Tag: Missouri

Only Since July Fifth

The title of this writing is how long it has been since I posted anything here.  School has gotten back in session in every location that I am aware of and is certainly true for Cassville School District for which I drive a bus.

Here we are just six days away from Thanksgiving Day and only 38 days until Christmas.  Wow!  How time flies by.

Back in October around the 23rd of the month our daughter, and oldest child had a stroke, and was hospitalized for about 5 days plus.  She is home doing well, and is recovering.  Please pray for Charity and continued recovery.  She is gradually recovering strength, still needs the prayers of the warriors of Christ to intercede for her.

My oh my how the world needs to know the God of the Bible, the Father of Jesus Christ; He who sent His only Son to die in our place, to redeem us unto Himself.

It has certainly been a beautiful Fall season.  Temperatures have been a little colder than normal, but hey, I live in Missouri.  You never know what the weather will be like.  There is a saying that has been said around our parts, “If you don’t like the weather; stick around for a bit, it’ll change.”

If I do not get back to this site to leave a message of Thanksgiving blessing or Merry Christmas; let me give it to you now.  HAVE BLESSED THANKSGIVING DAY,   a very MERRY CHRISTMAS.  I will always keep Christ in the season.  He is the reason for the season.

From the banks of Flat Creek,

~tim

Missing Lynn Messer

Lynn Messer is an individual who has been missing since last July 8, 2014.  Her husband Kerry awoke early that morning to find her absent from their bed.  He looked through the house; then went outside looking around the farm buildings, and later over their land, and found no sign of her.

Early on they had law enforcement officials out investigating the situation, and they have no answers; to my knowledge anyway.

This is a farming family in Eastern Missouri, South of St. Louis.  Kerry and Lynn have been long time family advocates within the State of Missouri.

I have been following this tragedy since it began.  This is a great tragedy in this family, for their friends and for others too.

My prayer is that Lynn will be found.  No one knows whether she is still alive or tragically killed; yet I am sure it would be a great relief, and closure for her to be found.

You may find out more about this by going to the Facebook page FIND LYNN MESSER

Lynn’s birthday will be Thursday June 4th.  She will “turn 53 years 0f adventures”.  Please pray for this family.

Rain in July

In the State of Missouri, especially Southwest Missouri we do not normally get much rain; at least in large amounts.  In the past week we have been blessed with the wonderful drops from heaven.

Yesterday alone we got at least 3 inches of rain.  Since last Saturday evening (July 20) we have received 7 inches plus.  That is practically; notice I said practically; unheard of in July.  I am thankful.  Bless the Giver and Sovereign of rain.

It is wonderful to look out the windows of our house and no longer see dry, dying grass; needing to water the trees; but seeing green grass blooming Rose of Sharon shrubs, and other flowers growing.

It is a wonderful blessing to receive rain in July.

Thank YOU LORD.

-tim

One Bad Thing…

…About having an inside thermometer for the outside is that you notice how hot it is outside.  I guess in the Winter you notice how cold it is; but to some “Cold” sounds pretty good right now.  I looked a moment ago, and the temp here at our house on Flat Creek, South of Jenkins, MO is 108 degrees.

I told Madge [my wife] just a while ago that I think this has got to be the hottest spot in the State of Missouri.  I do not know of anyone around who is ever as hot as we get.  Hey though.  I really do not mind the heat, as long as I can get cool.

I water the trees and flowers early of the morning just before, or as the sun is rising over the hill in the East.  It is warm at that time, and I usually come in the house rolling with sweat.  It tickles me blue to be able to do those things.  For a few mornings I have taken my new truck, gone to the gravel, shoveled what I would approximate to be about 1000 pounds of gravel into my truck and hauled it to the house; or as I did yesterday; up the road and filled some holes in the road; hopefully for a better ride down the road.  I did that before the heat got too much for me to bear.

It is great to be able to go outdoors, enjoy the weather.  One bad thing about this  time of year is for those fellows and gals who must work out in it.  My heart and prayers go out to you.  I say to you drink plenty of water and juices; without alcohol or caffeine; or it could dehydrate you.

One bad thing is that Winter is on the way.  On second thought; would that be so bad; at least right now?

-tim

 

Well, It is Official Now

It is official now.  The national news media has proclaimed that over one half of the nation is in a drought.  That would include Missouri, Arkansas, and that includes my little ole place on Flat Creek.  There are many States which are suffering from drought, heat, and in the West there are fires.  In some places there are floods.

The thing is there is not a thing we can do about there being no rain.  All we can do is what we have always done; keep on keeping on.  We can also pray and ask God for mercy, and we could ask Him for rain to bring honor and glory to His name.

After all; which is more important: that we have rain, or that the name of the Lord be glorified?  Your answer to those questions will show the attitude of your heart.

All I ask is that you think about it for a while.

We are in a drought; there is no doubt in my mind about that.  We do need a good rain.  Maybe it is time to do some serious praying about our own condition.

-tim

Yesterday’s Vote

Yesterday February 07, 2012, was a voting day in Missouri.  In Barry County we had to items on the agenda.  One was for Presidential candidates, choosing whether you wanted a Democrat ballot, or Republican ballot.  I am not particularly fond of either party right now; but I did choose the Republican ballot and voted for Rick Santorum.

Another thing on our ballot was for a 911 tax.  It recently failed.  That was back in November by a very slim margin.  I think the leaders of our 911 system have stuck it to the people of the area,  saying they needed the funding, when they have operated since that time without a hitch.  Many agencies need to learn to cut back on foolishness in spending.  That is true in Barry County too.  My vote on this initiative was “No!” for the tax.  However, it passed; and I understand by a 2 to 1 margin.  The majority has spoken; now we all will pay for it.  Now they will probably come back in a couple to five years and ask for more.

Let’s get real though.  In our present economy is it the right thing to do to increase taxes?  Never.  The idea would be to promote economic growth; and with that tax revenues will increase.  So much for stimulating the economy.  Remember Winston Churchill’s quote;

“I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.” — Winston Churchill

Enough said here along the banks of Flat Creek.

-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

Behind the Scenes or Out Front

The Creator of this Universe and all within it has called me to be a preacher of His Word, and the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am not a type A personality; you know; one of those who like to be in the front of everything, and seen by everyone.  That ‘s not me.

If I could choose to be something anywhere it would be a back row usher, or the maintenance guy, or the cleanup person.  I can do some things and not expect any recognition for it.  There is one place I want to be seen; and that is while driving an automobile down the road.

Some of these type A personalities are probably ones I meet of the mornings who don’t have the headlights on in their cars; when they ought to be on.  Let me tell you something; just because you can see, doesn’t mean you are seen.  Headlights on your automobile are an integral part of visibility for you in dark, night time driving; but also for being seen by others who are on the road.

It is the state law in Missouri that you turn on your headlights if you run your windshield wipers.  For me, when its cloudy my headlights are on.  When it is still slightly dark outside my headlights are on.  It is a safety issue.  Be seen by others while driving.

Just two days ago as I was driving my School bus to pick up children; at 6:20 a.m. I met two people driving without headlights on; no lights at all; not even parking lights.  Yes!  It was light enough they could see; but I could not see them without some effort.

To me these are idiots, and stupid people.  I am sorry for the terms, but that’s what you are if you drive without your headlights on in those twilight hours.  O, and those auto headlight switches are made to operate manually.  Use your head, and think while you drive; about driving.  It will be safer for everybody on the road.

Working from behind the scenes, to be seen on the road.  I want to be along the banks of Flat Creek a little longer; and I would think you would want to be around a little while longer too.  TURN ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS.  It doesn’t take too much effort; just thinking, and then doing.

-Tim

Going to Church

Some would think, “Well, You’re the pastor.  Of course you would go to church.”  I was going to church long before I ever became a pastor.  It is really not “Going to Church”; it is going to worship.  It is going to worship with others our Lord Jesus Christ; Savior of the world, and Lord and Master of the Universe and all that He has made.

My wife and I attend and are members of Carr Lane Baptist Church, down near the Arkansas and Missouri border in Southwest Missouri.  A country church with warm, loving people.

I am thankful today to be returning, because we were gone this past Sunday for our annual family get together.  I did get to hear a good sermon last Sunday by my brother in law; my sister’s husband.  It was good to be there with all our kids and grandkids; with the exception of one family.

It won’t be long and the wife and I will be getting in the car and heading for Carr Lane to worship.  Prayerfully, we worship Him everyday.  It is wonderful, however, to join other brothers and sisters in Christ to worship as oft as we can.

Writing from the banks of Flat Creek.  God bless you today and everyday.

-Tim

Our Picnic and Family Area

In our back yard.  We have a large front and back yard.  Flat creek is  just through the trees of our back yard, and last night we had a birthday party for our 13 year old grand daughter.  She had several of her friends down and camped out.  We built a big bonfire and ate roasted wieners and such.

Understand my wife and I did not camp out.  We slept in our comfortable bed and rested.  Rachelle’s mother and father were here too, but slept on the hide-a-bed in the living room; and several other family members were here too.  It was a grand evening.

It made a great place for an evening under the stars, around a fire, and my the wonderful stories that young ones can use to frighten city girls from Springfield, MO.

-Tim

Honor and Blessing

Last night Carr Lane Baptist Church hosted the monthly Worker’s Conference of the Barry County Southern Baptist Association; made up of about 33 churches across the county, and two or three outside the county – including Carr Lane which is in the Southwest corner of Stone County.

We were honored to welcome the people of the churches of Barry County, the Association, our Director of Missions Randy Comer, his wife Sheena, and the guest speaker Jay Scribner.  Jay is the former pastor of First Baptist Church of Branson, and if I remember correctly a past President of the Missouri Baptist Convention.

We were blessed by the message Brother Scribner proclaimed.  The message was from 1 Peter 1:13-17, and titled “Be Holy”.  A very needed message for Christians of the twenty first century.  There is a very urgent need for holiness and holy living in Christian living.

Holiness should set us apart from the lives of those who do not proclaim to be Christian.  We are followers of Christ.  We are “Christian” and that means ‘Like Christ”, and that portrays “Holiness”.

It was an honor to host such a fine group of Baptist Christians; and a blessing to hear the Word of God proclaimed.  Thank you Dr. Scribner.

-Tim

Winter in Spring

It is not so uncommon for Missouri to have Winter in Spring. It turned Spring officially last weekend, and a few days have been Spring like with warm sunshine, and just wonderful.
Now, however, this the final weekend of March, and it is more like Winter again. Snow, blizzard like conditions in parts of our country to the West – Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado receiving snow in the foot proportions. Here in Southwest MO; at least at my house there is none on the ground; but on Saturday/yesterday it did some snowing.
I am looking forward to when the warmer weather comes and stays for a while. God is so good to give us the change of seasons, and reminds us that better days are coming.
Enjoy your Spring.
-Tim A. Blankenship