“We were sent here to move America forward again by putting people back in charge of their own country, to promote growth to give individuals the opportunities to reach for their dreams, to strengthen institutions of family, school, church, and community, to make the United States a stronger leader for peace, freedom, and progress abroad, and, through it all, to renew our faith in the God who has blessed our land.”
Ronald Reagan 12/12/1983 12:00:00 AM
Now, with most of the country at or near drought conditions it is amazing that anything grows. It is, however, good to see that even weeds; at least some of them; even struggle during these hot, dry periods. It is a wonderful thing to have air conditioning in your home.
Last weekend, our family [Madge’s and mine] had our annual family get together – I guess you could call it a “Family reunion” – but that does not seem quite right for us, since we see one another quite often. It seems to me a Family reunion is when the family comes together, after having not seen one another for a year or so. Our family seems to get together often.
From July 6 -8 we were on our way to our son Philip’s and Sarah Joyce’s home in Booneville, AR. for the gathering on the 6th; eating, activitying various things, like Frisbee golf, swimming at the city pool, and bunches of other things; going to church on Sunday, and coming home. We had a good time with Philip and Sarah Joyce, their three daughters; and our other kids, their spouses, and the other nine grand kids.
When I arrived back home my wife packed me up and marched me out the door :), for Children’s Camp at Baptist Hill, near Mount Vernon, MO. We always try to get there the night before camp starts, so we can have all the kitchen supplies, food stuffs in order. It is quite an experience preparing food for nearly 200 children and workers at camp. Try cracking 35 dozen eggs for scrambling; and watch the guy, pour 2.5 dozen eggs into a cast iron skillet and cook them. Actually it was two cast iron skillets he kept going while Jerry and me were cracking them. Preparing gravy for that number was my responsibility, and I goofed up one meal; but all worked out fine; and with a few compliments on how good the gravy was. That first time was for the evening meal of ham, mashed potatoes and gravy. the second time was for breakfast biscuits and gravy and that evening was fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy. I also helped with the potatoes. It was a time saver to use packaged dried potatoes. They were “real potatoes”, and tasted quite good.
It is good to be home. It is a blessing to be able to serve the kids of camp, and have fellowship with some fine people around the area who are devoted Christian people.
The Summer is hot. Thank the good Lord for the cool spots, and the rain we have received.
Now back along the banks of Flat Creek for awhile.
-Tim
On the afternoon of December 31 I took a walk along the banks of Flat Creek; from just below the old mill pond down around the bend, and then to the place where our family picnics and swims – the Swimming hole.
It was at the Swimming Hole that I sat down for a spell and just looked, watched, and listened for awhile. I have enjoyed doing that along the creek since I was a boy old enough to venture away from the house; and maybe even before I was old enough.
As I was setting there a bald eagle came soaring near me over the still water of the hole and I assume was looking for his/her prey for food for the day. I do not believe I was ever as close to a flying eagle as I was at that moment. I have seen them in zoos sitting on logs for all the world to gauck at, and admire; but never had I been as close as I was at that time and place; while they were flying.
I watched as she/he soared, flapped wings, turned out over the land on the other side, and back over the water, and then flew on down the creek continuing its search.
A beautiful, majestic, bird. Yet, “bird” for an eagle just seems so small a word.
Remember to go to church today and worship our Creator who has given us all things to enjoy and glorify His name.
-Tim
By the way… HAPPY NEW YEAR.
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 was out early this morning going to our church’s Men’s Breakfast. In the early morning hour before sunrise you could not see the colors of the season. However, as I was coming home I noticed how the leaves on the trees are changing. My they are colorful.
Our Creator has done a mighty good work of art in this creation He has made. The trees with their colors of green, red, yellow, orange, and even brown make a beautiful landscape to behold.
Yet, we all need to realize the beauty He has put in the crowning work of His creation. His crowning achievement is the finished work of His Son Jesus Christ and what He can do for you and me. Even though we are marred by the dark, blackness of sin; yet, there is that Light that can be seen, because of the death, burial and resurrection of our Creator. He died, yet He lives and lives forevermore.
Look out today and see this glorious thing that God has wrought. Look within your heart and see what He wants, what He desires to do in you.
-Tim
The title of today’s post is probably does not have to do with what you might think. I learned yesterday of the importance of keeping your marriage as a top priority in your home.
I finally got around to calling a long time friend. We had not talked in about a year. After our conversation was over, and the phones placed back on the dock I had a lot of thinking to do. When a couple has children the children cannot be the major event of the home. In this day and age we live this will not be too popular to say; but when you have children the most important thing they need to see is not you keeping them busy and hopping and happy. The greatest thing you can give your child, other than the message of Christ Jesus, is a good marriage.
Your children need to see Dad loving Mom, respecting Mom, and Mom respecting Dad. They need to know you two are together forever. The two of you have made a vow to God, “Until death do us part”. Your children will grow up and leave home. You will no longer have them in your arms, and within reach any longer. Be glad, not sad about that; that is what growing is all about.
I have watched several homes, though not intentionally, but usually from afar. They have majored on their children, neglected their marriage; then when the children are grown and out on their own the marriage falls apart and they divorce. These are far too often Christian homes.
Love your children, YES! Cherish your wife and love her like Christ loves the church and gave Himself for her. Cherish your husband, love and respect him in the Lord.
Just a note. Marriage can only be between a man and woman. Anything else is perversion.
My wife and me celebrated our 38th Anniversary on July 28 and look forward to many more empty nest years together. Have they all been smooth and trouble free? No way. But they have sure been good.
From the banks of Flat Creek.
-Tim
It is Saturday again. They come around once a week; and most of us are glad they do. They do for the living anyway. It probably does not matter for those who have gone into eternity.
I just checked my online weather forecast for Cassville, MO. and there appears to be no rain in sight; and an expected high of 94. Yesterday morning we had a low at our house of 51 degrees. That felt good compared to some of the morning temps we had a few weeks ago. As of this moment (6:23 a.m.) the low for today is 57 degrees. Though I do like Summer and its heat I think I am enjoying the relief of approaching Fall, and its cooler mornings and days.
Without any rain today I plan on finishing mowing the yard. I have an acre or so to mow in the back. It is amazing how good a yard looks after it is mowed. I have heard some make comments like. “Why keep your yard mowed when you live back where no one can see it?” Well! My answer for that is, “I see it”. I like a well trimmed yard; and my is a long way from well trimmed, but I am working toward that.
Today is also a day when I look forward to being in church and worship with the people of our local church. My prayer is that the Lord give me the words for the sermon that will glorify Him; and work by the power of the Holy Spirit to draw every listener to Him.
As I write this morning the sun is starting to rise over the Eastern hills. The banks of Flat Creek are still in a bit of darkness; but the light is beginning to appear.
From the banks of Flat Creek.
-Tim
I like the way the weeks roll around; especially Sunday’s. Sunday in my family has always been a day of rest and worship. Worshipping the Lord of all creation, the Creator, is one of the greatest parts of life and living. That is something I endeavor to do all week long.
One of the things I have said before is, “I’ve got to go to church”; and it isn’t that “I’ve got to”, but I get to go to church today. If it ever becomes a “got to”, then going to church and worship has become nothing more than a mere religious action and it becomes a sacrament, or a necessity for salvation. I am not saved by any good work I do, but by the grace of God, to do good works.
I pray all who are reading this will be attending the worship services in your local church; and worshipping Jesus Christ, Lord, King, Savior, Prince of peace, Creator. Love Him. Cherish Him. Worship Him. Serve Him. Fear Him and Him alone, and you will need to fear nothing else.
It is great honor and privilege to be able to look out our patio door and see the things He has created around us; or to step out the door and hear the sounds of His creation; and know He is watching over us all.
Part of what we hear when we step out the back door is the rolling waters of Flat Creek as it makes its way toward Table Rock Lake a few miles down stream. Bless the LORD O, my soul.
-Tim
On Tuesday of this week I was nearing my home when my wife called me on the cell and told me that my Dad was possibly having a heart attack. He was refusing to be taken to the ER for help. My Mom had called my wife [Madge] to have her call me and if I could take him where he needed to be.
I stopped went in, and asked if he was doing okay. He told me, “No! I’m not” even saying to me that there was the possibility he could be having a heart attack. My words were, “Don’t you think you need to get to the hospital?” To which he responded, “That’s a possibility” We were getting somewhere. He at first wanted to wait for Mom to get home. She had a doctors appointment that day and was away with my sister Judy doing that.
Our Aunt Bonnie was there with my Day when I got there and she helped me to finally get him to agree and go.
When we arrived at the ER in Springfield an hour and a few minutes later, they quickly put him on an EKG and he was having a heart attack. They rushed him to the cardiac cath lab; then, an hour and a half to two hours later the doctor came out and told us that basically they could do nothing; and he was continuing with the attack. They would medicate him, keep him in CCU for a while, send him to a room, and send him home in a few days if things went well.
They have filled him with morphine, his mind is confused from it, and he thinks everyone else is confused.
My Dad made sure that my siblings and myself new the Lord by taking us to Sunday School and church every time the doors were open; and teaching us about work; and the value of family and friends. Of course, my Mom had a big hand in that too.
There is one thing that I am convinced of and that is that God is good. God is in control. Not only is my Dad’s life in His hands; so is mine and yours. None of us know the day or the hour we take our last step, breathe our last breath, or the last beat of our heart.
Whether it be along the banks of Flat Creek, Cox Hospital, any hospital, or Fairbanks, AK. we are all in the hands of our Creator. So it is a great thing if you come to Him through His Son Jesus Christ, Creator.
-Tim
You’ve heard the above title as a phrase. When something goes wrong some one says, “Dog gone”. I heard the story of an American Indian [Native American] running with his dog along a cliff, the dog fell over the cliff, and the Indian said, “Dog gone” :).
Yesterday morning when my Madge and I left for church Archer and the Little Girl was here watching us leave, wanting some attention, and seemed just normal. However, when we got back home Little Girl was no where to be seen or found. I wrote about Little Girl a few weeks ago; how we ended up with her and all.
It seems we had gotten used to her being here. Now I don’t know what has happened to her. I kind of have a suspicion that her people were floating once again, she caught a scent of them, and found them. That’s what I hope happened to her.
She has been around here all this time; when we have left she has remained through all other times, but this time Dog gone.
We hear people floating in canoes, boats, kayaks, and inner tubes almost every day. We weren’t home to hear at that time. Where ever Little Girl is now I hope she is okay.
On the banks of Flat Creek.
-Tim
Today is the day most Christians will arise early, for the weekend, and prepare themselves and attend the church of their choice. Will they worship the Lord of all, or will they be distracted by children, cell phones, employment, unemployment, or something else? Only God knows our hearts.
We are told by our Creator; “They that worship Him, must worship Him in Spirit and in truth”. The only true worship of God is found through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross; dying in our stead, for our sins, being buried, carrying our sin and its death, condemnation and guilt away; and Him rising victoriously for our justification; making us, in God’s sight and by God’s decree RIGHTEOUS and Just.
Now the Creator who would do that is worthy of our worship and praise. Go to worship Him with the brethren today. Worship Him on Monday – Saturday too; with all your heart.
Worshipping the Creator, not creation, along the banks of Flat Creek.
-Tim
Last October (2010) when the movers were preparing for the set up of our new manufactured home they poured concrete footings. All around what would be the outer edge of the house and about four rows of cement footing for blocks and shims to sit on underneath to level the house, and set on. When the concrete dried they moved a large amount of dirt off to the side; and a large part of that mountain of dirt is still there.
There are several low spots, dips and holes I need to fill so I have occasionally taken a couple of five gallon buckets filled them with dirt and moved some of it myself. This week I have done it practically every morning before the sun gets too high and becomes hot. I am waiting for the day when Dennis in our church comes and uses his skid steer to move it for us.
I told him a week ago to wait until it cools off a bit. Most of it is probably going to be moved over where the septic lateral lines run, to level out the ground and get them covered a bit better. I have used some of the dirt that I have moved around the front of the block skirting to slope the water from the roof away (that’s right we have no guttering, yet), and that is needed any way.
Back in the Spring I planted some wild maples to give us trees in the yard, but I am not sure they are going to survive the Summer. I water them practically everyday, but now the grasshoppers have eaten the leaves off of them.
Anyway this is supposed to be about moving dirt; so back to it. I have got a lot of dirt to move; and a lot of other work to do to get this place shaped up and looking really good. It looks good, but it can look better.
It won’t be too long and we will be able to see Flat creek as it rolls on by.
-Tim
On the afternoon of July 30, 2011 we had a massive historical event take place at our house. It rained. It rained so much it moved the dust from the ground to the air. When it stopped raining the dust fell back to the ground.
It’s still dusty. I say this laughing, because the rain had no sooner left, then the ground was dry again.
If I get to feeling pretty bad about the dry; all I need to do is think of those people in Africa who are in drought and famine; and then I see how blessed we really are.
Lord of all creation, Jesus, we need some rain; and please help those people in Kenya, Africa who are experiencing such chaos of drought, famine and military barbarism. Meet their needs, and glorify YOUR name.
It’s Sunday. Go to church today and worship our Lord and Savior. Pray for the Lord to reveal your sins, confess them to Him, repent of them. Then, pray for rain.
We need rain along the banks of Flat Creek too.
-Tim
…Another wonderful morning; and to make it even greater; it’s Sunday morning. Getting up way before the sunrise has become a habit with me. It seems I function best at this time, but the rest of the day not so well, at times.
I hear cattle bawling across the Creek, our neighbor across Flat Creek is a physician, I hear, and has a pretty nice place over there. I don’t know what all the bawling is about, but they are doing it.
There is a beginning of sun light starting to show itself. I can see the trees along the banks in silhouette form, where an hour ago it just looked black and dark outside. Looking forward to going to church today to worship the God of all creation, the Son of God, God incarnate, Jesus Christ.
I pray you have already made that your plan for the day. Honor God every day, worship Him every day, and get with others in worship and fellowship as oft as you can. We are having a fellowship dinner at Carr Lane Baptist today. We all always look forward to our dinners, fellowship times.
The light is getting brighter for the new day ahead along the banks of Flat Creek of Southwest Missouri.
-Tim
Flat Creek Rolling 