Just a Few Words

I have just a few words for today.  Probably not life changing; and maybe not thought provoking; maybe just rambling.  I can.  It’s my blog.  Right?

I wrote in my journal again today.  I wrote of a verse in Proverbs.  It was in chapter 4 and verse 23.  It reads,

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

Just thinking of that causes me to realize it is the heart or inner being of individuals which determines our treasures.  Jesus did say, “Where your treasure is; there will your heart be also”. (Matthew 6:21)  Guard your heart it is the seat of what drives your thoughts and actions.

Now I don’t want to get this into being a preachy blog.  I have one of those already.  Nothing wrong with preaching; but it  is not my intention to do that here.

I am just a simple country boy with very little education; High School graduate, and two years of Bible “College” without graduating.  Still just a simple country boy with an Ozark twang.  That I am not ashamed of.

Thanks for coming and reading my few words from along the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

Writing a Journal

I guess this is my way of committing myself to doing it again.  Several years ago I committed to writing a journal and in the past five years or so I have wondered away from it. I think it had a dramatic impact on my walk with God, and that is one of the things I wrote in the journal this morning.

As of today, August 30, 2011 I am committing once again to keeping a daily journal of my daily walk, events and challenges of life.  There may be days I post some of it here; and other days I will not.  I will be writing the journal after I finish my daily reading of Scripture; and will be reflecting on the previous day, and thinking of, or planning the day ahead.

One thing I cannot get away from and that is that God is marvelous, gracious, and full of mercy.  I am very glad He is.

Thank the Creator for His blessings of wife, family, friends, and friends I have not met yet.

From the banks of Flat Creek.  I am…

-Tim

I Know that My Redeemer Liveth

Worshipping along the banks of Flat Creek.

I know that my Redeemer liveth, And on the earth again shall stand;

I know eternal life He giveth, That grace and power are in His hand.

(refrain)

I know, I know that Jesus liveth, And on the earth again shall stand;

I know, I know that life He giveth, That grace and power are in His hand.

Because He loves us, and because He lives we can worship and love Him.

-Tim

Marriage and Friends

The title of today’s post is probably does not have to do with what you might think.  I learned yesterday of the importance of keeping your marriage as a top priority in your home.

I finally got around to calling a long time friend.  We had not talked in about a year.  After our conversation was over, and the phones placed back on the dock I had a lot of thinking to do.  When a couple has children the children cannot be the major event of the home.  In this day and age we live this will not be too popular to say; but when you have children the most important thing they need to see is not you keeping them busy and hopping and happy.  The greatest thing you can give your child, other than the message of Christ Jesus, is a good marriage.

Your children need to see Dad loving Mom, respecting Mom, and Mom respecting Dad.  They need to know you two are together forever.  The two of you have made a vow to God, “Until death do us part”.  Your children will grow up and leave home.  You will no longer have them in your arms, and within reach any longer.  Be glad, not sad about that; that is what growing is all about.

I have watched several homes, though not intentionally, but usually from afar.  They have majored on their children, neglected their marriage; then when the children are grown and out on their own the marriage falls apart and they divorce.  These are far too often Christian homes.

Love your children, YES!  Cherish your wife and love her like Christ loves the church and gave Himself for her.  Cherish your husband, love and respect him in the Lord.

Just a note.  Marriage can only be between a man and woman.  Anything else is perversion.

My wife and me celebrated our 38th Anniversary on July 28 and look forward to many more empty nest years together.  Have they all been smooth and trouble free?  No way.  But they have sure been good.

From the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

It’s Saturday

It is Saturday again.  They come around once a week; and most of us are glad they do.  They do for the living anyway.  It probably does not matter for those who have gone into eternity.

I just checked my online weather forecast for Cassville, MO. and there appears to be no rain in sight; and an expected high of 94.  Yesterday morning we had a low at our house of 51 degrees.  That felt good compared to some of the morning temps we had a few weeks ago.  As of this moment (6:23 a.m.) the low for today is 57 degrees.  Though I do like Summer and its heat I think I am enjoying the relief of approaching Fall, and its cooler mornings and days.

Without any rain today I plan on finishing mowing the yard.  I have an acre or so to mow in the back.  It is amazing how good a yard looks after it is mowed.  I have heard some make comments like.  “Why keep your yard mowed when you live back where no one can see it?”  Well!  My answer for that is, “I see it”.  I like a well trimmed yard; and my is a long way from well trimmed, but I am working toward that.

Today is also a day when I look forward to being in church and worship with the people of our local church.  My prayer is that the Lord give me the words for the sermon that will glorify Him; and work by the power of the Holy Spirit to draw every listener to Him.

As I write this morning the sun is starting to rise over the Eastern hills.  The banks of Flat Creek are still in a bit of darkness; but the light is beginning to appear.

From the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

Nightmare for a School Bus Driver

And it was not as I was sleeping.  It happened as I was driving my morning route yesterday morning (8/25/11).  It was my last stop picking up children.

This year I had part of the town of Cassville added to my route.  I pick up thirty to forty children on this extra leg of my run; and drop them off of the evening before I head out of town to run the rural area of my route.

On this morning I put my yellow overhead lights on.  They were flashing at least 500 feet before the stop; there was on coming traffic; some not making any seeming effort to prepare to stop.  As I pulled to the stop one pickup truck went by as I was opening the door for the stop sign to come out and the red lights started flashing.  The boy I was picking up from the left side of the road came running out of the house toward the street with an oncoming Chevy Tahoe, burgundy in color; the boy running toward the bus, looking at the bus, seemingly unaware of the oncoming traffic.  I am screaming for him to stop; hoping that he will hear me.  I am screaming, “Stop. Stop. Stop.”  I should have laid on my  horn; but I did not even get the license plate number of the Tahoe.

The boy did finally stop when he reached the edge of the street/highway and the Tahoe went right on through the stop sign with red flashing lights.  Question.  How does someone miss seeing a large yellows School Bus with yellow or red flashing lights.  Red flashing lights in the stop sign on the left side of the bus.  Red flashing lights overhead on the bus.

I don’t know this for a fact, but my thoughts tell me that this person, male or female, was had one of those pieces of technology attached to their ear called a cell phone.  What are we supposed to be doing when we are behind the steering wheel of a car?  Driving.  Driving, especially in the city or a small town like Cassville; requires devotion to driving.  Concentrating on what you are doing.

DON’T BE STUPID!  How would you feel if you hit a child and killed, maimed and/or injured them?

A few years ago when I was driving a bus in Farmington, MO. I saw a kindergarten girl hit by a car as I was getting ready to pull up to a stop where several apartment children met to ride the bus.  It was a horrifying sight.  I was relieved when I got there that she was not injured, but just in case, her father took her to get checked out.

Again, DON’T BE STUPID.  Schools are beginning to be in session.  Drive with care.  Notice those big yellow monsters called School Buses.  They are hauling the most precious cargo.  Your children and grand children.

Just another reflection from the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

Another One

The Little Girl was still gone when I left to drive the bus for the evening route.  However, when I returned home she was back, and had a friend with her; a small male, even smaller than her.  Now I like dogs, but I can only take so many.  After all I don’t run, nor do I want to run a kennel.  I do have methods for dealing with strays.  In other words, we now have three dogs hanging around here.  These two Corgi looking ones are probably someone’s or at least have been someone’s house pets.

No pet is allowed in the house here.  We have made few exceptions if they are kept in a cage; not running free in the house.  We don’t even have gold fish in our house; or an aquarium of exotic fish.  We have had, but not now.

Archer now has two friends.  He seems to get along with them well.

I am hoping that yesterday was the last of the 100 degree temps for the Summer.  It did make it to 100 at our house.

It’s great living along the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

Behind the Scenes or Out Front

The Creator of this Universe and all within it has called me to be a preacher of His Word, and the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am not a type A personality; you know; one of those who like to be in the front of everything, and seen by everyone.  That ‘s not me.

If I could choose to be something anywhere it would be a back row usher, or the maintenance guy, or the cleanup person.  I can do some things and not expect any recognition for it.  There is one place I want to be seen; and that is while driving an automobile down the road.

Some of these type A personalities are probably ones I meet of the mornings who don’t have the headlights on in their cars; when they ought to be on.  Let me tell you something; just because you can see, doesn’t mean you are seen.  Headlights on your automobile are an integral part of visibility for you in dark, night time driving; but also for being seen by others who are on the road.

It is the state law in Missouri that you turn on your headlights if you run your windshield wipers.  For me, when its cloudy my headlights are on.  When it is still slightly dark outside my headlights are on.  It is a safety issue.  Be seen by others while driving.

Just two days ago as I was driving my School bus to pick up children; at 6:20 a.m. I met two people driving without headlights on; no lights at all; not even parking lights.  Yes!  It was light enough they could see; but I could not see them without some effort.

To me these are idiots, and stupid people.  I am sorry for the terms, but that’s what you are if you drive without your headlights on in those twilight hours.  O, and those auto headlight switches are made to operate manually.  Use your head, and think while you drive; about driving.  It will be safer for everybody on the road.

Working from behind the scenes, to be seen on the road.  I want to be along the banks of Flat Creek a little longer; and I would think you would want to be around a little while longer too.  TURN ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS.  It doesn’t take too much effort; just thinking, and then doing.

-Tim

Gone Again

Just to let all who may be interested know; my Dad came home on Friday; and the family and myself want to thank you all for your prayers.

Now to what’s “Gone Again”.  That is the Little Girl.  The little corgi dog who just came to us is now gone again.  I don’t know what she is doing.  She was here about a week, and then leaves again.

I do miss her not being here.  She has a much different canineality that Archer does.  I know that’s not a word, but maybe it will be soon.  Can you call it personality in a dog?  I can’t.  They aren’t persons.  Now I sure don’t mean to offend any of you dog people or cat people but animals aren’t persons.  Get real and quit acting like they are.

Who knows Little Girl or Molly Moo as my wife and grand kids call her might be back tomorrow.  Who knows?  The last time she was only gone for a little over a day.  This time she has been gone now for a little over a day.

The last time when she got back she was wet like she had been in Flat Creek again.  Maybe she will this time too.

-Tim

With All That’s Goin’ On

With all that’s goin’ on in the world you would think that many people would get the idea that there is God; not a god, as if one of many; but GOD.  As one who created all that is, and sustains all that is.  GOD did not just create the created order then leave it for His crowning achievement to oversee, and rule.  He came down during a time in history, and gave His life for us.

With all that’s goin’ on in the world you would think that people would open their eyes about their own righteousness; that it just doesn’t exist.  Even the most immoral people can have a good streak in them occasionally, but that sure doesn’t make them righteous.  Our good deeds won’t; maybe even cannot out weigh the bad or evil we do; no matter if we do more good than bad.  With God righteousness, goodness, doing right just doesn’t work that way.

Righteous is what God says is righteous; and that is not us.  His Son Jesus is Righteous, and He died for our unrighteousness.  He is the only Mediator between God, His Father, and humanity.  Without Him we would all perish.

With all that’s goin’ on in the world you would think that there would be a lot of repentance going on, and people calling on the name of Jesus Christ; for He is the Lord of all.

It’s time for repentance and faith; even here on the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

It’s Sunday Again

I like the way the weeks roll around; especially Sunday’s.  Sunday in my family has always been a day of rest and worship.  Worshipping the Lord of all creation, the Creator, is one of the greatest parts of life and living.  That is something I endeavor to do all week long.

One of the things I have said before is, “I’ve got to go to church”; and it isn’t that “I’ve got to”, but I get to go to church today.  If it ever becomes a “got to”, then going to church and worship has become nothing more than a mere religious action and it becomes a sacrament, or a necessity for salvation.  I am not saved by any good work I do, but by the grace of God, to do good works.

I pray all who are reading this will be attending the worship services in your local church; and worshipping Jesus Christ, Lord, King, Savior, Prince of peace, Creator.  Love Him. Cherish Him. Worship Him. Serve Him.  Fear Him and Him alone, and you will need to fear nothing else.

It is great honor and privilege to be able to look out our patio door and see the things He has created around us; or to step out the door and hear the sounds of His creation; and know He is watching over us all.

Part of what we hear when we step out the back door is the rolling waters of Flat Creek as it makes its way toward Table Rock Lake a few miles down stream.  Bless the LORD O, my soul.

-Tim

The Day Ahead

My day ahead of me is planned to be spent finishing mowing the yard.  I will be mowing the back yard; if it doesn’t rain.  I don’t think it is supposed to.  It will take me three or four hours probably.  It took me most of the morning and into the afternoon yesterday to mow the front.

I will also be preparing for Sunday morning and evening at Carr Lane Baptist Church.  I always look forward to being with the kind, gracious and loving people of our church.  I also look forward to preaching the gospel of Jesus
Christ and the whole counsel of God from His Word.

It has been hot again.  The temp yesterday got up to 100 and possibly plus that some.  I have enjoyed the cooler temps the past few days; and the rainfall has given me grass to mow.  Thank YOU Lord.

I am thankful for the rest I receive during my sleep time.  I went to bed last night earlier than I have in a long time.  It was 8:30 when I told my wife, “I think I am going to lay down, and maybe get up later.”  It was later.  At 3:30 this morning I arose from bed rested and ready for my time with the Lord.

Thanks you to everyone who has prayed for my Dad.  He is home now.  Prayers are still needed.

From the banks of Flat Creek near Jenkins, Missouri I’m…

-Tim

What I’m Hearing…

I’m hearing that my Dad will be coming home today (08/19/11).  I don’t think he has improved in the sense of being better off.  He is most likely near to going home to be with Jesus our God and Savior.  He may have some strength for the days ahead to do what he feels like doing; and he may not.

Dad is still talking of getting up to go milk the cows.  That is what he has done all his life.  Even though his health has been failing him, he has endeavored to go to the milk barn, and help my brother with the milking.  It has given him a sense of self worth, and something to do.

There is one thing I know, and that is that Dad is ready to see Jesus Christ, King of kings, Lord of lords; and to be with Him for ever and for ever.  No one can actually know that of any one else, but you can see it by the way they live; and what is in their hearts and comes out of their mouth.  That is what has come out of Dad’s heart and mouth.  His love and concern for his wife, children, grandchildren; and others too.  It hurts my Dad to see family members at odds with one another – maybe I should say angry with one another to the point of not speaking.  I also know Dad has not been perfect; and he knows that too.

I am thankful that God gave me my Dad.  I am thankful that God has blessed me with the family given me.  I pray that I can be as faithful to God, and His Church as my Dad has been.

Like I said above,  I hear that Dad is coming home today.  He will be back near the banks of Flat Creek, his wife and family; and of course the milk cows.

-Tim

My Dad

On Tuesday of this week I was nearing my home when my wife called me on the cell and told me that my Dad was possibly having a heart attack.  He was refusing to be taken to the ER for help.  My Mom had called my wife [Madge] to have her call me and if I could take him where he needed to be.

I stopped went in, and asked if he was doing okay.  He told me, “No! I’m not” even saying to me that there was the possibility he could be having a heart attack.  My words were, “Don’t you think you need to get to the hospital?”  To which he responded, “That’s a possibility”  We were getting somewhere.  He at first wanted to wait for Mom to get home.  She had a doctors appointment that day and was away with my sister Judy doing that.

Our Aunt Bonnie was there with my Day when I got there and she helped me to finally get him to agree and go.

When we arrived at the ER in Springfield an hour and a few minutes later, they quickly put him on an EKG and he was having a heart attack.  They rushed him to the cardiac cath lab; then, an hour and a half to two hours later the doctor came out and told us that basically they could do nothing; and he was continuing with the attack.  They would medicate him, keep him in CCU for a while, send him to a room, and send him home in a few days if things went well.

They have filled him with morphine, his mind is confused from it, and he thinks everyone else is confused.

My Dad made sure that my siblings and myself new the Lord by taking us to Sunday School and church every time the doors were open; and teaching us about work; and the value of family and friends.  Of course, my Mom had a big hand in that too.

There is one thing that I am convinced of and that is that God is good.  God is in control.  Not only is my Dad’s life in His hands; so is mine and yours.  None of us know the day or the hour we take our last step, breathe our last breath, or the last beat of our heart.

Whether it be along the banks of Flat Creek, Cox Hospital, any hospital, or Fairbanks, AK. we are all in the hands of our Creator.  So it is a great thing if you come to Him through His Son Jesus Christ, Creator.

-Tim

Summer is Ended…

No Summer has not officially ended; it does have another month or so for the sun to continue its downward trek to the South toward the Autumnal equinox and then to Winter Solstice.  Summer is ended as far as the education or our children and grand children are concerned; at least in many School Districts of Southwest Missouri.

As I typed in the title of this post I thought that sounds like a verse from the Bible; I looked and it is found in the writings of the prophet Jeremiah chapter 8 and verse 20;

“The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” (KJV)

No, children you are not saved from the coming of school, classes, math, reading, literature, Social Studies or what ever it’s called nowadays.  No, teachers you are not saved from the hustle and bustle, disrespect, sometimes disagreeable, and angry children.

The Summer is ended for vacation.  Its time to fill the minds of the children with the desire to learn.  Even to learn how to learn.  I think we adults sometimes forget that we all need to learn how to learn.  That must start in childhood.  From the newborn on through adulthood.  As you can tell by my writing; I am still learning; at least I hope so.

Summer is ended… for school students across Southwest Missouri and other parts of the Country; and the grass is growing, greening, and cooler weather is coming.

From the banks of Flat Creek with my rambling; I pray all the teachers, Administrators, bus drivers, maintenance workers, cooks and all have a great, safe, and wonderful new school year.

-Tim

She’s Back

She left us for a time; as I wrote of yesterday.  She was gone most of the day Sunday, and all day Monday, at least until late afternoon.  Wouldn’t it be interesting to know where she had been, or to see the world through a dogs eyes; or to hear through a dogs ears.  You know; the fly on the wall thing.

We can be in a conversation with someone; a personal conversation; and if a child or even at times an adult comes up we change topics quickly, or go quiet really quick, but if a dog is near… it doesn’t matter.

Well, anyway the Little Girl came back.  I guess she decided this was home now.  It also proves that my thinking about her finding her owners was wrong.

Madge and I were getting ready to eat supper last evening, I looked out the patio door where Archer had been laying just minutes before, and there lay Little Girl.  Just like that she was here again.  I went to the door and opened it then reached down to pet her; which she enjoyed.  I then went out to give her and Archer some food.  She ate, then came and got a drink of water.  Believe it or not I was glad to see her back.

Little Girl was wet like she had just came up from the Creek; that’s Flat Creek.  For those few who read this; you have probably noticed that I end the post with something about Flat Creek in every article; like the one I just wrote or like this…

From along the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

Dog Gone

You’ve heard the above title as a phrase.  When something goes wrong some one says, “Dog gone”.  I heard the story of an American Indian [Native American] running with his dog along a cliff, the dog fell over the cliff, and the Indian said, “Dog gone” :).

Yesterday morning when my Madge and I left for church Archer and the Little Girl was here watching us leave, wanting some attention, and seemed just normal.  However, when we got back home Little Girl was no where to be seen or found.  I wrote about Little Girl a few weeks ago; how we ended up with her and all.

It seems we had gotten used to her being here.  Now I don’t know what has happened to her.  I kind of have a suspicion that her people were floating once again, she caught a scent of them, and found them.  That’s what I hope happened to her.

She has been around here all this time; when we have left she has remained through all other times, but this time Dog gone.

We hear people floating in canoes, boats, kayaks, and inner tubes almost every day.  We weren’t home to hear at that time.  Where ever Little Girl is now I hope she is okay.

On the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

Worshipping the Creator

Today is the day most Christians will arise early, for the weekend, and prepare themselves and attend the church of their choice.  Will they worship the Lord of all, or will they be distracted by children, cell phones, employment, unemployment, or something else?  Only God knows our hearts.

We are told by our Creator; “They that worship Him, must worship Him in Spirit and in truth”.  The only true worship of God is found through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross; dying in our stead, for our sins, being buried, carrying our sin and its death, condemnation and guilt away; and Him rising victoriously for our justification; making us, in God’s sight and by God’s decree RIGHTEOUS and Just.

Now the Creator who would do that is worthy of our worship and praise.  Go to worship Him with the brethren today.  Worship Him on Monday – Saturday too; with all your heart.

Worshipping the Creator, not creation, along the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

Started Mowing

Yeah!  I mowed a few rounds around the front yard yesterday afternoon.  There are some green sprigs of grass springing up and starting to make the yard look more like it needs mowing; however, I guess it doesn’t need it bad enough to make a showing.

I could tell where I had mowed if I took careful attention to watch carefully as those wheels turned.  So I decided to ride the mower up to the cemetery and mow it.  It hadn’t been mowed since June or so, and still wasn’t too high; because it has been so dry.  I could see where I had mowed though.  I didn’t do any trim work, just the mowing.

When I came back; before I put  the mower away; I had to find a couple of screws to hold the forward/reverse plate in place.  They had vibrated out I guess.  Back in good working order now.  Ready for when the grass is green and growing steadily again; at least until the season is over, and the season of Autumn tells it to stop growing.

So no I didn’t finish mowing the yard.  It will be there when the grass gets a little thicker, a little taller, and maybe a little cooler

Watching the grass grow along the banks of Flat Creek.  All things are in the hands of the LORD.

-Tim

Rolling Thunder

For some reason I love the sound of rolling, rumbling thunder.  As i write this morning that is the sound I hear outdoors.  I don’t know all the scientific, meteorological terminology, but I love the sound.  It’s a reminder that there is a power bigger than myself; and He is GOD.  He is Christ Jesus the one who sustains, and holds all things together.

Thank the LORD for the rain.  He is the Blesser, and Blessing of this planet, and the whole of the Universe.

It almost seems that since we started getting this rain; you can sit down and watch the grass grow before your eyes.  Creation loves the blessings of our Creator.  Let’s love the Creator who has blessed us far above that which we deserve.

Watching the grass green up and grow on the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim