
Psalm 133:1
After a few short moments, I came back in the house and heard a great commotion fronm the great room that did not sound all that great. As I came around the corner , they were fighting and on top of the magazine and several pages were ripped wrinkled and crinkled and a few pages were torn out.I separated them and then learned that all had been well until they both pointed to the same toy. They both wanted the very same thing . This amuses us because they fought as if there was only one of these on planet earth.
The peace in my home was over as they wrestled over such a silly little thing.
I watch the news in that same room and see people all over our country and the world doing the very
same thing.It is not amusing but scary. We do not need to teach our children to be selfish. This sems to come quite naturally. I really do not think we ever grow out of it.
I have learned to been able to put my selfish side aside and give forgiveness and grace to those who have hurt me. I have not fully masterd this mind you but I am getting better. I have a long way to go.
This Christmas , I suggest a special gift for you. It may at first seem selfish but it is not ,I assure you. it is the polar opposite. This is something we do not get but is something we do recieve when we give up the grudge or chip on our shoulder from someone who has hurt you in the past. If nothing or no one comes to mind, I suggest you pray for a better memory. Yup, we all have someone me included.
Give someone a break. Let it go! This will not come easy . Your mind and your heart will wrestle back and forth as you try but still will not want to. Your heart wants to but your mind has it own list of offenses that it has kept and nicely cataloged for you . Pray for them asking God's very best for them and those they love.
You will be floored by the sense of peace that comes over you ... it is not of this world.
The me-ism of our times has taken a serious toll on the family.
Charles Swindoll
My idea of Christmas whether old fashioned or modern , is very simple; loving others come to think
of it, why do we have to wait to Christmas to do that. Bob Hope
ENTRY
I have been thinking about my dad . I have been going through a rough patch
here of late and wish I could turn to him for advice. I often share some of the wisdom my father passed
down to me in the office . He has been gone a long time . His birthday was 2 days ago
and if he was still here with us, he would have been 90 years old.
Oranges make me think of my dad. He would often tell me to peel my eyes when I was trying to see
a deer or a rabbit in a thicket. I guess that is my very goal with this book is to try to teach the reader
how to spot God in the ordinary and everyday.
He loved to eat oranges and had one almost every single morning. He has his own medical theory
that you would never catch a cold if you had one daily. I would chuckle when Mom would catch heck if
we would run out. It could be 4 months later and dad would get a cold and he would blame it on Mom
because he missed a day or two without an orange.
Christmas is just around the corner and the malls are full and Amazon trucks and vans seem to be
everywhere. We are trying to find the perfect gift for loved ones. As I take this all in I remember a story my dad once shared with me about one special Christmas he had as a boy.
My dad grew up without a dad. His father ran off and left my grandmother Hazel with 4 young chilren.
They were very poor and they struggled. She kept them all fed and clean but times were lean. I took the help of extended family but they made it. One Christmas, my dad's only gift was an orange. It was all his and
he did not have to share it. Can you imagine how far a gift like that would go over now days? Orange you
a little embarrassed ? I know , I am.
I blush beet red as I type these words because we are the type of country that has been so blessed with abundance .We aquire more and more and put more and more on our plates . Maybe we are morons. Could it be that less is more? Should we are try hard to put less on our plates? Is this the' less on 'we all cannot seem to remember? Is that the secret not only about enjoying Christmas but life in general ?
I Love to listen to the wonderful Christmas songs on the radio. Between the songs are the ads that try to get us to add more. These ads appeal to our greed and make us all confuse needs with wants. Without realizing it they just caused us to tune in to our own selfish and favorite station, WIFM. This acostic
stands for :
Whats
In it
For
Me
We need to tune in to God's word and calibrate our hearts to hear and listen to his voice. Peel your eyes and look for good and you will see it. Be the good and share what you have with others. It might just be
one of your best Christmas's ever.
Seek first the virtues of the mind; and other things will come or not be wanted.
Francis Bacon
ENTRY
I have set out to write a devotional about things in and around our house. As a reader , I have taken you
out into the fields and forests. I have told you stories about our horses and barns. Today I am
frustrated because I can't come up with anything.
I have many goals and dreams and like you probably will not live long enough to accomplish all of them.
I would like to someday write a book about things that happened in the office . I even have a possible title for it called" BEHIND THE SEENS'. With your forgiveness, I would like to take a story about the office and share it with you today. I found a large tin foiled E in our garage in a drawer. I have not clue how this came to be but since its here I feel it qualifies.
I cut this large E out of cardboard years ago. To my surprise, I had patients that were adults that did not know
their letters and could not read or write. I used this most often with kids. When I checked their vision , I would put up a chart on the wall that had all E's turned in all directions. I would hand them the tin foiled
E to match the one projected on the wall.
When I did this, I usualy started off with big E with the bar on the bottom with the three arms
sticking up. Once when I was doing this, I asked a little four year old boy what he saw on the wall. He
looked at it for a long while with a puzzled look on his face. He answered with a question. He's response
was," a drunk E?
I have told this story in the office many times down through the years. His answer tells us that he put and two and two together and got floor! Like you, I was not aware that an E could drink. I tell this humorous story but it saddens me a bit as well. As young as he was, he had seen the effects that drinking can have
on people. Someone in his life was setting a poor example for him and had forgot as we all do, that this little ones are always watching and listening .
Two things that a man cannot hide : that he is drunk and that he is in love.
Antiphanes
Sometimes God has to put us flat on our back before we are looking up to him.
Jack Graham
ENTRY
I had a lot of pain last night. I have been having a lot of hip and back issues that haunt me
from time to time . I had a pretty good day pain wise but it it was Halloween all night long. I even got up during the night and took the combo of pills that usually work but it did very little to put the fire out. I do not feel like myself this morning and probably should not be at my computer. I do not like pity parties or like being around people who tend to throw them.
This short entry is about my alarm clock . A week or so ago it was just an alarm clock. It is small black
and battery operated. It still does it's job and wakes me and sends me off to work even when the electricity
is off. I think I have shared before in print my family's weird habit of naming things we own and use.
For example , our red ATV is called ,Chuck. You see it is used as I go around the pasture to feed our horses.
Even the sound of it , causes great excitement and nickering as the chuck wagon delivers vittles.
Wisdom comes into our lives from many different ways. Yes we earn a lot from books, movies and even You
Tube. Many lessons come to us through things we learn from other people . The may say things that cause us to look at something with a new perspective. I see myself as one who tries to glean and from time to time pass on and along things that may help others as well as just being too good not to share.
I was talking with a patient that had just had a tumor removed from his kidney. It was benign and
he discussed the discomfort of his surgery and the after effects but was grateful for that and
glad to be alive. I had tapped into one of my previous loops about being frustrated at the alarm
sounding off rousing me from sound sleep . I got up staggered towards it with an attitude.
The patient told me what he had learned recently. He corrected me and said that was not the way I should treat it at all. He went on to say , I should pat it gently after I turned off the alarm button.
He gently scolded me and I should not approach it in that manner. I should not be irratated or angry
but grateful. It was not a rude awakening but was just reminding me of something that I had forgotten.
I was alive and could get up out of that bed and go about my day and on my way. To be honest , I did not do this this morning. My restless night caused be to be ticked off. I am working on putting this new habit in place and I guess I do not have it down pat just yet. By the way, the alarm that sits near by my bed and reminds God has given me another day has been given the name Pat. ;)
Learning sleeps and snores in libraries, but wisdom is everywhere , wide awake on tiptoe.
Josh Billings
Time marks us while we are marking time. Theodore Roethke
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118 : 24
ENTRY
Less than a week ago ,it was Opening Day for shotgun season in Indiana. My sons who
live close to us were busy that day and our oldest was in Japan. My heart was a little heavy as I set out
for a solo hunt. It was a great morning to hunt and there was little to no wind. I only saw one deer all morning right at first light. I was to dark and too far away to even tell if it was a buck or a doe. I do some of my best praying in the woods and I had plenty of time on my hands because the deer certainly did not distract me.
Shortly after daybreak I was distracted several times over the next 4 hours by the lowing of a cow to
the north. I knew what this was all about. This is the sound of sadness. A cow that recently had a calf
has been separated from her little calf. Perhaps it had been put up in a pen because it is time to wean
the little one. I never heard the sound of the calf making me wonder if it has been sold . I listed to her bawl
and must admit it evoked emotion in my own heart for when the boys lived under our roof and we all went out and hunted together on opening day.
Her persistant lowing caused me to think of a Bible story. The Israelites were in a war against the
Philistines and they were losing. They decided to bring the Ark to the battlefront to give them courage
and hope. This caused the Hebrews to shout so loud it made the ground shake. The Philistines were afraid when they realize the Ark was present.
This was not enough and the Philistines won the battle and captured the Ark. They took it and placed
in their temple in front of their God ,Dagon. The next morning their statue of Dagon had tipped over as if bowing in front of the Ark. They stood it up again and the next morning found it had fell over yet again but this time the head and arms were broken off as it laid prostrate before the Ark.
Sickness and tumors broke out and the people panicked. They sent it off to a nearby town and the same thing happened there affecting old and young alike. They wanted to get rid of it in a hurry. The built a new cart and hitched up two cows that had neved been yoked. Both cows had just had calved and the little ones were penned up. They loaded the cart with gold shaped tumors and gold rats as a token hoping the God of the Hebrews would forgive them. They knew if these new moms would lead the cart away and back it was from God. The cows did not turn to the left or right and took the ark right back to the Israelite
nation. This is not natural or normal and was indeed a miracle. The Bible tells us the new mothers were lowing all the way.
Our nation, a nation that is supposed to be under God is now under attack. We have taken God our of our schools and lives. We thought we need not heed his commands and laws and have put the truck in the
truck in the ditch. Our country is having separation anxiety from God and the cries of despair can be heard thoughout the land and rightly so.
As the deer pants for streams of water , so my soul pants for you , O God.
Psalm 42:1
The slaughter was very great ; Israel lost thirty thousand foot soldiers . The Ark of God was
captured. 1 Samuel 4:11
ENTRY
There is a grave in the field behind our house. It is where my father's horse is sleeping in the ground.
His name was Rusty. My dad bought him from some people who lived near the Ohio River in small
town called Derby. My dad loved the show Bonanza. Rusty was the spitting image of the horse the
that the main character, Ben Cartwright, rode in the hit tv show.
He was a buckskin. to this day it is one of my favorite colors. He was tan in color with a black mane
and tail. He had strands of silver in his black mane and tail. He was a tall horse and was very muscular.
He was a crossbreed. His mother was a Saddlebred named Easter because she was born on Easter
morning. His sire was a full blooded Quarter horse. He had the muscularity of a quarter horse and stood around 16 hands. He had a proud walk and held his heard very high. As you sat upon him, you looked out at the world between his ears like a picture frame.
We had to break him and he was hard headed and stubborn. I did not like him at all at first. In the end it
was well worth it and was the best horses we ever had and to this day my favorite. As dad got older he gave him to me. I brought him to our farm to take care of him but in my heart Rusty was dad's horse.
We were very close and he always looked forward to me coming home from college and would run to greet
and meet me. I had to rub his big ole head before I would go into the house. It was tradition and my dad claimed he could tell the sound of my car long before I came into sight.
I most often rode him bareback and rode him all day and he came into the barnyard with his head held high and a spring in his step as if he was ready for another long excursion. He would slide down a creek bank and swim across the creek and often I would would fall off and show off and grab his tail. It was fun but not fast enough to ski behind.
My wife says to this day Rusty did not like her. She thinks that Rusty was jealous of her. Rusty and me
were tight. Then I bring this pretty gal home from college and spent less time with her him and more and more time with her. I must admit she may be on to something. Rusty would lay his ears back and bare his teeth at Kim. Even though she was not in the pen ,this would cause her to take a few steps back. To this day
sometimes I try to lay my ears back as I shave and I look in the mirror . I would give anything to back her up like that when we have a disagreement without saying a word.
I would take off my tee shirt and put it under his hugh neck. This 1200 pound animal would neck reign with just this gentle pressure . I would run him as fast as he could go and he would turn and stop with the gentle pressure of my shirt. My dad was shocked and surprised the first time he ever saw me do this. I often think of this and his trust and loyality to me. It reminds me that I should be responsive to the gentle nudges of my Master. This fine horse set a fine example that I think of when I am not sure where life is taking me. I just need to trust and obey knowing God knows the way.
Remember I said I did not like him at first? He was difficult to break and had some really bad habits. It took it a lot of time and trouble to get him to come around. My dad taught me that you have to be careful when breaking a horse. You need to teach them good habits and break them of their bad habits, but must be careful to never break their spirit. There is an old saying that the wildest colts make the best horses
and we found this to be true.
When I think back on this , I often think about the apostle Paul. He hated Christians an was an enemy.
Despite this, God did not give up on him and saw great potential to be a powerful force . At first Christians
were very wary of Paul thinking it has to be some kind of trick. Jesus saw something special in him and saw he had raw potential that he could use for good. He would need to tweak him and hone his skills some of which were a little rusty.
Over the years , many who do not believe come around and come to Christ have proven to be some of the most effective spokesman and recruiters in bringing people to closer to him. How exciting to know God
can use you or me if we just follow His lead to a tee.
Habit is habit ,and not to be flung out a windowby any man, but coaxed downstairs
a step at a time. Mark Twain
The wildest colts make the best horses.
Plutarch
When we put bits into the mouth of horses to make them obey us, we can turn
the entire animal. James 3:3
ENTRY
It is fall and here of late I have being doing little around the house chores as we prepare for winter.
I am always filling up the horse troughs and each and every time must try to remember to
unhook the hoses to prevent freezing. I have goofed up in this area a time or two and dodged a bullet as nightly temps have dipped below freezing.
The vehicles must be winterized as well. The boat must be put in storage after it tuned not up but down for a winter rest and sleep. Begrudgingly I go about these tasks . I know what to do but I do not want to
but I have no choice. The beautiful trees that give us beauty, refreshing shade, and relief from the
scorching summer sun lose their leaves and leave us with yet even more work to do.
I am not near as fond of winter as I was in my youth. I loved snowy days which led to no school and sled
riding. Those days are far behind me. Now I must get up very early on rough weather days
and make the call to see if we will still run that day or if we need to stay put and close the office that day.
I must factor in my office staff as well as patients who will get out and about to make their appointments .
The sidewalks at the offoce must be salted to prevent falls.I will need to get out the tractor and grade our steep hill with the grader blade so we can get up and down our drive.
I wanted to be a grown up so I could do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. That has not worked out
as planned so far. It seems there are not enough hours in the day as need be. Too be honest it, bothers
me because it takes me longer to do things than it used to. Back in my younger days my back did
not hurt like it does these days and the bones do indeed know when a front is moving in .
Nonetheless I praise God that I am still here and thank him for all the days of life he has given me .
My friend you and I have something in common with a calendar... you see our days are numbered too.
I am in the winter season of my own life and I must make adjustments because of this. We need to get our affairs in order and make sure we are right with God .We can get side tracked and forget the most
important thing of all. We must think ahead and be prepared prepare to meet our Maker regardless of our
age.
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalms 90:12
Winter is not a season ; it is an occupation. Sinclair Lewis
ENTRY
Years ago my oldest son and I drove down to Evansville to look at cars. I had worked that day and had no clue my son wanted to look at every single car on lots scattered across the city. There were lots and lots of lots. We got home around one in the morning and I had to work the next day. He drove home and I snoozed for an hour. I woke up about a mile from our house and rubbed my eyes. As I did so, I saw something white along the road on the right side in the weeds. It was drizzling rain and I asked Josh to stop and back up. I reached down into the weeds and picked up a small little yellow and white kitten. He was cold and wet and easy to find because he was very vocal. We have had him for close to 15 years now. His name is Sushi.
He spends his nights in the garage but is quite the hunter and roams all over our yard and down into the woods as well. He is spoiled and comes running when we tell him we have cookies (treats). He is very picky and loves his treats . When he is successful on a hunt, he will bring his kill into our garage and place it right in front of the door . We literally have to step over his trophy to walk out . The thought of eating one of his
victims has not ever crossed his mind.
One time I was fussing out loud to my wife about yet another kill I will have to pick up and dispose of.
I thought this was odd and funny that he does this. My wife kim asked why I thought that this was so
amused by this and then with great pleasure pointed out to me that I do the exact same thing.
She explained that I go out into the woods after a big buck. I shoot him and then bring it out of the woods.
I drag it into our garage and then knock on the door with great excitement. I make everyone come out into the garage to show off my most recent kill and trophy. I think a spotted yellow and white cat has my tongue . I cannot think of anything to say back to refute that.
What I was not picking up on was the fact that this story is a perfect example how much easier it
is for me to spot other's spots rather than my very own!
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention
to the plank in your own eye. Matthew 7:3
If cats could talk, they wouldn't. Nan Porter
Kittens are angel with whiskers. Alexis Flora Hope
No matter how much cats fight, there always seem to be plenty of kittens.
Abraham Lincoln
ENTRY 29
I have worn a beard for many years. I used to wonder how anyone could stand to have hair on their face
in the summer. I found to my surprise that as your sweat it has a cooling sensation and actually
feels pretty good.
Several years ago I went in the bathroom and shaved it completly off. In a few days our family would be flying
to Cancun with several other close friends and their kids. I did this because I knew we planned to go snorkling
and facial hair allowed water to get inside a mask and made it almost impossible to see underwater . As I came out of the bathroom, our youngest son Jarah had the strangest look on his face. He keep staring at
me knowing something was different. It took him a few minutes before he figured it out. We later realized that he was age 13 or so and had never in his life seen me without a beard.
I try to keep my beard short and well groomed. It is amazing how fast it grows when I will often let it go on
vacation and days when I am not in the office. I hate to admit this but I do I have a trace of anxiety when
I do this right before work. I know this is not the time to trim a beard especially when I am cutting it close
on time.
I have screwed up more than once but going too short even with the guard in place and them have to
do it all to match that length. My biggest fear is the trimmer goes dead when I half way into this project.
There is no time to recharge the trimmer and I have had to shave it almost all off with a razor. I can tell
everybody is looking at me like Jarah knowing something is odd and different despite my best efforts to hide my botch job.
Often when I am doing this, I think of a story back in the Bible. King David sent some men with good wishes
and intentions to another king. David has been friends with Nahash for years and he passed away. This new king was his son and was paranoid and thought they were sent to spy on his country. His advisors gave him poor advice. He did something to humiliate them and sent the men back home and on their way. He cut off half of their robes exposing their backsides. He also cut off half of their beards as well as this was a badge of honor back then. These men were sent to Jericho to live in until their beards grew out.
This angered King David and this led to a war and the loss of life and much bloodshed. Several armies
came together to fight against Israel but in vain.
So Hanun seized David's ambassadors and shaved off half of each man's beard , and cut off their robes
at he buttocks, and sent them back to david in shame. 2 Samuel 10:4
If you're never scared or embarrassed or hurt , it means you never take any chances.
Julia Sorel
Advice is an uncertain gift.
Whitney Jeffery
Half of art is knowing when to stop.
Arthur William Radford
ENTRY 30
The other evening our youngest son and his wife came out to help with some chores around the house.
