Winter Twenty Eleven and Twelve

According to those who know at 12:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on Thursday December 22 the sun ceased its trek to the Southern hemisphere, and has began its trek back to the Northern hemisphere.  The word and description are mine not those who are in the know about these things.

We have now officially been into Winter for almost thirty hours as of 6:00 a.m. Central Standard time.

What purpose does knowing this serve us except to show that we live in an intricately created world; that could not have just happened as the “scientist” try to tell us.  It definitely had a Designer/Builder; and this Creator still cares for this universe which He has made.

I did not intend to get into faith or religion or theology with this; but sometimes when I begin writing it just comes out.  That too has a designer and builder.  Like the seasons – Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter they are a part of the created order of things.

I am not particularly fond of Winter.  Cold, ice, snow, slick roads, heating bills, the wear and tear on the cars and trucks, not to even mention the aches and pains in the bones and joints of the bodies of men and women.  It too, though, has its beauty and purpose and I am thankful for Winter.

Why am I thankful for Winter?  It causes me to long for Spring and Summer and those warming, warmer, and greening up days; even mowing the yard.  It even helps me appreciate those extremely hot 114 degree days.  I think I wrote about it a few months ago, but the temp of one day in the Winter of early 2011 got down to around -30 degrees (30 degrees below zero) in at least one place around here where I live.  Then, one day in the Summer did get up to 114 here at my house.  That is a 144 degree difference; if my math is correct.

The daylight hours will begin getting  longer now.  To me that is a great thing.  What a wonderful work our Lord has wrought.  Especially in the birth, life and death, and resurrection of the Son of God.  Yes God does have a Son, and anyone who says that He does not; does not know my God.

Have a very wonderful, Christ filled Christmas.

From the banks of Flat Creek; and it is rolling quite powerfully right now.

-Tim

Graveled Driveway

I found out my son had bought an old Ford pickup truck.  That is what we used to put gravel on our driveway.  We hauled several loads, but we now have better traction on our drive than we had before.

It was 18 degrees when I got up yesterday morning thus freezing the ground, and when we got to the gravel the surface of the gravel was frozen too.  After breaking through the frost layer it was not so difficult to shovel the rock.

Remember to attend worship services in your local congregation this morning and evening.  Remember that “God is Spirit: and they [we] that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”   Being born again through the death burial and resurrection of Jesus is the only way of worshipping the God of glory and all creation.

I have heard it said, “All roads lead to heaven”.  Well!  If all roads lead to heaven, then they all must meet at the cross of Jesus Christ.  There is no other way to God and Heaven but by Christ Jesus.

Enough of my preaching from the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

Our Driveway

For some who know where my wife and I live you know the drive to our house from the main road is a beautiful drive, and even that, this time of year you just might see an eagle, or two or more.  As you drive along the drive on the bluff overlooking Flat Creek the eagles often roost of the evening in the tops of the sycamore trees which reach out over the flowing water of the Creek.

When you get down to our home in the valley, our driveway is not so good when it is raining or shortly after a rain.  That is because it used to be pasture land, and we have worn a path through the grass, and it is without any gravel.  I have checked on having some limestone gravel hauled in and it is not cheap.  Now the thing about the limestone is that it would look nicer than the old brown creek gravel which we have plenty of.

We need gravel on our driveway, so today, I am going to go, the old fashioned way, borrow a pickup, and get my shovel and do some gravel hauling myself.  I will probably wear myself out again this Saturday, but that is good for me I suppose.

Get that gravel down, and then, we will have much better traction rolling out the drive to the road.  Last winter I could cut through the yard by the old house and get on the road.  This year we have an electric fence around the yard so it would take a little more effort to cut through.

I think sometimes it would be nice to have a tractor with a front loader and a small dump truck.  With those two items I could keep the potholes filled on the road to the driveway too.  But, that is going to have to wait.

Right now a pickup truck, a shovel and manpower is all I can do.  So that is what is going to happen today – God willing, of course.

When I got up this morning at 4 a.m. it was 18 degrees outside.  That is considerably colder than it has been all week long.  The ground will be frozen, but that will not stop the work.

Flat Creek is up and rolling right along in full view out our back patio door.

-Tim

The First Snow

On Tuesday December 6 we got our first measurable snow.  It was in fact the first I had seen this season.  By that I mean I had not even noticed a flake or anything until I got up about 2:30 a.m. and noticed in the lights there was a pretty serious amount of snow falling.  It did end up being less than an inch, but it was hazardous.

We had school that day, but I think there were a few of us drivers who were probably thinking, “What are we doing out here?”  I was probably one of them, yet we just did our job, picked up those kids, and brought them into school.

On the way into the bus the road did not seem slick.  Driving was pretty normal.  The snow seemed to be dry and blowing off the road as you drove over it; however it was packing under those wheels,  I guess, and it became a sheet of ice on some roads.

When I pulled out from Wildcat Drive onto Business 37 by the Administration Building my bus went sideways, and into a sign, breaking out the right rear clearance light, and I noticed later a mark on the sign.  I saw one driver in the ditch on his side on Highway 76 East of what is known as Bates Corner.  I rarely am stressed about driving, but this morning was an exception to that.  It is probably a good thing that I was.

Without further incident or accident every bus made it safely back into school with all the children who rode that morning.

Just to note: our people at the school who make the decisions concerning weather conditions do a good job, and this morning was no different; considering the time and conditions.  It was not slick, then it was.  There was many incidents/accidents that morning, but thankfully not many were too serious; that I know of anyway.

Now safe and warm on the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

It is Snowing Outside

I sure hope it is not snowing inside.  That would mean we were cold; when actually we are warm and cozy inside the house while the snow is falling; at least it was a while ago.  I have not looked to see recently.

I just went and took a peek out the front door with the porch light on and it did not seem to be coming down very heavy if at all.  I am not a fan of snow fall, but I will take what we get, and learn to live with it.

The temp outside when I got up was 26 degrees.  That is probably just right for a good heavy snow fall; but I pray we do not get that.  It is good for the ground, and that is about the only benefit there is for it except if you live in a ski resort area, than that may be your income.  For you I pray you get all the snow you can handle; and many guests coming to your slopes.

Everyone be careful out there this morning.  The roads may be slick and dangerous.

From the snowy banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

Hymn – “He Is Able to Deliver Thee”

He Is Able to Deliver Thee

‘Tis the grandest theme thro’ the ages rung;  ‘Tis the grandest theme for a mortal tongue;  ‘Tis the grandest theme that the world e’er sung:  Our God is able to deliver thee.

REFRAIN

He is able to deliver thee, He is able to deliver thee;  Tho’ by sin opprest,  Go to Him for rest;  Our God is able to  deliver thee.

verse 2 – ‘Tis the grandest theme in the earth or main;  ‘Tis the grandest theme for a mortal strain;  ‘Tis the grandest theme, tell the world again:  Our God is able to deliver thee.

verse 3 –  ‘Tis the grandest theme, let the tidings roll  To the guilty heart, to the sinful soul;  Look to God in faith,  He will make thee whole:  Our God is able to deliver thee.

William A. Ogden, 1841-1897

-posted by Tim

The Creek is Still Rolling

Flat Creek is still rolling and so am I.  I have even continued to keep up my journal since the end of August.  I think I have missed one day.  I cannot say that it would not bore you to tears, or put you to sleep though.  My journal writing is usually only about one hand written page each day.  I tell the temp outside; what my daily Bible reading is, the scheduled reading I give our church, and what verses I will possibly post on the church blog.

The six puppies are really growing.  They will be six weeks old Sunday/Monday [December 4&5].  One of the males I have called “Butch”.  He acts like Butch; the one I had to put down the other day.  He comes wagging his little tail; of course the other five do as well, but he does it in a different way; looking a small bit like Butch, yet much smaller.  He even almost appears to be the runt of the litter.

I have one of the females named “Spot” because she is black and white with a black spot.  One is named “Fuzzy”, because her hair stands out fuzzier than the others.  One of the males I call “Spoiled”, because he likes to be cuddled; and just soaks it up.  I am trying not to get too attached to them. 🙂

They would be free to a good home.  They would make a good Christmas gift for your children or grand children; even great grand children.  Maybe even someone you do not like?  Just a thought.

Email me if you are interested; and I will get back with you.

t.a.blankenship@gmail.com

Flat Creek is still rolling right along.  Just as it has for thousands of years; and will continue many more, as the Creator ordains it so.

-Tim