AFTER THE LAUGHTER

Nov. 4, 2022

I love to deer hunt . I have done this since my youth. Much conversation in the office is about this especially as the season nears. Many fellow hunters pull out their phones and are eager to share pictures of big bucks taken by their trail cams.

I have learned much from the lessons and stories of others and hope that maybe I have done the same for others.. I have made more than my fair share of screw ups and am not afraid to share them.

I feel close to him in nature. I am high up in a tree not in heaven mind you but not on earth either! I see the work of his hands and there it is quite. I can hear his voice .. Many of the ideas he gives to me as I write for him are shared with me and no trophy buck I might ever get will compare to being in his presence. It is a peace like no other and I do not want to ever leave .

I love to worship as well. I have always felt closer to God in a tree stand than any building I have ever been in. I have said this many times over the years. Many other hunters tell me they feel the same way. This could be taken out of context and twisted to imply I am enjoying creation more than my creator. I promise that is not what I am saying at all.

Not all hunts are blissful mind you. I have many time carried my problems out in the woods with me along with all my other gear. It seems Satan can climb up a ladder stand as well and some hunts can be hell. I feel close to my dad as well when I am in the woods. I remember the lessons he passed on and down to me. I feel close to him and play those memories and precious hours together as I sit in total silence. If I move to quickly or bump my barrel of my gun making a slight click , I scold myself. I smile knowing the look he would have given me for such a racket.

One time I was walking back from a stand 500 yards or so back to our house. I think I was missing my dad maybe a little more that particular day. I changed the way I was carrying my shotgun and held it like my dad always did. I cut across our horse pasture to shorten the distance. I was watching our horses grazing in the field. I looked at the huge muscles in their legs and thought of their strength , speed, power, and leaping ability. I thought how they must be amused by the feats of men in which men get trophies and accolades .

A big red tailed hawk whistled high above as I watched him pass over heading south and reminding me of scripture at the same time. I felt a little nudge from God right then allowing me to know he was right there and was trying to show me something. I thought how the hawk must feel sorry for me as he watched me far below huffing and puffing as I slowly trudged across the pasture. He must think, 'Those poor humans . They cannot even fly and they cannot see. They think 20/20 is good vision! I can read the date on a dime at 3/4 of a mile. It's no wonder they run into such much trouble."

I know my friend , hawks and horses may not reason like that. However , there is a story in your bible where a donkey not only sees something a man could not but talks and explains the problem to him.

As these thoughts circled in my mind the hawk circled over again. I wondered if he wanted to make sure the big blind mole found his way back.

Then I thought of something that I have never thought of before. It is true we are not all that fast. We cannot fly and our best feats of speed and power are puny in comparison to many other creatures God has made. At that moment and yet to this day I feel a little sorry for them. They will never know how wonderful it is to have a good old belly laugh. I love the sound of laughter and I think one of Gods greatest gifts which is often under appreciated at least in us adults. Children laugh all the time. They are not afraid to laugh or care even when they snort while doing so. When I hear someone laughing it reminds me of this hunt and this lesson. We all need to seek out humor. I promise, it's good for us. I think it is one of the best sounds God ever created.

I find it both interesting and amusing what people thinks is funny. I am always cracking silly jokes with patients and family. I sometimes cannot tell if they are laughing at me or with me but I could care less. I love that sound and I am after the laughter!

There is another side to humor that I think people often miss. The harder we laugh sometimes is because it hits close to home. Many truths are hidden in jokes and comedy. After the laughter, think about why you laughed . You might just find there was a treasure or helpful insight for you to ponder and or share.

Are you the one who makes the hawk soar and spread it's wings to the south?

Job 39:36

You don't stop laughing because you get older. You grow older because you stop laughing.

Maurice Chevalier

No one would have been invited to dinner as often as Jesus was unless he was interesting and had a sense of humor.

Charles M. Schultz

One nice thing about telling a clean joke there's a good chance no one's heard it before.

Doug Larson

Then the Lord caused the donkey to speak. Numbers 22:28

The kind of humor I like is the thing that makes me laugh for five seconds and think for ten minutes.

William Davis

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 very 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 usually get excited when they hear the sound of our old red ATV. Because this vehicle usually has horse feed as well as carrots. We 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 "let's 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 drunk from it and for the first time became a little concerned.

I went down to the gate and did the two-toned 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 ears and 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 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

ENTRY

When I am not working, my style of dress is pretty boring and quite predictable. Even since

my college day, jeans ,flannel shirt with rolled up sleeves and boots.

I picked up one of my best friends yesterday morning and he drove about 40 miles

to the closest Cracker Barrell for breakfast. We have did this many time over the years

and it was great to hang out with him and I already look forward to our next jaunt.

We met up on a Saturday morning and I was running a little behind. I came out of the gate slowly

and rushed around trying to get dressed and out the door. I opened my hunting sock drawer

to get a pair of socks to wear under my boots. I grabbed the first two I saw . They were completly

different in both color and thickness. I knew that if I looked I would find another pair that was just

like the two I put on.

I am a little surprised at my lttle quirk in regard to this. I am very picky about some things

and for the most part a fan of balance and symetry. It doesnt matter to me and in a weird way , I prefer having socks that do not match. I have done this so long it doesn't feel right to me when they are alike.

Years ago, we went up to Louisville for a huge boat expo. They had fishing boats, ski boats, and cabin

cruisers so large they would qualify as small yachts. One even had a place for aa chopper to land on the rear of the giant boat!I am not sure how many vessels we boarded that afternoon. To do so , you had to put a slipper over your shoes or just take off your shows before touring the boat.

The little slip ons were too little for my big boots. I unlaced my boots and just carried them from boat

to boat . it was very crowded and as we walked everyone stared at my two mismatched hunting socks.

I could not care less but my wife's face was a shade of red that makes one think of October leaves.

I think I enjoyed looking at her more than the big boats.

The salesman that were aboard these high dollar vessels also looked down at my feet with both amusement and perhaps disgust. The did not turn red as the leaves but they decided to leave me alone. I guess they decided I could not afford a high end vessel if I could not afford matching socks. This

worked out quite well for me . I saw a few smirks and sneers out of the corner of my eye . This odd look blessed my socks off , and I walked through them among them without being bothered.

This is a lesson and a reminder for all of us. Maybe sometimes we are too quick to judge and look

down on those who do not live up to and match our own expectations.

It is New Years Eve. I do not mean to brag but I have enough money to last me the rest of this year.

We are about to cross over the threshold and through a new door. It is my prayer that God will bless

your socks off in 2024!

If we could sell our experiences for what they cost us, we'd all be be millionaires.

Abigail Van Buren

Only God is in a position to look down on anyone. Sarah Brown

You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.

James D. Miles

ENTRY

A few years ago, I found something on ebay that caught my eye. It is just a few feet away from me

and it sparkles and shines. It is an aluminum vintage Christmas tree. It has a color wheel that sits

on the floor and the wheel turns and as it does projects four different colors on the tree.

Many times I turn off all the lights and sit quietly in my office and stare at the tree. As I do it

takes me back to a time and place where life was a lot simplier.. my childhood. My family never

owned one of these . The small white church where I grew up had a small one. Each year, it was placed on a small table off to the left side in the very front.

I would sit there and watch as the tree changed color . I am not sure I paid any attention to the preachers words as I stated at the tree .As it turns out, I think the words I heard influenced me more than I realized at the time. a young boy, that little church had a big impact on me and my life. My faith was growing

and little did I know but in a few years I would need it more than ever. I went off to college and met

very smart people who thought it was stupid to believe in Jesus.

I remember one particular Christmas when I was struggling at many diffent levels. I had just came home

and was very tired after a long drive. My mom wanted me to go see a play put on by the kids .

I agreed to go but my heart was not in it at all. When I got there it seems they were needing

someone to be God's voice in this little play. They talked me into it but I did not feel qualified or worthy.

I agreed to do so and stood out of sight behind a white curtain. When I spoke for God I talked slowly and clearly holding an empty paper towell holder to my lips. I do not remember my lines or the verses I uttered. I do remember the wonderful feeling I had as I had in my heart for being allowed and choosen to do that.

The gal that asked me to do that did so on a whim but I feel it was from Him. She had no idea what that

that meant to me and it warmed my heart and lit a fire that had almost went out.

I still get that feeling when I am asked to give a talk or participate in a church service. I get

great satisfaction and that wonderful feeling of peace and refreshment even as I type these very words . I do so with the hope my efforts please him. I live with the hope that perhaps they will be found on a day when another's light is flickering and about to go out. I am both honored and shocked God would use me to play a part. He knows my heart and my true colors better than anyone including me. Turns out as I read my

my Bible , it seems he has used to flawed and blemished people to turn other's hearts around and back to him.

The full measure of a man is not to be found in the man himself, but in the colors and textures

that come alive in others because of him. Albert Schweitzer

Whatever comes from the heart carries the heat and color of its birthplace.

Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

ENTRY

Christmas brings a plethora of thoughts and feelings. I sit here at my computer and think

how different it is now from years ago. Two of our sons live close by and plan to drop by our

house later today with their wives. Both are soon to be fathers, and it is very exciting to think

we will soon be grandparents.

Our oldest son is in the military and lives in Japan. He will not make it home and this stings a bit.

He has been in close to ten years and this is only the second Christmas he has not made it home.

We feel very blessed for the times and are very thankful for those. We try to focus on our many blessings

and try to think about all we have instead of what is missing. He has his orders and will be returning

to the states in early March. He will be in florida for about a month and we hope to go down and visit.

I look forward to the feel of the warm sun on my face but even more to my son's strong hug and embrace.

I love to read and enjoy learning new words. Not long ago I stumbled across the word, atiptoe. After

looking it up , I drew a little picture of a face looking over a fence at me and I can only see his eyes.

This will help me remember its meaning. Atiptoe means to look forward to something with great excitement.

It is kinda of a word that almost makes sense .

I imagine the little man I drew is standing on tip toes to see what is beyond. I chuckle at my self and

because as I share my thoughts with you this very moment, I am doing just that. The presents are

still under the tree . I know nothing that my wife or son' presents will give me as much pleasure as just seeing them and being together. We will laugh and have fun and just like that it will be done. I know

that sounds sad, but tell me if I am wrong . I will watch them go down the drive and will look forward to

the next visit. The upcoming florida trip if God allows will march on and we will headed back home with a brown face and a blue heart.

Life is at times complex. The same family that had tears of joy picking up family at the airport a few days ago will soon shed tears of sadness as the same loved ones depart. So I guess what I am trying to say

is we should try to again focus on today and what we have and what we have had. It is ok and perfectly

fine to look forward to the future but not so much that we miss the wonderful things that are right here

right now.

I thank God for the gift of life. I thank him for sending his son, Jesus. Because of what he did for us we

will be able to live with him forever. It is hard to imagine a place without hardship, tears, fears,

and good byes. Do you hope you are going to heaven are are you sure? There are only two types of faith

for those who do believe. There is hope so and know so. Give your heart to Jesus today. There is nothing you

could give to him that would please him more. Nothing you you have been given , own, or done can

give you any more joy or satisfaction than his presence in your life. His spirit will help you weather the weary, dreary, and teary days all the while reminding you the best is yet to be and we can look forward to them

with atiptoe.

The same fence that shuts others out shuts you in.

Bill Copeland

The moment after Christmas, every child thinks of his birthday.

Stephen Uys

The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears.

John Vance Cheney

ENTRY

Christmas is just around the corner. People are out and about looking for the perfect gift for loved ones

and family. The malls are still quite busy despite online shopping. Every evening I do my little routine and take our red ATV down to get the mail before I go over to the horse barn to feed my friends. It seems each year there are more and more magazines. They are there to remind me what I need and is lacking in my life.

I feel most of us are pretty good at that on our own and do not need any help in that regard.

I saw a cartoon recently that had a medievil theme. It showed a large catapult pushed up close to a castle

wall and the castle door was shut tight. The man in command told his men that it was Christmas

and it was time to release the magazines .It made me chuckle and think of it watch evening as I open our mailbox.

Holidays, especially Christmas, makes me very nostalgic. Even though the boys have grown and flown the nest, this time of year brings many wonderful memories to mind. My wife places pictures taken down through the years and she puts them out around the large nook where we eat our meals. I look at them often and it feels good and yet stings a little at the same time. There is not a parent out there that does not exactly how these bittersweet memories tease our very hearts.

Years ago ,I was walking out to do something in our garage. Christmas music was playing in the house.

Our middle son,Jace ,and our youngest ,Jarah ,were in the great room. They were laying on their stomachs side by side both leafing through a Christmas catalog. The fire was on and it looked like a Hallmark commercial . As they turned the pages, they both pointed to something they hoped Santa would bring them. They were not aware of my presence and were excited about the presents... of a different kind

Christmas was just around the corner and hopes , desires, and expectations were high. I felt a sense of peace come over me as watched them.

As I did so, a bible verse came to mind :

How pleasant good and pleasant it is when brotherS live in unity.

Psalm 133:1

After a few short moments, I came back in the house and heard a great commotion fronm the great room that did not sound all that great. As I came around the corner , they were fighting and on top of the magazine and several pages were ripped wrinkled and crinkled and a few pages were torn out.I separated them and then learned that all had been well until they both pointed to the same toy. They both wanted the very same thing . This amuses us because they fought as if there was only one of these on planet earth.

The peace in my home was over as they wrestled over such a silly little thing.

I watch the news in that same room and see people all over our country and the world doing the very

same thing.It is not amusing but scary. We do not need to teach our children to be selfish. This sems to come quite naturally. I really do not think we ever grow out of it.

I have learned to been able to put my selfish side aside and give forgiveness and grace to those who have hurt me. I have not fully masterd this mind you but I am getting better. I have a long way to go.

This Christmas , I suggest a special gift for you. It may at first seem selfish but it is not ,I assure you. it is the polar opposite. This is something we do not get but is something we do recieve when we give up the grudge or chip on our shoulder from someone who has hurt you in the past. If nothing or no one comes to mind, I suggest you pray for a better memory. Yup, we all have someone me included.

Give someone a break. Let it go! This will not come easy . Your mind and your heart will wrestle back and forth as you try but still will not want to. Your heart wants to but your mind has it own list of offenses that it has kept and nicely cataloged for you . Pray for them asking God's very best for them and those they love.

You will be floored by the sense of peace that comes over you ... it is not of this world.

The me-ism of our times has taken a serious toll on the family.

Charles Swindoll

My idea of Christmas whether old fashioned or modern , is very simple; loving others come to think

of it, why do we have to wait to Christmas to do that. Bob Hope

ENTRY

I have been thinking about my dad . I have been going through a rough patch

here of late and wish I could turn to him for advice. I often share some of the wisdom my father passed

down to me in the office . He has been gone a long time . His birthday was 2 days ago

and if he was still here with us, he would have been 90 years old.

Oranges make me think of my dad. He would often tell me to peel my eyes when I was trying to see

a deer or a rabbit in a thicket. I guess that is my very goal with this book is to try to teach the reader

how to spot God in the ordinary and everyday.

He loved to eat oranges and had one almost every single morning. He has his own medical theory

that you would never catch a cold if you had one daily. I would chuckle when Mom would catch heck if

we would run out. It could be 4 months later and dad would get a cold and he would blame it on Mom

because he missed a day or two without an orange.

Christmas is just around the corner and the malls are full and Amazon trucks and vans seem to be

everywhere. We are trying to find the perfect gift for loved ones. As I take this all in I remember a story my dad once shared with me about one special Christmas he had as a boy.

My dad grew up without a dad. His father ran off and left my grandmother Hazel with 4 young chilren.

They were very poor and they struggled. She kept them all fed and clean but times were lean. I took the help of extended family but they made it. One Christmas, my dad's only gift was an orange. It was all his and

he did not have to share it. Can you imagine how far a gift like that would go over now days? Orange you

a little embarrassed ? I know , I am.

I blush beet red as I type these words because we are the type of country that has been so blessed with abundance .We aquire more and more and put more and more on our plates . Maybe we are morons. Could it be that less is more? Should we are try hard to put less on our plates? Is this the' less on 'we all cannot seem to remember? Is that the secret not only about enjoying Christmas but life in general ?

I Love to listen to the wonderful Christmas songs on the radio. Between the songs are the ads that try to get us to add more. These ads appeal to our greed and make us all confuse needs with wants. Without realizing it they just caused us to tune in to our own selfish and favorite station, WIFM. This acostic

stands for :

Whats

In it

For

We need to tune in to God's word and calibrate our hearts to hear and listen to his voice. Peel your eyes and look for good and you will see it. Be the good and share what you have with others. It might just be

one of your best Christmas's ever.

Seek first the virtues of the mind; and other things will come or not be wanted.

Francis Bacon

ENTRY

I have set out to write a devotional about things in and around our house. As a reader , I have taken you

out into the fields and forests. I have told you stories about our horses and barns. Today I am

frustrated because I can't come up with anything.

I have many goals and dreams and like you probably will not live long enough to accomplish all of them.

I would like to someday write a book about things that happened in the office . I even have a possible title for it called" BEHIND THE SEENS'. With your forgiveness, I would like to take a story about the office and share it with you today. I found a large tin foiled E in our garage in a drawer. I have not clue how this came to be but since its here I feel it qualifies.

I cut this large E out of cardboard years ago. To my surprise, I had patients that were adults that did not know

their letters and could not read or write. I used this most often with kids. When I checked their vision , I would put up a chart on the wall that had all E's turned in all directions. I would hand them the tin foiled

E to match the one projected on the wall.

When I did this, I usualy started off with big E with the bar on the bottom with the three arms

sticking up. Once when I was doing this, I asked a little four year old boy what he saw on the wall. He

looked at it for a long while with a puzzled look on his face. He answered with a question. He's response

was," a drunk E?

I have told this story in the office many times down through the years. His answer tells us that he put and two and two together and got floor! Like you, I was not aware that an E could drink. I tell this humorous story but it saddens me a bit as well. As young as he was, he had seen the effects that drinking can have

on people. Someone in his life was setting a poor example for him and had forgot as we all do, that this little ones are always watching and listening .

Two things that a man cannot hide : that he is drunk and that he is in love.

Antiphanes

Sometimes God has to put us flat on our back before we are looking up to him.

Jack Graham

ENTRY

I had a lot of pain last night. I have been having a lot of hip and back issues that haunt me

from time to time . I had a pretty good day pain wise but it it was Halloween all night long. I even got up during the night and took the combo of pills that usually work but it did very little to put the fire out. I do not feel like myself this morning and probably should not be at my computer. I do not like pity parties or like being around people who tend to throw them.

This short entry is about my alarm clock . A week or so ago it was just an alarm clock. It is small black

and battery operated. It still does it's job and wakes me and sends me off to work even when the electricity

is off. I think I have shared before in print my family's weird habit of naming things we own and use.

For example , our red ATV is called ,Chuck. You see it is used as I go around the pasture to feed our horses.

Even the sound of it , causes great excitement and nickering as the chuck wagon delivers vittles.

Wisdom comes into our lives from many different ways. Yes we earn a lot from books, movies and even You

Tube. Many lessons come to us through things we learn from other people . The may say things that cause us to look at something with a new perspective. I see myself as one who tries to glean and from time to time pass on and along things that may help others as well as just being too good not to share.

I was talking with a patient that had just had a tumor removed from his kidney. It was benign and

he discussed the discomfort of his surgery and the after effects but was grateful for that and

glad to be alive. I had tapped into one of my previous loops about being frustrated at the alarm

sounding off rousing me from sound sleep . I got up staggered towards it with an attitude.

The patient told me what he had learned recently. He corrected me and said that was not the way I should treat it at all. He went on to say , I should pat it gently after I turned off the alarm button.

He gently scolded me and I should not approach it in that manner. I should not be irratated or angry

but grateful. It was not a rude awakening but was just reminding me of something that I had forgotten.

I was alive and could get up out of that bed and go about my day and on my way. To be honest , I did not do this this morning. My restless night caused be to be ticked off. I am working on putting this new habit in place and I guess I do not have it down pat just yet. By the way, the alarm that sits near by my bed and reminds God has given me another day has been given the name Pat. ;)

Learning sleeps and snores in libraries, but wisdom is everywhere , wide awake on tiptoe.

Josh Billings

Time marks us while we are marking time. Theodore Roethke

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118 : 24

ENTRY

Less than a week ago ,it was Opening Day for shotgun season in Indiana. My sons who

live close to us were busy that day and our oldest was in Japan. My heart was a little heavy as I set out

for a solo hunt. It was a great morning to hunt and there was little to no wind. I only saw one deer all morning right at first light. I was to dark and too far away to even tell if it was a buck or a doe. I do some of my best praying in the woods and I had plenty of time on my hands because the deer certainly did not distract me.

Shortly after daybreak I was distracted several times over the next 4 hours by the lowing of a cow to

the north. I knew what this was all about. This is the sound of sadness. A cow that recently had a calf

has been separated from her little calf. Perhaps it had been put up in a pen because it is time to wean

the little one. I never heard the sound of the calf making me wonder if it has been sold . I listed to her bawl

and must admit it evoked emotion in my own heart for when the boys lived under our roof and we all went out and hunted together on opening day.

Her persistant lowing caused me to think of a Bible story. The Israelites were in a war against the

Philistines and they were losing. They decided to bring the Ark to the battlefront to give them courage

and hope. This caused the Hebrews to shout so loud it made the ground shake. The Philistines were afraid when they realize the Ark was present.

This was not enough and the Philistines won the battle and captured the Ark. They took it and placed

in their temple in front of their God ,Dagon. The next morning their statue of Dagon had tipped over as if bowing in front of the Ark. They stood it up again and the next morning found it had fell over yet again but this time the head and arms were broken off as it laid prostrate before the Ark.

Sickness and tumors broke out and the people panicked. They sent it off to a nearby town and the same thing happened there affecting old and young alike. They wanted to get rid of it in a hurry. The built a new cart and hitched up two cows that had neved been yoked. Both cows had just had calved and the little ones were penned up. They loaded the cart with gold shaped tumors and gold rats as a token hoping the God of the Hebrews would forgive them. They knew if these new moms would lead the cart away and back it was from God. The cows did not turn to the left or right and took the ark right back to the Israelite

nation. This is not natural or normal and was indeed a miracle. The Bible tells us the new mothers were lowing all the way.

Our nation, a nation that is supposed to be under God is now under attack. We have taken God our of our schools and lives. We thought we need not heed his commands and laws and have put the truck in the

truck in the ditch. Our country is having separation anxiety from God and the cries of despair can be heard thoughout the land and rightly so.

As the deer pants for streams of water , so my soul pants for you , O God.

Psalm 42:1

The slaughter was very great ; Israel lost thirty thousand foot soldiers . The Ark of God was

captured. 1 Samuel 4:11

ENTRY

There is a grave in the field behind our house. It is where my father's horse is sleeping in the ground.

His name was Rusty. My dad bought him from some people who lived near the Ohio River in small

town called Derby. My dad loved the show Bonanza. Rusty was the spitting image of the horse the

that the main character, Ben Cartwright, rode in the hit tv show.

He was a buckskin. to this day it is one of my favorite colors. He was tan in color with a black mane

and tail. He had strands of silver in his black mane and tail. He was a tall horse and was very muscular.

He was a crossbreed. His mother was a Saddlebred named Easter because she was born on Easter

morning. His sire was a full blooded Quarter horse. He had the muscularity of a quarter horse and stood around 16 hands. He had a proud walk and held his heard very high. As you sat upon him, you looked out at the world between his ears like a picture frame.

We had to break him and he was hard headed and stubborn. I did not like him at all at first. In the end it

was well worth it and was the best horses we ever had and to this day my favorite. As dad got older he gave him to me. I brought him to our farm to take care of him but in my heart Rusty was dad's horse.

We were very close and he always looked forward to me coming home from college and would run to greet

and meet me. I had to rub his big ole head before I would go into the house. It was tradition and my dad claimed he could tell the sound of my car long before I came into sight.

I most often rode him bareback and rode him all day and he came into the barnyard with his head held high and a spring in his step as if he was ready for another long excursion. He would slide down a creek bank and swim across the creek and often I would would fall off and show off and grab his tail. It was fun but not fast enough to ski behind.

My wife says to this day Rusty did not like her. She thinks that Rusty was jealous of her. Rusty and me

were tight. Then I bring this pretty gal home from college and spent less time with her him and more and more time with her. I must admit she may be on to something. Rusty would lay his ears back and bare his teeth at Kim. Even though she was not in the pen ,this would cause her to take a few steps back. To this day

sometimes I try to lay my ears back as I shave and I look in the mirror . I would give anything to back her up like that when we have a disagreement without saying a word.

I would take off my tee shirt and put it under his hugh neck. This 1200 pound animal would neck reign with just this gentle pressure . I would run him as fast as he could go and he would turn and stop with the gentle pressure of my shirt. My dad was shocked and surprised the first time he ever saw me do this. I often think of this and his trust and loyality to me. It reminds me that I should be responsive to the gentle nudges of my Master. This fine horse set a fine example that I think of when I am not sure where life is taking me. I just need to trust and obey knowing God knows the way.

Remember I said I did not like him at first? He was difficult to break and had some really bad habits. It took it a lot of time and trouble to get him to come around. My dad taught me that you have to be careful when breaking a horse. You need to teach them good habits and break them of their bad habits, but must be careful to never break their spirit. There is an old saying that the wildest colts make the best horses

and we found this to be true.

When I think back on this , I often think about the apostle Paul. He hated Christians an was an enemy.

Despite this, God did not give up on him and saw great potential to be a powerful force . At first Christians

were very wary of Paul thinking it has to be some kind of trick. Jesus saw something special in him and saw he had raw potential that he could use for good. He would need to tweak him and hone his skills some of which were a little rusty.

Over the years , many who do not believe come around and come to Christ have proven to be some of the most effective spokesman and recruiters in bringing people to closer to him. How exciting to know God

can use you or me if we just follow His lead to a tee.

Habit is habit ,and not to be flung out a windowby any man, but coaxed downstairs

a step at a time. Mark Twain

The wildest colts make the best horses.

Plutarch

When we put bits into the mouth of horses to make them obey us, we can turn

the entire animal. James 3:3

ENTRY

It is fall and here of late I have being doing little around the house chores as we prepare for winter.

I am always filling up the horse troughs and each and every time must try to remember to

unhook the hoses to prevent freezing. I have goofed up in this area a time or two and dodged a bullet as nightly temps have dipped below freezing.

The vehicles must be winterized as well. The boat must be put in storage after it tuned not up but down for a winter rest and sleep. Begrudgingly I go about these tasks . I know what to do but I do not want to

but I have no choice. The beautiful trees that give us beauty, refreshing shade, and relief from the

scorching summer sun lose their leaves and leave us with yet even more work to do.

I am not near as fond of winter as I was in my youth. I loved snowy days which led to no school and sled

riding. Those days are far behind me. Now I must get up very early on rough weather days

and make the call to see if we will still run that day or if we need to stay put and close the office that day.

I must factor in my office staff as well as patients who will get out and about to make their appointments .

The sidewalks at the offoce must be salted to prevent falls.I will need to get out the tractor and grade our steep hill with the grader blade so we can get up and down our drive.

I wanted to be a grown up so I could do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. That has not worked out

as planned so far. It seems there are not enough hours in the day as need be. Too be honest it, bothers

me because it takes me longer to do things than it used to. Back in my younger days my back did

not hurt like it does these days and the bones do indeed know when a front is moving in .

Nonetheless I praise God that I am still here and thank him for all the days of life he has given me .

My friend you and I have something in common with a calendar... you see our days are numbered too.

I am in the winter season of my own life and I must make adjustments because of this. We need to get our affairs in order and make sure we are right with God .We can get side tracked and forget the most

important thing of all. We must think ahead and be prepared prepare to meet our Maker regardless of our

age.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalms 90:12

Winter is not a season ; it is an occupation. Sinclair Lewis

ENTRY

Years ago my oldest son and I drove down to Evansville to look at cars. I had worked that day and had no clue my son wanted to look at every single car on lots scattered across the city. There were lots and lots of lots. We got home around one in the morning and I had to work the next day. He drove home and I snoozed for an hour. I woke up about a mile from our house and rubbed my eyes. As I did so, I saw something white along the road on the right side in the weeds. It was drizzling rain and I asked Josh to stop and back up. I reached down into the weeds and picked up a small little yellow and white kitten. He was cold and wet and easy to find because he was very vocal. We have had him for close to 15 years now. His name is Sushi.

He spends his nights in the garage but is quite the hunter and roams all over our yard and down into the woods as well. He is spoiled and comes running when we tell him we have cookies (treats). He is very picky and loves his treats . When he is successful on a hunt, he will bring his kill into our garage and place it right in front of the door . We literally have to step over his trophy to walk out . The thought of eating one of his

victims has not ever crossed his mind.

One time I was fussing out loud to my wife about yet another kill I will have to pick up and dispose of.

I thought this was odd and funny that he does this. My wife kim asked why I thought that this was so

amused by this and then with great pleasure pointed out to me that I do the exact same thing.

She explained that I go out into the woods after a big buck. I shoot him and then bring it out of the woods.

I drag it into our garage and then knock on the door with great excitement. I make everyone come out into the garage to show off my most recent kill and trophy. I think a spotted yellow and white cat has my tongue . I cannot think of anything to say back to refute that.

What I was not picking up on was the fact that this story is a perfect example how much easier it

is for me to spot other's spots rather than my very own!

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention

to the plank in your own eye. Matthew 7:3

If cats could talk, they wouldn't. Nan Porter

Kittens are angel with whiskers. Alexis Flora Hope

No matter how much cats fight, there always seem to be plenty of kittens.

Abraham Lincoln

ENTRY 29

I have worn a beard for many years. I used to wonder how anyone could stand to have hair on their face

in the summer. I found to my surprise that as your sweat it has a cooling sensation and actually

feels pretty good.

Several years ago I went in the bathroom and shaved it completly off. In a few days our family would be flying

to Cancun with several other close friends and their kids. I did this because I knew we planned to go snorkling

and facial hair allowed water to get inside a mask and made it almost impossible to see underwater . As I came out of the bathroom, our youngest son Jarah had the strangest look on his face. He keep staring at

me knowing something was different. It took him a few minutes before he figured it out. We later realized that he was age 13 or so and had never in his life seen me without a beard.

I try to keep my beard short and well groomed. It is amazing how fast it grows when I will often let it go on

vacation and days when I am not in the office. I hate to admit this but I do I have a trace of anxiety when

I do this right before work. I know this is not the time to trim a beard especially when I am cutting it close

on time.

I have screwed up more than once but going too short even with the guard in place and them have to

do it all to match that length. My biggest fear is the trimmer goes dead when I half way into this project.

There is no time to recharge the trimmer and I have had to shave it almost all off with a razor. I can tell

everybody is looking at me like Jarah knowing something is odd and different despite my best efforts to hide my botch job.

Often when I am doing this, I think of a story back in the Bible. King David sent some men with good wishes

and intentions to another king. David has been friends with Nahash for years and he passed away. This new king was his son and was paranoid and thought they were sent to spy on his country. His advisors gave him poor advice. He did something to humiliate them and sent the men back home and on their way. He cut off half of their robes exposing their backsides. He also cut off half of their beards as well as this was a badge of honor back then. These men were sent to Jericho to live in until their beards grew out.

This angered King David and this led to a war and the loss of life and much bloodshed. Several armies

came together to fight against Israel but in vain.

So Hanun seized David's ambassadors and shaved off half of each man's beard , and cut off their robes

at he buttocks, and sent them back to david in shame. 2 Samuel 10:4

If you're never scared or embarrassed or hurt , it means you never take any chances.

Julia Sorel

Advice is an uncertain gift.

Whitney Jeffery

Half of art is knowing when to stop.

Arthur William Radford

ENTRY 30

The other evening our youngest son and his wife came out to help with some chores around the house.

One of the very last tasks was to help me pull up a rose bush that had not made it through the winter. We

went over and I dropped my son off at the horse barn and he drove the tractor back to the house. We

pulled the tractor up close to the plant and put a chain at the bottom. It took a try or two but I could not help

admire how stubborn the plant was and stood its ground perhaps providing a lesson to us all.

The tractor is still sitting out in the yard. It is New Holland and is a newer Ford and is blue. My grandpa

had blue tractors as did my dad . We have two on the farm and they are both blue. We do blue .

The newer one is called 45 D . It has been a great tractor and has been loyal and has been a good investment.

I was looking for this make and model for awhile. I found another one that was a better deal had convinced my

better half this was needed and had her blessings. The dealership was closed but we drove over to show my boys boys the newest addition lord willing. There was a slight drizzle and I climbed up on the seat. I was excited and eager

pull the trigger when they opened the next day.

I heard God speak to my heart . He told me not to buy this tractor. I was sure about this and was disappointed to

say the least. I joined my family in the truck and my wife asked me what was wrong. I did not say anything

my excitement was gone as was the spring in my step. I really wanted this tractor! I was as blue but knew what

to do, or what not to do in this case.

I have taught the boys to ask the Lord for guidance on decisions they need to make especially on big

purchases. We pray to help it to go through if it is his will and block it if it is not his will for us.He sees everything

including the future. We are to trust in his judgement and not our own.

I have told this to a few down through the years. I think about that tractor and wonder where it went .

Maybe this blue tractor was a lemon and was going to be a moneypit .Perhaps a mechanical issue could have led

to harm or death to one of my sons down the road.

I will never know the reason I was told no. There might be another reason and this would be something

I think is a strong possible reason all of us should consider . Maybe God blocked me because he wanted someone

else to have it. Without knowing it I was blocking a blessing he had in mind for another.

He knew I would find another and could have told me the serial number would be before

I was born. Things have been given to me and my family and the chain of events down through the years

have been miraculous.

As we walk in faith , may we listen to his voice trusting him to guide us with our steps as well as our stops!

The steps of the Godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives.

Psalms 37:23

Obedience is better than sacrifice.

1 Samuel 15:20

ENTRY 31

It is Memorial day 2023. This morning I was thinking about one of the rituals we did at this time of year

when we were growing up. Our dad would get us up early and we would drive up the hill to the cementary.

The local veterans would shoot a 21 gun salute to honor those who had fought and served in the military

of our great nation. They would place small American flags on each soldiers gravesite.

To be honest ,my heart is a little heavy this Monday morning. As usual a few people have texted me asking

pass along thanks to our oldest son Josh who serves in the navy. I always do this but at present he lives in Japan.

He is at sea and we cannot text or email him until he reaches the next port.

I sleep in what used to be his bedroom. On the wall is a poster of a jet coming up and towards us with

the aircraft carrier below. I look at this often and cannot wrap my mind around the fact that he does this for

a living. He is aboard the USS Ronald Reagan somewhere off the coast of Japan. It is ironic because he is a navel

aviator and that was the first ship he landed on.

It is a very dangerous job and even more so while doing night landings on a ship whose runway is always

moving. As I type these words it is 9:23 in the morning. Another thing I cannot fathom is that he is on the other

side of the world and is 13 hours ahead of us. So our day is just starting but he is about to put Monday to bed

and in 90 minutes it will be Tuesday there!

My own dad is up on the in the cementary sleeping with those who served . He was in the army and served

during the Korean war. He loved airplanes and I wish he could have lived to see what his grandson does for

a living.

Afew years ago, we went as a family to Wright Patterson in Ohio. The have a museum there and it is divided

into different sections. I lingered in the area about the korean war beacuse of dad. There was something there

that 'blue' my mind.

In a glass case was the belongings of a soldier who was a POW. He had a short pencil and a small spiral

notebook. Several pages were on display. To keep from going crazy, he would try from time to time recaal states

and their capitals. He did a lot of math primarily 3 digit numberes times 3 digit numbers. He would try to recall

as many U.S. presidents from time to time sometimes doing far better than others.

At the back of his book was a things to do list. This young soldier had a list of things he planned to do

not if but when he got home. I read the short list but one entry stood out and said:

Change the oil in the blue Ford truck.

We will never know if he made it home safely or even alive. His list inspires me and should do the same for

you as well. He had to keep hope alive and know he would make it.

If you see a vet thank them for their service. Also thank God for allowing us to live in the greatest

nation on earth. Thank him also for for he went through to make a way for us to get home and live with him forever. Read God's word to give you the patience and stamina to hold on. These words are like no other

you need to anchor your hearts to them. They will give you to courage needed to weather any and every storm.