One of the very last tasks was to help me pull up a rose bush that had not made it through the winter. We
went over and I dropped my son off at the horse barn and he drove the tractor back to the house. We
pulled the tractor up close to the plant and put a chain at the bottom. It took a try or two but I could not help
admire how stubborn the plant was and stood its ground perhaps providing a lesson to us all.
The tractor is still sitting out in the yard. It is New Holland and is a newer Ford and is blue. My grandpa
had blue tractors as did my dad . We have two on the farm and they are both blue. We do blue .
The newer one is called 45 D . It has been a great tractor and has been loyal and has been a good investment.
I was looking for this make and model for awhile. I found another one that was a better deal had convinced my
better half this was needed and had her blessings. The dealership was closed but we drove over to show my boys boys the newest addition lord willing. There was a slight drizzle and I climbed up on the seat. I was excited and eager
pull the trigger when they opened the next day.
I heard God speak to my heart . He told me not to buy this tractor. I was sure about this and was disappointed to
say the least. I joined my family in the truck and my wife asked me what was wrong. I did not say anything
my excitement was gone as was the spring in my step. I really wanted this tractor! I was as blue but knew what
to do, or what not to do in this case.
I have taught the boys to ask the Lord for guidance on decisions they need to make especially on big
purchases. We pray to help it to go through if it is his will and block it if it is not his will for us.He sees everything
including the future. We are to trust in his judgement and not our own.
I have told this to a few down through the years. I think about that tractor and wonder where it went .
Maybe this blue tractor was a lemon and was going to be a moneypit .Perhaps a mechanical issue could have led
to harm or death to one of my sons down the road.
I will never know the reason I was told no. There might be another reason and this would be something
I think is a strong possible reason all of us should consider . Maybe God blocked me because he wanted someone
else to have it. Without knowing it I was blocking a blessing he had in mind for another.
He knew I would find another and could have told me the serial number would be before
I was born. Things have been given to me and my family and the chain of events down through the years
have been miraculous.
As we walk in faith , may we listen to his voice trusting him to guide us with our steps as well as our stops!
The steps of the Godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives.
Psalms 37:23
Obedience is better than sacrifice.
1 Samuel 15:20
ENTRY 31
It is Memorial day 2023. This morning I was thinking about one of the rituals we did at this time of year
when we were growing up. Our dad would get us up early and we would drive up the hill to the cementary.
The local veterans would shoot a 21 gun salute to honor those who had fought and served in the military
of our great nation. They would place small American flags on each soldiers gravesite.
To be honest ,my heart is a little heavy this Monday morning. As usual a few people have texted me asking
pass along thanks to our oldest son Josh who serves in the navy. I always do this but at present he lives in Japan.
He is at sea and we cannot text or email him until he reaches the next port.
I sleep in what used to be his bedroom. On the wall is a poster of a jet coming up and towards us with
the aircraft carrier below. I look at this often and cannot wrap my mind around the fact that he does this for
a living. He is aboard the USS Ronald Reagan somewhere off the coast of Japan. It is ironic because he is a navel
aviator and that was the first ship he landed on.
It is a very dangerous job and even more so while doing night landings on a ship whose runway is always
moving. As I type these words it is 9:23 in the morning. Another thing I cannot fathom is that he is on the other
side of the world and is 13 hours ahead of us. So our day is just starting but he is about to put Monday to bed
and in 90 minutes it will be Tuesday there!
My own dad is up on the in the cementary sleeping with those who served . He was in the army and served
during the Korean war. He loved airplanes and I wish he could have lived to see what his grandson does for
a living.
Afew years ago, we went as a family to Wright Patterson in Ohio. The have a museum there and it is divided
into different sections. I lingered in the area about the korean war beacuse of dad. There was something there
that 'blue' my mind.
In a glass case was the belongings of a soldier who was a POW. He had a short pencil and a small spiral
notebook. Several pages were on display. To keep from going crazy, he would try from time to time recaal states
and their capitals. He did a lot of math primarily 3 digit numberes times 3 digit numbers. He would try to recall
as many U.S. presidents from time to time sometimes doing far better than others.
At the back of his book was a things to do list. This young soldier had a list of things he planned to do
not if but when he got home. I read the short list but one entry stood out and said:
Change the oil in the blue Ford truck.
We will never know if he made it home safely or even alive. His list inspires me and should do the same for
you as well. He had to keep hope alive and know he would make it.
If you see a vet thank them for their service. Also thank God for allowing us to live in the greatest
nation on earth. Thank him also for for he went through to make a way for us to get home and live with him forever. Read God's word to give you the patience and stamina to hold on. These words are like no other
you need to anchor your hearts to them. They will give you to courage needed to weather any and every storm.
May God bless all those who have served, are serving, and those who will. May he be with their families
who miss them but are so proud of what they stand for.
The average pencil is seven inches long, with just a half inch eraser in case you thought optimism
was dead. Robert Brault
ENTRY 32
Our black stallion , Aztec, is a wonderful animal. He is big and muscular and is well behaved.
He is a fresian cross. I have always read about this breed and knew they were known for their
high intelligence. I often joke that I not only think I could teach him to play euchre but to renig as well!
He is a good dad and has passed on his laid back manner to his babies . That is a big plus when it comes
to sires. Good and bad temperments can be passed on and along and down to offspring. You
probably thought that only applied to people didn't you?
I must admit , he is a charmer and he is one of my favorites. He is in a side pasture right now with two mares.
He is quite sociable and always comes up for a meet and greet wheter I have feed or not. Some of the others
require much more coaxing and calling and almost proof you have feed before they will even bother.
The other evening, I was running low on feed. I had just a little . Even though he is much bigger ,
he lets the mares boss him around. I gave him what little I had. He was excited to see me and I rubbed his
jaw and powerful neck. He was glad to see me but even more excited when I reached for the green feed
bucket . He started making sounds , loud sounds. I told him to be quite. I knew these grunts and squeals
would alert the others. I knew they would come up and take his food away. Soon he was quitely munching
the others did not have a hunch he was eating a late lunch.
I felt a little guilty and wondered why I favored him. He seems to be loyal to me and is always
happy to see me. I think I rewarded him not only because of this but because he does not cause trouble
and lets the others take his feed and does not fight . He is much bigger and stronger than the others
and could easily overpower them should he choose to cause trouble. The fact that he does not is maybe why
I will give him a little more now and then for being a peacemaker. When I do this, I cannot help but
wonder if God does the same with us.
Aztec was able to scarf down his grain before the other figured out what he was up to. I thought how
tried to get him to be quite after I blessed him. It made me think of a few instances in the Bible where
Jesus healed someone but told them not to tell anyone. Sometimes they did not listen and shot their mouth
off probably making it harder for him to do his thing without notice.
Jesus's own brothers wanted him to go public and attend a large gathering . They thought it would be a
place to showcase his talents and gain limelight. Jesus told them that this was not the time to do this.
Jesus later went but kept a low profile staying out of the public view.
It seems to me that sometimes we need to stand our ground and speak up . Perhaps other times we
help God keeping our mouths shut. By not causing trouble and showing kindness, this goes against
the grain and people will be drawn to Christ because of what we do not do.
You cannot train a horse with shouts and expect it to obey with a whisper.
Dagobert D. Runes
Have you given the horse its strength or clothed its neck with a flowing mane?
Job 39:19
After his brothers had left for the festival,Jesus also went,though secretly, staying
out of the public view. John 7:10
Instantly the leprosy disappeared . Then Jesus instucted him not to tell anyone
what had happened. Luke 5:14
ENTRY 33
Often the last task of the day is to let our two dogs out right before bedtime. We put a plastic neon
collar on them to help keep track. Skyler is black as night and finding a black dog at night
is impossible. Since she is a girl , her collar is pink. Buster has a blue one. The collars can be set on
blinking mode or continuous . I prefer steady eddie, the dogs could not care less.
I love these warm summer nights. As I sit there, I enjoy a far more spectacular light show! Thousands
of lightning bugs flicker on and off all across out yard and far out into the fields. The stars sparkle in
the heaven I am in awe of the beauty God teases us with. I am tired and cranky and often scold the dogs
to get in the house. I am disappointed how in many ways I have lost my childlike wonder.
As I sit there on our back porch, these luminous insects take me back to a memory that happened in Troy
In. years ago. My grandparents built a red brick house in this small river town in the late 60's .I spent many hours there and often took my bike and rode all over town. I made many friends that I looked forward to playing with . My favorite spot was a park that allowed one to look out and over the Ohio River far below. I spent many hours of my youth there and still to this day will drive up there from time to time.
There is a large statue of Jesus there. His arms are wide and stretched out . There is a bright light that shines
upon it. For years I was the keeper of the light. The lady next door would call me when it went out and I
went down and replaced it. I miss doing that, but I still try to shine my light on Jesus with my writing and stories.
Also at the base was flowers. They started looking rough . I took dirt from our farm to put around the base
and planted several knockout roses on each side. As I was completing this task one evening , I ran out of daylight.A little girl next door ran out of the house next door . She was running and jumping and was excited
about the green flashing lights all around her. She was speaking words I did not know. She kept saying
'fear flew" . Neither her or her dad could catch one getting closer to me with each and every unsuccessful try.
I showed them my childhood trick. You bend real low and you can see them above you. I grabed one on the first
try. I slowly opened my hand. I was watching her eyes when she saw her first lightning bug up close. I saw the greenish glow relected on her face . She whispered with amazement 'fear flew'! I will never forget that wonderful moment. I will never be able to look at them without thinking of her.
We talked for just a few moments. They were visiting from Denmark. She had never seen lightning bugs before. Know why? It is because they do not have them in their country. How blessed we are to have this amazing
light show in our very own back yards.
I believe our childlike wonder will return when we get to heaven . Jesus looks forward to showing us things
not seen or known in this world. When we gaze upon them for the very first time, He will not be looking at it but at us. He will be smiling and it will give him great pleasure as our eyes light up each and every time.
Some people , no matter how old they get , never lose their beauty- they merely move it from
their faces into their hearts. Martin Buxbaum
ENTRY 34
I love this time of year. There is a flower that comes in to bloom that I am fond of. It is the orange Tiger Lilly.
Out in a field in front of our home is a large circular patch of them. Over the years I have dug them up
transplanted them to various places around our house and yard. As I sat on our back porch watching our dogs,
last evening I spotted yet another spot where 3 large clumps of them would fit in nicely.
We have a flagpole in front of our house and at the base the pole is surrounded by lillies. I put some along the side
our stallion barn and they are coming up nicely . By far my favorite place showcasing these flowers is at
entry way of our farm. I have watched them mature and spread along the small creek or branch that meanders
below the hill over the years.
As usual and so often I am worrying as I am hurrying as I head off to work. My mind is already gearing up for days packed too full with too many patients. In just a few minutes, I will be up to my eyeballs with eyeballs1
I know I can do it but I secretly ask myself if I can do it another day
without losing my mind. Surprised? You thought you were the only one who thinks that at times.
As I head down the hill, I pass along the small creek lined on both sides with lillies. Without fail, they preach to my heart. My eyes enjoy what I envisioned years ago. Their placement was very much strategic.
They were put there to help me put it all in perspective when I get off track and lose focus which it seems is
daily. Their placement is to remind to ask myself if God has first place in my life. Most often I do not like my own answer.These flowers speak to my heart and often scold me. The Bible tells us to consider
the lillies. It reminds us that they do not work . It tells us they do not worry about their clothing . Yet this is all
done for them. It tells us that even King Solomon in all his glory was was adorned as nicely as they are.
These flowers are showcased to show us that God loves them . He takes care of them and they do not toil
in the soil. They do not worry or hurry and remind us to do the same . Scripture tells us God loves us even more
these wonderful flowers. He will meet all our needs and concerns if we just put him first. Lets all consider
the lillies and consider doing just that from now on.
Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing. Yet Solomon in
all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. If God cares so wonderfully for the flowers
that are here and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you?
Matthew 7:28-30
It is not the man who has too little who is poor , but the one who craves more.
Seneca
There is material enough in a single flower for the ornament of a score of cathedrals.
John Ruskin
ENTRY 35
I get to talk with a wide variety of people in the office. This lends itself to all kinds of topics
and interesting conversation. I often ask about their hobbies and learn what they enjoy doing.
Many tell me they enjoy taking pictures. My heart skips a beat or two because I also always have
a camera handy and have taken thousands of pictures down through the years.
When the say they like to write songs, I ask about their favorite song. When they say the like to read,
I ask about the best book they ever read. When the tell me they enjoy photography, I ask them
about the favorite picture they ever took. More times than not, the have the answer quite ready.
Often they will turn the tables and ask me the same. This is an easy one for me . My best shot took
place over at our horse barn then the boys were quite young. I took it over at our horse barn
on a very hot day. The boys took off their clothes and all three got in the large horse trough. The
oldest, Josh, and the youngest, Jarah, are at the ends of the tank. Out middle son,Jace, was in the middle.
I had my Canon AE-1 all ready focused and good to go. Jace was diving below and we all laughed because we did not know what he was doing or what he was looking for. As he keep resurfacing only for oxygen , he
would head into the deep yet again but his white butt would stick up and out of the water .
I saw a pattern and he popped to the surface and put his hands on the edge of the trough. The water is dripping
off his face and it all clicked. The brand of the trough is called IDEAL and is in large red letters on the side of
tank. This was indeed an ideal setting . This wonderful photograph and cherished memory has been enlarged
and framed and sits on a shelf in my office.
When the picture was developed, wife Kim voiced a concern about the tank. She knew that was the
very tank our horses drank from. I assured her that the horses did not seem to mind and the horses
will be fine! ;)
The old saying is that you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. I once read where a
marketing student at a college quoted that to his professor. The mentor told him that was so true
but marketing was to make the horse thirsty.
We are besieged daily with ads to make us want things. Have you ever found anything that does not lose
it appeal after it is ours? These things are well and good and not bad in themselves but the should
lead us to the one who gave them to us. I am not sure what Jace was looking at the bottom of that tank.
I am sure what we are all looking for. There is no thing , nothing you can ever find that can
give you the joy, peace, and purpose that is found in knowing Jesus. Once you have him, it makes
all the things in this world more enjoyable It brings everthing else into proper prespective and focus.
Things that used to lead you astray won't any longer. Things that used to confuse you will start to click.
Get the picture?
Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who I am, you wouls ask me , and I
would give you living water." John 4:10
A good snapshot stops a moment from running away. Eudora Welty
More important than a work of art itself is what it will sow. Art can die , a paiting can disappear .
What counts is the seed. Joan Miro
ENTRY 36
The horses are being bothered by the flies this time of year. They seldom go into any kind of shelter
when it is cold. However the flies make them head into the shed to get away from them. I try to put fly
spray on them to help. I also use fly strips up in the barn and one shed has a timer that sprays a mist
in the air making a fly want to be elsewhere.
Often when mowing a field , I will leave my old Ford tractor out in the field. The next day I can get on
right where I left off. I noticed the horses would always be all around the tractor when I did this. I
now realize the smell of fumes such as diesel most likely make the flys back off.
We have one horse that is very hard to catch. When I put fly dope on the others, they find very quickly
it helps from the get go and they have relief. The smarter ones are just almost as glad to see me pull the spray
out as a bag of carrots. When I have put the dope on all but the one difficult to catch, she is if for a long
day by her own design. She is the only one without cover .
I often think about those Jesus has been pursuing for years. He offers us his presence and a peace
that is beyond human understanding. He wants you to let him cover you and your sins with his blood
but we run from it. We are afraid to let him catch us . What we do not realize we are already caught.. caught
up and in our sins as the Bible clearly explains. Jesus wants us to come to him to see how much better
our lives can be near and in Him.
It is early morning. It looks like we are in for a hot day. If the horses are not already in the shed, they soon
will be. I would like to shed a little light on something you might have missed. The last words of Jesus
were, it is finished."
Hidden in the word finished are the words, he and shed. When he shed his blood, there was nothing more to do. It is finished. So are you my friend unless you come forward and let him cover you with his precious blood.
You will have one regret. You will wish you had done this years ago!
You will show me the way of life granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living
with you forever.
Psalm 16:10
Even the animalsthe donkey and the ox know their owner and appreciate his care, but not my people
Israel. No matter what I do for them , they still do not understand. Isaiah 1 :3
ENTRY 37
Yesterday I put on my old boots in the garage and was going out to check on the horses. As the garage door opened I was not expecting company at that hour. He sprang into action and launched himself 2-3 feet the door. What exactly was hoppening here? Perhaps this was this intruder a spy sent to see what is kept inside and on the other side of the door.
We live in the country and are used to garage surprises. Last week we have 2 raccoons eating
food from our cat's bowl. We had a turkey right up beside our garagedoor recently but did not enter. Not long agoone of our young horses, Mingo,got out in the yard.She then came up to and in the garage eating food of a red bucket in the bed of our ATV.
Yesterdays guest was quite small compared to a horse. It was a grasshopper. I am not sure what he
thought was kept in the garage. I thought about it longer than I would like to admit. I came up with the thought he might have been trying to flee for his life. Perhaps the noise from the garage door spooked off the very thing he was afraid off. I am not so sure about this theory. He was not afraid of me.
I must have seemed like a giant to him.
These insects always make me think of the story where Moses sent spies for forty days into a new and
distant land God was giving them. This land of milk and honey waiting but was filled with people who
were large and strong. Even thought they brought back bounty, ten spies thought it was a bad idea.
They reported these people,Anakites, were large and said we are small and like grasshoppers compared to them.
God was displeased with them and this led to a forty year long hike . The two spies ,Joshua and Caleb,who
wanted to enter despite the problems ahead were rewarded later much later. Forty years later they
not only got to see but own property in the promised land.
This story now has another lesson hidden in it . When they could ask for the property they wanted ,
Caleb asked for and was granted one still occupied. He was in his eighties and still have that can do we
can whip em mindset in later years. This story dos not have a name but I named the grasshopper.
His name is Caleb.
Then Caleb quited the people before Moses , and said " Let us go up at once and take possession ,
for we are well able to overcome it.
Numbers 13:30
Most people say that as you get old, you have to give up things. I think you get old because
because you give up things. Theodore Francis Green
But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed me fully, I will bring
into the land where he went , and his decscendants shall inherit it.
Numbers 14:24
ENTRY 38
As I prepared for work the other morning, I had something happen that I found interesting. I stood at my
bathroom sink looking all around for the cologne planned to wear that morning. I mix it up now and then but it is one of my favorites and my usual go to. It was the last thing I needed to do before I headed out the door.I
could not find it to save my life. I even looked on the other shelves and moved things around thinking it was
behind other bottles. I had to make a move and used another.
I was still puzzled but the mystery was solved when I closed the cabinet door. There it was down and to the right and right in front of me. The opened cabinet door kept me from seeing it.As I sped out the door and headed to work
thoughts bounced around in my head. What could I take away from this lesson? What am I missing ?
I heard a funny once where a comedian said his dad told him when one door closes another opens. He said his
dad was a very wise man but a terrible cabinet maker. This jocoserious statement made me smile . I want
you to open your dictionary and look up that word.That task keeps you busy and it keeps you from doing another.
My point is rather simple.When we open ourselves to certain things, we may miss out on other chances
or options. We need to chose wisely my friend!
Failure is success if we learn from it.
Malcolm Forbes
ENTRY 39
About a week ago, we had some rough weather push through our area. I came home from lunch to let
our two dogs out. As I exited my truck ,I heard a sound that at first I could not comprehend. It was the sound of our security alarm going off inside the house! The sound was killing my ears and them for my short walk inside.
I knew it was not an intruder when I saw that the control panel was toast and from there I could not disarm
it. I had to go to the main box and shut off the system.
So for about a week we were without the internet, no television, no security, no phones, and our garage
door opener is also toast. On top of always busy fun filled days, I have been trying to get it all up and running
again. It has been hard to have match our time at home with the service visits. We are getting close and in a day
or two may even have Direct TV. Because of all our damage ,they are sure it was a direct lightning strike. We lost
two televisions and the status of the other two is pending.
Despite all the time and trouble lost, I give God praise for protecting our home and beloved pets. We very well
could be sleeping in a motel or with family had we lost our home to fire. All this stuff has been small taters.
I was very frustrated several times and had to rein in my emotions and give my God praise instead of
giving Satan the satisfaction.
Years ago, I was speaking at a large church. I told a story about how mad I had been earlier in the week when my
muffler fell off my truck. As I was speaking, I told them my truck feel off my muffler. The crowd gave me an off the
charts laughter. They thought this guy is good. How witty to say it like this since I was preaching about keeping it
all in perspective. I screwed up but it went over so well, I have been known to say it like that since and i
always get a wonderful reception.
Sometime God has to take things away to make up appreciate them. I feel from the bottom of my heart I have
given far more than I deserve. However I could lead the parade of not Shriners but Whiners. Many of
newer tech items have a reset button. We hoped this would bring many of the damaged items back to normal
but no such luck. When our luck lets us down lets send up some praise regardless. If you hear me raising hell
instead of my hands and heart in praise... please tell me to put a muffler on it!
You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips.
Oliver Goldsmith
In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing so that no one can speak a word
of blame against you. Philippians 2: 14-15
ENTRY 40
On average, I would say we tend to buy three to four bags of carrots per week. People who do not
know me or what I do for a living will often ask about them. The ones who know I am an eye guy often remark about them even more often.
See it seems everyone knows carrots are good for the eyes. I think they think I am a firm
believer in them and their help with vision and overall eye health. I always explain we have horses
and that these are treats for our oatsmobiles at home. I always leave them with this caveat about carrots.
Have you ever seen a horse wearing glasses?
When my wife buys groceries, she often leaves the bags in the garage or throws them in the Rhino
that we use on carrots runs. The horses know the sound of the red ATV and we call it Chuck. We call it
that because it is a chuck wagon and is used to transport as well as deliver goods and goodies to the
horses out in the pasture. They nicker in excitement which is their way of saying goody in horse lingo.
Even if they are munching on sweet feed and content, the sound of me tearing open a plastic bag of carrots
quickly turns heads. Seems these big horses are a little like us. They are happy and content until
comes along that is better.
On my desk and right in front of me is a pack of carrot seeds. Next to it is a pack of pumpkin seeds. They are there
to remind me of something I heard of years ago and I often share with patients from time to time. I goes like this:
If you plant carrot seeds, what do you get?
If you plant pumkin seeds , what do you get?
What do you get when you do not plant anything?
They get the first two right of course and usually miss the third question answering with nothing.
The correct answer my friend is weeds!
It takes a lot of work to even stay even. It takes a lot of work to keep the pasture and fence lines looking good.
I am excited because lord willing , I will be outside and up on a tractor brush hogging most of the day. I don't
think the horses care one way or the other about the sound of the tractor approaching, but I don't think the weeds
like it at all.
Sometimes we need to hang our on carrots on a stick to propel or prod us on . We get stuck in a rut and
idleness indeed is the devil's playgound. Plan for the next vacation or go out and reward yourself if you can lick
"ick "you been fighting be it booze, drugs, food, or even another type of karet addition.
I seed forth these words with the hope they will help and reach good soil. I am not sure they will ever find
into a book. I hope they do. I think a great book cover would be a carrot hanging out in front of us . Now, if we
just come up with a title to match. I am not sure if you will like this suggestion as much as I do but
"I HOPE SOW" ;).
Words are like diamonds. Polish them too much and all you get is pebbles.
Bryce Courtenay
Lord , give me the determination and tenacity of a weed.
Mrs. Leon Walters
ENTRY 41
I have been spending a lot of time on the tractor here of late. The pastures are filled with tall weeds
and the field look much nicer afterwards. It makes it easier for the horses to graze. I have an old blue ford
tractor that I bought about the same time I bought the farm years ago. It has a big sturdy roll bar to
provide protection . On the rolling hills here on our property in southern Indiana , this is a desirable feature.
I get up close to the fence line and this leads to tree limbs hitting me and often puting scratches on
my arms and legs. It comes with the tuff. I was pretty well finished with this field the other evening .
I took a little pass across the field to see if there were any places I had missed.
The field was all good but I saw a potential problem . As I had went under a wild cherry tree, the roll bar
broke off a limb. It was still hanging on the tree but dangled all the way to the ground. It was still hanging
by a thread but would be dead in a day or two. I am so glad I saw this. I had to go back to the house to get some
snips and cut it off from the tractor seat high above the ground. I then have to put it outside the pasture so the
horses could not munch on when it dried.
My very first horse was named Dusty. I went up to ride one morning then I was a youth. The other horses were
present but Dusty was not there. My dad's horse seemed excited and agitated and would not let me catch or pet
him. It was like something you see in a movie and he led me to a steam up in the pasture .My beloved friend was
dead and laying in the steam at it deepest spot. The farmer who buried her said animals do this to try to stop the pain after the eat something toxic or poison. Green leaves do not hurt them nor even dead or dried wild cherry leaves after the first frost. If one of our horses had nibbled on this, I would have to bury another one.
My hands shook as I typed the words above. I had to stop a time or two. It has been over 50 years.
I felt the shock and pain again as I shared this story. Why am I telling you this? Well it may help you protect your
livestock down the road. I guess I just want this story to remind you that things that are behind us can cause
harm if we do not know how to properly deal with them. Chew on that awhile.
Watch out that no bitter root of unbelief rises up among you,for whenever it springs up, many are
corrupted by its poison. Hebrews 12:15
Conseit is a weird disease- it makes everybody sick but the guy who has it.
James Dobson
ENTRY 42
It has been pretty hot here of late. Sometimes I have to water the flowers around the house after work.
I enjoy flowers and keeping them looking nice but it takes a lot of time and effort . I often send a little pray up
thanking God when he sends down a nice rain shower.I have noticed they seem to do much better with His water.
Could it be there are things in the rain we do not have access to? Maybe the chemicals we use in our water are
not good forthe flowers all in all. I am sure glad do not drink that stuff!
I am as a rule not a forgetful person . I will admit more slippage with age. I read something in my youth that will
stick with me as well as any sticky note It said:
The best mind is no match for the palest of ink.
You must realize by now,I love quotes. I also tell you who said what. I find this ironic that I did not write
down who said this so to this day....no clue.I love and agree with the wisdom . I do not care who you are or how
smart we claim to be, the ink remembers longer. We all are so busy. We have too much on our minds.
I do take a vitamin to help me remember but I can't remember where I put them.
ENTRY 26
I love to drink coffee. When I was younger , I could not understand why anyone would drink this nasty
muddy water. Nowdays, I cannot tell you who I am or where I am without at least 2 cups.I have often
joked with patients that there should be a law where spouses should not look at each other or speak
to each other until both parties have had at least 2 cups. I feel this would save a lot of marriages.
My wife gets mad at me because I will often buy coffee mugs. We have too many and the strange thing is,
I always use the same one. It is gray and has two owls on it. I don't think of it as making me wise or that it is lucky.
It is a little larger than most and 2 filled would maybe equal 5 cups of a normal mug.
It is on my desk and I soon will be headed into the kitchen for another hit. Our dog Skyler loves to drink the
last sip out of it and this is a part of our daily ritual. I think that is why I tend to pick this mug because
it is a part of my daily routine that keeps me grounded(coffee joke). In this daily frenzy and hurried pace we all
live in , it is nice to keep a few things the same.
I have shared in other stories about things my dad has taught me. Many of those to do with hunting. He
taught me to drink only from streams that are moving . He showed me how to cup my hands together
to form a cup and bring the water up to my lips. Often I will stop and do this not because I am thirsty but I do
this because it makes me feel close to him.
When I do this , It always makes me think of a story found in Judges chap 6-7. God seeks out a man who
is hiding . The angel tells him that he is a warrior. When God's spirit comes upon him, it raises
his courage and he raises an army of 32,000 men. God feels a victory with this many men would not be impressive.
He tells Gideon to tell his men if they are fearful they can leave.
After the dust settles, only 10,000 remain! The Lord still feels there are too many . He instructs Gideon
to lead his men down to a small stream . He was to watch how they drank. This was to see who would fight and to see who would sit this one out. Out of 10,000 soldiers only 300 cupped their hands as my dad taught me. All the others , 9,700 knelt and drank like a dog. They were not to take part in the upcoming dogfight. It was an odd
way of hand picking so to speak. God wanted the odds to be against them so he could show what he could do with
so few!
Gideon and his 300 men won the battle that day.God showed that numbers mean nothing to him. God's
ways are so mysterious. I would have used another method and offered the 10,000 men their choice of water
or coffee. I would use those who chose coffee!
If this is coffee, please bring me some tea, but if this tea, please bring me some coffee.
Abraham Lincoln
Not by might nor by power, but by my spirit.
Zechariah 4:1
There is no atheist in foxholes.
William Thomas Cummings
ENTRY 27
It is a beautiful early May morning. I was up fairly early today. I read some Scripture and went
out on our deck off the great room. We have two very comfortable chairs out there that is the
perfect place to sit and think.
If my family would rent this very house on Airbnb, this is where I would spend most of my time. I
have said this to my family many times. The funny thing is that we do live here and have unrestricted
access to this elevated sanctuary and hardly ever go out there.
So, ask I sat there this morning my thoughts took me down to the ocean. I thought about a conversation
my wife had with our young waitress last time we were there. I think she said she was 23 and told us
she wanted to travel but had yet to leave Florida.
She asked where we were from, and my wife told her. The young gal then asked Kim what is like up there.
Kim said, 'We live on a farm and have horses. I stand at our sink in the kitchen and watch the horses play
in the pasture behind our house. Many times, we see deer crossing the field and we have lots of turkeys too.'
The young lady's eyes were wide with excitement. She exclaimed, 'there is really a place like that?'
Without thinking, I added,' It is a different kind of beauty.' We love this restaurant and have been eating
there for years. We sit outside and dolphins swim by on a regular basis. We marvel at the sea and take in
all the sights and sounds. I have thought about this encounter many times. Shame on all of us for how quickly
we get used to things. We forget all marvelous things we have right here in front of us. I would go as far as
to say we do the same with our loved ones and take them for granted as well.
I would bet if we would move to Florida, the sea and the beach would soon be neglected. We would be driving off to pay bills or to get groceries and not even turn our heads to look at the same ocean that used to leave us slack jawed as we sped by. would venture before longing heart would soon long for a place 600 miles
due North.
After I finish this, I am going to go back out and sit on the deck again. I really doubt if I will see a dolphin.
I will bow my head and thank God for this place. I will ask Him to help me see with fresh eyes all the I look upon daily but fail to see and appreciate. I think God will like a prayer like that and let me see more
if I think less and thank more.
If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.
Wayne Dyer
There are no question dolphins are smarter than humans as they play more.
Albert Einstein
ENTRY 28
My wife Kim has many skills which I truly admire. I have watched her faith grow and blossom
over the years. I praise God for that. She is unaware but this has made my faith even stronger.
Here of late we have been through a rough patch .I have had to lean on her after having some back issues and
she has carried her load and then some. She is depending on God and not doing this alone. She is
using God's strength and not her own.
Every morning she gets up very early and studies her Bible and devotions. She sits and reads in our
dining room table. It is a wonderful room where we eat meals at family gatherings. Me and the dogs are not
allowed in there . She has agreed to let us look through the french doors as long as we don't put our noses
on the glass.
She worked very hard on this room to make it look awesome It may well be the coolest room in our home.
She has tweaked it a time or two. I would say she has an eye out for a certain piece that she may add
in the future.
When we moved in ,the color she used was aweful. She asked me what I thought and I said it
was the color that runs out of sick our boys when they are sick.She laughed and told me to settle down and wait
until it was done. I walked away unsure how anything good could come from that!
Looking back, I should I have given her more credit because she has a gift in this area. She has made our home
look wonderful. It is beautiful but not much as she is. From the kitchen fills this place with heavenly smells
as well. Gifted indeed!
People often tell me after meeting her how lucky I am ,and how beautiful she is. I often share this with her and
she says but they just need a new prescription. When people meet me they tell her she will be in their prayers.
Wha is that all about?
After the other coats of paint were added, a she used a rag to dab different patterns and designs. It blew me
away . She could see how it would look from the get go. She could see it before it was and came to be.
She knew all along and what she was doing.
I think all of us are too quick to doubt God when things are not going our way.He knows what he is doing with us.
As we look "back' shouldn't we give him credit for all the other things seemed at first like defeat? When the
paint dried ,we landed on our feet and in a better place than we ever could at first imagined. The process
made our faith stronger . If I am not mistaken, does not the color green the color of growth?
God is a specialist at making something useful and beautiful out of something broken and confused.
Charles Swindoll
God's heavenly plan doesn't always make early sense.
Charles Swindoll
GOD AROUND THE HOUSE
So here we go! I have had the idea for a daily devotional for a long time.
Lord willing these stories, and a few others will be published very soon.
My quest is to do my best to write about simple daily things right in front of me.
I know God is always with us, but I think most of the time we miss him. He is eager to
reveal himself to us. I feel we often miss him because we are looking for him in the big stuff. I hope that my words can calibrate and adjust the lens of your heart to teach you
how to spot him in the everyday things of life.
The world is crowded with him. He walks everywhere incognito.
C. S. Lewis
LATEST ENTRY
We all do so many things over the course of a day. In fact, sometimes we do many things
out of habit and sometimes without thought. As I shed light on this, I would like
to use a light switch as an example. It is hard to say how many times we do this as we
enter a room. When the power is out, we still flip on the switch to no avail. We scold
we for being silly and then do it in the next room.
Sometimes we pull up in our driveway after a long drive and do not remember passing
through a small town along the way. We have all done this and we made it safely home.
Repetitive acts are often more dangerous. I feel we are more alert perhaps nervous
as we travel through new places. Could this be why most fatal accidents happen
within 5 miles of our homes.
As we drive away, we often think about making sure we have what we need. We also
mentally go through a checklist to make sure we did the things needed to make sure
we have a home to return to. The example perhaps most common to all of us is the iron.
Did I use the iron? Did I turn it off. I would bet many of you have turned around and went back
to make sure as I have more times than I would like to admit.
For years our family has a question about any uncertainties. Would you bet your house on it?
Our boys have piped up from the backseat asking this as my wife and I discuss these
types of issues. I turn around and head back even if we are a mile or two from home.
twice I have let my driver's license expire. The first time was when a young gal asked for an ID
As I wrote a check. It was on a Wednesday. I drove across town like a scared rabbit with my hands
at the ten and two position on the steering wheel. I had not been nervous at all that time unaware I was breaking the law.
I have shared a lot of stories and placed this one last on purpose. I need to ask you a question.
Are you saved? I hope you are. If you are, you will be sure of it. If you are not sure I am sure
you are not! I would be terrified to drive across town or anywhere for that matter knowing
I was in danger of missing out on the very best gift this world has ever known.
I want to apologize if anyone has ever made the Gospel boring or hard to understand. It is real
simple you just need to ask Jesus to come into your life today and ask him to be both Your Lord and Savior. Seek an active spirit filled church, get baptized, and read your Bible daily. You will
learn just how much God loves you and what he did for you on the cross. You will feel a peace and
joy like you have never known before. He will share things with you that will help you along the way
and there is a side effect. You will want this for others. Many will think you are getting carried
away. They may not like the changes they see in you. They will thing you are getting carried away
unaware you are just getting your affairs in order before the day forthcoming when you are.
Leadership appears to be the art of getting others to want to do something
you are convinced should be done. Vance Packard
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17
ENTRY
Early each morning, I stumble into my office coffee cup in hand. I study Gods word
and try to refill my spiritual gas tank for the day. Our two dogs, Buster and Skyler
lead the way knowing that tradition involves a treat for them before I start reading.
I pick up my reading glasses and dive into Gods word. I do this with just as much anticipation
and excitement eager to see what God will teach me this day.
As I do so I often think back on an encounter with our youngest son Jarah years
ago. I was in my office reading and he walked in my office. He asked what I was doing
and I answered what seemed to be obvious. I explained I was reading which was weird because he saw me do this each and every day. I felt sympathetic for my young son because he was not
allowed to have coffee. Perhaps this was the reason behind his confusion. I felt a slight degree of
aggravation when he asked me the same question yet again.
I answered the same way. He explained he knew that but wanted to know why I was wearing glasses. I explained that I was in my early forties, and everyone needs help to see up close when they get older. Jarah said, "You are an eye doctor, you studied against it."
I asked if he thought medical doctors get sick. I also asked him if it was possible to get cavities.
He answered no to both questions. We chatted a bit and he went off to the kitchen
for breakfast. I was amused by our early morning banter. I guess if Jarah's theory was
correct we should all be funeral directors!
As he left, I again picked up my Bible. I thought about his words. We all know there is no profession we can be that prevents cavities, or health issues, or even death. I smiled
at his naivety and childlike innocence. Then I realized his theory was not as far fetched
as I had first thought. We all know we all will someday die. People do all kinds of things to extend their lives.
I was reading Gods word. It clearly explains many things and tells us many of the things' men erroneously debate and ponder. God has given us this wonderful book to help us understand
who we are and why we are here. It is given to give us understanding and encouragement, so we are not afraid of anything, even death. We can indeed study against death and how we can live forever
with him. Granted we will all pass away, but death is just a door... nothing more. For those who
have accepted Jesus, they are on to bigger and better things than this world has ever known.
Those who think they just die and that's it will soon find out they have made a grave mistake.
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us
, so that through endurance and encouragement of the scriptures
we might have hope. Romans 15:4
I am not afraid to die. I just don't want to be there when it happens.
Woody Allen
There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.
C.S. Lewis
My grandmother is over eighty and still doesn't use glasses. Drinks
right out of the bottle. Henny Youngman
ENTRY
My wife and I have a little white Audi convertible. I saw it online years ago and had it
shipped up here from Miami. We have had a lot of fun with it over the years. It
gets around really well on snow and gets incredible gas milage. We like to go down
to the Gulf and a full tank will almost get us the entire 600 miles!
I am no longer a spring chicken anymore. My doctor reminds me from time to time.
I do not need his help because the mirror in our bathroom testifies to the same. Like most I
ponder the brevity of life from time to time.
Once in a while we try to push back the clock. We get in the car and put the top down
and go for a drive. Sometimes we take the dogs, and they love feeling the air rushes by.
They get mad when we get home when I blow air in their faces. I am confused by their inconstancies as I am sure by mine as well. These jaunts usually more times than not seem include a trip at the DQ drive thru.
Not long ago we did our little routine. I had used my reding glasses to look at something
before we left. As we were going down the road I needed them again. My wife was
enjoying the scenery and I trying to look for them without letting her know I lost them.
I knew they were there, and we had not stopped anywhere along the way. At one point,
I even reached around on the rear floorboard without success. I was floored by how good I was at hiding things from myself.
I have like you my own little quirks. When I get frustrated, I run my hands thru my hair.
As I did this, I found them. As they say on television, wait there's more! To my dismay
I felt something else. There was yet another reading pair up there. I was trying to be young
and cool driving around in an awesome car with the top down.
Driving around with 2 pairs of reading glasses on you head negates all attempts to be young
and cool I don' care who you are. I hope this funny made your day because I am so thankful
my Lord has allowed me to reach an age where I need reading glasses and has crowned me
with a hoary head. To God be the glory for these things and for a place to share this story.
The hoary head is a crown of glory, it is to be found in the way of righteousness.
Proverbs 16:1
When it comes to staying young, a mind lift beats a face lift any day.
Marty Bucella
Life is like a dog sled team. If you are not the lead dog, the scenery never changes.
Lewis Grizzard
A laugh at your own expense costs you nothing.
Mary H. Waldrip
ENTRY
There is an old upright piano in our basement. I had a chance to buy it several years ago.
The little church I grew up in decided to upgrade. I really wanted that upright piano because
of the upright lady that had played it for years. She was my grandmother Olive Flamion.
I called her Momo.
She was born in the little town called Dolittle Mills. Her dad was a prominent country doctor.
Momo was their twelfth child, and her nickname was Dorthy dozen. When she was a young girl
she rode horseback through the country to a small town 8 miles away to take piano lessons.
I sat there and watched her hit those keys week after week and it struck a chord in me
heart as I sit there watching her use her God given talent for God's glory.
Mark Twain said all of us had a dark side. I did not think that was true because I never heard
Momo say anything bad about anyone her entire life. She kept in stock all the goodies my brother
and I loved. She used those old Tupperware containers to make popsicles of various flavors.
Some of my greatest childhood memories were made in her home and it is as close to unconditional love I have ever known. She washed my mouth out with soap more than once, but it did not diminish my love and respect for her.
My angelic grandmother did indeed have a dark side. She took her afternoon soap operas
very seriously. When my brother Steve and I acted up during her soaps, we saw an ugly side
I would have never thought possible. I thought it might just be the last days of our lives. ;).
I miss her so much and sharing this story is bittersweet. It makes me feel close to her
and yet miss her all the more all the more. I have some of her old hymnals marked with paper clip to the place of the songs she played at church that day. I have not removed them nor plan to.
She preached with her life, and she left her mark on me and others who knew her.
Even in college I teased her about her soaps. I told her Bob Hope quote. I started watching
popular tv show called Dallas. We were discussing old J.R. Ewings antics in the last episode.
It was after church and we were having fried chicken, which is not tradition, but I think
some kind of law in the Protestant faith. She was unusually quite at first and then she said she was surprised I knew so much about the show. I told her I enjoyed watching and tried to watch every Friday night. She leaned forward looked at me with a simpered smile and said," the only difference between your soap and mine is that yours in on in the evening."
An afternoon soap opera is the only place in the world where a woman can carry
a baby for four years and still has it prematurely. Bob Hope
Being a role model is the most powerful form of education.
John Wooden
Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents
sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.
Alex Haley
ENTRY
I would bet that if I would come to your home, I would find one of these if not several. We
have several in our home. It is not very big and is a type of container and is most likely
to be found in or around a sink.
I need to tell you a short story to make this make sense. We were in Venice Florida and
each morning, I would take an early morning stroll out to the jetty. I would talk with the old
guys who were fishing. The told me on the other side is where the super-rich lived in a small area.
They mentioned several retired sports stars and one who made a lot of money writing books about
scary things and of all who did so, he was indeed the king. They said the gut who lived in there was by far the richest dude in there was not known. He receives 30 million a year of his invention years ago. They made me guess several times. They said I had them in my house in several places and I most likely
chipped in a small portion of his royalties last year.
I gave up and they explained he was the inventor of the pump soap dispenser we all have to wash
our hands. He did not invent soap or the pump. He put the two together and made millions. I think
of this often and now so will you.
I should have come up with this because when we were on a trip when I was young my dad and I
into a small gas station. My dad was adamant about washing hands after a bathroom visit. We
both only had to do one thing. As I went to the sink, he told me not to wash my hands! What?
He told me to rinse my hands with water but not to touch the black soap in a small dish. It
started out as a white bar but that was many hand washings ago and it was full of germs.
There was my chance. Even back then there was an unmet need. There was still room
for improvement. He saw something the rest of us clearly missed. They say we have to pay for our mistakes. I think of this often. As I help my wife carry in and unload the grocery sack, I see a few of these.
I know a few cents will make their way to Florida in the form of royalties to a guy wo lives
in a castle.
The world is full of filth and is getting worse. The Bible tells that our most righteous acts are like filthy
rags in God's sight. Nothing this world has ever come up or ever will not be able to wash
our sins away. The world is a mess and was messed up filthy and nasty before we even were born.
However, God saw this and he had a plan. He sent his son Jesus to wash away our sins. His body
was the only vessel pure enough to carry his spotless and precious red blood.
Quit trying to clean yourself up before you come to Jesus. He will take you "As Is". He loves you
even though you are a mess. You could never do anything to make him love you more or do anything
to make him love you less. Open your Bible and open your heart and read of his love for you and it
will pump you up. It will cleanse your heart and mind. Things that you used to do will sicken you.
Things that did not appeal to you before will become important .and you will know your heart has been
altered. You will become more forgiving. Perhaps God himself may give a fist pump
when he sees you becoming a dispenser of grace.
When Pilate saw he was getting nowhere, but that an uproar was starting, he took
water and washed his hands in front of the crowd.
Matthew 27:24
All of us have become like one who is unclean, and our righteous acts are
like filthy rags. Isaiah 64: 6
Christianity, like soap, must be personally applied if it is to make a difference
in our lives. Billy Graham
ENTRY
Something very unusual happened to me this past week. It was very cool
and it happened to me late evening on a very hot summer day. I only worked a half day
in the office. I was chomping at the bit to get finished and get home and mow
the yard.
I grabbed a quick lunch and went out to climb aboard the mower. I reached down
to turn the key but my heart skipped a beat when I saw that someone had skipped a
step! The key was already turned! Yours had not turned it off. I knew what
was next... nothing. The battery was dead. No more mower at least for a little while.
So, I was off to a slow start or a no start if you will. I knew what to do next. My
wife had driven the brown SUV that day and the battery cables were not available.
I looked for our battery charger and then realized it was over in the horse barn.
Another delay but it was ok. I was pleased with myself because this would have
caused a conniption for me years ago. I have a long way to go but this was not like me
and I liked it. So, I get the charger and notice the large prong on the cord was drooping a bit.
As I gently raised it, it broke off. I took it back to the house wondering if it still
would work with only with 2 prongs. I was surprised and relieved to find it did.
I thought to myself this is just not my day! I scolded myself and recited to myself
and instead of cussing under my breath I gave God praise for my life, breath,
and for a lot "mower" patience than I had years ago.
We have a lot of wild turkeys on our property. As I was mowing, I thought I would
go get it after i was done. I mowed for hours and forgot altogether about the feather.
It was late in the evening when I remembered. I took the mower down to the spot.
I noticed a small strip I had missed in a turn close to the feather. I turned on the mower
blowing towards the feather. I sat there in pure amazement as mower lifted up the feather
almost 5-6 feet in the air and twirl and float higher and longer than it seemed
possible and come down and stick into the ground standing straight up!
I have shared this with a few this week. A buddy kidded and told me to get a shovel
and start digging because the feather marks the spot of perhaps buried treasure.
I have thought about this all week. Too be honest I wondered if God had done this because I had not blown my top like the old days. I knew in my heart that was not the case. This is something our family calls a Godwink.
I am sure sometimes God does something beyond reason and logic to show us he
is nearby. Even without the strong finish it whirled and twirled higher and longer than
possible. A gust of wind must have taken over after a lift from the mower. I put the feather in my bedroom and when I look upon it will always fondly how it whirled and twirled before its most unusual landing. I will always treasure this memory.
I had run into problem after problem here of late and my energy and personal battery has
been very low. Problem after problem has sapped my strength. This little thing
has lifted my spirit and recharged my battery. I asked God for several days the
meaning behind this. My answer came to me this morning as read my Bible. He is
reminding me to stand my ground and stand firm and tall. You may think I am a
big turkey for thinking this way. I have always been blown away by the way God
reaches and teaches us. May he bless you today even in a small way to remind you
he loves you and is present in your life. May our Savior show you favor!
Some trust in horses and chariots, but we trust in the name of our Lord
our God. They are brought to the knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.
Psalm 20:8
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You cannot hear its sound, but you
cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone
born of the spirit. John 3:8
Birds cannot fly without feathers, but I saw a feather fly without a bird.
I saw it with my own two eyes and on that you have my word.
GKG
The knowledge of past times and places on earth is both an ornament
and nutriment to the human mind. Leonardo da Vinci
ENTRY
A few days ago, our zero-turn riding mower was brought back after being in the shop.
It was running fine, but the blades were in need of sharpening. I had been brush hogging
and I use the mower to get around the edges of the field. The mower is lower than the tractor
so, I can reach areas that I get to on the tractor. I also use it on a certain place in a field
I call" Pucker Hill". It is a very steep hill that is fall too much of an incline for a tractor.
I raise the deck up as high as it can go. The weeds are far too tall and thick for the mower
and the blades were bent. Because of this combination, the blades have also lost their edge.
The last time it was in the shop they asked me if I wanted them to replace the muffler.
I passed on this option but this time I had them do this and I was shocked at how
much this lessened the mower's noise.
Years ago, I was speaking in a large church. My main point was how many times we
get bent out of shape by small thinks. We get upset over small things that can ruin
our day or week. I meant to tell the congregation how my muffler how fell off my truck
as I drove down a gravel road. I said it wrong. I said it backwards. I got a big laugh
from the crowd that for a second puzzled me. They roared because they thought I
was clearly a witty fellow. They were not aware. I had a slip of tongue. What
I said was far better than what I meant to say. I told them that a few days ago,
was going down the road and my truck fell off my muffler.
This goof was spot on because it was exactly in line with the topic at hand. Many
times we all do this. We make a big deal out of small things. We forget how much we have and
all of the blessings we have. I am puckered even now because I let a very small matter
that happened earlier in the week rob me of my joy and peace and it was indeed such
a small concern. I could not raise my deck like my mower, but I should have set my mind
on higher thoughts then and even now.
Think of the Bible as a muffler if you will. It will help lessen the noise of this crazy
world and the strain of this hectic pace we all try to endure. Oh, if we could just
send our brains off to the shop to be repaired. Here is what you need to understand, we can!
We attend church and read Scripture and God renews our mind and our spirit and we
are tuned up and good to go. Instead of going shopping we realize the need for stopping
and resting on Sunday. This is not a one and done mind you. Why is this so hard to understand?
We do not eat one time and think that's all we will ever need You have to keep going back to the dinner table. You also need to continue to return to the Lords table and share thoughts with sharpen like-minded people. You will find the daily grind will get you bent out of shape and dull your senses and spirit. Let God take the edge off and keep your mind sharp.
Nostalgia is like a file that removes the rough edges from the good old days.
Doug Larson
There remains a rest then a Sabbath rest for the people of God.
Hebrews 4:9
A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is his glory to overlook an offence.
Proverbs 19:11
ENTRY
I love to get up early and read my bible. I cannot tell you the difference it
makes in my day. I soak my mind in God's word and as I do, I feel like
my mind is being recharged. My phone is on the charger and is around the corner.
It is out of sight and out of earshot as not to distract me. We live in a world with weapons
of mass distractions. I feel smart phones have made us more stupid. Many will lose
focus today and will lose their lives texting as they drive.
When I am through with this story, I plan to sit in the hot tub. It has been one of the best purchases we think we have ever made. Our sons spent a lot of time there uses it to aid in sore muscles as they played various sports. I have had some good father in sons chats at different times
and I replay them in my mind from time to time. They have moved on but to this day, I do some of my best thinking and praying as the warm 106-degree water. It helps to loosen sore and stiff muscles
that are a part of aging.
Many of my stories and ideas have been born while in the hot tub. I give credit to the hot water for helping me solve hot mess issues at home or in the office. I have thought about this often. It is not the water my friend but that I am by myself and am away from all distractions. I have read and I
have read but now it's God's turn to talk. As I turn on the jets, I am often amazed at what
he does when I allow him to direct the flow. Many times, he addresses hot topics that
I do not want to cover. I have put myself in the vulnerable position and know this will help my soul
as much as the hot water. If I listen to him and take his advice, it can prevent me from getting into more hot water down the road.
There is a great story in the bible about people who gathered around a pool of healing waters. An angel would stir the waters and the first person in would be cured of their disease. A man who was lame was cut off from the healing as people cut in front of him.
in front of him. We are not told his age, but he was an invalid for 38 years. Jesus asked him
if he wanted to get well. He said yes and Jesus healed him on the spot. Jesus told him to pick up
his mat and walk. The religious leaders picked on the man for carrying his mat on Sunday.
They were upset with Jesus for healing on the Sabbath instead of rejoicing because of the miracle.
I love this story and think of it often as I slide down into the warm water. As I do, I ask God to stir
up my faith and allow me to slip into his presence. If you give God first place in your life you will be surprised how everything else seems to fall in line. You will lose some friends if you do this, but
it will be the best trade you ever made.
I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in someone else goes down ahead of me. John 5:7
It is remarkable to what lengths people will go to avoid thought.
Thomas Edison
ENTRY
Last week I finally got around to a job that I had been putting off. It is not my nature
to procrastinate. I had what I needed. It was dark and there was little to no wind and I
went outside but I was wrong. I did not have what I needed. I was lacking the nerve or moxie
to sneak up in close range and spray the small hornets' nest. They had unfortunately decided
to use part of my home to build theirs.
If you ask most to finish this sentence: He was mad as a __________. Most would say hornet
unless you are a city slicker. They can put the hurt on you and then some. I was a young boy and was walking a few steps in front of two friends. Suddenly I felt pain in the middle of my back.
My first thought was that one of them had thrown a piece of gravel at me as hard as they could
throw at close range. I spun around and was as mad as a hornet. They saw what had occurred
and took flight themselves. I had planned to even the score but now my goal was simply
too outrun them.
Perhaps there was another reason for my delay. I felt bad about destroying their home. I had no
choice. We spend a lot of time on the porch, and I cannot put my family in harm's way.
My thoughts went way back to a conversation I had with my dad when I was a young boy.
My dad was off on a weekday. I was so excited and wanted to go swimming or fishing. We
had to go to a funeral. I cried because I did not want to do this. He put his big arm around me
and said I would learn a man has to do many things he doesn't want to. I think of that memory often and never realized how much ground he covered with that nugget of truth.
So, I sprayed the nest, and the next day came back with the garden hose to break up what was left
of the nest. As I did so I was thinking of God had used hornets to go on out and before to attack
the enemies of his chosen nation Israel. They Bible makes it very clear to be an enemy of
Israel was to be an enemy of Him.
As I watch the news unfold daily, I just wish our country's leaders knew a little bit more about
the Bible. If a country picks a fight with that country, he will be as mad as ... you guessed it.
I will hornets ahead of you, so that they will drive out the Hivites, Canaanites, the Hittites before you. Exodus 23:28
I may think that hornets do not have an ideal social organization. But I know better than
than to poke their nest. Fred Reed
When I hear a man preach, I like to see him act like he was fighting bees.
Abraham Lincoln
ENTRY
I would like to tell you a little bit of a back story to help you understand why something
is missing from our back yard.
Years ago, I read about the story of Dennis Byrd. He was a young man who was from
Oklahoma. He went on to play for the New York Jets. He was injured playing pro football and was
told he would never walk again. Hid internal fortitude combined with prayer and strong faith
allowed him to Rise and Walk. That is the name of his book, and a movie was made about him.
I would invite you to read of his struggle and guarantee your own walk and faith will be strengthened.
This young man worked out in his back yard and made his body strong. He knew of the old country adage saying a dog fights harder in his own back yard. He took dirt from his own back yard and slowly released it when he ran own on to the field of his opponents. In his mind, he laid a claim on enemy territory.
I have shared this with many patients, friends, churches, and now you. I told my son this wonderful
story and tactic. I removed a jar of dirt from our back yard. I took it right from under the kitchen win window up above. If it was open this dirt would hear his mother humming as she did the dishes
or all our voices gathered around the table.
Josh took this dirt, and it has been sprinkled in many places around the world. He has put in in jets and on the deck of every aircraft carrier he has lived on while on sea tours. He and his wife lived in Japan for over a year and some of our farm dirt is on the other side of the world on a marine base in Japan. Our son is fighting for our nation's freedom along with all those who serve with him. When push comes to shove, he has a mental advantage. He is not just fighting for home but from home.
I hope you like this story so much in fact that you take some loam from back home to where you live now. maybe you could spread some on the concrete sidewalk in front of your city home from the place you grew up. Maybe take a little from home to the factory or office where you work. I have shared this with many young people in the office. Several have shared with me later that they did the same and took
dirt from their backyard and put on their college campus.
I think this might comfort me as much if not more than it does my son. I am proud of my son, and I know he misses home. He is proud of where he grew up. I hope that some of the things we have taught him
stay with him and perhaps may even be shared with people who we will never see or come to know.
He is a naval officer. I do know but I would bet that Joshua has shared his dirty little trick with fellow warriors or others under his command who may be a little homesick.
How many people have you made homesick for God? Oswald Chambers
A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.
Henry Adams
What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight- it's the size of the
fight in the dog. Dwight D. Eisenhower
ENTRY
It has been about two weeks since I mowed our yard. It has been so hot and humid here of late.
Last week I was watering the flowers behind our house. My wife Kim came out on the deck above and looked down on me. It was symbolic .... she always does!
We had a little chit chat, and I told her to look at the grass. I had been in the area a few minutes
and had since returned. I pointed out to her that you could see my tracks and could tell quite easily
where I had walked before.
The grass was crunchy and dry and felt uncomfortable in bare feet. That is why I was now wearing
my old beater shoes. Grass is supposed to be green, lush and soft. To walk upon it I think takes
us all back to our childhood days.
Many conversations were of course centered around the weather which it seems has always
the case. So, a few days ago we were blessed with a nice amount of rain as several storms passed
through our neck of the woods.
I love words and always have. it just so happens my word of the day was pluvial. It was a new one
for me and has very much to do with in relation to this story. My dad was avid reader. It was
hard to run a word past him he didn't know. When I asked him the meaning of a word he would
tell me and made me look it up so I would remember. In his honor, I did the same with our three sons
and now you. Look it up please my friend.
