drgregorygordon

Oct. 7, 2022

THE FALL OF MAN

It has been cool here of late and starting to look like fall. As the wind gust up from time the leaves slowly twirl and turn as they fall to the ground. There is a hint of color to a few trees and soon the fall display of color will amaze us all as it does each year.

I am a deer hunter and look forward to this time of year. My office girls already know that I spend a little more time with deer hunters when I see them in the office. We share stories from years before and discuss any big bucks that we have seen .It makes it easier to rise out of bed when there is a whopper in your neck of the woods.

So lord willing I will soon gather the things I will need for the upcoming season. I will need some Advil and Tylenol to help me get through the hills and hollers where I hunt. We have to be careful with things that help us because they can also hurt us if used incorrectly. I think gun, cars and ,even Advil would serve to support this line of thinking.

There is something in the woods that you might not have heard about. I tried to find the image of this as the cover photo for this blog but it was not found. So as a favor would you be so kind to google ARALIA SPINOSA. This woody plant is also known as the' devils walking stick' . This is quite common in southern Indiana . It seems to like to grow on banks especially steep banks. My dad taught me to stay away from them as a boy and I try to do so best I can. As I am climbing up a steep hill, often I will start to slide backwards and lose my footing. I reach out for anything to prevent a fall. Many time I feel intense pain in my hand. I know that I have yet once again been hurt as I have been helped. I look down and see my bloody hand. I reached out and the woody stem of the plant has cut me up as I grabbed it. This messy hand will mess up my hunt. Deer have a keen sense of smell and the blood on my glove will make it easier for them to sense my presence. I feel foolish as I have fell for this once again forgetting my dad's wise words. As I watch it flow slowly down and over my hand it reminds me of the blood of Jesus shed for me. It reminds me of how His grace and His mercy still flows for all those who need a helping hand.

I cut a stalk down a few years ago and it is out in the garage. It is leaning against the wall. It is there to remind me not to lean in my own understanding. The bible has been placed in our lives to help us know what to choose and what to refuse. It is not there to collect dust on the nightstand but to help us understand and warn us and help us avoid the devil's tricks and traps. It has went with me and has been in several churches over the years. I use it as a prop and as I am doing now with you.

I think the name' devils walking stick' is perfect. How fitting for something that is there when you most need it. This is one of Satan's best plays! As we panic and we look for something to hold on to. It has been placed right where we need it We will foolishly reach out and it is there to hurt us in the end.

Satan does not take breaks or vacations. He is relentless and hates you, your family , and everything you love and cherish.

Be very careful and remember there is no season and he hunts day and night. If there were laws, he would abide by them. This has been going on since the fall of man. I would bet I still will reach out and grab one of these even though I know better. I will also slip up and sin many times as well. I am so thankful because the blood of Christ is there and in place so I will be fine.

I would bet my favorite shotgun, he is gunning for you and will do his best to make you slip and fall soon if not today.

Your enemy , as well as your God is watching carefully over the areas of your desires because you are volatile there.

Beth Moore

Without the shedding of blood ,there is no forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 9:22

                        As you come up our drive and after you cross the small creek,you pass between two field stone 

                         pillars that match the stones on our home. There is a light atop both of them . Right now, one is green and the                           the side is white. The green light is to show support for all the people who serve our military as well

                         as those who have done so in the past.

                         At Christmas i hang white lights along the 4 rail horse fence. We change the white one to red and

                         The entryway is good to go. The placement of the red and green has a reason behind it as well. 

                          It may seem to be be random but Iassure you is not the case.

                         On a plane the red light is always on the left side and the green is on the right side. green and right both

                          have 5 letters and this was how I was taught to remember as a boy.  This applies to boats as well.

                         Our oldest son, Josh, is a navel aviator. He and his wonderful wife , Christina, are a week or two from going

                          to Japan. They have lived in several places over the last few years. They lived in Fallon Nevada

                          most recently and we were blessed to have all of our boys and their girls under our roof and together 

                          the holidays. 

                         Since they aproached our farm from the west the right light was green and the left one was on the left 

                         came home. When they were out east in Va it was the reversed. Japan is on the other side of the world

                         so I am not sure what I will do. I have not stepped it off but am told it is about as far east to west as it is 

                         west to east.

                         God is a concerned loving Father who loves you so much! He has made a way for you to come 

                         home through his son Jesus. The porch light of heaven is on . You have a green light my friend.

                         Because of the red blood of Jesus ,your sins are forgiven . Your approach is cleared as well as all your sins.

                          As far as the east is from the west,so far has removed our transgressions from us.

                                                                                                                                                             Psalm 103:12

 ENTRY

                            Yesterday I went out to check on the horses. It has again been vey hot here of late and a daily chore

                             to top off the water troughs will cool clear water.As I make my rounds the horses ususlly get excited when                                    they hear the sound of our old red ATV.  Because this vehicle usally has horse feeds as well as carrots, we c                                  call  it  "Chuck" short for chuck wagon .

                             There is a mare and two young ones in the south pasture. I whistled and they did not come. I banged on the

                              red tubes on the gate with the scooper. It makes a sound that sounds like a hillbilly dinner bell. I had seen                                    them the evening before and knew they were ok. I surmised they had found a place with a breeze and had it                                made in the shade.

                            I set the bright orange bucket filled with feed and carrots in front of the gate. This bucket was a physical                                   reminder for me to "lets  do this later". I had some mowing to do and that filled several hours of the                                               afternoon. I  kept   looking down at the water tank seeing they had not yet drank from it and for the first                                     time  became a  little  concerned.

                           I went down to the gate and did the two tone whistle my dad taught me. I do this in honor of him and have                                  taught my sons to do the same. They all would turn and prick up their earsand know it was me  if I did this                                  even in a crowd.

                           I banged again on the gate and in no time flat heard the three of them flat out running as hard as they could 

                           go. They seemed happy to see me and even more to see Chuck .They were breathing heavy as they devoured                                their snacks.

                          My friend I believe God is calling all of us. As we read Scripture, we learn he calls us all differently .  Many                                    people tell me after I speak that I missed my calling. I would quite my practice and enroll in seminary school                                 tomorrow if I felt in my heart that is what God wanted for me. I answered  my "call to the see" many years                                  ago.  I love  the interaction I have with patients for the most part. I never would have believed God would and                            could could use me to write  these stories for his glory.

                          He has blended  and used the very things I love and hold dear such as horses, hunting , and rivers . I am often                            very  surprised at how stories and lessons come together in such a way that I know it is not me but him                                          working  through me. Here is the exciting part, he wants to do the same with you. You may not be called to                                  write or do  eyes but you are being called . What do you do that gives you joy and satisfaction? There is your                               best clue in  regard to what God is calling you to do.

                          I  pray  that at times this website feeds you. I write for all God's people and not just those who gather under                               the steeple. All I know is when I do this with the hope of pleasing my Savior, it just feels so "write"!

                                                 Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things 

                                                 you do not know.                                                                                       Jeremiah 33:3

                                                   When you empty yourself, God rushes in.  

                                                                                                                                  A.W. Tozer

                                                    For the man who prays in his heart ,the whole world is a church.

                                                                                                                                   Sylvain of Athos