Category: Holidays

In the Year 2019

I pray all had a great, and thankful Thanksgiving and a very Merry Christmas; and truly a Happy New Year for at least the first two days of it any way.

I perceive myself to be a happy man, a happy married man to my wife of 45 plus years, a happy father of five, and the five of their spouses; also a happy grandfather 0f twelve.  I see that as a very happy man.  What I am is a very blessed man.

The blessings of happiness are from our Creator who has made all things.  By the very word of His mouth He has made all things that are.  The seen and the unseen were made by Him.  Without Him there was nothing made that is made.

To the Creator I give thanks and praise and glory and honor.

I am looking forward to this New Year.  It is a blessing from Him who has given it to us.

I do not believe God is well pleased when people are always in conflict with one another.  Tale telling, backbiting, gossiping, lying about another, being a false witness – what a shame.  According to some wiser men and women than myself we are not supposed make others feel “shamed”.  My thought on that is Shame, Shame, Shame on you.  If there was more shame for our actions, our unwise, even evil words there just might be less of it.

I am a Christian.  Not because I am a good person, but because a Man went to a cross and died for me, was buried carrying my shame and sin away, then arose from that grave to save me from my sin and evil life, and way of life.  He delivered me from condemnation and death.  He changed my life and gave me eternal life through Him.  He is my God and Savior.  He is also the Savior of the world.

Do you want to change the world for the glory of God?  Then go to Jesus the Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son.

Make the year of 2019 the most blessed and happy and prosperous you have ever experienced. In the word “Prosperous” I do not mean materially necessarily.

from the banks of Flat Creek,

`tim

Thanksgiving Day 112813

I pray that all will have a blessed day of Thanking the One who alone is worthy of thanksgiving, worship and praise.  It is one thing to be thankful; it is quite another to know whom to thank.

Thank the LORD our Maker, Saviour, Redeemer and Friend.

-tim

The Demise of Twenty Twelve

It sounds rather glum does it not?  “The demise” that is.  It does however make way for a New Year.

I think most of us like “New” things.  We like new cars, trucks.  New homes.  New clothes.  We especially like new underwear; as opposed to used by someone else anyway. 🙂  Just sayin’  We like things to be NEW.

Well we are all about to start a New Year.  Some places in the world like Australia have already had Midnight December 31, 2012.  For Central Standard Time that hour will not be here until a little under 7 hours from now.

It is a wonderful chance to begin again.  For some that will mean starting new resolutions, new promises, maybe brand new lies.

I pray all will use this “Newness” with wisdom and grace.

I also pray that in the past year that I have learned a bit more wisdom and that I have learned to practice the wise things I have learned.  I pray that I will be more compassionate toward those who need compassion; that I can weep with those who weep; rejoice with those who rejoice; and mourn with and for those who mourn.

The world, according to some was supposed to end in 2012; December 21 at 5:11 or 5:12 a.m.  As we can all see we are still here.  The world, by the way will go on for more years.  I believe I have it on the Highest Authority that it will continue for many more years.

Let us learn to use the time we have; the seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, decades, centuries, and millenniums as our Creator gives them to us.  I know there is none of us who live a millennium; but if we are in God’s hands, and blessed by Him; our families will continue, and our posterity will continue.  Just a thought.

If we  turn our lives over to the One who was crucified, buried and was raised again to life; we have the promise to live forever.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERY ONE.

-tim

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

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

I am Blown Away

I looked at the temp this morning and had 51 degrees on it.  WOW!  That is a change compared to three day ago.

A man from our church is coming today with a skid steer to work on moving our dirt mound on the East side of our house; and placing it big holes in the yard and around the house.  It has been there since it was dug out for the placement of our home.

The cooler weather will make it nice for laboring on this Labor Day.

Laboring on the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim