OUT AND ABOUT
My family just returned from the Gulf coast a few days ago. My wife and
I drove down and the kids flew in, and we had a wonderful, relaxed time
together and the weather was perfect. As always, the time flew by too quickly
but I am so grateful for safety for all of us to and fro.
My wife and I recently celebrated 42 years of marriage. In all those years we have
never had a single argument.... that I won. You thought I was going fib to you I am sure and with good reason.
Two years ago, we went down to our favorite place in Florida. My wife was
not aware all our kids were joining us, and it was a cool time. We renewed our marriage vows as the kids looked on. We had a surprise ourselves when our youngest son dropped to one knee by the sea and asked his girlfriend to marry him. So, you see
this place by the sea is indeed sacred ground for us all!
This trip we were joined by our two young grandchildren. We all were all on the beach
and frolicked in the sea. After watching grandparents play like children for years
our turn and it was beyond words as all things that are from God.
We were at a traffic light and a big macho red pickup truck pulled up to the light
on our left. It was a cool truck. He had a lift kit. It sat up really high on big tires. You could not have added anything to this truck to make it look more manly. It had some words on a decal in the rear window. It said:
I hope something good happens to you today!
I did not get a good look at the driver. I was very impressed with this young man. Even though I don't know him, I know he has a good heart. It was so refreshing to see
a positive and uplifting message in this day and age. So many of the messages on shirts and bumper stickers should make us blush and turn as red as his vehicle. I said a little prayer for the guy in the big red truck. I asked God to bless all his loved ones as well. I do not know much about him, but I am sure he is an encourager. He has the gift of lift! was soon on his way, but the heartwarming words have stayed with me. I looked online and saw this same decal. I just might have to get one myself. ;)
The sea, once it has cast its spell, hold one in its net of
wonder forever. Jacques Cousteau
Matrimony is the high sea for which no compass has
been invented. Heinrich Heine
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
Me
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.