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…

and one more…

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

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

The Beating Heart

This machine that the Creator placed in my body, and nearly all living beings, including those who have often been referred to as “Having no heart” do have them too.

It is a marvelous machine; regulated by the brain, electrical activity, and most importantly by its Creator.  I do not know all the things involved; not nearly; but I do know one thing and that is that it is a marvelous invention.  We men and women of earth think we are makers of intricate, detailed, and beautiful, magnificent machines.  When you stop and think about it though; what is there that compares with the human body?  You could say, “Maybe the universe”, but we did not make that.  The Creator did.

We have our computers, our V-8, V-10, V-12, V-6, four cylinder gasoline combustion engines; and they are quite remarkable.  There is also the diesel, and jet engines too.  Still cannot match up to what GOD has made.

I guess I have needed to stop and take a look at things a bit differently lately.  You see, I just returned home from having stentz placed in my heart arteries.  About 2.5 years ago I had five put in my heart, and it really gave me a boost, a pickup, I did not know I had even been missing.  Then, as I wrote a week or so ago — I had a heart attack, and it was due to one of those stentz becoming 100 percent blocked.  While the surgeon was examining that situation, he found another blockage in another arterie.

Yesterday I went in and had that one taken care of.  I just returned home, and feel like I am doing quite well.  I did just receive a call from the Cardiologists office that I could not return to work until November 25 though.  I was a bit disappointed, but realized that it is probably necessary.

The Beating Heart.  That is something you cannot live without.  Something else  you cannot live without and for all eternity is to know the One who gives you a beating heart.  That is possible through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ; God’s holy Son.

-tim

Eagles at War???

This past Wednesday morning as I was driving home, and along the bluff road to our house there were several bald eagles perching in trees.  I drove a little ways, and suddenly one flew up from just beside me.  It seemed that it was standing on the steep bank, and my driving by it caused it to take flight through the trees.

What I found fascinating was that eagle made a half circle around in front of me, landed in a tree branch just over our road, and attacked another eagle sitting in that tree.  As I drove under the tree they both took flight, one after the other; but when the last one left it flew high, then, made a dive bomb attack on the other one.

A few minutes later I stepped on on the front porch or our house, and though I could not see the eagles I heard the screeching speech of an eagle.  It was a continued piercing screeching sound, clearly that of an eagle.  They were on the other side of the hill that rises slowly to the South of our home.

They are majestic birds.  Wonderful to watch.  I had never seen them behave that way before.  That is why I have the question marks on the end of the title.  It may have just been a domestic dispute.  It may have been a dominance dispute as well.  It is interesting here on the banks of Flat Creek.

-tim

Second Anniversary

Just to get right to the point.  Today marks the second anniversary of my wife Madge and I moving into our new home.  We are still enjoying the home with which the Lord of all has blessed us.  The Creek is still rolling by, though this past Summer with the extreme high temps, and the drought caused it to drop considerably; and with recent rainfall it has now risen much above drought conditions.

The other day I went and cut some cedar logs for the “legs” for a back porch on the house.  I am planning on building a porch which measures 8 feet by 8 feet.  That will give us a fairly large porch in the back in order to have more room for the door the swing open, and to sit out back on the porch; if we choose to do so.

Thank you LORD for Your many blessings; and today for our home.

-tim

Coldest Morning

Living in Southwest Missouri is a mystery when it comes to the weather.  In nearby Cassville the temp is showing at 19 degrees; hear at my house at 4 a.m. my thermometer showed 8 degrees…and it is still at 8 degrees.

Winter began officially on December 22, and we have had really nice temps for Christmas, and it began to change a bit on New Years day, getting cooler with wind.  The wind sure does not help any.  We had much colder days before the official start of Winter.

However, this morning is the coldest since the cool weather of Autumn and Winter began.  Our coldest; up until this morning was 12 degrees; but I do not remember what day.  I just remember it being that cold as I stepped out the door to go to work.

We live in a low spot next to the creek, and that probably has something to do with our temps being cooler than other places.  I still like living where I do very much.

I am thankful for my home and the land on which we live and are God’s stewards of.  He has blessed us immensely.

Come heat or cold I will praise the LORD.

-Tim

Mount Vernon November

Our family got together today, at least most of us, at our son and his wife’s home in Mount Vernon, MO.  They invited us to a cook out, and with me doing the cooking on the grill.  That is enjoyable, and the food is usually very good.

