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

I Realize it is Not September 11 but…

I want to share this from September 11, 2007.

For some of us we will always recognize the numbers and the phrase Nine Eleven (911). It is the number to call in most communities for police, or emergency aid. It is also a date that we should always remember, and let us never forget that on that day in the year of 2001 our Nation was attacked by the most evil of religious zealots who hate and despise all that is holy, just, and good about the United States of America.

Their hatred is for the citizenry of the USA, for Christians, Jews, and anything or anyone who stands opposed to Islam.

Not long after the attack and fall of the buildings of the World Trade Center there was a song written which really touched my heart, and I give you the words below. Lest we forget.

Have You Forgotten, by Darrell Worley

I hear people sayin’. We Don’t need this war.

I say there’s some things worth fightin’ for.

What about our freedom, and this piece of ground?

We didn’t get to keep ’em by backin’ down.

They say we don’t realize the mess we’re gettin’ in

Before you start preachin’ let me ask you this my friend.

Chorus

Have you forgotten, how it felt that day?

To see your homeland under fire

And her people blown away

Have you forgotten, when those towers fell

We had neighbors still inside goin through a livin hell

And you say we shouldn’t worry bout Bin Laden

Have you forgotten?

You took all the footage off my T.V.

Said it’s too disturbin for you and me

It’ll just breed anger is what the experts say

If it was up to me I’d show it everyday

Some say this country just out lookin’ for a fight

Well after 9/11 man I’d have to say right.

Chorus

Have you forgotten, how it felt that day?

To see your homeland under fire

And her people blown away

Have you forgotten when those towers fell

We had neighbors still inside goin’ through a livin’ hell

And we vow to get the ones behind Bin Laden

Have you forgotten?

I’ve been there with the soldiers

Who’ve gone away to war

You can bet they remember just what they’re fightin’ for

Have you forgotten

All the people killed

Yes some went down like heroes

In that Pennsylvania field

Have you forgotten

About our Pentagon

All the loved ones that we lost

And those left to carry on

Don’t you tell me not to worry ’bout Bin Laden

Have you forgotten?

Have you forgotten?

Have you forgotten?!

Today we remember that day. Let’s ever be vigilant to oppose such attacks against our Nation and our next door neighbors. May God forgive our sins and heal our land.

From the banks of Flat Creek,

`tim

Giving Praise to Whom Praise Belongs

I am thankful to live in a Nation that is free. It is free for one reason, and that is because the Lord of Creation has ordained it to be, and has protected and kept us free.

We are free from Communism, free from tyranny, and we are – at least for the time being – free to worship God. There may come a time when that will end.

I do not mean to take away the remembrance of our country’s men and women who have given their lives for our Nations call to arms, in fighting the many battles which have been fought and are now being fought. Much blood of U.S. citizens has been shed in the past 231 or so years of our nations history. We should applaud them, recognize them, and thank them; but let’s not forget where the real praise belongs.

If we have come this far solely by the blood of our soldiers spilled on the battlefields of the world, then we have much to boast of, and do it loudly; but that is not the case. We are a God-Blessed Nation. We have been a God protected Nation. May that continue to be.

The writer of the Twentieth Psalm wrote,

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”

Any Nation that has ever began with God, and then, turned its back on God has fallen. Let’s pray that the blood of our soldiers, spilled on the battlefields, will not have been wasted by neglecting the Word of the Lord.

Have a good and safe Memorial Day.

From Memorial Day May 25, 2007

Sorghum, and the Mill

As I was on my way to Shell Knob today I drove past an old decaying, falling in building that was built by my Dad and a cousin named Harold (my Dad’s nephew).  They had a dream, and desire to supply an income for their families, and grow in the process of making this dark, syrupy, fragrant, and sticky stuff called sorghum.

I have some pictures I want to share with those who will come here to read and see them. The first one is of a plaque my wife made for me of the old can label they had put together for the sale and promotion of their business.

The next two pictures are of the old mill which they built using cedar logs set in the ground.  They then built a base to set the sorghum pan upon of rock and clay or cement.  They were a couple of men who did not have much money, but they had a little bit of a dream, and desire to make a good product; and they set to it.

 

 

 

I was standing next to the road by the gate into this property which belongs to a brother of Harold’s now.I was able to figure out how to do a zoom in on the camera of my phone.

I remember this quite well as a young boy in the early 1960’s  When they were making sorghum there were trees all round the back and to the east side (right) and my cousin who was nearer my age at the time ran through those woods having a great time.

Sorghum is made through squeezing sorghum cane, which my Dad and Harold grew on the ridge somewhat nearby.  They would take a tractor and wagon, go with cane knives, and cut down a heaped up load, and bring it back to the mill to make the sweet sorghum.

Before they squeezed the cane on the press, they would light a fire under the pan, get the heat going, then they let the juice roll down the delivery chute.

We used to eat quite a bit of Sorghum cake.  Pretty good stuff  putting butter on while it was still hot is delicious.

Most sorghums you find in store nowadays is mixed with corn syrup which ruins the good flavor.

Well that is really only part of the story.  My Dad and Harold are in heaven together now.

I just thought I would share something that was part of my upbringin’ as a child.

from the banks of Flat Creek,

`tim