The Month of Thanksgiving – Sixteenth

Today I am thankful for our fifth born child, third born son James. James was born in November of 1982 in Aurora, MO.

James is married to the lovely Amber. They live in Mount Vernon, MO. and they are happy pet owners to a couple of big dogs.

James and Amber for for a business in Aurora taking care of other people, and their needs. James is a loving, kind, tender, and caring man; as is Amber.

James knows the Lord as does Amber.  I thank the Lord for James everyday; and I am very thankful that the good Lord gave him to us.

Thankful from the banks of Flat Creek,

`tim

The Month of Thanksgiving – Fifteenth

On this the fifteenth day of November  2019 I am thankful for our fourth born child, our second son Philip.

Philip was born in  Springfield as was the first and the third child.  He is married to  lovely young woman name of Sarah Joyce; and they have three beautiful daughters. They live in the State of Arkansas, the town of Booneville.

He is the pastor of at least one church, and has his own business as a financial adviser. He loves God in His Son Jesus Christ, His wife, and their three daughters.

So Lord, I do thank You for giving him to Madge and I, and thank You for the great things he has brought into our lives.

Thankful from the banks of Flat Creek,

`tim

The Month of Thanksgiving – Fourteenth

I am thankful today for my third born child, who is our firstborn son.

Timothy named after me for his first name, and my Dad Mike for his middle name. He was born in Springfield, MO in 1979.  It was such a joy for Madge and I to be blessed with a son.

Timothy has a wonderful wife Sarah, and they have four wonderful children; Naomi, Josiah, Eli, and Lydia. Timothy is the pastor of the Baptist Church in Stott’s City, MO, and is employed by Baptist Hill Campgrounds near Mount Vernon.

Timothy, Sarah, and our grandkids are truly a blessing from the Lord and we are thankful for them, their love for each other and their children; and also the love and respect they give Madge and me.

Thankful from the banks of Flat Creek,

`tim

The Month of Thanksgiving – 13

Today I will be thankful for our second born child and daughter, Monica.  Monica was born in the cold and icy month of January 1977 at the Baptist Hospital in Louisville, KY. She was born while I was a student at Boyce Bible School, part of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Monica is a great daughter, mild mannered, loving, and kind.  She is married to a fine man by the name of Sam. Monica and Sam are hard working, and devoted to one another and the care of their two children Addyson and AlexZander. They also have a great love and respect for Madge and I; and Sam’s mother Kathy too.

I am thankful to the Lord that I was and I still am blessed to have such a daughter, and her fine family.

Thankful from the banks of Flat Creek

`tim

The Month of Thanksgiving – 12

I am thankful for each of Madge’s and my children who have grown into fine, strong, respectable adults. Today I will begin with our first born.

We named her Charity when she was born, because the name means “love” especially godly love.  That name is fit for her still.

I am thankful for her because she is my daughter, because of her faith in God, through His Son Jesus Christ, and she also loves her family, and has been strong, faithful, and loving in being a wife to her husband Paul; and a strong and loving mother to her three children – our grandchildren; Rachelle, Jonathan, and Caitlyn.

I am thankful for the Lord’s goodness in watching over her through the years; and especially these last two years.

Thank You Lord for Charity and her family.

The Month of Thanksgiving – 11

On this 11th day of the month of Thanksgiving I am thankful for my wife Madge.  She has loved me, stood by me through thick and thin, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health as she is an encouragement to me.

For over forty six years she has tolerated me when I was very unloving, or unkind to her. I love her more than my own life, and I thank our Creator for her every day.

Thankful from the banks of Flat Creek,

`tim

The Month of Thanksgiving – 8, 9, & 10

I am thankful that I remembered today. For some reason I neglected to give a thanks for the 8th and the 9th; so I will include them today.

For Friday November the 8th I am thankful for the sunshine, and its warmth for the day, for our well, and that I was able to tend its need, which I had overlooked for some time.

For Saturday November the 9th I am thankful for the day Madge and I spent together going to the Queen City of the Ozarks, seeing both daughters, getting a couple of beds for our bedrooms, the visit with Larry and Margaret; and the beautiful drive home through Ozark, Highlandville, Abesville, Galena, and through Wheelerville, and on home. It is a wonderful drive through God’s country and country side.

