Category: Winter

Getting Ready for Sunday

It is Friday January 11, 2019 and Sunday is coming.

There are many who think Sunday is just another day of the week.  It is, in fact, the first day of each week, and the day the early Christians met in remembrance of our Lord’s resurrection.

I have never tried to hide the fact that I am a follower of Jesus Christ.  I do not believe in Him because I am fearful of eternity’s fire if I do not.  I believe in Him and follow Him because He loved me, and loves me so much that He proved it.

In recent years I have grown to a place in Him that I never doubt or question His love for me.  What I do question and sometimes doubt is my love for Him.

My goal throughout every week is to Get Ready for Sunday.  The day I join with a few others to lift up the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in our place of worship;  singing hymns of worship and praise, praying, and to preach and hear the preaching of the word of God.

I pray that anyone who is reading this is like minded, and you are preparing yourself to meet the Lord, with those of like mind in Church on Sunday.  It will surely improve your heart, mind, and attitude through the coming week.

If you are not getting ready for Sunday you may not be ready for the day the Son returns.

God richly bless you

From the banks of Flat Creek,

`tim

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

It is Snowing

We have not had much snow for a few years in Southwest Mo., but we are getting enough today.  So much so, in fact, that the Cassville School District has already canceled classes for January 16, 2018, and I received the call shortly after 11 a.m. on January 15.

The following are some pictures my wife Madge tool just outside our backdoor…

Madge-011518-1

Madge-011518-2

and one more…

Madge-011518-3

I am not a real fan of cold Winter weather, but it goes with having seasons, and I thank the Lord our Creator for them all.  Snow is beautiful because it covers all that is unsightly, ugly, and messed up.

From the banks of Flat Creek

`tim

Predictions

I am not a fan of prognostications; especially early ones.  A farmer cannot make a decision to not plow the ground because it looks like it might rain; or even if the weather people have predicted that it is going to rain.  The field would never get plowed.

What set this off I guess is because our School for which I drive a School bus, cancelled school today with only rain falling; upon the prediction of ice and snow on the way.

I know it is a safety issue.  We do  not want to get caught on the road with hundreds of children on the school bus, with a possibility of sliding into the ditch or another vehicle.

I will applaud their decision when the ice and snow, or snow and ice come.  I just do not like making decisions like this based on the predictions of faulty people, and their man made equipment.

It was probably a good decision, but that is yet to be seen.  From the banks of Flat Creek.

-tim

Too Much Snow

I have never made any secret of the fact that I am a Spring and Summer man.  I do not like Winter at all.  I can appreciate it, and its purpose and lesson in life.  I can even thank God who made it for making it, if for no other reason that it helps me appreciate Spring and Summer that much more.

This Winter season has been a great one, with no snow here in our valley, except for last night and today.  I measured at around 7 a.m. and we had 7 inches at out back door.  It is about the prettiest site you will ever see.  The brown of Winter is covered.  The leafless trees are trimmed with snow.  It makes beautiful scenery.

Though it is beautiful; beauty is not everything.  The warmth and comfort of Spring and Summer are certainly great.

As I titled it, “Too Much Snow”.  It is.  So stay warm, stay in, thank the Lord for those who keep our roads and streets clear; and the utility people who must get out in it to keep our electricity powering our homes and businesses.

From the snowy banks of Flat Creek,

~tim

Snow and Cold

It warmed to 52 degrees yesterday morning, then the temp started going down, down, down.

Last night when I went to bed it had gone all the way down to the low twenties.  This morning when I got up it was 18 degrees, and just a moment ago it was 15 degrees.

We also received a bit of snow.  At the moment there has been no cancellation of our school.  So I will be leaving to drive a bus in a while.

Everyone be safe out there this morning.  Have a great day.

From the banks of Flat Creek.

~tim

Spring Is On the Way

Here we are in the middle of Winter, and I am thinking of Spring.  I do not think that I am alone.

It has not been a hard Winter or anything like that, but I am still longing for Spring.  Spring is a time of renewal, hope, life.

Yesterday I went out to burn trash, and noticed the singing of the birds in the trees in our backyard.  My what lovely music they were making.  I then noticed hundreds of birds fly from the tree tops, and they were Robbins.  There were many of them on the ground.  I guess they were looking for food, or something.  I do not think I have seen a larger flock of Robbins together at one time as then.

There were many of them on the ground in the backyard today.  Not near as many, but several, scattered over the whole yard.

I always see the Robbin as the hope that Spring is just around the corner.  I know what Phil said the other day.  I however do not need Phil to tell me there are six more weeks of Winter.  If you look at the calendar for the year; Spring begins on March 20, and it is about six weeks from February 02 through March 20 with only a four day difference.  So what?  Spring is on the way.

I am very glad.

From the banks of Flat Creek.

Coldest Day, So Far, of 2015

When I came into the Living Room this morning at 3:30 a.m. the outside temp was -2 degrees.  You read that correctly “minus two” degrees.

When I arrived home from driving the School bus the memory of the temp reader read the low temp to be – 3 degrees.  That was the coldest I heard this morning.

I guess it is because of where we live.  Down near the Creek, and low area, and the cold just settles in here.

I am thankful for a warm home, and heat.  Hope all are doing well in the cold.

-tim

I Can Hear it Coming

…the colder air that is.  They (the weather people who are in the know) have told us that this day is to get colder throughout the day.

As I was sitting here working on my blogs, a cold wind started blowing.  Usually when I hear the sudden wind changes, that is when I hear it coming.

I have never made any secret of my dislike for Winter cold; but it is a part of life, so I bear with it, and just endeavor to stay warm.  I am looking forward to Spring.

That is the Winter word here on the banks of Flat Creek.

-tim

New Year 2015

It seems odd to me that it is already the year 2015.  It is funny to watch an old sci-fi movie which has looked twenty to thirty years into the future, and what they have portrayed is no where near the way things are.

The year 2014 was a blessed year for my family and I.  There have been changes, there have been hardships, and some of those hardships were blessings in disguise.

I thank GOD, our Creator for His bountiful blessings; and for His watch and care through all the hardships, and the blessing of healings, and comforts in pain.

I am looking forward to this new year on the banks of Flat Creek.

May the new year be a prosperous one; especially in our LORD.

-tim

A Bit of Snow…

When I went to bed last night it was snowing lightly.  This morning when I arose I looked out the window to see, but a trace of snow on the porch, and the ground.  The temp, however, was biting at 12 degrees, and since then has dropped to 11 degrees.

I somewhat asked for a stable Winter this year.  I mean by that with more Winter type temps of thirty and below during the daytime.  It has not been quite that stable, but we have been having more cold days together than apart; at least it seems to me to be so.

Just heard from our son who lives in Mt Vernon, MO. that they had about three inches on the ground there.  I am happy for them. 🙂

Have a grand day.

-tim

Coldest Day – So Far

When I came into my living room this morning about 4:45 the thermometer read minus two (-2) degrees.  Thirty minutes later it was at -3 degrees.  The last time a took a look it was at -4 degrees.

I just took a minute and looked again; now it is at -5 degrees.  Is that what is called, “Dropping like a rock”?  I guess it could drop a bit faster.

I am sure thankful this morning though.  Thankful for a nice warm home.  Thankful for flowing water.  Thankful for many things.

I am praying this morning for all the farmers who will need to be, and already are out in this snow and cold caring for their cattle, and other livestock.  For those who are maintaining our roads; praying for their wisdom and safety.  For the EMT’s, and other emergency personnel.  May I add, if you do not need to be out, stay in, and stay warm.

One more thing;  if you just have to get out and drive on the  highways turn on your headlights.  It is good to be seen; not just able to see.  It is a matter of safety; not just yours but others who are out as well.

-tim

First Snow of the Season

On the afternoon of December 5th we started receiving freezing precipitation in the form of freezing rain, sleet and later turning to snow.  At present (5 a.m. CT) it is still snowing; though, it does seem to have slowed a bit.

Looking out the window in the light from the porch light there appears to be approximately 1 foot of snow.  I measured it  around 7:45 p.m yesterday, and it measured 6 inches.

Snow is a beauty.  It covers all the trash on the ground, hangs on the leaves of the trees giving them an essence of cleanliness, and holiness.  My how our Creator reminds us of Himself; and what He desires from us.

Enjoy the snow.  Pray for those who have to work in it.  Those who need to be on our highways, turnpikes, interstates, and freeways; whether just traveling to work, home; but especially those who labor in the cold of winter, snow is a hazard to their health and life.  That includes those who keep our electric power going, our roads cleared off, and God forbid, dealing with home fires, health needs, etc.  Thank the Lord for all of them.

-tim

May Third of Twenty Thirteen

I write this morning because it is a rare morning; at least weather wise; and maybe historically.  It is snowing.

There is not much accumulated yet, but it is coming down like it would really pile up if it were colder, the ground was frozen, and conditions were better for snow.  With the grass green, leaves newly on the trees and such this will make a rare picture for Southwest Missouri.

I wrote this just for a note later.

-Tim

Good Advice from an Old Farmer

A Facebook friend posted this there.  I thought I would share it here at FLAT CREEK ROLLING.

Take a little good Advice from an old Farmer:
Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.
Keep skunks and bankers at a distance.
Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.
Words that soak into your ears are whispered… not yelled.
Meanness don’t jes’ happen overnight.
Forgive your enemies; it messes up their heads.
Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.
It don’t take a very big person to carry a grudge.
You cannot unsay a cruel word.
Every path has a few puddles.
When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
The best sermons are lived, not preached.
Most of the stuff people worry about ain’t never gonna happen anyway.
Don’t judge folks by their relatives.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Live a good, honorable life… Then when you get older and think back, you’ll enjoy it a second time.
Don ‘t interfere with somethin’ that ain’t bothering you none.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a Rain dance.
If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin’.
Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.
The biggest troublemaker you’ll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin’.
Always drink upstream from the herd.
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.
Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin’ it back in.
If you get to thinkin’ you’re a person of some influence, try orderin’ somebody else’s dog around..
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply.
Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight,
he’ll just kill you.

First Post Twenty Thirteen

Yeah!  My first post on this blog for 2013.  I have not been much in the mood for writing, if that is what you would call what I do. 🙂

Anyway, let me give you some updates of what has been going on here on the banks of Flat Creek South of Jenkins, Missouri.  On November 30 and December 1 of 2012 I began working on building a back porch on our house.  I finished enough where we could use it with the form fiberglass steps we bought with the house.  The porch, made of treated lumber measures 8 feet by 8 feet.  Not a large porch, but not tiny either.

With cold and freezing setting in for the past few days our driveway has dropped out of sight – a slight over statement of course.  Because of the softness of the soil, even where we had previously placed gravel, the road was sinking, making it difficult to drive the car of a slight grade through the gate.

This morning I went out before anyone else was up, and shoveled a pickup bed half full or so of creek gravel, not from the creek bed, by the way, and hauled it to the driveway, unloaded it where it was sinking the most; and by the time I was finished; I mean I was finished too.  Too bad I do not have a front loader and a dump bed truck to use.  It would make it simpler, and certainly easier.  It sure is good exercise loading gravel though.

Just a side note.  While I was out gathering my tools for the haul there were a couple of eagles soaring overhead, communicating with one another.  I really enjoy hearing their shrill cry, and playful screech with one another.

With all the trouble in the world, and in many of our lives; it is good to know that there are other things which are peaceful.  Those ought to remind us that God is still on the throne; and all things will be worked out for His glory.

-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