My all-time favorite word is perseverance. Life is going to throw punches and will knock us down
We need to go on and keep going and try again. Several years ago, life was crushing me, and I was at one of the lowest points in my life. I was so jangled I could hardly focus my thoughts
to even pray. It had rained earlier that morning. I walked through an old road in the woods.
I could see the sky white clouds reflected in the water. I had my camera and took a picture and have it to this day.
This was a pivotal moment for me God used that muddy water and gave me very clear
message and insight. I was looking down and feeling down but I was to look up and keep
my chin up and not give up. The message was clear, I was to persevere!
So, in a few minutes, I plan to go out and mow. The grass is tall and green as you have ever seen.
Thank God for the rains and even using grass to teach us to persevere. During dry spells
we sometimes need to lay low knowing he will bless us with times of refreshment when he feels
the time is right.
Aman is getting older when he walks around a mud puddle instead
of going through it. R. C. Ferguson
Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.
Charles Dudley Warner
ENTRY
I enjoy the upkeep of having a nice and neat yard. My wife is on our mower at this
very moment. it is a little bit on the chilly side. She came in the house to get a warmer
coat. It takes about 3 plus hours to do our entire yard. She had on her earphones
and I wondered what station she is listening to today.
Tomorrow when she comes up the hill after work, she will look around the yard and
see the fruit of her labor. It will please her to know she played a part in keep our little
neck of the woods looking tight and bright.
Our boys are grown and have places of their own now. This chore that was passed down
to our sons has returned. We both enjoy mowing and often tag team as we did last week
I am not anal about our yard but still stive to keep it" looking tall "as my dad used to
say. A few years ago, I was trying to solve a strange mystery behind our house. I blush because
it took me way too long. there was a small patch where the grass kept dying. One day I was
looking down from our deck. I realized one of our guys could urinate from the back deck and
still be able to see and hear the tv without going down the hall to the bathroom. Who said
that males cannot multitask?
His mixture of byproducts did a better number on the grass than anything sold at the
local hardware store. If we could brand and bottle it , I guess we could call it number one.
At first, all 3 of my boys were suspects. I thought hard as I tried to solve this mystery.
Who shot JFK? Now this. I didn't have a lot to go on. I knew whoever it was going
on my lawn was a Methodist because we all know they believe in sprinkling.
Years ago , i put fertilizer on our yard at another house. I had to refill the small wagon several times . As I refilled the Revoir, I was not aware fertilizer pellets were leaking on the ground. A few weeks
later the brown patches all over our yard stood out like a sore thumb. I was surprised that
what would help the grass thrive and grow did the opposite when put on too heavily.
I think of this lesson and example each and every time I mow. I also think of this as I teach
with writing or speaking. One has to be careful because if we teach too hot and heavy
it can cause people to be turned off and maybe even cause burnout if we are not careful.
Always drink upstream from the herd.
Will Rogers
I drink too much. The last time I gave a urine sample it had
an olive in it. Rodney Dangerfield
We don't believe in mowing the lawn, we do it to avoid unnecessary
engagement with the neighbors. Miranda Judy
ENTRY
There is great excitement all across our country today. Today's date is 4/8/2024.
and it is a Monday morning. It is a click before 9:00 A.M.. In about 4 hours the total eclipse
will start. It will last about 4 hours with totality predicted for our area around 3:O4 pm.
It will cross our nation and Indiana will best places on the planet to view this. People
have traveled great distances to see this phenomenal and rare site.
We have known about this for some time. I was thinking about this early this morning.
Can you imagine years ago working in the field to see the sunlight disappear. I would think
this would cause a great deal of concern and panic.
We normally would be in the saddle today. I closed the office so my staff could be home with
their families to see this once in a lifetime event. My wife Kim went down the drive this morning.
I am tempted to drive to her place of employment but do not plan to do so. I will be at home today.
Some articles have suggested this may cause animals to panic and act very strange. I have thought I should put our horses up in the barn but decided against it. I am glad to be home to keep an eye on
them as well.
I was thinking about when Jesus was being crucified. God's word tells us the sky became dark
and the sun ceased to shine for 3 hours. When Jesus died there was an earthquake, rocks were split
apart and people who were dead came alive and walked around. I was not there but I can
imagine there was great fear all across the land. They did not have news channels predicting all of
these things. With all our technology, so called smarts and modern day know how this would scare
us all today if these things would occur after this afternoon.
I am ready for the eclipse. I am also ready if Jesus should return today or even tomorrow. So many people have obtained glasses to watch this event today. When we read the Bible, we get to see the world events through the lens of Scripture. It allows us to see what has happened, what is occurring and what is to come.
So many people are in living in darkness and yet are unaware of what is ahead. Just as these glasses
protect our eyes, his blood covers our sins and protects us from the path of his wrath that is forthcoming.
on a day known only to God himself.
When we have God in clear focus, his powerful presence eclipses
our fear. Charles R. Swindoll
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the son will
not see life, for God's wrath remains on him. John 3:36
Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of the light
because their deeds were evil. John 3:19
ENTRY
I am as rule a person who does not like to play games. I have and most likely
will give in and play cards or a board game at a party or family function. To be honest
I do not really care for them, and I am not really sure why.
I do not like to waste time and I think that is how I envision these frolics. I am very much
goal focused perhaps almost to a fault. I love to read but care very little for fiction.
I think it is mainly an escape and has little to offer and is just a waste of time.
As I have gotten older, the years have changed my perspective of many things. I catch
myself watching silly reruns of shows many that I have watched before. I love to watch
funny and comedy shows before bedtime. It helps me unwind and helps me
escape the pressures and complexities of life that will be waiting for me in the morning.
One of these is the sitcom FRASIER. I chuckle at the situations Frasier and his younger brother Niles
get into. They are board certified Psychiatrists. They are supposed to be highly trained medical doctors
who we watch with amusement struggle with their own problems and weaknesses.
Does it make me feel better to see they have problems as well? I don't think that is it.
I think it appeals to me at a far deeper level. We all have funk and junk in our trunks
and we all struggle with the curveball's life throws our way daily.
I know this is tv and of course fiction. I take my hat off to the brilliant writers
who have hidden many deep truths behind the dialogue and laughter.
Sometimes I share these lines with my staff or patients. As I do so I wonder if this is
the true reason behind why I am sitting on mine. Am I trying to find a lesson or treasure
in this farraginous pattern? As a favor to me, please look up that big word. If you
watched Frasier you wouldn't have too. ;
Truth be told, I am anxious as I write this very entry. I wish I could call into the
fictious radio station and ask the renowned and gifted doctor for advice. He always greets
those who call in with his signature line, "I am listening".
I think the problem I am having is spiritual. I think the one you're are dealing with is as well.
I will go so far as to state that if we track back far enough all issues and problems
lead us back to the Garden of Eden.
I have been trying to think of someone who I could call. Should I call a friend? should I call a Pastor?
Should I call a close friend of mine who is a pastor? I do not have the number for Ghostbusters!
I am going to go upstairs and kneel beside my bed. It is where I go and what I do when I don't.
know what to do. I learned long ago God's number is 333. read the verse below to get the
connection my friend. How comforting it is to know God is real and he is there for us and
is always listening.
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things.
you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3
It's no wonder he wins every time. He has never done anything in
his life but play games. Henry James
ENTRY
Spring is upon us, and I like many are itching to get out in the yard and plant flowers
and work in the landscaping. There is a bountiful crop of daffodils this year. We have
several colors and varieties in the yard. The bright yellow is the most common but the
yellow ones with orange in the center are my favorites.
I am always on the lookout for them and bring my beautiful wife a clump quite often.
I have several vases around the house but always have trouble finding them. I often
take them to my office and put them out front to be enjoyed by patients and my staff as well.
I don't know if vase less a correct term but I find myself in this state often because I cannot
remember to bring them home.
Because of their high visibility, patients often ask about them. Many conversations
stem from people who also ask about them. Many times, I will share with them a story I hold near
and dear to my heart.
When my mom was alive, we always went down to her house on Easter Sunday. We went to a Sunrise
Service and later enjoyed a big breakfast. Our tradition was for my brother, Steve, and I to load each
of our three boys and drive to a large field full of what we still call Easter flowers. This was a homeplace to a country family years and only small portion of the old house remained.
Our goal was to surprise their Nana and their mommies with flowers. They always acted surprised and
these little boys were on a mission. I always served as driver and camera man and snapped many
action shots. One of these treasures was of our youngest son, Jarah. I would guess him to be about five
years old at that time. All the other boys picked with one hand and held the flowers in the other.
The picture I treasure is of Jarah in mid step. Both of his hands are empty but both pockets
are crammed full of flowers. You can see both beautiful yellow blooms as well as green stems!
My heart swells every time I think of this, and I will never need a DNA test on this one.
He indeed and for sure is my son.
Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, the less the artist does,
the better. Andre Gide
Flowers may beckon toward us, but they speak toward heaven
and God. Henry Ward Beecher
ENTRY
More times than not, if you would enter my office you would see my glasses sitting on my desk. I sat them down on my desk several minutes ago while I made a call. I was looking for something to write about this morning . I was looking for a subject . After the call, I had not noticed the computer was a little blurry. I rubbed my eyes. This did not help. I could clearly tell there was a problem.I looked around and then saw my glasses sitting there on the desk looking back at me.
I first started using reading glasses in my mid to late forties as most do. Years ago , I was sitting in my chair our as youngest son, Jarah , entered the room. He asked what I was doing. I told him I was rea reading my Bible and doing my morning devotionals like I always do. He wanted to know why I was wearing glasses. I explained how the muscles in the eye weaken with age and I was not a young man anymore. He then said, " But you are any eye doctor! You studied against it."
I asked him if he thought doctors get sick or if he thought dentist get cavities? He said no to both
questions. I chuckle and if his line of thinking is correct, we should all go to school to
be funeral directors!
I love life's little musings. I always think about the truths often deep hidden within
humerous situations. As my young son went on his way, I thought about our conversation. My
young son may just be on to something.
Death and decay are one the way. Even if we try to not thinking about caskets and tombstones,
the mirror daily testifies that time flies.It reminds all of us everday that we are in decay. God has given us the Bible . It helps us to make good decisions . It tells us death is not to be feared but expected .
We all will die but when we must study against it. The Bible tells us what goes down after we die is clearly up to us!
Just as my glasses help me to see, God's word helps us to see why we are here and what went wrong long before we arrived. It tells that we could never pay the cost and we are lost. People often do this and do this to gain favor with God . They do not realize it has been done for them .
If they just accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they will forever with Him. If they do not, they will die in their sins. I know Jesus was a carpenter but he might have been the worlds first eye doctor .He lays out the only two choices we have and lets us choose. You can live forever with Jesus or die in you sins.
I have made my choice and because of that I rejoice . Now I ask you, 'which is better, one or two? "
We have an ad that runs ever month in a local paper with our ad as we sponser a path listing the times
of all local church times and locations. It has always had our logo as this timely advice:
Glasses and Bibles should be worn.
As for me and my house,we will serve the Lord.
Joshua 24:15
Experience is what you get while you were looking for something else.
Federico Fellini
ENTRY
For the most part, we have had a gentle winter this year. A few days ago we had
a bright sunny day with an afternoon temp near 70 degrees. The sun felt great
and I had to keep looking at the calendar to make sure it was still Febuary.
About a month ago my wife carved a few days and headed south for about 4 days.
The weather back home was supposed to be gray dark and rainy during our break.
Itseemed I must have hooked that same weather on my bumper because it was
cold nasty and rainy in Florida as well. I would estimate we saw the sun for about 35 minutes
total in our four day stay.
I must admit , I am not a fan of winter . I loved it in my youth because we would be off school
and the days were spent on the rolling hills sled riding. Those days are long gone and
now have to make the call if our office will be open or closed that day. I also have to make
sure our office lot has been cleaned and cleared of snow and ice to make it safe for
staff as well as patients. Even if we are off , I still need to take the tractor and blade and
clean the long and windinG lane up a hill to our home.
When I think of winter I envision the long boring rainy cold afternoons . They seem to linger and
last forever. I must admit a sunny day with snow on the ground is indeed stunning. Then
a cardinal lands in a bush outside my office and I watch it as I sip my coffee. This in its own
way can rival anything the sea can offer.
I know our thoughts and emotions should not be linked to the weather but I think they are.
I use the weather on many occasions as a ice breaker as I engage conversation with
patients. Most of them feel the same way and better when the sun is out and bright.
I think it has always been this way and I can perhaps back this up with scripture. There
is a verse that says it is pleasing for the eyes to see the sun. It was written thousands
of years before Jesus was born.
I remember a story I read years ago about a doctor who climbed Mt. Everest. He noticed
that the climbers spirits and moods was much better when the sky was clear and they could see the
summit. On days when the weather was bad they seemed to feel bad.
On gloomy and doomy days I try to see through my moods and scold myself . Emotions
do not have brains and I should not allow them to lead the way on any given day. I know the
sun is still up there . I just cannot see it . I need to focus my thoughts things above .Not the sun
mind you , but on God and heaven. I need to rise above my moods and focus on
what life is about and what matters most.
I try to tell a funny or story to lighten the mood or conversations. By doing this a chuckle
from them brightens their day and in turn mine . I don't think the sun goes on vacation but maybe
sometimes it needs a day or two away from us . While it rests, its up to the rest of us to see if we can
do our best shed a little light in our little corner of the world.
Light is sweet and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.
Ecclesiastes 11:7
We are cups , constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is ,knowing how to tip
ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.
Ray Bradbury
ENTRY
If you would enter our home through the sunroom, you would more times than not see a
clear plastic pithcher siting on the floor. Sometimes I place it on the floor to remind me to
water the plants in the sunroom. Often as I use it to transport water to the thirsty plants, I
think about another story about Jesus . There a small little hidden tidbit that I recently
uncovered as I read the story yet another time.
Jesus sends some of his men on ahead to find a certain place. Jesus tells them to look
for a man carrying a pitcher. To us that seems not big deal but in those days that was
unheard of. the men hearing this must have rolled their eyes. This was something only
women would do. The most likely had never seen this before.
Regardless, off they went. He gave them another clue saying he would be walking
towards them. the pupose of this mission was to find a place where Jesus could
celebrate the passover meal. there most likely would be much work to get this room
up and ready. Soon they saw the man with the pitcher in hand. they were told to follow
to his home and he had an upper room and that is where this will all take place. He
had also told them this upper room had already been set up and was ready. I do not name these
entries but if I did, I would call this one THE SET UP.
I think at times all of us have done things not really understanding why. Something
in our heart or mind nudges us to do so. Perhaps we buy a book and then smile when days
or weeks later we know just who it is for and give it to them.
Maybe God has given you a task or a vision and you are waiting and nothing seems
to be happening . You feel ready and maybe you are. Could it be that the other people
that will play a part and the other things you will need are not yet in place?
I write these small entries often when feeling a nudge in my heart to do so. Sometimes the
timing or topic does not seem to make sense to me. I have learned by walking with Him and trusting Him even more the years, it doesn't have too . Maybe my words even these words
will be in place and ready for the day you are in need of them.
The disciples left, and found things just as Jesus had told them.
Mark 14:16
The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason.
Benjamin Franklin
ENTRY
As you enter our house from the garage, you enter through our sun room. It is filled with
a variety of plants .The room has many windows and allows in a lot of sun. Because of the
many windows it gets really warm in the summer. Because of the same it is a little cooler in there
on cold winter days. Even though the sun is shining , it will be cool in there because it is 5 degrees
right now with an expected high today of 7! Regardless of the weather there is something really cool in and about that room each and every day.
My wife and one of her friends drew a mural on the wall . It is a Bible scene about the woman
woman who meets Jesus at a well in the heat of the day. In the corner of our sunroom is a
water fountain. I love to turn it on and just sit quietly and listen. I think there is something almost spiritual about the sound of water.
In the mural , Jesus is sitting on the edge of the well. We see her off in the distance to tell her
friends and family about her encounter. He waterpot has been left behind and is near the well.
The Bible tells us that many will come to believe in Jesus because of her testimony .
I have preached this story before and took one of our larege water pots from our kitchen and
used them without my wife's knowledge and or permisson. It is a miracle that I brought them
home without damage.
What I love perhaps most about this wonderful story is that she was broken. She came in the middle
of the day in the heat rather than probably to endure the gossip of the other women. She had
tried to quench her thirst with men.. many men. Women were outcasts in those days and she was an
outcasts among outcasts.
It was not cool to talk to women back in those days. Even the disciples were certainly surprised
to find Jesus talking to a Samaritan woman of no doubt ill repute. I cannot do this wonderful story here justice so I not only invite but ask that you read John chapter 4 for yourself.
I think the girls did a great job with this painting. I feel they perhaps captured one of the most important aspects of this story. His words changed her life and her direction. She not only forgot her waterpot
but her past history . I have found it is that way even to this very day . I have seen many broken lives turned around and repaired after an encounter with Jesus. If they listen to his words and heed
them as well, things usually turn out well for them.... in fact very well!
There is a small jewel hidden at the end of this story. It tells us that the people tell
the woman they came to believe in Christ not because of her words but his. May i point out
something most of us may have missed? Her words caused them to want to listen to him. I type these very words with the hope of that same type of influence .
Even though you are a person of faith who has acquired some degree of biblical litercy and
theological knowledge, there's one thing you can be sure of - God will confuse you.
Paul Tripp
.. and His voice was like the sound of many waters. Revelation 1:15
ENTRY
Last week I spent most of the day taking down Christmas our outside decorations . It seemed to me
like I had just put them up. It aso seemed like a few days went by instad off an entire year. The wisdom
of those who told us this would happen is unfolding right before our eyes .
I grew up in a small little town. There were two houses that lrft theirlights up all year round. As a kid,
I thought that was the laziest thing I had ever seen. Now that I am 65 I am starting to look at this a little differently. I imagine the old guy watching a college football game and it is halftime. He steps out
on the porch and steps over a sleeping dog or two and bends down and plugs in his lights. He is
back in his recliner 5 minutes later and is ready for Christmas. It is intrueging to me how we look at things
years later.
The weatherman has been talking about some cold and brutal conditions in a few days. Even though
I pack up all the Christmas lights , I leave the many and long dark green extenion cords out . They
are used to run down to the horse water tanks. We have heaters that float in the tank to prevent
freezing as temp soon will drop.
I have on many occassions had to go out in the dark cold nights to use a sledge to bust and break
the ice on our ponds. If the horses to not drink then and soon, it does not take long to freeze back up.
Often and several times down through years, I find to my surprise the chore was already completed.
The horses have taken things intotheir own hands or hooves if you will. They have used their rock hard hooves to bust open the ice around the edges to allow access to clean and cool water. I stand there in the dark marveling again at God and how he gives them the wisdom and the tools needed to survive in this type of weather.
He has our best in mind as well and has given us the Bible to help us in this world. Do not get me wrong
life is still very difficult with Jesus . He never told us it would be. Still as I look up at the stars and in childlike wonder. I cannot fathom how they make it and can take it in this world without Him. Nothing
is too hard for God. He can even make water flow out of a rock.
Sometimes it takes years to get through to some in regard to faith. I have learned to keep chipping away.
I do so with the hope that even I could play a part and make a difference in anothers life. Just this thought warms my heart on a cold winters day and keeps my hope and faith afloat.
The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
Proverbs 12:10
He will hew to the line of right, let the chips fly where they may.
Roscoe Conkling
ENTRY
We have a small beautiful lake on our farm. It has been a great source of fishing and fun down through
the years . I pass by it often as I travel over to the horse barn . I feed the critters early the other morning before work and there was a fog hanging over the water. Many colorful leaves were floating upon the surface and it was indeed pretty as a picture. I had time to go back up to the house to get my phone and snap a picture but I did not do so and regret it.
As life often does , memories flow in and out of our minds without order and even our permission.
As I sat here reflecting and pondering this, another memory of our little precious dog" Hans "stirred within my heart and gently surfaced . We had trouble getting pregant and had to wait quite awhile but God came through for us and again for that I raise my hands, and heart to him today. Hans was our firstborn and was a special little dog and had no clue he was a dog and slept in the bed with us his entire life. He is burried on the farm behind our home but he will live forever in our hearts.
Back then, we lived in a house about two miles away. Hans loved to come out to the property and
ride in my old pick up truck just as much. I am a fair weather fisherman at best. I can talk the fish are not concerned or probably even aware I am there.
One evening, I walked along the bank casting artificial bait. I came around the boat and was crossing the dam. Hans decided to get a drink. As he did so little circles ripples went out as his little pink tongue lapped up the cool, clear water. I noticed a large dark object crise up a few feet from him . This was a nice bass intent on having a quick snack of this little pink bug or so he thought struggling near the bank.
Without thinking I threw my plug between them and twitched the line to make it look like it was injured.
The bass nailed it and I pulled in the 4 1/2 pouder and gave Hans the assist. I let the bass go but I go back to that day often wondering which of the two would have been more startled . I regret my interference
and wished I had just observed. I would bet Hans would be hesitant to even drink from his water bowl and the bas would pass on little pink bugs from that day on.
Many men go fishing all their lives without knowing that is not fish they are after.
Henry David Thoreau
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you....
Psalm 55:22
Some go to church and think about fishing ,others go fishing and think about God.
Tony Blake
ENTRY
As we head into fall, there is less daylight each and every day. It takes a lot of work to keep
things going on a farm. The horses are a labor of love but take a lot of time as well. I spent several hours this past week fixing fence . I do not like to think about it or much less want to admit it , but my energy
is also waning with each passing years. I would like to think I can still hold my own but it takes more effort and time to do the same task as aopposed to years ago. Me and the old gray mare have
a lot in common!
So last week , I was delayed at the office and again ran out of daylight. I was feding 4 hungry
horses on the east side of the barn. It was pitch black and as I walked out of the barn a bright light shined down on me and the entire area! No it was not an alien encounter .Nor was it a Saul
expericience.
It did not startle me at all in fact I smiled and said my mind and my heart said thank you Jarah
without audible words. This was solar light that our youngest had put up there a few years back.
We had a very sunny day and the light was fully charged and helped me see what I was doing
and made the tasks much easier and go much faster.
Had I known his intentions, I probably would have said no. He had to climb very high up on the side of the barn to place it above the barn door. It was late and I thought that most likely he was already in bed at that hour. Still even thought he was not here and present this present that did did for me was
actively at work.
I think many times the things we do and say may help others in this same way. I live with the hope that maybe my feeble ministry efforts through books and stories could be at work when I am not awake
or even perhaps even alive.
Jarah's efforts also reminded me to send a pray upward thanking God for giving me another day and
for watching over me and my family. I also thanked him for my eyes that allow me to see or the
solar light or even the light of day would not help.
I also thanked him for the Bible that allows us to see through His eyes . It helps us to continue to have hope in a crazy world where darkness seems to be gaining ground. If you are having trouble finding
your way, open your Bible and ask God to see him in the dark and by the light of day. May His face
shine down upon us as in Him alone we trust.
Ears that hear and eyes that see - the Lord has made them both.
Proverbs 20:12
Immediatly, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes , and he could see again. He got up
and was baptised. Acts 9:18
There is always light. If only we're brave enough to see it. If only we're brave enough to be it.
Amanda Gorman
ENTRY
It is bow season and I have yet to be in the woods . I have been looking at several trail cam pictures
fellow hunters have shared with me. It has started to get those juices flowing down within me
as gun season is not far off.
I love bow hunting and it actually prefer it. The deer are relaxed and tend to follow their usual
habits. By noon on opening day of gun season all bets are off and all of the shooting lets them
know that something is up.
I spoke a few weeks ago on a Friday night as a guest speaker. I was invited by a friend of mine and we all gathered around a big bonfire. I shared with the younger dads that one of my biggest regrets was spending way too much time in the woods especially deer season when our sons were young. I shared with them how fast their kids will grow and leave the nest in know time. Yes, I was told the same and had not clue how true this would and it took awhile for those arrows of truth to hit home.
I am not sure what this season will bring. Last year was not a good one! I was having terrible shooting pains from sciata down my left leg. I was not able to walk near as far as I would like too. I caught myself hunting in stands closer to the house when some of the best and my favorites were a long way off.
One cold morning ,I decided to use our yougest sons stand which he claims as his own. It is where Jarah always goes and where he got his first buck. It was well before daylight and had been awhile since I had ventured into the woods and you would be surprised how easy it is to lose your bearings in the dark. I shined my flashlight down into the valley and saw several small things shining close by and in the distance. It was not the eyes of a lion, tiger or bear.. oh my!
I had forgotten that years ago, I had lined the trial from the edge of the field to his stand with reflective
tacks in the tree leading him where he needed to go. I smiled as I walked with ease and confidence as
headed in. This lighted path was a great help. Soon I was at the base of the tree. There on the tree at eye level was a group of the reflective white tacks in the shape of a cross. I remember telling my young son that he had nothing to fear even in the darkness and there was no need to be afraid because Jesus was right there with him .
My leg was hurting and I was not looking forward to the climb up the steps. I knew it was gonna be a little rough but my reward was waiting above. I hope this metaphor helps you . I soon would be suspended
between heaven and earth and many and most times feel closer to God in a deer stand than any building I have ever been in.
As I reflected on this , I was amazed how my own words and teachings returned to help me. I know that all of us will go through dark periods as life goes on and we will beat times feel bewildered and feel lost. We just need to believe that Jesus is with us. We need to keep keep our eyes on the cross to lead us home and to things that are far beyond and more wonderful than anything this world can offer!
For our present troubles are quite small and wont last long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:17
To lead an unexamined life means to rush from task to busy tasks , but not call enough time-outs to reflect
on life's larger meaning and purpose. Patrick Morley
There are times when we stop, we sit still. We listen and breezes from a whole other world
begin to whisper. James Carroll
ENTRY
My favorite season is summer but fall for me is a close second. I enjoy hunting but the show of the leaves in Southern Indiana is indeed a sight to behold. If I would move from here I would long to go back home when I heard the leaves were in their glory.
It is a challenge to know how to dress this time of year. The other morning it was 46 degrees and today we will be in the mid 70's. You need to have a tee shirt handy as well as a hoody and may need and use both before the day is over.
I love these kind of fall days. I have always called them October Flannel Shirt days. You start off working in the morning with a tee shirt and a flannel shirt. Around 10 ,I take off the flannel shirt and throw it over the horse fence. I work until about 3 in the afternoon and start getting goose bumps on my goose bumps. I look around wondering where I left my shirt and if ginkgo tablets really help your memory.The air is clean , crisp , and cool and goes to the very bottom of your lungs . As our warm breath leave our body we see it. I believe it reminds all of us who do believe just how blessed we are to be given another day of life. We should then
use our very breath to thanks God for each and every one.
I will praise the Lord as long as I live. I will sing praises to my God even with my dying breath.
Psalm 146:2
Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower.
Albert Camus
ENTRY
I have told stories before about the flowers in and around our house. I have shared how it takes
to do this chore. I often whisper a little prayer of thanks upward when we have a rain and I get to take
the evening off.
I do not like to admit this, but I often forget that some rains don't reach. The flowers that
enjoy the shade on our porches are deprived of the gentle rains that they need as well. Often
when I do remember to water the porchies , I think about parenting. I know and can think of several
situations where well meaning overly protective parents deprive their kids from learning valuable
skills that they will need long after the parents are no longer here to hover over them.
One day I was on our raised porch on the back of our home. I needed to water 2 hanging baskets
and 2 potted plants that sit right below the potted plants on both sides of the porch. The hanging
plants do not have as much soil so I usually water them first and give them just a bit more.
I watered one of these hanging plants, I headed to the other side of the porch but suddenly stopped.
I heard the sound of water dripping and tried to process this without turning around.
I looked back to see that the plant was running over and sharing it with the flowers below and
under them.I smiled because this was a good example and reminder to all of us to share the blessings
that we have been given with others.
He who betows his goods upon the poor, shall have as much again, and
ten times more. John Bunyan
A good measure , pressed down and , shaken togeher and running over , will be poured unto your lap.
For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:36
ENTRY
I usually get up around five in the morning. The first chore of the morning is to let the dogs out.
As the microwave warms my cup of tea, I stand out on the deck and watch the dogs . I put a lighted plastic collor on each of them. Skyler has a pink one and our three legged dog Buster's is blue. It is easy to see where they are in the early morning darkness. This morning both took care of their business rather fast . Some mornings it takes a lot of searching to find the perfect spot to go. It seems the more pressed for time that I am the greater chance there is of that very situation.
It is October now and the morning air is quite cool and you can see your breath most mornings. I am
trying to wake up and figure out who I am . When I see my breath , I often say a little thank you to God for my breath and another day of life.
As I watched the dogs , my eyes were on the skies. I looked at several constellations high in the sky.
I thought of how my dad had taught me how to spot them. Since fall is upon us , several are now present
that are not present during the summer months.
The Bible mentions a few of these. I think how God has placed them for not only to admire but to help us find our way and discover new lands. Sure we came up with instruments later on, but he put them up there far in advance waiting on our wits to sharpen.
As I stand on the deck, I stand in awe. These very stars I look upon will be still be here after my time on this earth is gone. All of the characters we read about in the Bible looked up and saw these very same stars. They looked down and saw Jesus, Moses, King David as well as all the others.
They could bear first hand witness for the stories we only read about. This applies to not only the Bible but all stories down through history. They continue bear witness to God and in turn bring him glory . It serves as a shining example for us all to look up to.
I have not been to the Holy Land. I would love to see the places where Jesus lived and to look upon the things with my eyes the things his eyes have seen.What the heck, right on my back deck, I can do just that.
You see, it will aways be a type of Holy land as well for me.
Be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up
at the stars. Henry Van Dyke
The common tasks are beautiful if we have eyes to see their shining ministry.
Grace Noll Crowell
ENTRY
We have many flowers around our house. It takes quite a while to water them all. It seems
to me that many ideas and thoughts that I will write about later will come to me when I am doing this simple chore. It is very cool this morning and soon our first frost will arrive. It is kinda sad because I will miss doing this.
Since it has not been as hot here of late ,I have not had to do this as often. I was disappointed in myself as
I walked behind our house the other day. We have a trellis on both sides of our home. I plant different colors of morning glories and they climb up and onto a railed porch.The ones on the north side are not exposed to the sun near as much as those on the south side. The ones on the south side looked puny and were in need of a drink and refreshment bad.
This can serve as an example to all of us. Often the playing field in life is not level. We may work at the same job and have equal pay but one may have a loving and supporting spouse and another is raising his or her kids alone. Maybe both families have the same number of kids but one family has a child with medical issues
or special needs. Maybe your family is close and supportive and your neighbors have dysfunction in theirs.
I seen Satan uses this to cause great distress for people because he makes them feel like there is something wrong with them. They beat them selves up and and Satan adds more woes to cause more pain from the blows.
These flowers cannot get up and move to the other side of the house. They have to depend on the one who planted them and placed them there. Even if they could move across the street or across the county, they would still need someone to care for them. In this way they have this in common with us.There is something you can do right now that will not only to level the playing field but tip it largely in your favor. Call on God an ask him to help you . I want to share something that I have found in my own life. When we give up and throw our hands up, that is when God shows up.
Take heart knowing God has placed you right where your are. Maybe you are the one that is feeling high and dry and are in need of help. Maybe God is causing you to look across the road or street and wonder what you can do to help lend a hand to your neighbor. Perhaps you have been planted there for such a time such as this.
We take excellent care of our bodies, which we have only for a lifetime; yet we let our souls shrivel
which we have for eternity. Billy Graham
A generous man will prosper; that he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:25
ENTRY
Upstairs in our master bedroom ,there is an eclectic display on the wall. I have bragged on my wife's
ability to decorate in the past .Her skills have made our home look both comfortable and inviting. On the wall are two different pieces of metal both the same size. They have been sprayed black and even though they are the same size the patterns on them are a little different.They are the top and bottom grates on a register that came from the house where I grew up.
My faimily would be surprised to know how many times I sit and stare at them. They take me back to my
childhood home . My brother and I slept upstairs in twin beds. The living room was right below us. I would get up from my bed and sneak over to the register and through those grates was a great way to watch tv after I was suppose to be sleeping. I knew which boards in the hardwod floor creaked and the ones that did not. Despite my best stealth , my dad more times than not would yell at me and tell me to get back in the bed.
It was not until I was an adult that my mom spilled the beans. She told me where and how I messed up and alerted my dad that I was up there. To see the tv , I had to use gently push a lever that caused the grates to slant to best view the television. In these old homes this allow heat from the stove below to rise up and into upstairs rooms. The vent was usually wide open to allow best air flow. So when I adjusted the register , it never registerd that small little particles of dust would fall like snow and trickel down below. That is how my dad knew ! Dust particles would trickle down and fall like snow in a direct line of sight between my dad's recliner television. So see it is my mom's fault! If she would have only cleaned that area a little
better. Knowing my dad, I would bet a shiny nickle he probably told mom not to touch it so he would know when I did.
I cherish these memories. Sometimes as I am getting ready for work, I have more serious thoughts.
I am fearful because many people I know and are fond of ,are on their way to hell . They do not care
about God, faith, and heaven. They are unaware and are not concerned of what is in store for them because they do not know Jesus as both Lord and Savior .When we surrender and give our life to God our names are registered in the Lamb's book of life. I cannot think of anything you are doing today that is more pressing or important than doing this. I do not are who you are. If you have never done this , I pray maybe the slant on my story will help you see how trully important this is ,and will eternally register with you.
Dust you are and to dust you shall return.
Genesis 3:19
I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but will acknowledge his name before
my Father and his angels. Revelation 3:5
I hate housework. You make the beds, you wash the dishes and six months later you
have to start all over again. Joan Rivers
ENTRY
We have a very old small barn on our barn. It was there when we bought the property years ago.
It has a lean to on the east side where I store our old tractor. The horses can go in and out any time
they wish . They mainly use it as a shelter not against rain and wind, but most often to escape pesky summer flies.
My wife's granpa , Pete Markul, worked for a electric company for many years up north. Years ago, we did not have electricity on the property. He ran a bunch of wires up to to a bright lamp in the barn. He ran the wires to a special plug and put another on my old Ford truck engine. I could pull up close to the barn and
plug it in and have lights using the truck engine as a generator. This was a hugh help when I was treating a sick or injured horse. He would be surprised to know that my favorite horse is named in his honor, Feather Markul.
Years later , we had a newer tan pole barn built up on the hill. It had a living quarters as well.
We spent many hours there before we were able to build a home on the farm. We made many memories in the cabin that I will always cherish. We often joke that if our rowdy boys are ever asked if they grew up in a barn , they can say we sure did!It was in that very room where I first started to study God's word and began to get serious about my faith. It was there where I first flirted with the idea of possibly writing a book .
I look back on those days with great fondness.
I had to stop writing this story and it has been almost 24 hours since I had to stop. I find it ironic but
it seems I need yet another barn! There were horse out in our front yard ! They had been there quite awhile but darkness consealed their presence. I said a prayer asking God to help me get them in easily and without mishap and I am greatful for that. It did take several hours to repair the fence.
Our barns and even others I see as I travel often make me think of a wonderful Bible story . A man was
so rich that he did not have enough room to store all his stuff. He thought he would just tear down his barns and build bigger ones and just kick back and take it easy. In this parable told by Jesus ,this man is rich in earthly wealth but has a poor relationship with God. He is unaware that very night will lose not only all he has but his very life. This should be a warning as well as a reminder to all of us as to not let money cause us to lose focus of what is most important. It is ok to have money as long as it don't have you.
Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not to have a rich relationship with God.
Luke 12:21
Time goes , you say? Ah ,no! Alas, Time stays ,we go.
Austin Dobson
It's no use closing the barn door after the horse is gone.
John Heywood
ENTRY
I was over at our horse barn feeding the horses. As I was trying to fill up the feeder bucket,
the horse in its eagerness bumped my hand and spilled a great portion of it upon the ground. I was a little perturbed at her ,but then wondered if perhaps this could be by grand design.
A few night ago I was very tired after a long day. It was late. I was so tired and thought about waiting
till morning. It took a while but I finally got up enough to go over to the barn when all I wanted to do was head for my bed. Of course I was in a hurry and that always leads to mistakes. In my haste , I made
much waste as I spilled a lot of feed upon the ground as I raised up one of the 50 pound bags of feed.
There was enough there that I could have filled two or three scoops. I actually planned scoop it up for the horses. I wondered again if God had something else in mind. I felt in my heart he was behind this, and
it was to be left behind.
I do know this that something always comes up and cleans this spilled food. I do not know if it a deer ,
rabbit, or even a coon. All I know is that some one of God's creatures has figured out that a snack can be found here from time to time.
This makes me think of the Bible story about Boaz. This wealthy man told his men to not to glean the fields perfectly. He wanted them to leave some behind for a young girl named Ruth who went out into the fields each day to provide for her and her mother in law, Naomi. I suggest you read the Bible story found in the Book of Ruth. Things turned out pretty good for him .
Be it a little larger tip at a restaurant, or dishing out a few bucks to someone we know who is having
hard time greatly pleases God. Maybe the stray kitten who shows up on your doorstep was sent to see if you can spare a little saucer of milk. I know you are afraid if you feed it it will come back. That could very well happen but I think other wonderful things may come your way because of your kindness and compassion. I think that when we do this , God opens up his hand even wider on our behalf.I have found you cannot outgive Him, believe me I have tried.
When you harvest your crops, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your field,
and do not pick up what the harvesters drop.It is the same with your grape fields,- do not strip
every last bunch of grapes from the vines, and do not pick up the grapes that fall to the ground.
Leave them for the poor and the foreigners who live among you, for I, the Lord , am your God.
Leviticus 19:9-10
ENTRY
We have a curved walkway leadind from our sun room out to the garage. It is glassed in on both sides and has flowers on both sides. Often when we have guests they will comment on this as they pass through this area of our home.
We keep our shoes lined up in this area. It takes away from the wow factor but it is functional. There are not near as many shoes there as when our sons lived here. They always grumbled because the rule was left on left , right on right ,and both toes touching the wall. Our oldest son went to OCS in Rhode Island and these young navel recrits were told to leave their shoes in the hallway with specfic instructions. You guessed it.