Today, Sunday November 10, It is Veteran’s Day for remembering all who have signed that blank check even to the giving of their lives if necessary; thankful for all the sacrifices they have made for our Nation.

Thankful for the Lord’s work in my life and for His work in all our lives.  God is good, great, awesome, and glorious. He is worthy of all praise and thanksgiving.

Thankful from the banks of Flat Creek,

`tim

The Month of Thanksgiving – 7

It is so easy to complain; but when you are given a grateful heart from the Lord you will be a grateful and thankful person.

The reason for the above statement is that there are times I can so easily find something to complain about; and complaining is the opposite of thankfulness.

I am thankful for the things God has given me in which I can be thankful. Thankfulness even in a time of great pain, sorrow, grief, or fear is only a gift from God.

So I am thankful for thankfulness.

Thankful from the banks of Flat Creek,

`tim

The Month of Thanksgiving – 6

Today I am thankful for the Creator’s provision.  Without getting into the details of it I just thank Him for providing a need for today though His gracious hand.

I am also thankful for the rain He provides for our farmers, and everyone, and everything that needs water.

Thankful from the banks of Flat Creek,

`tim

The Month of Thanksgiving – 5

Today I want to express my thanks to the Creator who brought my wife Madge into my life. We have been blessed with 5 great children, and their spouses; Charity and her husband Paul; Monica and her husband Samson; Timothy and his wife Sarah L.; Philip and his wife Sarah J.; James and his wife Amber.

We have been blessed as well with twelve [12] grandchildren; four boys, and eight girls.

I am thankful that Madge and I have been together for forty six years plus some, and every day of each year was a learning experience, and a blessing for which I must thank my God and Savior.  Thank You Lord Jesus.

Thankful from the banks of Flat Creek,

`tim

The Month of Thanksgiving – 4

Hope you are having thankful day.

I am thankful for the sunshine today, and the warmth it provides for our planet. It has been said that if our distance from the sun was any greater we would all freeze to death; there would be no life here; and if it was any closer it would be far too hot.

So I am thankful to the Creator of all things for designing so intricate of details into the created order.

Thankful from the banks of Flat Creek,

`tim

The Month of Thanksgiving – 2 & 3

Since I overlooked posting a Thankful comment yesterday November 02, 2019 I will share two thanks today.

Yesterday was Youth Deer season, and our next to youngest grandson, Eli, got his first deer, so for that I am thankful. Thankful for that big smile his mother caught on camera as he knelt beside his first at the age of 11.  Thankful that he is enjoying the blessings of God’s creation, and His blessings.

For today I am thankful for this everyday, and most every moment of the day; and that is for God’s grace and mercy by which all can be saved from sin and the wrath of sin through Jesus Christ. I am thankful for the Church where I preach; and that they all have come under that grace through faith in Him.

Thankful from the banks of Flat Creek,

`tim

The Month of Thanksgiving

The day of Thanksgiving in the month of November, this year on the 28th day of the month is a National Holiday.  I am, however a man who enjoys being thankful everyday.

So for the month of November on this blog site I am planning on giving you at least one thing I am thankful for.  We need to ask the question; “To whom are we to be thankful?”

Yes we are to be thankful to family, wife for her husband, and the other way around. Thankful for the things others do for you. To whom are we to give thanks ultimately?

Our thanks, ultimately, should be to our Creator who is our Lord, our Savior, and God, and Sustainer.

Today, I am grateful and thankful for the ability to move my fingers, my hands, my toes and feet, to move my legs, and that I can walk, even run some; and I can thank no one else but my Lord and God. So here it is…

Thank You Father for all the above.

From the banks of Flat Creek,

`tim

Rain and Driving

This may be considered a pet peave of mine, and I have shared comments about it before.

I made a trip to Cassville this morning in the rain; and I noticed many folks driving without their headlights on; not even park lights, or any kind of light.

Let me get this straight in my mind, and maybe in yours too.  I know you can see; after all it is daylight, the sun is up. I know you can see because you are smart enough to know not to drive if you cannot see.

I know you can see; but can you be seen? Headlights on enable the oncoming driver to see you.  Seeing you in the distance in case he/she might be following a slower drive he/she might need to get around.

Some of you use your automatic on, but do you know when the light is bright enough, as it is quite often when it is raining, they do not come on automatically.  You must switch the switch to the on position.

I am sharing this because it is a great safety issue in driving our cars and trucks on the roads and highways. Let me suggest one thing; use your headlight switch.  Not only is it a good idea to drive with headlights on in the rain, snow, sleet, fog, and the dark.  It is also the State law in the State of Missouri. If your windshield wipers are on you must have your headlights on.

The next time you get in your car or truck to drive, and it is raining, turn on your headlights. It could save someone’s life; even your own.

From the banks of Flat Creek,

`tim

A Sunday Drive on Friday

When I was a boy I can remember a few times when my Mom and Dad would decide to go on a Sunday drive after worship at our Church. I remember going to Silver Dollar City in the early 1960’s and it was nothing like it is today.  At that time it seems like we just drove up and walked in. I do remember a few drives that was just driving around to see different places.

Well; anyway I woke up yesterday morning [Friday] trying to decide if I needed to go to the Church office for further study prep and prayer or if I would just stay at the house. I decided on staying, and I did do some review, and praying over the text, and studying.

Along about the time I was winding things down I decided I wanted to go to Aurora for a cheeseburger at Sonic; so I asked my wife (Madge) if she would like to go and eat lunch. I knew she would not turn down an opportunity to go out and eat.  She said “Sure”.

The lunch date quickly turned into a drive.  While we were eating I asked Madge, maybe I stated to her, “Let’s go on to Timothy and Sarah’s, and see how the work on their house is going”. She was all for that.  They live in Stott’s City, west of Mount Vernon a few miles.  On the way I told her “We are taking a Sunday drive on Friday”.

As some of you know I retired from School Bus driving at the end of the 2018 – 2019 School year; from the Cassville R-IV School District. From September 2003 through May 17, 2019 I drove a bus to supplement our income.  I also enjoyed it until around the 2016 – 2017  School year.  I am now retired.

Several have asked me, “Do you miss driving the bus?” My answer to that is “NO!” I do miss the friends I have made among the other bus drivers, and some of our talks around the tables in the garage.

If it were not for retiring from the School, I would not have been able to take a Sunday drive on Friday.

I am still thankful to the Lord Jesus everyday for the strength, and life He gives, for the family and friends He has blessed me with.  I have plenty to do; and too much have left undone that I need to get done, so I know nothing of boredom.

I look forward to taking more Sunday drives on Friday.

From the banks of Flat Creek,

`tim

Accredited to Benjamin Franklin

“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Franklin

It is still the truth…

The following is from a post I shared on August 11, 2009, and is still the truth.

Town Hall Meetings

As most American’s know in recent days our politicians who are in favor of a government health care bill coming to pass have been having “Town Hall” meetings to hear your voice. It seems to me that many of them cannot take the heat.

Maybe I am wrong about what I am about to say, but I don’t think so. When a man or woman is elected to the position of serving in the Senate or Congress do they not serve all the people in their district, whether they voted for them or not? If that is so why are many of them complaining about “plants” at these meetings? If they are people from their district, they are the Senator’s, or Congressman/woman’s constituents. That is at least the way I understand it. Unless, that is, they only represent those who voted for them.

If that is the case, then who are the “plants”.

Now, in saying what I have said, I will say this. It is rude, and unbecoming of true American [USA] citizens to do what I have seen many doing on the news reports. The beating of a man outside one meeting whom the people did not agree with. Cutting the representative off when he/she is trying to speak. Whether we disagree or not doesn’t give you or me the right to be rude. To me when we become rude, unwilling to listen to disagreement, and being disagreeable in our actions; it is because we are afraid the others may be right.

When you believe you are right you have nothing to fear. Listen to the opposing view. Voice your opinion and be passionate about it, but without rudeness, name calling, or bad language. When you listen you are learning.

Someone has said, “God gave us two ears and only one mouth. I suppose that means He meant for us to do twice as much listening as we do talking.” That is good advice to follow.

That is my opinion, and I’m sticking with it.
From the banks of Flat Creek, that is how it is

`tim

Questions, Questions, Questions

The more I know; the more I realize I don’t know. Does that make any sense? I think it does. Anyone who has any real sense realizes that the more we learn the more we realize we need to learn. Am I right?

Questions are usually asked by the questioner for the purpose of learning. How many of us who have children and grandchildren haven’t had one come up to us with one of those questions, and then, always; upon hearing the answer, ask, “Why?” The question that ends all questions. Sometimes there are really odd, and silly questions like, “Why is that car yellow?” The obvious answer to that is “Because they wanted it yellow”, or they bought it that way.

Questions also sometimes spark a debate. Debate is sometimes good. Debates sometimes turn into heated arguments.

I know I am just rambling it seems. “Why?” I am not really sure. I feel like rambling I guess. This is going to be online for the whole cyber world to read. And I really don’t care. I know others feel like this at times. I read some of their blogs and other stuff, so I know. Even politicians; like our President of the USA, rambles on a lot and never says anything meaningful, or constructive. I think I have that right too.

Well! Welcome to Autumn or Fall as we call it often. We are well into the Fall of the year, but around where I live the grass is still green and growing. Farmers are still putting up hay, though it must be a booger to cure for baling.

There is one thing I know and am assured of that God is God. He is Creator of all that is, has been or ever will be; and He has a Son whose name is Jesus who died on a cross for my sins and the world’s sins, was buried, and He rose again. One day He is coming; and to that day I look with great expectation.

Still I want to know more, because the more I know the more I realize I don’t know.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Headlights On the Road

This is just going to be a short reminder to those who drive the highways of our land. It is important that you be seen when you are on the highways driving a motorized vehicle. Some evidently do not realize how dangerous it is when they cannot be seen by other motorists.

Just this past Saturday morning near my place of dwelling, it was foggy, I was making a left turn into a gas station when all of the sudden there was a F150 pickup which did not have any headlights on. I made a quick and sudden decision and sharply and quickly got back into may lane, and there was no accident; thank the good Lord. The funny thing about this is the man driving the Ford pickup was some one that I know. I did not find that out until this morning when I entered the bus garage, before driving my bus route for the morning.

When we are on the highways we need to be as visible as we can possibly be. Safe driving is no accident. I do not claim to be the safest driver on the road, however, there are things which I endeavor to do which helps me to be more visible, and one of them is turning headlights on in the fog, even when it is light out. It is also wise to turn on headlights during cloudy days and rainy ones. Another time to have them on is at least thirty minutes before sunset, or sooner, and have them on up until at least thirty minutes after sunrise. It is a wise thing to even keep them on when driving long distances day or night. It is especially helpful when you drive a dark colored, and some other colors of car.

Better to arrive alive, than to the morgue dead. That is for you or the other driver.

-Tim A. Blankenship

It Is Autumn Once Again

It seems to come upon us quickly. Summer is too short to suit me. It could be Summer all year long and I would be happy. I do know some people who are my friends who like Winter weather, so I guess I am probably in a minority concerning Summer.

Autumn does have its beauties, and I can’t be where it is Summer all year round – in fact I don’t know if such a place even exists. On this planet, there are four seasons during the year wherever we may be. If it was Summer all year round though, things might begin to be a bit monotonous. I best be thankful for all four seasons of the year.

Our God and Creator of all things has made our earth, since the fall of man, to have the four seasons; and I think to remind us of lifes circle. Every life has a Spring and that takes place at our birth, then there is Summer, our Autumns, or Falls; whichever you wish to call it; then there is Winter in our lives where life has its end. The end is what not too many people like to deal with, talk about or confront.

There is a question I have always had in my mind. When whoever it was who came up with our present calendar (is it called the Gregorian calendar?), why didn’t he begin the year with the first day of Spring, and end the year with the last day of Winter. That calendar would make a lot more sense; to me anyway. Wouldn’t it make sense for January 1 be the first day of Spring, and December 31 be the last day of Winter?

Anyway here we go toward Winter, then thank the Lord, then Spring and then Summer. Thank the Lord He has designed things so.

-Tim A. Blankenship