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

October Fifth Twenty Sixteen Rain

We have been receiving a blessing of some much needed rain today.  It started falling sometime after midnight, and has continued intermittently since then.

Thank the LORD of all creation for this blessing.

From the banks of Flat Creek.

~tim

The Tomatoes

I do not know what has happened to my tomato plants, but they have fizzled out.  Some one told me that they may have gotten too much water with all the rain we received earlier in July.

The plants have died, or are dying.  There is one lone living plant out of ten planted; with one lone, small green tomato coming along.

The first tomatoes I picked were large and firm, and they were really good eating.  Great on sandwiches, and just to eat along with chicken, mashed potatoes and such.

Well, we did get to enjoy a few.  Thank the Lord of all Creation for that wonderful blessing.  Thank you Lord Jesus.

Sunny Day

It is a lovely Spring day here on March 25, 2015.  The sun is shining brightly, the temp is at 64 degrees hear only the rolling Flat Creek.

This morning as Madge and me were eating breakfast I was looking out the patio door watching a couple of geese down on the creek swimming, frolicking around, and enjoying the morning coolness.  I told Madge, “It is pretty neat to be able to sit at the table watching wildlife at play”  or something like that.

It is.  It really is neat to watch God’s creation through our door, and it is even better to get out in it when we can.

I do enjoy Spring.  I can practically hear the grass growing :).  It is grand.

From the banks of Flat Creek

-tim

In Need of Some Rain

LORD God of creation we are a needy people today, and always.  Many places, including ours are in need of a good rain.  Send as YOU see fit for YOUR glory.

Thank YOU for the rain.  In YOUR blessed name.  Amen.

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

Bird Song

During the later morning hours, sitting in my office  preparing for Sunday morning in our church; I heard a clunk at my office window.  Seeing how we had four of our grand children present, and they were outside, my first thought was that one of the smaller ones threw something and hit the window.  However, when I looked out the window I saw our dogs gathered around something on the ground, they were sniffing at it, and blocking my view of whatever it was.

I went outside and looked. It was a small bird.  It was still alive.  It’s eyes were blinking, and I could see the movement of its breast by its breathing.  I picked up the little bird, and held in my hands.  After a few minutes the bird sat up, got on its feet, still stunned.

I took it and showed it to my grand kids.  They were thrilled wanting to touch it, and pet it.  He/She just sat there in my hand.  One time flying under the trampoline.  I retrieved her/him, and she continued to sit on my hand for a while longer.  In just a little while she flew away; flying very low to the ground, finding a resting place, and perching herself on a limb; sat there for a while.  I did notice later that she was gone.  I supposed she had finally came to her senses and flew away.

This morning, as I was in the office doing my blog writing, there was a bird that came singing at my window.  My thoughts were that this bird thought she would sing a song for me praising the LORD for His goodness; and letting me know she was fine.

When I hear birds singing; I believe they are singing praises to the King of kings, the LORD of hosts, and that is what God has made them for.  He made us for worship too.  However, it seems that we are the only part that fails to do so.

Listen to the birds sing.  Listen to the Bird Song.

Along the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

New Front Porch

For over a year now we have had manufactured steps at our front door with no porch.  Of course we still have some of those steps at our two back accesses to the house; one at our laundry door, and one at our patio door.  No!  We do not have a rear deck built yet; but it is in the plans.

We are only endeavoring to do these builds without adding more to our debt.

The front porch is now built and paid for; the only part of the house that is paid for.  It is great and we offer our praise to the Creator who has blessed us with the means to receive it and to care for it.

It will be great to have the porch to set in our outdoor chairs on the days of nice weather; to watch, listen and learn from God the things He has made in creation.

On the banks of Flat Creek, and it is still rolling right along.

-Tim

Beautiful Morning

I stepped out the back door this morning into the crispy morning air with about 24 degrees.  As I was walking to the car I looked to the North, and up the creek, Flat Creek, and saw one of the most beautiful sights one could behold.

It was about 5:25 a.m., the moon was still high in the Western sky, full and bright.  You could see the moisture rising from the water, the “steam” if you will coming from the warmer water mixing with the cold morning air.  The moon also hitting the frost on the grass, and there was a glow in the air.

If it could have been photographed it would have been a wonder to behold.  Maybe it would not be so much to some people.  It certainly caught my attention.  The full moon shining brightly in the sky, the misty steam rising from the creek many yards away, the glisten of the frost on the grass, the stars shining miles, and miles and millions of miles into space;

No one could paint a picture so lovely, except our Creator.

Thank YOU Father for the beauty of today, and every day.

Flat Creek is rolling right on along.

-Tim

A Colorful Drive

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

Needing Rain Again

Listening to and watching the news lately one would think the whole country was saturated with flood waters from hurricane Irene.  She was sure a wet one.  However there are many spots who have not gotten any rain for most of the Summer.  Summer is almost over.  That is hard to imagine with temps at my house yesterday at 105.

We are needing rain again.  Oklahoma needs rain and some relief from the heat; along with much of Texas.  Those folks are being hit hard, and as fickle as the news people are have practically forgotten all about those them.  Our Nation is mostly in dire need of repentance and turning back to God.  I am not preaching, just stating a truth.  There is only one God, and He is accessible only one way and that is through the cross of His Son Jesus Christ.

The only hope of a bankrupt nation or individual is turning to God.

Yes!  We need rain again.  It will come again.  Then before long we will need rain again; and the circle will continue for all time; until Jesus makes all things right.

Pray for rain in Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and where ever else it is needed.  Pray also for those folks in Virginia, Vermont, and other places where Irene made havoc with the people, their lives and their property.  Pray that people will turn back to the God of all Creation.  His name is Jesus.

From along the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

With All That’s Goin’ On

With all that’s goin’ on in the world you would think that many people would get the idea that there is God; not a god, as if one of many; but GOD.  As one who created all that is, and sustains all that is.  GOD did not just create the created order then leave it for His crowning achievement to oversee, and rule.  He came down during a time in history, and gave His life for us.

With all that’s goin’ on in the world you would think that people would open their eyes about their own righteousness; that it just doesn’t exist.  Even the most immoral people can have a good streak in them occasionally, but that sure doesn’t make them righteous.  Our good deeds won’t; maybe even cannot out weigh the bad or evil we do; no matter if we do more good than bad.  With God righteousness, goodness, doing right just doesn’t work that way.

Righteous is what God says is righteous; and that is not us.  His Son Jesus is Righteous, and He died for our unrighteousness.  He is the only Mediator between God, His Father, and humanity.  Without Him we would all perish.

With all that’s goin’ on in the world you would think that there would be a lot of repentance going on, and people calling on the name of Jesus Christ; for He is the Lord of all.

It’s time for repentance and faith; even here on the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

Worshipping the Creator

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

Rolling Thunder

For some reason I love the sound of rolling, rumbling thunder.  As i write this morning that is the sound I hear outdoors.  I don’t know all the scientific, meteorological terminology, but I love the sound.  It’s a reminder that there is a power bigger than myself; and He is GOD.  He is Christ Jesus the one who sustains, and holds all things together.

Thank the LORD for the rain.  He is the Blesser, and Blessing of this planet, and the whole of the Universe.

It almost seems that since we started getting this rain; you can sit down and watch the grass grow before your eyes.  Creation loves the blessings of our Creator.  Let’s love the Creator who has blessed us far above that which we deserve.

Watching the grass green up and grow on the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

Unsettled Dust

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

Here It Is…

…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