May God bless all those who have served, are serving, and those who will. May he be with their families

who miss them but are so proud of what they stand for.

The average pencil is seven inches long, with just a half inch eraser in case you thought optimism

was dead. Robert Brault

ENTRY 32

Our black stallion , Aztec, is a wonderful animal. He is big and muscular and is well behaved.

He is a fresian cross. I have always read about this breed and knew they were known for their

high intelligence. I often joke that I not only think I could teach him to play euchre but to renig as well!

He is a good dad and has passed on his laid back manner to his babies . That is a big plus when it comes

to sires. Good and bad temperments can be passed on and along and down to offspring. You

probably thought that only applied to people didn't you?

I must admit , he is a charmer and he is one of my favorites. He is in a side pasture right now with two mares.

He is quite sociable and always comes up for a meet and greet wheter I have feed or not. Some of the others

require much more coaxing and calling and almost proof you have feed before they will even bother.

The other evening, I was running low on feed. I had just a little . Even though he is much bigger ,

he lets the mares boss him around. I gave him what little I had. He was excited to see me and I rubbed his

jaw and powerful neck. He was glad to see me but even more excited when I reached for the green feed

bucket . He started making sounds , loud sounds. I told him to be quite. I knew these grunts and squeals

would alert the others. I knew they would come up and take his food away. Soon he was quitely munching

the others did not have a hunch he was eating a late lunch.

I felt a little guilty and wondered why I favored him. He seems to be loyal to me and is always

happy to see me. I think I rewarded him not only because of this but because he does not cause trouble

and lets the others take his feed and does not fight . He is much bigger and stronger than the others

and could easily overpower them should he choose to cause trouble. The fact that he does not is maybe why

I will give him a little more now and then for being a peacemaker. When I do this, I cannot help but

wonder if God does the same with us.

Aztec was able to scarf down his grain before the other figured out what he was up to. I thought how

tried to get him to be quite after I blessed him. It made me think of a few instances in the Bible where

Jesus healed someone but told them not to tell anyone. Sometimes they did not listen and shot their mouth

off probably making it harder for him to do his thing without notice.

Jesus's own brothers wanted him to go public and attend a large gathering . They thought it would be a

place to showcase his talents and gain limelight. Jesus told them that this was not the time to do this.

Jesus later went but kept a low profile staying out of the public view.

It seems to me that sometimes we need to stand our ground and speak up . Perhaps other times we

help God keeping our mouths shut. By not causing trouble and showing kindness, this goes against

the grain and people will be drawn to Christ because of what we do not do.

You cannot train a horse with shouts and expect it to obey with a whisper.

Dagobert D. Runes

Have you given the horse its strength or clothed its neck with a flowing mane?

Job 39:19

After his brothers had left for the festival,Jesus also went,though secretly, staying

out of the public view. John 7:10

Instantly the leprosy disappeared . Then Jesus instucted him not to tell anyone

what had happened. Luke 5:14

ENTRY 33

Often the last task of the day is to let our two dogs out right before bedtime. We put a plastic neon

collar on them to help keep track. Skyler is black as night and finding a black dog at night

is impossible. Since she is a girl , her collar is pink. Buster has a blue one. The collars can be set on

blinking mode or continuous . I prefer steady eddie, the dogs could not care less.

I love these warm summer nights. As I sit there, I enjoy a far more spectacular light show! Thousands

of lightning bugs flicker on and off all across out yard and far out into the fields. The stars sparkle in

the heaven I am in awe of the beauty God teases us with. I am tired and cranky and often scold the dogs

to get in the house. I am disappointed how in many ways I have lost my childlike wonder.

As I sit there on our back porch, these luminous insects take me back to a memory that happened in Troy

In. years ago. My grandparents built a red brick house in this small river town in the late 60's .I spent many hours there and often took my bike and rode all over town. I made many friends that I looked forward to playing with . My favorite spot was a park that allowed one to look out and over the Ohio River far below. I spent many hours of my youth there and still to this day will drive up there from time to time.

There is a large statue of Jesus there. His arms are wide and stretched out . There is a bright light that shines

upon it. For years I was the keeper of the light. The lady next door would call me when it went out and I

went down and replaced it. I miss doing that, but I still try to shine my light on Jesus with my writing and stories.

Also at the base was flowers. They started looking rough . I took dirt from our farm to put around the base

and planted several knockout roses on each side. As I was completing this task one evening , I ran out of daylight.A little girl next door ran out of the house next door . She was running and jumping and was excited

about the green flashing lights all around her. She was speaking words I did not know. She kept saying

'fear flew" . Neither her or her dad could catch one getting closer to me with each and every unsuccessful try.

I showed them my childhood trick. You bend real low and you can see them above you. I grabed one on the first

try. I slowly opened my hand. I was watching her eyes when she saw her first lightning bug up close. I saw the greenish glow relected on her face . She whispered with amazement 'fear flew'! I will never forget that wonderful moment. I will never be able to look at them without thinking of her.

We talked for just a few moments. They were visiting from Denmark. She had never seen lightning bugs before. Know why? It is because they do not have them in their country. How blessed we are to have this amazing

light show in our very own back yards.

I believe our childlike wonder will return when we get to heaven . Jesus looks forward to showing us things

not seen or known in this world. When we gaze upon them for the very first time, He will not be looking at it but at us. He will be smiling and it will give him great pleasure as our eyes light up each and every time.

Some people , no matter how old they get , never lose their beauty- they merely move it from

their faces into their hearts. Martin Buxbaum

ENTRY 34

I love this time of year. There is a flower that comes in to bloom that I am fond of. It is the orange Tiger Lilly.

Out in a field in front of our home is a large circular patch of them. Over the years I have dug them up

transplanted them to various places around our house and yard. As I sat on our back porch watching our dogs,

last evening I spotted yet another spot where 3 large clumps of them would fit in nicely.

We have a flagpole in front of our house and at the base the pole is surrounded by lillies. I put some along the side

our stallion barn and they are coming up nicely . By far my favorite place showcasing these flowers is at

entry way of our farm. I have watched them mature and spread along the small creek or branch that meanders

below the hill over the years.

As usual and so often I am worrying as I am hurrying as I head off to work. My mind is already gearing up for days packed too full with too many patients. In just a few minutes, I will be up to my eyeballs with eyeballs1

I know I can do it but I secretly ask myself if I can do it another day

without losing my mind. Surprised? You thought you were the only one who thinks that at times.

As I head down the hill, I pass along the small creek lined on both sides with lillies. Without fail, they preach to my heart. My eyes enjoy what I envisioned years ago. Their placement was very much strategic.

They were put there to help me put it all in perspective when I get off track and lose focus which it seems is

daily. Their placement is to remind to ask myself if God has first place in my life. Most often I do not like my own answer.These flowers speak to my heart and often scold me. The Bible tells us to consider

the lillies. It reminds us that they do not work . It tells us they do not worry about their clothing . Yet this is all

done for them. It tells us that even King Solomon in all his glory was was adorned as nicely as they are.

These flowers are showcased to show us that God loves them . He takes care of them and they do not toil

in the soil. They do not worry or hurry and remind us to do the same . Scripture tells us God loves us even more

these wonderful flowers. He will meet all our needs and concerns if we just put him first. Lets all consider

the lillies and consider doing just that from now on.

Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing. Yet Solomon in

all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. If God cares so wonderfully for the flowers

that are here and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you?

