On Living and Dying

I know the title is a bit somber for some. Let’s face it though we are about living. God the Creator, our Creator has given us life, and due to the sin of Adam we are all going to die too.

There is not one person who is exempt from death. None of us guaranteed tomorrow, not even to mention “Next year”, “Next Thanksgiving”, or “Next Christmas”. We don’t even know what the next five minutes will bring our way.

Now do not get me wrong, I am not avowing the thought, “Let us eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die”, but what I am saying is let’s be responsible in living, taking time with family, even the elderly ones, and not fear what this virus might do to us.

I am not just saying this. I do my best to practice this by faith in the One who made me, saved me, and gives me life. My family and I have decided to continue living without the fear which has been promoted and false accusations of someone not loving others because we choose to meet together and do not wear mask, is plumb unloving in itself.

I have also determined not to be swayed by the supposed guilt others would lay on me. I have enough guilt of my own to deal with.

Anyway, let’s get on with life; and I am speaking more to Bible believing Christians here. Death is not a friend, but our last enemy that shall be destroyed, so we are not to fear it for ourselves or our loved ones.

Here is what I practice through this ordeal: I keep my distance from others in public places; when I cough or sneeze I do it into my shoulder or elbow or cover my face with my hand; I frequently wash my hands as well with soap and water. By the way, I have no intention of getting vaccinated either; I have also never taken a flu shot. I don’t plan on getting one.

The reason I have not gotten the flu is because of the good Lord, His hand of protection, and if I do get sick He heals me because He is the Great Physician.

I grieve with those who have lost loved ones due to the virus, and thankful for all of those who have recovered and are currently recovering. Have you noticed what the recovery rate is? Just a thought.

Let us rejoice in the Lord always and always be thankful for our health, the things and the wealth He has blessed us with. By the way I did not use the word “Wealthy” there; we all have wealth if we stop and look and think about it.

Do not be so afraid to die, that you’re afraid to live for His glory.

That is my thoughts from the banks of Flat Creek,

~tim

The Month of Thanksgiving – 11

On this 11th day of the month of Thanksgiving I am thankful for my wife Madge.  She has loved me, stood by me through thick and thin, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health as she is an encouragement to me.

For over forty six years she has tolerated me when I was very unloving, or unkind to her. I love her more than my own life, and I thank our Creator for her every day.

Thankful 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

Snow in April 2018

It is not real rare, but we are hardly one month into Spring and we get a snow.  I remember a day in April of 1971 we received about six inches during the day, and it was gone by sundown.

Here are a couple of pictures from this morning, and from our front porch…

It is wonderful to live in the southwest Missouri Ozarks.  You just never know what the weather is going to do.

From the banks of Flat Creek

`tim

 

The Nevers

Have you ever thought about all the “Nevers” you ever said?  You know, “I would never do that.”  or “I would never have that” or maybe another one or two.

I think about that once in a while.  Here are some of my “Nevers”…

The first thing I can think of is that I can remember a day when I said, “I would never pay to watch television in my own home.”

The second thing I can remember saying is that “I would never have a computer in my home.”

The third thing I can remember is “I would never have  a ‘Smart Phone'”.

On those things I can say I have done all of those now.

When we moved to the State of California we lived in a remote location, no air TV available, so the only television we could get was by cable; I paid for television.  So after that, I guess it just became the normal thing for me to do. “Never?”

In the earlier part of this 21st century I was doing our Church bulletin for every Sunday on an old electric typewriter until a good church member brought me a computer he was not using at home, and showed me how to use the word processor on the thing, and I have had a computer ever since that day.  “Never?”

Just this past Summer my wife and I went on a trip (vacation of sorts) to Kentucky to see The Ark Encounter.  It was while we were traveling I realized how much better it could be using one of them GPS systems, and Smart phones have the ability, so by the time we returned home I was convinced to get a Smart phone.  Now I have one of those.  “Never?”

There are probably many other nevers I have said, for good or for bad.  I have gotten to a place where I think a little more before I say never.  One is when I see what other people can do in wickedness…  I like to think, “I would never do that”; but then I think…

From the banks of Flat Creek,

`tim

 

April’s Green

We just celebrated Easter yesterday by remembering the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  With the coming of Spring, and the greening of everything since March 20 it is quite fitting to mention “Resurrection”

Spring signifies the renewing of all things living.  Going through Autumn and then Winter the plants seem to die, but then in Spring they come back to life.  Resurrection is testified to by even the Creation around us.

The siblings, myself and our mother experienced the passing away of our Dad (on February 9,2017), and our mother’s husband of 63 years.  Though that was and continues to be a sad departure for us we know Dad is more alive today, in the presence of Jesus, than he has ever been.  One day, and maybe soon, he will rise from the grave in which he is buried, along with all those who died in Jesus Christ; and those who are still living in Christ will join them all in the sky, with Him.

So shall we ever, forever live with Jesus.

Why do I believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus, and all who believe in Him?  The green of April declares it.  Most of all God in His word proclaims and declares it.  Jesus is risen. “He is not here.  He is risen.”

From the banks of Flat Creek,

~tim

An Obituary

I received the following in an email.  Think about it.

An Obituary printed in the London Times…..Absolutely Dead Brilliant!!

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has
been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his
birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be
remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

– Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
– Why the early bird gets the worm;
– Life isn’t always fair;
– And maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more
than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in
charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but
overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy
charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from
school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding
an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job
that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent
to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform
parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and
criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar
in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to
realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her
lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death,
-by his parents, Truth and Trust,
-by his wife, Discretion,
-by his daughter, Responsibility,
-and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 5 stepbrothers;r
– I Know My Rights
– I Want It Now
– Someone Else Is To Blame
– I’m A Victim
– Pay me for Doing Nothing

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do
nothing

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

I bought a pouch of Beechnut chewing Tobacco…

I just saw some of you who know me, and knows that I do not use tobacco in any form, just drop your jaw about a foot.  Well, just to let you know, I heard that chewing tobacco boiled in water, then cooled down, drained, and adding some lemon dish soap to it; and putting it in a sprayer is good for killing spiders.  So I bought a pouch, boiled it, neglected to let it cool down, or put the soap in it.  I also bought a pump sprayer, and I poured the boiling hot mix, through a strainer into the sprayer.

I then proceeded to spray it around our house and the other buildings on our place.  I did go back and read that the soap was supposed to be put in, but I will wait and see what happens with only the boiled tobacco juice.

The next time I buy a pouch of chewing tobacco, I will also buy a bottle of lemon dish soap.

Watching for spider activity along the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

Coldest Day This Winter

When I got up this morning it was 3 degrees outside.  I am thankful that it was not that cold inside.  Whew!  What a mess that would be.  It has dropped a bit since then, though.  It is now 1 degree, and it says “falling”.

This is exactly why Winter is not my favorite time of year.  I like heat.  It seems when I am cold that I cannot get warm enough.  It may be all that blood pressure medicine or some medicine I take; but really I have never been real fond of the cold weather.

Winter is part of the seasons of earth, and I can readily, willingly and thankfully accept that.  I am ready for Spring and Summer.  Please no more of these extreme cold temps.

Thank the LORD for the heat; and the part the cold plays in our world.

-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

The Creek is Still Rolling

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

Hymn – “Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine”

Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!  Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!  Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

chorus:

This is my story, this is my song,  Praising my Saviour all the day long;  This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Saviour all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,  Visions of rapture now burst on my sight:  Angels descending bring from above Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,  I in my Saviour am happy and blest:  Watching and waiting, looking above,  Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Fanny J. Crosby,  1820-1915

Mrs Joseph F. Knapp, 1839-1908

-posted by Tim A. Blankenship

Eagles Are Flying

Of course that is not really anything new.  They have been flying, perching, birthing, eating, breathing, and living for millenniums of time.  However,  I did see my first eagle this season flying over our house.

It flew in a circle over the house as though he was checking us out, and to let me know they were back.  There was no doubt in my mind it was a bald eagle.  The white head and tail feathers glistened in the afternoon sunlight.

I was glad to see our friends had returned to the banks of Flat Creek.  A blessing from our Creator, Jesus the Christ, Son of the Living God.

And, one other little thing.  Do you remember the “Little Girl” (the little corgy dog which adopted us) well, now she is “Little mama”.  On Sunday evening October 23, she was beginning to have puppies when we arrived home from church.  Monday morning when I left to go drive the school bus, she had seven, though one was dead, laying beside its mother.

If anyone wants a puppy in a few months let me know, and we will see what we can do about that.

-Tim

Flat Tire

Over a month ago I borrowed my Dad’s tractor and began doing some brush hawgin on our place.  It was looking pretty good until a broken shear-pin stopped it – the brush hawg that is.  So I was done for the day; then, after I got another pin for the PTO shaft of the machine the right front tire went flat.  It set for several days even over a month, before I decided to take it and get it fixed.

Well I did that on Wednesday morning.  Thursday morning [yesterday, October 13] I did some more brush hawgin finishing up the garden spot, and a small area of the corner of our back yard.  Then, I went down by the old barn, did a few rounds, then, guess what?  That is right.  The right front tire went flat again.

I got the tractor to a better location, then shut it down.  I guess I stuck a nail or something in it this time, because it went down fast.  What I did get done does look better now.

I guess you noticed that I changed the name of this blog?   YES! I did notice.

God is truly good and blesses beyond measure.

-Tim

 

Flat Creek

If you notice the background picture of this blog you will see Flat Creek as it flows along toward the bluff the road is on toward our house.  You will also notice the name change of this blog.  It seems to be a bit more fitting than the name of this contributor to the blog.

I grew up on a farm along the banks of Flat Creek.  That farm is part of the piece of land which my wife and I have ownership of; and have been given to care for for a while.  We enjoy living where we live.  We can hear the creek as it flows; and at times we can see it as we sit at our dining room table through the patio door.

I think the name change is a positive thing.

Enjoy, be blessed as we write of living along the banks of Flat Creek.

-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

Starting a New Week

Last week was full of surprise and activity.  That makes for an interesting time and keeps things moving; though sometimes it would be nice for things to slow down a bit.

One thing I like about Monday is that it is a new beginning.  The start of a new week.  It is a time for reflection for me, and I pray for others as well.  Of course I get up early almost every morning, and by early I do not mean 6:00 a.m.  I mean more like 3:30 a.m.  I enjoy that time of day.  There are no interruptions while I read, pray and write.  It is probably one of the most productive times of my day.

I know that everyone cannot enjoy a 3:30 a.m. getting up time; but you miss so much if you are not up, at least before the sun starts to rise over the horizon.  It is a beautiful sight to behold.  The glory of the creation of our God and Savior.

Enjoy the day whatever time your getting up time is.  I pray you will meet God somewhere within the day.  A time when you know you have encountered Him, and enjoy Him, and love Him forever; because He first loved us.

-Tim

Being blessed with more Rain

Today is the last day of Summer.  At least according to the calendar hanging on my wall.  Friday the 23rd is the first day of Autumn.  That seems to be a little later than usual to me.  It seems to usually fall on the 21st or so; but not in 2011 I guess.

It is raining again.  Thank the Lord of all grace and mercy and love.  It is wonderful how He loves us all.  It seems to me that rain is a reminder of His love, grace and mercy and our need.

It will not be long and we will all be longing for those warm, even hot Summer days; at least I know I will.  I must admit some of these past Summer days were extremely hot; but that is Summer.

It is great to be alive.  It is great to have family and friends whom I love and who loves me.  It is even greater still to know that there is a God in Heaven who also lives within me, because He loves me and cares for every need.  All because of the gift of His Son Jesus – His death on the cross, burial and resurrection; and knowing that one day soon He will return.  O,  What a day that will be…

Thanks for the rain.

-Tim

George Washington Carver National Monument

Yesterday, two other bus drivers and myself took three buses of children to the George Washington Carver National Monument in Diamond, MO..  There are probably a lot of people who do not know about George Washington Carver.

He was a generous man.  He cared for people.  He was a man of faith, and used his faith in his life.  He worked with peanuts and discovered many things and many products have come from peanuts because of his work.

The park is on the West side of Diamond, and is a beautiful park.  If you ever get a chance to go there it would be worth the visit.

That is it from the banks of Flat Creek today.

-Tim