At one time I was the big man on this campus. I do not have a picture of this, but remember all our boots lined up largest to small. My size 13's were top dog . My dad teased me as a youth saying that if my feet grew any larger, I would have to back up to a door to knock on it.
He would be amused to see that if we would line them up now, my feet would be the smallest of all the guys. We have a size 14, 15, and a size 16. My dad passed away many years ago and only got to meet our oldest and boy were they tight. My dad wore a size 10. I try to keep his memory alive and tell my boys stories and lessons that he passed on and along to me. I use these nuggets of truth each and every day and I often share these with patients . I am so blessed to have such a great dad. I hope that I can measure up as a father. I have big shoes to fill indeed.
What a father says to his children is not heard by the world ; but it will
be heard by posterity. Jean Paul Richter
If you want your children to keep their feet on the ground , put some
responsibility on their shoulders. Abigail Van Buren
A lie can be half-way round the world before the truth has got its boots on.
James Callaghan
ENTRY
Years ago I bought a big white dually . I was and so far the only new vehicle I have ever owned.
I paid close to 40 k for the truck 20 years ago. That same model of F350 runs about 95k now!
Our family likes to name our cars and trucks and I really am not sure why. I called this big white truck
BIG VIC mainly because we have victory in Jesus. It served me well and told me down many roads
and miles. As a lay speaker it has heard many prayers said out loud before I would enter churches as
a guest speaker.
My favorite picture of me with our three boys is on a shelf in my office at home. My wife kim took the picture. I am in the drivers seat with the 3 boys looking at the camera from the seat behind me.
I would not have sold that truck to anybody but I wound up giving it to our youngest son years later.
We gave it to him on his 16th birthday. I wote a short poem on a big circular piece of cardboard.
It said:
Roses are red and violets are blue
Now the dually belongs to you!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
As I red and studied this morning I went back in time and replayed this memory as I read about
God told Moses in regard to his name. God told Moses his name was I AM. God told him to go and ask his people to be set free. When they ask who sent you tell them I AM has sent you. We see from scripture God has many names . Because of that story the plate on that big white truck was IAM4AM.
Looking back I would bet that many people tried to figure out what on earth that stood for. Many would ask me in a parking lot as I parked and it gave me a chance to do a little witness for Christ because of that big truck.
Once in a while I would get behind a car whose plate was 3RD DAY. I liked to be reminded of that especially when I was having a rough day. When things are not going well and all hell is breaking out, Jesus
broke out of the tomb on the third day and broke death grasp on us . That should give us hope and joy to know that no matter what is on our plate today , it is all going to be ok. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus
who has paved our way home with his own blood.
God replied ," I AM THE ONE WHO ALWAYS IS. Just tell them , I AM has sent me to you."
Exodus 3:14
ENTRY
In the southwest corner of our yard is a large tree. This is the direction one would
need to travel to get to the place where I grew up. As a crow flies it would be 25 miles away.
It is a sweetgum tree . I planted it there because there was a sweetgum tree in my parents yard
off to the side and behind my parents home. While mowing I often look at the tree in our yard
and my mind takes me back in time .I think of the large tree in my parents yard and the back
story behind it.
I was young and was in my physical prime. I had my shirt off and had just finished lifting weights in my parents basement. My dad had just come home from work and called down for me to come up.
He said he had a chore for me and we hopped in the truck and traveled a few miles down the road .
Dad had spied a small sapling along the road and wanted it for the yard. We dug it up with I would guess a dirt ball around its roots close to 300 pounds. Maybe I was showing off or maybe I just wanted to see if
could lift it alone. I did so but it was not easy. I waddled thru the weeds and a small ditch and put it on the tailgate huffing and puffing. He seemed pleased and impressed but his was going agaist the grain from
his teachings. Through him, I had been taught a wise man knows to try use his mind more and his back less.
Over the years I watched that tree grow into a tall and mighty specimen. I glanced at it many times as I
was visiting my parents. My back is not near as strong as it used to be but no man on this planet could move or lift that tree now. It's roots are firm and it is set in it's ways.
I write children's books as well. I often think how we must try to bend the lives and minds of this precious children towards Christ Jesus while we can. Studies have shown that the chances of them accepting him as their Lord and Savior go down with each passing year. The time to teach them and to reach them is now.
The soil in return for her service keeps the tree tied to her, the sky asks nothing and leaves it free.
Rabindranath Tagore
ENTRY
Our kitchen is to the left side of our house as you come up the hill. As you step out onto a covered porch with a few flower pots. Off to the right is a lime green swing which was a must have as we built our home.
I blush as I write these words because I do not have enough sense to sit out there and reast and relax as
planned . Sometimes I do sit there for a few minutes before supper. I look out and see a piece of paper in the landscape or a tuft of grass we missed by the sidewalk while weedeating. So instead of resting, praying , and relaxing , it turns into another work session.
Near the swing is a large triangular shaped piece of metal. Hanging from it is another hollow tube.These
items are banged or clanged together when it is time to call us up to the house and for supper. We hardly ever use them but it looks cool and it is how cook let the cowboys knew that supper was ready.
Our youngest son came out the other evening and wanted to tag aong with me as I went out to "feed the ponies ". I was eager to show him something I had been doing to call some babies up to the fence instead of going out into the field to find them. I did my dad's whistle and then banged the scooper between the bars on the metal red gate. They equated this hillbilly dinner bell with the promise of of vittles In no time flat , these youngsters came flat out running as hard as they could go. I heard the mixture of thundering hoofs and Jarah's belly laugh.
The little church I grew up has someone pull on a rope and ring the bell right before church starts. It lets the
sleepy little town know people are being fed up on the hill. Not many go to church these days down there
these days or anywhere for that matter. It is certainly not a laughing matter.
A good example is like a bell that calls many to church.
Danish proverb
Time has no divisions to mark its passage; there is never a thunderstorm to announce the beginning of a new year. It is only we mortals who ring bells and fire off pistols.
Thomas Mann
ENTRY
When a doc or nurse asks me about allergies of any kind, I always tell them poison ivy. I also add that
my lips will probably break out because I said it.I have had giant bubbles between my fingers so big I have
trouble making a fist. When I do close them, the bubbles would erupt and of course would spread to other places.
Often in the office , I have to help patients try to find and figure out what they used or were around that
caused an allergic reaction on around their eyes. Sometimes it is a new pet, change of shampoo, or a new
contact lens solution. I have honed this area of questioning and have flushed a lot of rabbits out and into the open over the years.
About a year or so I have a personal situation that stumped me. There was something in my life that would
cause my lip to swell up .It would first start to tingle and within 10-15 minutes . I first thought it was a gel
on my son's head because I always kiss him on the head. When it puffed up when he was not around, he was
taken off the suspect list. I blamed my wife , the dog, a son's girlfriend and could not figure this out to save
my life. My family and staff at worked showed no mercy and found it amusing especially when it caused
difficulty speaking and would playfully mock me.
I always tell patients I learned in school our bodies never have an allergic reaction when it first is exposed .
The next time is when the body has decided this is not welcome is when it blows up in some way or another.
I went down one Saturday afternoon to see Helen Keller's homeplace in Tuscambia Alabama. I drove up on Sunday morning to find it was closed . I was disappointed but decided to go home through Columbia Tn.
and visit James Polk's home.
It was late Sunday evening and I was tired. I dreaded the Nashville traffic. I read years ago chewing gum helps
with mental capacity especially when we are fatigued. Knowing this, I reached down and popped a piece of Juicy Fruit chewing gum in my mouth as I neared the city. I have a habit of running my hand though my hair
when I am stressed out. I had done this more than once in anticipation and dread of big city traffic. I felt my
lip start to tingle and in no time my upper lip was hugh.
I had bought a hair gel in florida at a grocery store. I help my hair in place better than anything I had ever
used. I knew I had found the problem. I had this on my fingers as I popped the gum in my mouth with my left
hand which is my usual go to when I run my hands through my hair. I never used this any more and my lips
have not been quite but have been quite normal.
Imagine you were sitting in a little country church right now and you see a stranger come in. We might turn our head out of curosity and maybe even flash them a smile or nod to make them feel welcome.We do not know anything about them . I do know one thing indeed , they have never hurt you or someone your love. In short , no prior history!
Now imagine the same setting and we turn to see our least favoite person on planet earth. I know you know who I am talking about even thought I do not. I know one thing, their had been prior history beteen the two of you and their presence has made you feel funny and uncomfortable. That person or persons that have that
done this to you, you need to try to forgive them. Even though we thought we had , this shows we were wrong.
Yes, I have people too I do not care for and would like to never be near or around but that is often not possible.
When a deep injury is done us, we never recover until we forgive.
Alan Paton
Face your deficiencies and acknowledge them;but do not let them master you. Let them teach you
patience ,sweetness, insight. Helen Keller
A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.
William Arthur Ward
ENTRY
In front of me and on my desk, I have a very special book. I look forward to reading it in the near future.
Our youngest son ,Jarah, and his wife ,Kirby, gave it to me on a Saturday afternoon not long ago.
It was about 3 days after my birthday and they told me it was a belated birthday gift. It is called FAMOUS
HORSE STORIES. I kidded and asked they how on earth did they know that I love horses.
Jarah said told me that I should look inside . He said the author had signed it for me. I had my doubts because
it has been around for awhile and was publihed in 1949. As I opened it to the front, I did not see
an inscription but a sonogram! This picture of a baby inside this book told me a baby was growing inside
our beautiful and wonderful daughter in law.
I am not sure how I held it together' but I did. I told them I can't believe you was able to get this signed for me.
I handed the book to Jarah who passed on and over to my wife , Kim. She opened the book and then
became unglued. She cried like a baby and melted as she saw a picture of a baby. She saw her first grandchild for the first time. Tears and hugs all around as our hearts were joyous with this news.
I plan to read this book soon .I have been known to loan books out or even to give them away. This book
is too special and will always have a special place in my library and my heart.
Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing old.
Mary H. Waldrip
ENTRY
It is ironic but as I was writing the story below, my wife fell as she was out in the yard with the dogs.She was not hurt bad but fell on her right arm. She came in and sit in my big leather chair and told me her story as
I was telling mine.
Turns out that she had turned the dogs out in the back yard for a potty break. One dog obeyed the rules ,did his thing and came back up and on the deck. The one one is usually the most responsible decided to go for a
stroll way down behind the house and close to the horse pasture. Kim had walked out there to keep her , Skyler,
away and alive. As Kim walked across the yard, she was tripped up by a large piece of barb wire some idiot
had left in the yard.That idiot would be me!
She was not mad and I was able to keep her from calling a lawyer. I felt so thankful she was not hurt but felt bad because it was indeed my fault. In my defence, I do not have a leg to stand on...either. I had repaired a
section of fence the day before. I picked up all my tools and headed back to the house. It was not procrastination but I planned to take this over to the barn on my next run .
As I thought about what to do with this, I pondered throwing it in the pond. I imagined someday someone getting snagged and held in the water by their clothing or worse yet their skin. I did not forsee Kim going
down to that remote spot as even a remote possibility. It goes to show that we all need to think about the o loose ends during any project for that matter. We need to think about those who will will come up behind us .
There are some wonderful moms and dads out there that would do anything and everything for their kids.
They do not have faith and are not raising them in Christ or the church. It concerns me greatly that these parents do not realize how much their family including their kids are in danger of hell after this life is over.
Much sorrow and pain will be caused because of what they did not put in place and leave behind . They were doing this that and the other thing and forgot to give the most important of all lessons. They need need to make sure that their legacy is about following Jesus and making him their Lord and Savior.The Word will protect them from the world and all the evil it offers. They will see things that the others do not see or even know to look for.
We never know the love of a parent until we become parents ourselves.
Henry Ward Beecher
ENTRY
A few days ago, I was trimming some low limbs off a clump or river birches in our front yard. It has
become more difficult here of late to mow around them. I did not want to take away from the look of the tree
but still need to take away a few limbs. As I snipped and clipped, I wondered if there was something that I
could take away and use in an upcoming story, sermon , or blog.
I clipped a larger limb that had spit off into two limbs. I did not want to cut it but it was way two low and
went too far out into the yard. I did not notice it at first . When I began to gather them up, I saw that a small
nest was in the fork. The family that had been raised there was long gone . I looked up the hill at our home
and felt a twinge in my heart as my wife and I are now empty nesters.
I picked up the nest and held it in my hand. It looked like any other nest but it had a lot of white in it. Upon
closer inspection , I realized they were long white hairs. They were horse hairs either from a mane or tail.
I smiled because our only white mare has had a baby of her very own this summer. Her name is Wish.
When I curry the horses they seem to enjoy it. In the spring , large clumps of hair fall to the ground. If the
wind is blowing often the hairs will cling to your clothes or get in your mouth. Every time I do this I marvel at
God keeps the horses warm as winter comes. Then in the spring , the birds use the strands to make their nests.
Our barb wire fences have many stands of hair all over the farm as the fence steals a few hairs from their
tails as they swat at pestering flies. I can sometimes tell who the donor was by the color of the strands
swaying in the breeze.
So what can we take away from this story? I have learned that everything God does has a purpose and
a plan. I like you forget this sometimes ... most of the time to be more exact. Maybe you lost or misplaced something recently like the awesome hoodie I bought in Lake Tahoe last year and left behind at the airport.
Maybe God let me use it for a few days. He needed me to position right where the one he had in mind
could find it . As I study His word and , I am in awe of his ways. I wish I could tell Wish this story and how
her loss helped another. I also wish I could see the person who is wearing that awesome hoodie.
Have you given the horse its strength or clothed its neck with a flowing mane?
Job 39:19
Troubles are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things.
Henry Ward Beecher
ENTRY
It is Saturday. I was off today but a patient who had been working on a home project got
something in his eye. I came in removed it and patched him up literaly. The foreign body had got up in his eye and under the lid. About 1/8 of his cornea was missing, and he had a pain of 9 on a 10 scale.He is going to be fine but there is a good chance I will need to come in tomorrow depending on how things go. Notice I did not say we will play this by ear. We will play it by eye.
When I was first learning to ride , my dad always stessed how important it was t make sure there wer no
burs or any thing underneath the saddle blanket. He preached that when the riders seat hit the seat in the saddle that is when the rodeo will start!
This patient favors his left eye and it is the one I just put a patch on. I warned him to be careful because
his depth perception will be reduced even more so with the best eye out of the line up.I also warned him
will pick on him and tell him every pirate joke they have ever heard.
When I see him again, he will tell me something I hear every single time when one has to do life with a single
eye. He will have a much greater appreciation for having two eyes than ever before. His short affliction will
make him more understanding for those who must do life like this for the rest of their lives.
I told him that years ago one of my favorite horses ,Rusty, had injured his eye. The poor guy coud not hold it
open and it watered profusely. I doctored up the big guy's eye and used similar human meds I used on my patient this morning. I used seveal red shop rags to patch his eye and used several rounds of gray duct tape spands around his hugh jaw.His eye healed as well but my 1200 pound patient did not make this easy .
Our wonderful farm neighbors has taken a walk through our woods on a beautiful October afternoon. Rusty
and the other horses came up to the red gate overlooking the field. They saw Rusty's occluded eye and concluded this must be how I practiced doing this. Rusty knew the full story and did not say a word.
I shut my eyes in order to see.
Paul Gauguin
An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language.
Martin Buber
ENTRY
When I was growing up, we only had a well in our yard. We did not have a spigot and a hose to clean our cars
or water the flowers. This well water was deep and clear and cool .It was the best water I have ever had.
It took quite a while and to be honest I am not there yet, acquiring a taste for what us country folk
distastefully referred to as' city water.'
I spoke about this in the small church in bristow several years ago. I told how King David longed for a drink
from a certain well. Three of his finest men risked their lives and fought their way to that well and brought
it back to him. The king was touched by their kindness and devotion. He did did not drink it put poured
out upon the ground.
A lady who heard me speak that day still had a well. She brought some to the small little church and they kept
in the fridge until I could get back down and down it. I was with my youngest son and shared it with him.
Jarah was amazed how it was so different than what he knew as the taste of water. It was a special moment for me and him. I will always remember her act of thoughtfulness . The water passed over my lips and and is lone gone . It left a good taste in my mouth and her act of kindness shall remain well into the years.
The common tasks are beautiful if we have eyes to see their shining ministry.
Grace Noll Crowell
ENTRY
Last week I went around to the various water tanks. I needed to make sure they all were topped
off . Most people do not realize how much water a horse can down in one day. Because of this, I often stand
amazed of the water drop in 24 hours during times of high heat.
I pulled up the lever and looked at the tank about 100 feet away and slighty down the hill from me. I
counted in my head knowing I will see turbulence in the water in about 8 seconds. I did not see anything and
thought the hose must have feel out of the tank. Sometimes a young horse will play and pull the hoseoff and away. The were two youngsters in this field so they were on the list of suspects.
I walked down the hill and found that was not the case. There has to be a kink in the hose somewhere along the way. I checked the entire span and was trying to figure out this mystery. I went back
to the sourse. Two hoses split off from that same point. I had forgot that when I last used it I had switched hoses and a tank to the south that was full was running over and then some.
Everytime I fill either tank , I am always reminded of a bible story. An angel would from time to time
stir the waters and the first to enter were healed of their infirmity. It was called the pool of Bethesda
and we are told large crowds of sick people gathered there. A man who had been sick for 38 years was there.
Jesus walked up to him and asked if he would like to be well. The sick man explained he had no one to help
him .W hen the water was stirred up, someone always get in before him. Jesus told him to pick up his mat
and he was healed instantly.
This really caused a stir among the religious leaders. They got bent out of shape because Jesus healed him on
on the Sabbath . They pointed out the man was sinning by carrying his mat as he walked away. Seems like
they should have been happy that a man who was down and out was now up on his feet and on his way.
They were as confused as I was about trying to figure out why the hose was not working. Blessings were indeed being poured out and needs were being met but not in the way I thought it should be. When we are
connected toJesus and have him as our source, life is indeed full of surprises.
Crowds of sick people -blind, lame ,or paralysed lay on the porches.
John 5:3
ENTRY
Since my youth, I have always been fond of the color orange. I think that is another reason I enjoy
looking at the trumpet vines. Often as I trim them, I think of a heated discussion I had with an elderly patient
a few years ago. He was very well versed in his bible and knew scripture well. He belongs to a church where
they do not allow musical instruments in worship and feel this is indeed wrong.I have preached a time or two
in this type of church and I have often wondered what they feel this is so off limits.
I told him that many musical instruments are listed as being used as praise . We all know as a youth David
would play a harp when a tormenting spirit would come upon Saul. Several times prophets would listen to waited upon the Lord's spirit for guidance and direction. The use of trumpets were used to call men to arms
and used in battle as well as worship.
This gentleman drove a car down to his appointment. In my heart, I do not think he is going to hell because
he drives a vehicle. . Up in the area where he is from many churches have music in their churches but the
parking lot is full of hitching posts for horse and buggy.
As I asked about this, he told me that all of the things I had just said were true. He said what I had failed to understand that this was all in the Old Testament. He said there is not a single mention of any kind of music in the New Testament. Since Jesus came, it all changed and music was not used or mentioed and challenged me to find a single example proving otherwise.
I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I have read the Bible a few times as well. I told him I think there was going to be a certain sound we would all hear when Jesus returns , correct me if I am wrong but iI am
certain it is a sound made by a certain musical instument. ;)
For the Lord will decend from heaven with a cry of command , with the voice of an archangel, and
sound of the trumet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
1 Thessalonians 4:16
ENTRY
Frow where I am sitting, I can see the arbor that covers our sidewalk as you walk up to our
front door. I planted trumpet vines on both sides and it is full of these beautiful orange
flowers . It is so full that I need to trim it back... again. There are a few misguided sprouts that are reaching
and over to a nearby rose bush. I will have to be very easy and train them to wind them in and
around the arbor, or Lord knows where they might end up.
When I go about this I often think about our three sons who have since moved out and now have lives and God fearing wives of their own. They grew up in the church and all attend faithfully and I could not be any more proud of them. I think back upon my own life and my mother was the spiritual leader in our home and she made sure my brother and I were in God's house every Sunday morning.
I am so thankful for the small little country church I grew up in . I have been known to sneak down there
from time to time if time allows. Many and most of the people have passed on . I can still see them and hear
their voices. they unknowing were bending, training , and influencing me . They were teaching me with their lives to cling to that old rugged cross.I am so thankful for each and every one of them, or God only knows where I would have ended up.
Train up a child in the way that he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22: 6
ENTRY
We have a large rock down in our front yard. It came from a field in the horse pasture down on my parents
forty acre farm. I mentioned the idea of bringing it up and into their front yard . My dad at first dismissed
but later was all in. It sits off to the right as you come up the hill to our home. It is placed pretty close to the
way it was down home. When the time to come sell the farm , I took my tractor and bucket and brought it up
to our farm. I spend a lot of time there . It is one of my very favorite places to pray and talk to my Maker about
the things on my heart.
I have had so far a rough summer in regard to my health. I have had severe sciata issues that led to a back
surgery and a month later a second one as pieces of my spine broke loose causing a drop foot. I am not free of
of pain even know but it is starting to lessen a bit. I am trying to put my best foot forward(joke) but some days
are hard. I wonder if perhaps the lesson at hand is that I need to put my pride aside and let others help me.
As I sat on the rock a few days ago, there was a nice wind blowing on a warm summer evening. Sometimes
I take the dogs with me. I was by myself. I had my hands clasped together and my head down and my eyes
were closed. I had just started to pray and I heard a weird sound but at first dismissed it. Then it started again
kinda the same but yet different. It had a longer and louder two toned moan or groan sound. I stopped praying
and looked up. I had ridden down to the rock on our red ATV . I had not closed the door and the groaning
sound was the door being moved by the wind.
I could not help but think how we become more verbal as we age. I am amused sometimes as the sound I make move about when not one is around except the dogs. I know they will not say a word. Often I pray for
pets we have and some we have had in the past that have passed. One of those is buried near the rock. His
name was Gus, and I put him there because he loved going to the rock as much as I did. I still miss
my little buddy.
The door swayed in the wind. It creaked ,moaned, and groaned as I prayed. A verse came to mind .
The bible tells us that Jesus prays for us! It also tells us the Holy Spirit prays for us when we are without
words and do not know what to say.
This verse makes me think that since all creation looks forward to what lies beyond the grave, we may see
pets that we have loved and lost . I am not certain this is the case, but I live with that hope in my heart.
All creation anticipates the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay.
And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan
to be released from our pain and suffering. Romans 8:22-23
To touch a childs face, a dog's smooth coat , a petaled flower, the rough surface of a rock, is to set up a new
order of brian motion. To touch is too communicate.
James W. Angell
ENTRY
Our oldest son and he is a naval aviator. I checked my email earlier and did not hear from him today. When he is out at sea , we can only email him . At times the ship goes quite and for many days
we will not hear from him.
I will be out doing chores and will hear a small play flying over our farm. Before I can think I turn my eyes
up to the heavens wondering if that is Josh. He did that many times during his college days . My wife says
does the same.
I was with him in a small Cessna one afternoon and we circled our home several times. I remember exactly how things looked far below. Our wives came out in the front yard and we could tell which one was
was ,Christina, because of her bright pink shoes.
We covered a lot of ground or I guess sky that day. It was mainly clear skies but there were a few
large clouds here and there. As he zeroed in on one he asked if I had ever seen a cloud . I said,' Maybe
one or two (Optometry humor)." He then asked me if I have ever touched one. He told me to crack my
small window on my side and stick my hand outside. My hand was wet with moisture when I pulled it
back inside the aircraft.
I have been through a cloud and I have been through the Bible. The combination of things floating around in mind affect what I see, hear, and feel not only on my hand but in my heart .You tend to look at things a little differently when you have been through them.
A child on a farm sees a plane overhead and dreams of a faraway place. A traveler on the plane sees the
the farmhouse and dreams of home. Carl Burns
The clouds are the dust of his feet.
Nahum 1: 3
ENTRY
I have written about getting older before. I leave notes all over to remind myself to do things.
All kidding aside, I think this is one of the best habits we should aquire. We are all so busy and daily
overwhelmed with information coming at us from all angles all day. Even last night as we slept, the world
kept spinning, and those who feed us our news have put a spin of their own as we are informed.
I see many patients who write on their hands. Perhaps that is even wiser because truthfully I often lose or
misplace my sticky notes or forget where I put my reminders. I guess if you really thing it is that important
and you want to make sure.
I saw a preacher yesteday morning in the office. I had not seen him for years and we had church and
enjoyed a chat about our Lord . We enjoyed the freedom of those who have learned you do not need a building
to have fellowship.I told him that morning I had read about the fact that God has written on his hands our
names on his palms. Look at your own cheat sheet. You have a large M on each palm. That stands for
memento Mori. That means,'Remmember you will die."
Whatever your hand finds to do do with all your might. Ecclesiastes 9:10
ENTRY
I am a person who tends to get a lot of things done. I have my share of bad habits . Over the years I have
absorbed a few good one. I try to get things done and then move on to the next one. In order to do that ,
you need to realize one is almost always more important than the next.
If that statement bothers you , please try to put your shoes on and now your socks. I also think pants
come first. If I am staying in a hotel and there is a fire, I can live without my shirt.
Many times as I plan my day , I need to keep an eye on the weather. I have some yard work
that I need to do and another task is to cut up some boards in the horse stalls over in the barn.
I will do the outside work first and the stalls later. Why? If it rains, I can still work innside the barn.
Even if the day gets away from me and I run out of daylight, we have lights in the barn.
I see a lot of students right before they go off to college. Many will have some requiements in subjects
that they are worried about. For many it is math. I ask them what is their favorite time of day.
I am amazed that many do not know and admit they never really thought about it.They are gonna have
trouble in math but in life as well. You can count on it! Why? They do not think ahead.
Let's say they hate mornings and math is a weak subject for them. Then they take a college math
course at 8:00 A.M. . The same course is offered at 4:00 P.M. . They may be smart but it seems
they have made a mistake before they enter the classroom.
I made a mistake in the office a few days ago. We had a good day and seems we were going to get out
and go home early. A gal came in and my heart sunk as I read the note. A young man had just splashed
gas in his eye . He was in severe painand 45 minutes out. I gave the green light to head our way but did not use my head.
I needed to tell them that was ok but if they could not make it by then, go to the ER. They came
almost an hour and a half later! I know better. If you do not give them a timeline they will not only take
their time but yours as well.
I am not a fan of procrastination. I often jke that I am writing a book about this but it is not finished yet.
The title will be, JUST YOU WAIT. All my sons know this never did fly in our home and one grew up to be a pilot.
They grew up hearing a constant mantra:
Do it right, do it now, do it right now!
This is gonna be a bit confusing and a bit hypocritical. One of my chores today is to pick up and haul off
several large limbs I cut and left in the yard almost a week ago. It is because the limbs full of leaves will
have died and they will not be near as heavy. So sometimes there is a reason to wait. So there is always a
never an always and always a never.
I know that I am going out on a limb here ,but they do not teach stuff like this in college. I wish
they did. I think they should.
It is not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line.
Ashleigh Brilliant
I got my start by giving myself a start.
Madam C.J. Walker
ENTRY
In the back of our house are many flowers. You would have trouble finding another male who
appreciates and enjoys them as much as I do. I spend a lot of time caring for them and watering them
in a chore in itself that takes several minutes.I can do nothing but think as I stand there and I am amazed at
how many ideas that may make their way to stories are being born at such a time.
As i went about my routine the other evening, iI looked at the stalks that a few weeks ago held the
orange tiger lillies upright and on full display. I love those flowers and have written about them
before. I miss them already and am a little sad because their time has passed. As I refect on them , I look
forward to seeing my friends next summer if the god Lord allows me to be here to see them.
I need to take my snippers and cut down these straw like stalks. I then notices that there was a vine
not only growing around the stalk on several of them. I had planted some morning glory seeds nearby.
Morning glories come in different colors but my favorite are the purple ones that have a red center.
So I will let them stand and soon these purple flowers with adorn the now barren stalks.
This made me think about you and me you see. We all have others who came before us and we
are enjoying things passed down to us who have lived before us and their time has such since passed.
An example would be money passed down after or parents have passed or to those great men
who have passed down and along their great thoughts and ideas that have made the world a better place.
I read years ago in the Bible that wisdom would give us pleasure. When God allows me to see things
I get excited. I hope when it is my time to go that somewhere along the line, someone will be inspired when
they read my words....perhaps even this one.
God speaks to all individuals through what happens to them moment by moment.
J.P. DeCaussade
We are here on earth to do good to others.What the others are here for , I don't know.
W. H. Auten
The morning glories and the sun flowers turn naturally towards the light, but we have to be
taught , it seems. Richard Rohr
LATEST ENTRY
I was mowing our yard the other evening. I knew that I might not have enough to finish. I pulled the mower
pot of our garage and found that all 3 big red cans of gas were empty. I needed to run into town and get some.
I was a little miffed out myself because I driven the truck in to work that day.
It was a nice summer evening with a pleasant breeze. I rolled the dice and rolled on into the yard
to get as much done as possible. I almost finished our yard. I could have not been any farther from the house
when it started to sputter. I sputter caused me to mutter and chew myself out for being out of gas.
Mentally I was out of gas too. I am a completion freak and it was hard for me to walk away and on up to the
house but it it what it is. I will get gas tomorrow after work. I wondered if this unfinished task would
rob me of sleep.
Around ten o'clock I let the dogs out for bathroom duty. As I stood on the deck I saw a strange glow down
near where the mower was. I thought it was a reflection of the porch light. My theory was shot down when
turned off the porch lights. I knew what it was. I had not turned off the key. I had yet another thing to do
before bed. I went all the way down there but I was glad that I saw that. It had not been long so it did not
drain the battery .
I was amazed how even though it as pitch black, the tiny little orange light stood out in the darkness.
I wonder sometimes if I am wasting my time writing these stories and if anyone out in this world is
being inspired . The world in which we live is indeed a dark place and getting worse day by day.
That little glow from that button on the mower help shed a little light for me. I know it sounds silly but I slept soundly.I drifted off praising God thinking about how he used a mower out of gas to fill me with
hope and encouragement. I will remember the next time I feel like I can't cut it and cannot do this
any " mower".
That glimmer of light , surrounded by so many shadows,seemed to say without words
:Evil has not yet taken complete dominion. A spark of hope is still left.
Issac Bashevis Singer
There is a time for words and a time for sleep.
Homer
ENTRY 1
Our farm is about 4 miles east from Jasper In. We live on East Greener Road. Iknow you have heard
the phrase about the grass being greener on the other side of the fence.
I am here to tell testify and tell you that it is indeed greener on our side of greener road. It is because we
had issues with our septic system even before our home was completed.The septic system is on the southwest
side of the house and our wind usually comes from that direction. I am sure you get the drift.
Nonetheless we love our farm, and it has been a wonderful place too live and raise our three boys.When we
turn off Greener road and start up our lane we say aloud and praise both God and Jesus.We thank them for
for allowing us to return home safely.
I would like to think our sons do this as they drive up to their own homes now . I hope they will someday teach
their own children to do the same.I share this with you with the hope you would consider doing this as well.
I feel this pleases God and is good for all of us reminding us that even making it home safely at the end
of the day, is an very much overlooked blessing we all take for granted.
The grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence. The grass is always greenest where it
is watered. Robert Fulghum
LATEST ENTRY
My most story about mustard started with an epigram. That is a statement that usually that
is a jaw dropper. It is a statement that causes one to stop what they are doing and tune in. I have yet another for you that may be more astonishing.
Ready? My wife has been in Elvis Presley's bed! It is true. If you ever meet her, I would really appreciate if you would ask her about it. She will giggle but will turn the prettiest shade of red you have ever seen.
The back story is that we were down in Memphis visiting Graceland. After our tour of the house, we boarded the big jet that Elvis named the Lisa Maria after his daughter. We entered the front of the plane and made our way to the rear of the plane. There was the king-sized bed where the king of rock and roll slept.
They had the bedroom roped off with marron velvet ropes. I noticed the gal that was supposed to oversee this are walked to the front of the plane and had her back to us. As my wife Kim turned to face me, I noticed the large rope was very low was drooping a little lower. I gave my wife a push of force that was as good as any I made playing high school football.
She flew over the rope and landed on the pillows near the headboard. She scrambled to get off the bed like a cat on a hot tin roof. I got an ear full, but I didn't hear most of it because I was laughing so hard.
I don't know how it works up in heaven. In fact, no one really does except those who have passed on. Elvis loved to laugh, play pranks, and have fun. I love his music especially the gospel songs. He has entertained us for many years. I hope that God would allow him to see a beautiful young lady fly inside his plane. I am pretty sure he would get a kick out of this, and I would have laughed even harder if the security team had seen this and kicked off the plane.
As I said I love all his songs, but my favorites are the gospel tracks He used that heavenly voice to give praise back to God. I have never and will never call him the king. There is only one king, and he is my King. His name is Jesus. I have read many things about him down through the years. Elvis never liked being referred to as the king. His faith was strong. He loved the Lord even though fame and fortune brought forth many demons which i is usually the case. When I recently read this, I smiled, and l liked him even more.
even more.
When I am finished this short entry, I plan to listen to his song, I BELIEVE. I would invite you to do the same. I believe you will love it as well.
To judge a man by his weakest link or deed is like judging the power of the
ocean by one wave. Elvis Presley
LATEST ENTRY
Mustard saved my life! I loved it before it saved me. I still love it maybe even more. Actually
it did not save my life, my desire for it did.
We had just finished putting up our last load of hay. We knew a storm was on the way and
we got it in the barn. For that reason, spirits were high. We had worked 12 hours
in the hot sun and we were very tired. We were rich because at 2 bucks /hour our pockets
we filled with cash. This farmer, Cecil, was an elder in our church and one of my favorite farmers to work for. I don't think he ever realized we would have probably worked for free. The feast his wife, Ruthie, always had ready for us was pay enough.
We all gathered under their carport as the storm approached. Ruthie had taken the liberty of preparing a sandwich for me. I had never seen more slices of bologna and cheese between two slices of bread. I thanked her. I said a silent prayer thanking God, but it was the shortest and fastest prayer in the history of my mankind. I was about to devour my sandwich like a Great White shark. I raised the top piece of bread and there was no mustard!
I was in the southwest corner of the carport sitting in one of those old metal farm chairs that rocked. I got up to doctor her wonderful creation with the yellow condiment. I laid it on thick and turned to return to my chair. Just at that moment, our celebration was interrupted by a flash of light and heat. Lightning hit the metal chair I had been sitting in less than 30 seconds earlier!
The surge of electricity made our hair weird, we all nervously laughed. I think back upon that day and I know mustard did not save my life. I thank God for sparring my life that day. I often share this story and think about it just almost every time I reach for the mustard.
I do not know why I love mustard. I just do. God put something in me that causes it to appeal to me. He can use those desires to lead us forward. Satan is aware of them as well. He can use them get you to move towards him and away from God. My simple take away from this story is not enough. We need to read and heed biblical advice as to keep our guard up against his cunning and deceitful ways. I have read many words from some of the brightest men and women who have ever walked the earth. We can learn a lot from them but compared to biblical wisdom, they cannot even come close to cutting the mustard!
The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed which a man took and planted in his field.
Matthew 13:31
Do you send lightning bolts on their way?
Job 38:35
ENTRY 3
Our driveway is about 3 tenths of a mile long. I have had estimates for asphalt down through the
years and the prices keep going up.That is why we continue to go up and down our hill on a gravel road.
The steepness of our hill allows the hard rains to take our gravel road and wash it away. In fact I asked our
neighbors if could just dump the next load on their property to save the rain the trouble.
Gravel comes in many sizes usually in numbers. One would think that 53's would be much larger than a 2.
It is the complete opposite.The smaller the number, the larger the rock size.
I have found there are other things that seemed to be named backwards. Patients are always confused
by the term farsightness and near sightedness. Myopia the term for near sighted patients means the can
see close up. I fully agree it seems that would mean that they could not .
Flower terms are another example. It seems the ones that come up every year on their own or annually
would be called annuals and not perennials.
I thinks people also get confused about the size of sins. They feel some are much worse than others
but that is not at all what the Bible clearly explains. Sin is sin! They might look at the list of the Ten
Commandments and feel number 1 is worst than number 10 or vice versa.The Word of God
makes it clear that if you have broken even one... you have broken them all. There is not anyone
who has ever lived that is guiltless except for Jesus.
All have sinned , and come short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23
So we are all sinners and in need of a Savior.When His red blood ran down from His body that did not save
you. When Jesus arose from the tomb , our sins are still in place. When we ask Him to be
our Savior and into our heart, our sins past, present, and future are washed away.
The next time Satan wants to dump a load of guilt on you, remind him you are in Jesus and
your salvation is assured and you are safe and no longer in trouble.
FULL
ASSURANCE
IN
THE
HEART
I believe America has gone a long way down the wrong road. If we ever needed God's
help, it is now. Billy Graham
ENTRY 4
Right now, there are several daffodils blooming in various places around our farm. There seems
to more and more with each and every day. I have planted many bulbs over the years and they have
spread quite nicely. There are different color varations and I enjoy them all.
About a week or so ago, I took a large vase to the office with I think 15 or so to be displayed and enjoyed
up at the front desk.
Often as I gather them I think of a pre Easter jaunt on a farm near my parents home years ago. I took a
picture of our youngest son, Jarah, with squished daffodils hanging out of both pocket as he gathered more.
The place where I took them was a Homeplace to a family that lived there years ago. I know of only one
other field that would even come close to this massive display.
I read a book about flowers years ago . I learned something there that I have shared many times since.
It is hared to find a good spot for flowers to grow as we match their need for light and shade. Even after we do '
the deer and other animals mangle then even more than Jarah.
Here is something we missed. The book says they are delicious especially the stems. The stems are made in such
way that it hurts to eat them. They are untouched because it just hurts too much. They slice and dice the tongue
and the critters leave them alone.
Have you noticed how God watches over and protects things he loves and that he has made? ;) It was not in the book
or anywhere in your Bible, but I think God really love those yellow flowers too!
Flowers always make people better,happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine , food, and medicine to the soul.
Luther Burbank