Matthew 7:28-30

It is not the man who has too little who is poor , but the one who craves more.

Seneca

There is material enough in a single flower for the ornament of a score of cathedrals.

John Ruskin

ENTRY 35

I get to talk with a wide variety of people in the office. This lends itself to all kinds of topics

and interesting conversation. I often ask about their hobbies and learn what they enjoy doing.

Many tell me they enjoy taking pictures. My heart skips a beat or two because I also always have

a camera handy and have taken thousands of pictures down through the years.

When the say they like to write songs, I ask about their favorite song. When they say the like to read,

I ask about the best book they ever read. When the tell me they enjoy photography, I ask them

about the favorite picture they ever took. More times than not, the have the answer quite ready.

Often they will turn the tables and ask me the same. This is an easy one for me . My best shot took

place over at our horse barn then the boys were quite young. I took it over at our horse barn

on a very hot day. The boys took off their clothes and all three got in the large horse trough. The

oldest, Josh, and the youngest, Jarah, are at the ends of the tank. Out middle son,Jace, was in the middle.

I had my Canon AE-1 all ready focused and good to go. Jace was diving below and we all laughed because we did not know what he was doing or what he was looking for. As he keep resurfacing only for oxygen , he

would head into the deep yet again but his white butt would stick up and out of the water .

I saw a pattern and he popped to the surface and put his hands on the edge of the trough. The water is dripping

off his face and it all clicked. The brand of the trough is called IDEAL and is in large red letters on the side of

tank. This was indeed an ideal setting . This wonderful photograph and cherished memory has been enlarged

and framed and sits on a shelf in my office.

When the picture was developed, wife Kim voiced a concern about the tank. She knew that was the

very tank our horses drank from. I assured her that the horses did not seem to mind and the horses

will be fine! ;)

The old saying is that you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. I once read where a

marketing student at a college quoted that to his professor. The mentor told him that was so true

but marketing was to make the horse thirsty.

We are besieged daily with ads to make us want things. Have you ever found anything that does not lose

it appeal after it is ours? These things are well and good and not bad in themselves but the should

lead us to the one who gave them to us. I am not sure what Jace was looking at the bottom of that tank.

I am sure what we are all looking for. There is no thing , nothing you can ever find that can

give you the joy, peace, and purpose that is found in knowing Jesus. Once you have him, it makes

all the things in this world more enjoyable It brings everthing else into proper prespective and focus.

Things that used to lead you astray won't any longer. Things that used to confuse you will start to click.

Get the picture?

Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who I am, you wouls ask me , and I

would give you living water." John 4:10

A good snapshot stops a moment from running away. Eudora Welty

More important than a work of art itself is what it will sow. Art can die , a paiting can disappear .

What counts is the seed. Joan Miro

ENTRY 36

The horses are being bothered by the flies this time of year. They seldom go into any kind of shelter

when it is cold. However the flies make them head into the shed to get away from them. I try to put fly

spray on them to help. I also use fly strips up in the barn and one shed has a timer that sprays a mist

in the air making a fly want to be elsewhere.

Often when mowing a field , I will leave my old Ford tractor out in the field. The next day I can get on

right where I left off. I noticed the horses would always be all around the tractor when I did this. I

now realize the smell of fumes such as diesel most likely make the flys back off.

We have one horse that is very hard to catch. When I put fly dope on the others, they find very quickly

it helps from the get go and they have relief. The smarter ones are just almost as glad to see me pull the spray

out as a bag of carrots. When I have put the dope on all but the one difficult to catch, she is if for a long

day by her own design. She is the only one without cover .

I often think about those Jesus has been pursuing for years. He offers us his presence and a peace

that is beyond human understanding. He wants you to let him cover you and your sins with his blood

but we run from it. We are afraid to let him catch us . What we do not realize we are already caught.. caught

up and in our sins as the Bible clearly explains. Jesus wants us to come to him to see how much better

our lives can be near and in Him.

It is early morning. It looks like we are in for a hot day. If the horses are not already in the shed, they soon

will be. I would like to shed a little light on something you might have missed. The last words of Jesus

were, it is finished."

Hidden in the word finished are the words, he and shed. When he shed his blood, there was nothing more to do. It is finished. So are you my friend unless you come forward and let him cover you with his precious blood.

You will have one regret. You will wish you had done this years ago!

You will show me the way of life granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living

with you forever.

Psalm 16:10

Even the animalsthe donkey and the ox know their owner and appreciate his care, but not my people

Israel. No matter what I do for them , they still do not understand. Isaiah 1 :3

ENTRY 37

Yesterday I put on my old boots in the garage and was going out to check on the horses. As the garage door opened I was not expecting company at that hour. He sprang into action and launched himself 2-3 feet the door. What exactly was hoppening here? Perhaps this was this intruder a spy sent to see what is kept inside and on the other side of the door.

We live in the country and are used to garage surprises. Last week we have 2 raccoons eating

food from our cat's bowl. We had a turkey right up beside our garagedoor recently but did not enter. Not long agoone of our young horses, Mingo,got out in the yard.She then came up to and in the garage eating food of a red bucket in the bed of our ATV.

Yesterdays guest was quite small compared to a horse. It was a grasshopper. I am not sure what he

thought was kept in the garage. I thought about it longer than I would like to admit. I came up with the thought he might have been trying to flee for his life. Perhaps the noise from the garage door spooked off the very thing he was afraid off. I am not so sure about this theory. He was not afraid of me.

I must have seemed like a giant to him.

These insects always make me think of the story where Moses sent spies for forty days into a new and

distant land God was giving them. This land of milk and honey waiting but was filled with people who

were large and strong. Even thought they brought back bounty, ten spies thought it was a bad idea.

They reported these people,Anakites, were large and said we are small and like grasshoppers compared to them.

God was displeased with them and this led to a forty year long hike . The two spies ,Joshua and Caleb,who

wanted to enter despite the problems ahead were rewarded later much later. Forty years later they

not only got to see but own property in the promised land.

This story now has another lesson hidden in it . When they could ask for the property they wanted ,

Caleb asked for and was granted one still occupied. He was in his eighties and still have that can do we

can whip em mindset in later years. This story dos not have a name but I named the grasshopper.

His name is Caleb.

Then Caleb quited the people before Moses , and said " Let us go up at once and take possession ,

for we are well able to overcome it.

Numbers 13:30

Most people say that as you get old, you have to give up things. I think you get old because

because you give up things. Theodore Francis Green

But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed me fully, I will bring

into the land where he went , and his decscendants shall inherit it.

Numbers 14:24

ENTRY 38

As I prepared for work the other morning, I had something happen that I found interesting. I stood at my

bathroom sink looking all around for the cologne planned to wear that morning. I mix it up now and then but it is one of my favorites and my usual go to. It was the last thing I needed to do before I headed out the door.I

could not find it to save my life. I even looked on the other shelves and moved things around thinking it was

behind other bottles. I had to make a move and used another.

I was still puzzled but the mystery was solved when I closed the cabinet door. There it was down and to the right and right in front of me. The opened cabinet door kept me from seeing it.As I sped out the door and headed to work

thoughts bounced around in my head. What could I take away from this lesson? What am I missing ?

I heard a funny once where a comedian said his dad told him when one door closes another opens. He said his

dad was a very wise man but a terrible cabinet maker. This jocoserious statement made me smile . I want

you to open your dictionary and look up that word.That task keeps you busy and it keeps you from doing another.

My point is rather simple.When we open ourselves to certain things, we may miss out on other chances

or options. We need to chose wisely my friend!

Failure is success if we learn from it.

Malcolm Forbes

ENTRY 39

About a week ago, we had some rough weather push through our area. I came home from lunch to let

our two dogs out. As I exited my truck ,I heard a sound that at first I could not comprehend. It was the sound of our security alarm going off inside the house! The sound was killing my ears and them for my short walk inside.

I knew it was not an intruder when I saw that the control panel was toast and from there I could not disarm

it. I had to go to the main box and shut off the system.

So for about a week we were without the internet, no television, no security, no phones, and our garage

door opener is also toast. On top of always busy fun filled days, I have been trying to get it all up and running

again. It has been hard to have match our time at home with the service visits. We are getting close and in a day

or two may even have Direct TV. Because of all our damage ,they are sure it was a direct lightning strike. We lost

two televisions and the status of the other two is pending.

Despite all the time and trouble lost, I give God praise for protecting our home and beloved pets. We very well

could be sleeping in a motel or with family had we lost our home to fire. All this stuff has been small taters.

I was very frustrated several times and had to rein in my emotions and give my God praise instead of

giving Satan the satisfaction.

Years ago, I was speaking at a large church. I told a story about how mad I had been earlier in the week when my

muffler fell off my truck. As I was speaking, I told them my truck feel off my muffler. The crowd gave me an off the

charts laughter. They thought this guy is good. How witty to say it like this since I was preaching about keeping it

all in perspective. I screwed up but it went over so well, I have been known to say it like that since and i

always get a wonderful reception.

Sometime God has to take things away to make up appreciate them. I feel from the bottom of my heart I have

given far more than I deserve. However I could lead the parade of not Shriners but Whiners. Many of

newer tech items have a reset button. We hoped this would bring many of the damaged items back to normal

but no such luck. When our luck lets us down lets send up some praise regardless. If you hear me raising hell

instead of my hands and heart in praise... please tell me to put a muffler on it!

You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips.

Oliver Goldsmith

In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing so that no one can speak a word

of blame against you. Philippians 2: 14-15

ENTRY 40

On average, I would say we tend to buy three to four bags of carrots per week. People who do not

know me or what I do for a living will often ask about them. The ones who know I am an eye guy often remark about them even more often.

See it seems everyone knows carrots are good for the eyes. I think they think I am a firm

believer in them and their help with vision and overall eye health. I always explain we have horses

and that these are treats for our oatsmobiles at home. I always leave them with this caveat about carrots.

Have you ever seen a horse wearing glasses?

When my wife buys groceries, she often leaves the bags in the garage or throws them in the Rhino

that we use on carrots runs. The horses know the sound of the red ATV and we call it Chuck. We call it

that because it is a chuck wagon and is used to transport as well as deliver goods and goodies to the

horses out in the pasture. They nicker in excitement which is their way of saying goody in horse lingo.

Even if they are munching on sweet feed and content, the sound of me tearing open a plastic bag of carrots

quickly turns heads. Seems these big horses are a little like us. They are happy and content until

comes along that is better.

On my desk and right in front of me is a pack of carrot seeds. Next to it is a pack of pumpkin seeds. They are there

to remind me of something I heard of years ago and I often share with patients from time to time. I goes like this:

If you plant carrot seeds, what do you get?

If you plant pumkin seeds , what do you get?

What do you get when you do not plant anything?

They get the first two right of course and usually miss the third question answering with nothing.

The correct answer my friend is weeds!

It takes a lot of work to even stay even. It takes a lot of work to keep the pasture and fence lines looking good.

I am excited because lord willing , I will be outside and up on a tractor brush hogging most of the day. I don't

think the horses care one way or the other about the sound of the tractor approaching, but I don't think the weeds

like it at all.

Sometimes we need to hang our on carrots on a stick to propel or prod us on . We get stuck in a rut and

idleness indeed is the devil's playgound. Plan for the next vacation or go out and reward yourself if you can lick

"ick "you been fighting be it booze, drugs, food, or even another type of karet addition.

I seed forth these words with the hope they will help and reach good soil. I am not sure they will ever find

into a book. I hope they do. I think a great book cover would be a carrot hanging out in front of us . Now, if we

just come up with a title to match. I am not sure if you will like this suggestion as much as I do but

"I HOPE SOW" ;).

Words are like diamonds. Polish them too much and all you get is pebbles.

Bryce Courtenay

Lord , give me the determination and tenacity of a weed.

Mrs. Leon Walters

ENTRY 41

I have been spending a lot of time on the tractor here of late. The pastures are filled with tall weeds

and the field look much nicer afterwards. It makes it easier for the horses to graze. I have an old blue ford

tractor that I bought about the same time I bought the farm years ago. It has a big sturdy roll bar to

provide protection . On the rolling hills here on our property in southern Indiana , this is a desirable feature.

I get up close to the fence line and this leads to tree limbs hitting me and often puting scratches on

my arms and legs. It comes with the tuff. I was pretty well finished with this field the other evening .

I took a little pass across the field to see if there were any places I had missed.

The field was all good but I saw a potential problem . As I had went under a wild cherry tree, the roll bar

broke off a limb. It was still hanging on the tree but dangled all the way to the ground. It was still hanging

by a thread but would be dead in a day or two. I am so glad I saw this. I had to go back to the house to get some

snips and cut it off from the tractor seat high above the ground. I then have to put it outside the pasture so the

horses could not munch on when it dried.

My very first horse was named Dusty. I went up to ride one morning then I was a youth. The other horses were

present but Dusty was not there. My dad's horse seemed excited and agitated and would not let me catch or pet

him. It was like something you see in a movie and he led me to a steam up in the pasture .My beloved friend was

dead and laying in the steam at it deepest spot. The farmer who buried her said animals do this to try to stop the pain after the eat something toxic or poison. Green leaves do not hurt them nor even dead or dried wild cherry leaves after the first frost. If one of our horses had nibbled on this, I would have to bury another one.

My hands shook as I typed the words above. I had to stop a time or two. It has been over 50 years.

I felt the shock and pain again as I shared this story. Why am I telling you this? Well it may help you protect your

livestock down the road. I guess I just want this story to remind you that things that are behind us can cause

harm if we do not know how to properly deal with them. Chew on that awhile.

Watch out that no bitter root of unbelief rises up among you,for whenever it springs up, many are

corrupted by its poison. Hebrews 12:15

Conseit is a weird disease- it makes everybody sick but the guy who has it.

James Dobson

ENTRY 42

It has been pretty hot here of late. Sometimes I have to water the flowers around the house after work.

I enjoy flowers and keeping them looking nice but it takes a lot of time and effort . I often send a little pray up

thanking God when he sends down a nice rain shower.I have noticed they seem to do much better with His water.

Could it be there are things in the rain we do not have access to? Maybe the chemicals we use in our water are

not good forthe flowers all in all. I am sure glad do not drink that stuff!

I am as a rule not a forgetful person . I will admit more slippage with age. I read something in my youth that will

stick with me as well as any sticky note It said:

The best mind is no match for the palest of ink.

You must realize by now,I love quotes. I also tell you who said what. I find this ironic that I did not write

down who said this so to this day....no clue.I love and agree with the wisdom . I do not care who you are or how

smart we claim to be, the ink remembers longer. We all are so busy. We have too much on our minds.

I do take a vitamin to help me remember but I can't remember where I put them.

drgregorygordon

AFTER THE LAUGHTER