I'm not sure if anyone ever stops by here anymore, but just in case someone happens along I'll blow off the dust, brush out the cobwebs and try to add some new thoughts and photos for those who are tired of looking at carrots. :-) 

Gwen and I read a book over the past few months that we would highly recommend to anyone serious about the eternal destiny of their children.  I don't even know where we got it, maybe a yard sale, but it is an original copy and was printed in 1833 as you can see in the photo. Its not in very good condition but the author has something to say.  His writing is very practical and simple but amazing would be the results if his advice were followed. I think I'll leave you in suspense as to who the author is.....  Maybe in that way I'll see if anyone still visits this site. :-) 

"Your future happiness is in the hands of your children."

This he says after saying that "many have had their hearts broken, and their gray hairs brought down with sorrow to the grave, solely in consequence of their own neglect to train up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord!"

Ephesians 6:4

Fresh Carrots! In the Winter?

Yes, dug right out of the South Dakota soil today while it was snowing and 25°! After doing a little reading this fall I decided to try to "keep" our carrots in the ground and use them as we needed them. It was kind of a last minute decision as we were rushing around getting ready for a trip and we didn't have time to deal with them.  So I mounded about 10" of silage over them and hoped for the best.  (I used silage because that is what I had available. Straw, hay, and sand will work as well.) When we dug some up about a month later we were surprised at how sweet they were.  We have really enjoyed digging carrots all winter.  We still have enough to last for another month or so! 

"The earth is the LORD'S, and the fullness thereof..."

Psalm 24:1

3,125 miles

We recently made a trip back east. We enjoyed a little time with some family and friends and spent a lot of time on the roads, as you can see by the title. We just couldn't see everyone we should have visited.

One of our first stops was the John Deere Pavilion in Moline, IL.

We also enjoyed some time at the Creation Museum.

Unfortunately I did not get pictures of the children with their cousins, but we did visit them.  After almost two years it was a real blessing to be with our good friends the Bradfords.  We even got to listen in on a hand-bell practice session. 

I did remember to get a picture of Thanksgiving dinner with Philip, Amrie and their children.  We enjoyed the day together in the home of some friends.  They were away but had graciously allowed us the use of their house. 

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

I Chronicles 16:34

Autumn

A few pictures of Ezra enjoying the Autumn afternoon.

Dad and Mom

It was so nice to see my parents again after almost a year. I was very busy with work while they were here and didn't think to take many pictures, but we did get a good one of each of them with Ezra.

 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children.

Psalm 103:17

Wise or foolish? (part 3)

Foolishness (afrosunh) = senselessness, recklessness.  While some would see this word used in Mark 7:23 to be equivalent to boasting, I concur with Matthew Henry that “because it is here joined with pride; I rather take it for that rashness in speaking and acting, which is the cause of so much evil”. We could say that the original word is summed up in the word “rashness” (i.e., uncontrolled actions, attitudes, thoughts and words).  It is part of sinful, human nature to live by feelings, rather than thoughtfulness.  Far too many think and act according to their feelings,  never stopping long enough to evaluate themselves; never considering what the result will be of their current actions.   As I mentioned before, many would see their actions, the words they speak, and the songs they sing as silly or fun, but bearing in mind the outcome, a different light may be cast on the things that we allow.

I’m not talking about a long-faced, down-in-the mouth, dreary, no laughter religion!  I am blessed with friends who are truly Christ-like, and they are some of the most joyful, content, happy people on the planet!

What I am talking about, though, are religious people who excuse their foolishness by saying, “Hey, God expects us to enjoy life!”  But when you get to know them you realize that “enjoying life” is an endless string of jokes, a get-together where there is a lot of good food, uncontrolled action in order to get people to laugh, and the list goes on….!

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.  

I Corinthians 3:19

What will they say about me or you?

This morning I was meditating on the life of Job.  The writer says that he was blameless and upright.  Job honored and worshiped God and kept himself away from evil.  If someone were writing our story could they say that of us?

Job lived thousands of years before Christ.   Is there an excuse or reason in the world why we can’t live like Job or better yet like Christ?

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.

I Peter 2:21

Wise or foolish? (part 2)

What do the following words have in common?

Stupid, absurd, silly, insane, reckless, ignorant, rash, wicked

You’re right if you said that they are some of the English adjectives which are used to try to capture what the original Greek words “fool”, “foolish”, and “foolishness” meant.  Many of us are very aware that the Bible has a lot to say about the wise person and the fool, but sometimes with familiarity there is vagueness.  Do any of the words above describe some of our thoughts, attitudes, actions or words?

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.  

James 3:17

That's My King! S.M. Lockridge

Wise or foolish?

Did you know that "foolishness" is listed together with adultery, murder, blasphemy and other sins?  (Mark 7:20-23)  According to verse twenty-three, foolishness is evil!  Possibly in a later post I'll define what foolishness is Biblically, but for now we can be sure it is the opposite of wisdom!

Consider this verse:  "Dead flies putrefy the perfumer's ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor."  Ecclesiastes 10:1

Just a personal thought: there are some things that others would call silly or fun but may actually fall into the category of foolishness!

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.
I Corinthians 3:19