James and Amber had us all to their home.  This is their new home, because their old one was destroyed in the May 22 tornado which hit and destroyed most of Joplin, MO.  God protected and blessed them, and continues to do so through this terrible tragedy.

All our family was there with the exception of Philip and his wife Sarah Joyce who live in Booneville, AR.  and Paul, our oldest daughter Charity’s husband.  It was a great time to get together.

The wind was blustery, and made things a bit cool at times, but we had an enjoyable day and afternoon.

We love you James and Amber, and all the rest of you too.  So proud of you all.

-Tim

One Year Ago Today…

We moved into our new home along the banks of Flat Creek.  It has been a joyous year being able to step outside our home; especially out the back doors, and hear the sound of the creek as it rolls down toward Table Rock Lake several miles away.

It was a joy to last Winter watch the Eagles as the soared above our heads, house and land.  It was also with joy that when the tornado struck Joplin, MO. we had the house and space for our son James, his wife, and Archer and for a short while even Pillar and Skillet; to move in with us for a couple of months until they could find them a new home.  Archer, ended up finding his home with us permanently.  We have really enjoyed having him around too.  I do not remember as a boy with a dog having as much fun and joy as I have had with Archer.

Anyway, the year has gone by quickly.  There is much work we need to do around our home yet.  We need to get a front porch built on it.  We also want to built a back deck.  That will still come.

One day we would like to get the old house my father was born and raised in fixed up and use it for family and friends to stay in when they come visit.  That will be a while in coming.  There is much work to do, and with being a pastor, driving a school bus there just does not seem to be enough time in the day to accomplish everything I would like to do.

I just thank the LORD Almighty for His blessings, His grace and His mercy.  I also thank Him for our home which we are only stewards; and I pray will be always faithful stewards of what He has entrusted to our care.

Being blessed daily along the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

What I’m Hearing…

I’m hearing that my Dad will be coming home today (08/19/11).  I don’t think he has improved in the sense of being better off.  He is most likely near to going home to be with Jesus our God and Savior.  He may have some strength for the days ahead to do what he feels like doing; and he may not.

Dad is still talking of getting up to go milk the cows.  That is what he has done all his life.  Even though his health has been failing him, he has endeavored to go to the milk barn, and help my brother with the milking.  It has given him a sense of self worth, and something to do.

There is one thing I know, and that is that Dad is ready to see Jesus Christ, King of kings, Lord of lords; and to be with Him for ever and for ever.  No one can actually know that of any one else, but you can see it by the way they live; and what is in their hearts and comes out of their mouth.  That is what has come out of Dad’s heart and mouth.  His love and concern for his wife, children, grandchildren; and others too.  It hurts my Dad to see family members at odds with one another – maybe I should say angry with one another to the point of not speaking.  I also know Dad has not been perfect; and he knows that too.

I am thankful that God gave me my Dad.  I am thankful that God has blessed me with the family given me.  I pray that I can be as faithful to God, and His Church as my Dad has been.

Like I said above,  I hear that Dad is coming home today.  He will be back near the banks of Flat Creek, his wife and family; and of course the milk cows.

-Tim

Family Weekend is Over

We made it to the end.  WHEW!!!  A house full of grand kids, their parents and the grand parents is an experience that will  not be soon forgotten.  When you have a family of 22 in one small home, sleeping in the living room floor, on the hide-a-bed, on the living room floor; on the dining room floor, the kitchen floor, and in all three bedrooms; there is bound to be some tension build up.

We all get along very well, yet there is tension.  I must give the credit to our getting along well to our GOD and Savior Jesus Christ.  Without that it would be nigh to impossible.  It also has to do with loving one another, and understanding matters.

We have had our problems; we continue to have problems where there are arguments occasionally over various matters; yet we still get together, converse, and enjoy our time together.

When we have got together at Philip’s and Sarah’s I have always been happy to return home.  When the kids are all here I am happy to see them come; but I am also happy to see the tail lights or rear bumpers of their cars headed toward their own homes.  Some people thinks that’s mean.  That’s the way life works.  Children are supposed to grow up and leave home.  If you don’t like it; get over it and accept the fact that you can’t hang on to them forever.  Nor, should you even want to.

From the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim