Rain in July

In the State of Missouri, especially Southwest Missouri we do not normally get much rain; at least in large amounts.  In the past week we have been blessed with the wonderful drops from heaven.

Yesterday alone we got at least 3 inches of rain.  Since last Saturday evening (July 20) we have received 7 inches plus.  That is practically; notice I said practically; unheard of in July.  I am thankful.  Bless the Giver and Sovereign of rain.

It is wonderful to look out the windows of our house and no longer see dry, dying grass; needing to water the trees; but seeing green grass blooming Rose of Sharon shrubs, and other flowers growing.

It is a wonderful blessing to receive rain in July.

Thank YOU LORD.

-tim

Life Anew

It is amazing how life just seems to repeat itself.  I know, I know this is not a new thing, yet all around, the seasons, plants – flowers, grass, trees, shrubs, etc. – proclaim over and over, “I am alive”

There are so many who laugh at the idea of resurrection, in particular the resurrection of Jesus Christ; yet it has been declared by God’s creation for millenniums of time.

For the picture.  When my wife and I first decided to put our house on our place here there was a Mamosa tree which was hanging so low to the ground, broken over, yet living; and in the way of the new power line coming in; that we cut it down.  Guess what it has life growing from it.  Resurrection.

Last Spring I planted some trees.  Due to our precious pets, dogs, they chewed some of them to the ground.  I nipped them with some shears near a growth spot, along next to the ground; and before last Summer’s end they were nearly shoulder high on me.  Now they are over shoulder high.  Resurrection.

Last Summer I planted Myrtle shrub, and a Redbud tree.  The Redbud was bitten off too.  I pruned it down to the ground.  It is up this Spring over six inches high.  The Myrtle died in the Winter.  I mowed it over a couple of weeks ago, and now it declares, “I am alive”

Every Spring the grass comes back from what others might call dormancy, but it is dead.  Some might say, “Well it is just the cycle of things.”  So be it.

God made man in His image.  He made man to live eternally.  The only answer for evil men, women, boys and girls, was for God to send His Son to die.  Sin, death, and the grave could not hold Him down.  It may just be the cycle of things, but Jesus arose from that grave.  He declares, “I am alive”.

The whole of creation declares the glory of God.  “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork.”  (Psalm 19:1)

-Tim

Early Fall

It has been a week now that the Autumnal Equinox occurred.  We have received a little rainfall in the past week as well which is a real blessing.  It has, however, been quite some time since there has been any water flowing over the banks of Flat Creek.  It has been at least one and one half years since the Creek flowed over the banks.

With the rain we have received our yard has needed mowing, and  I have mowed some of it, but not all.  I am back to pushing a twenty inch push mower to mow my nearly three acres of grass.  That is hard to keep up with, especially when you have other things needing done.

I am thankful for the green grass.  It was such a drab to look across our yard and only see brown, dead grass lying on the soil.  The trees I planted and the “Rose of Sharon” shrubs, as well are doing well.  At least some of the trees are doing well.  I planted eleven poplar trees, and only six are surviving.  All twelve of the “Rose of Sharon” shrubs survive.  I watered them every morning during the century degree weather; which was nearly every day for a month here in our valley.  I watered them everyday even when it was not in the hundreds of degrees.  The tallest trees are about five feet tall now.  From maybe two feet to five.  Those that are five feet; at least two of them were cut back due to dog damage, yet they have out grown the others.

It will not be long and it will be Thanksgiving.  I try to make each day a day of thanksgiving; and I fear there are days I fail to be thankful.  May there never be another.

-tim

Planting Rose Bushes

Now, I do not know if “Rose bushes” is the proper description of what we were planting or not, but that is what my wife and I did on the fifteenth of this month.

I do not believe I have ever seen the soil so dry as it was.  I dug down to nearly a foot deep, and usually in May the soil is a bit sticky with moisture, but it was not on Tuesday.  It was dry, and in much need of rain.  Anyway we got the rose bushes planted; and where my wife wanted them.

We are struggling to keep some of our trees going.  With dogs chewing some of them off; then I come along and cut them off to get a clean cut.  One I have done this with was coming back really well, then I look at it one afternoon and the pup or something had dug it up, practically destroying it.  There was still a sprig of hope in the ground, so I filled the hole in, watered it and it still has a green sprig popping its way upward.

The Rose of Sharon shrubs I panted are doing very well.  Looking forward to when they will begin to flower.  I do not expect they will this Summer, maybe next year though.

It is pretty neat watching something you have planted grow upwards toward their Creator.

-Tim