Outstanding in Their Field

We finally got the garden in yesterday. Hopefully there is something left after the high winds today. Here's a little of what we should find in the summer and fall: 3 kinds of tomatoes, beans, peas, onions, okra, melons, squash, cucumbers, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and more. Now I wasn't raised on a farm but my mom was. Still I know that's what we should expect to harvest. Guess how I know that?...... That's what we planted.

One of the foundational laws of Scripture taught me that. You reap what you sow.

--Job 4:8 As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.
--Proverbs 11:18 The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
--Proverbs 22:18 He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
--2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
--Galatians 6:7-8 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

So if you're tired of the weeds and garbage in your life quit griping or blaming God, change your seed.

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 30:4 4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands?
Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and the name of his son?
Tell me if you know!

Scripture of the Day: Galatians 6:7-8 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Quote of the Day: The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses. ~Hanna Rion

Memorial Day

A Memorial Day emergency delivery to Carlinville kept me from the blog yesterday, but I didn't want to miss the opportunity to say thanks to those who have given their lives for our country. The kids and I were able to make the ceremony here in Sycamore before I got called away though.

Give thanks to God for your freedom today.

Be Refreshed!


Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 27:19 19 As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.

Scripture of the Day: John 15:12-14 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.

Quote of the Day: They are dead; but they live in each Patriot's breast, And their names are engraven on honor's bright crest. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Sanctified Smoke

I had a nice smoke today.


Between the weather and schedules it's the first smoke of the spring. The picture here is about the 4 hour mark. On the top is lunch. Brats and fish (salmon, tilapia, and perch). On the bottom is food for a week. 2 sets of ribs, a brisket, and 3 pork shoulders. The bottom is only half way done so I'll throw some potatoes, onions, and garlic bulbs on the top to finish off. The pork shoulder we'll turn into pulled pork. mmmmmmm..............

Jeremiah (11) took another step towards manhood today. The first mow.


He hadn't been quite as excited as the other two boys to start mowing. I think he'd watched the other 2 over the years and figured out it wasn't as fun as it looked like it would be. He's off to a great start though.

Don't forget the church picnic tomorrow night. It's one of the highlights of the year and the unofficial start to summer. You may even get a pulled pork sandwich or strawberry rhubarb jam if you're lucky.

Be Refreshed!


Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 24:26 An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.

Scripture of the Day: Acts 10:44-46 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Quote of the Day: "Vegetarian: an old Indian term, meaning "bad hunter." Unknown

Eternal Wisdom

We were at the IL A/G District Council Mon-Wed so the blog has been on vacation too.

At the ordination service on Monday night our district superintendent reminded us of a phrase that former D.S. Ernie Moen had often quoted to the ordination classes. I had forgotten it, but I was in one of the last ordination classes of Ernie Moen in 1995 and the reminder I thought would be good for all of us.

It was:

-Don't touch the gold.
-Don't touch the glory.
-Don't touch the girls.

I don't think it was original with Bro. Moen, but that's a good place for a minister to get their start. It's not too bad for any believer either. How many believers get tripped up with the love of money? How many get caught up in feelings or power of the Holy Spirit only to crash when the feeling is distant? How many have fallen into the traps of lust?

Sometimes the big things are the simplest. Don't touch the gold. Don't touch the glory. Don't touch the girls.

Be Refreshed!


Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 23:4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.

Scripture of the Day: Leviticus 10:1-2 1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. 2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.


Quote of the Day: "God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises...leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself." Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Aloha!

Our Suppers for Eight group wound down for the spring with a luau theme complete with leis and grass skirts. It was a cool night but we had kabobs off the grill and great fun and fellowship.

Thanks to all of our Supper for Eight leaders this spring and everyone who opened their home to the family of God. Breaking bread, prayer, and fellowship in one another's home. Good Stuff.

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.

Scripture of the Day: Luke 22:31-32 31 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

Quote of the Day: "Make new friends, but don't forget the old ones." Yiddish Proverb

Opening Day 2008

Today was a beautiful opening day for Elizabeth's softball season. She scored the first run for her team this season! (Which usually at this age means she was the first batter:)


Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Scripture of the Day: Acts 4:13-14 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.

Quote of the Day: Baseball, to me, is still the national pastime because it is a summer game. I feel that almost all Americans are summer people, that summer is what they think of when they think of their childhood. I think it stirs up an incredible emotion within people. ~Steve Busby, in Washington Post, 8 July 1974

The Big 16

Ethan hit the big 16 today. Here he is with his driver's license and set of car keys. Unfortunately there was no car to go with the set of keys, just the 2 family minivans.

Would you say a prayer for him today? Ask God to raise up a mighty man of God. Thanks!

Be Refreshed!


Proverb of the Day: Proverb 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

Scripture of the Day: 1 Timothy 4:12 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Quote of the Day: "You may speak but a word to a child, and in that child there may be slumbering a noble heart which shall stir the Christian Church in years to come." Charles Spurgeon