When the Music Stops

In our men's Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church in Flippin, Arkansas, we are studying from the book of Psalms. The series name for the lessons we are currently studying is aptly named "When the Music Stops". It is an awesome study and we have such a great group of guys, it is such a joy to meet every Sunday.

Many different events can cause the "music" in our life to stop! But let us always be reminded that the One who gives the music in the first place is never far away. And He knows when to "strike up the band" again, and when to give the choir the nod!

The other day, my little granddaughter, Abigail, had disobeyed me in something and I had to scold her. That will break a grandpa's heart! After I scolded her, she walked out of the room with her head down. After a few minutes, she returned and through her tears said, "Papa, can you hold me?" Of course, I picked her up and held her close. She snuggled in close and laid her head on my chest. I explained to her why I had scolded her and she said, "Papa, I'm sorry!" I thanked her for apologizing and assured her that I still loved her. She raised her head up and smiled a huge smile and said, "Papa, You're happy again!!

I thought how I sometimes act the same way. I'm disobedient and then when my heavenly Father scolds me, I sometimes walk away, think it through and realize that, in fact, I deserved the scolding! So, it's back to the Father to say, "I'm sorry", and many times that is said through my tears. I'm not ashamed of my tears. I never want my heart to become so hardened that I lose the cleansing that shedding tears of repentance brings. I'm not ashamed to shed tears in public, such as in a worship service, as I have nothing to prove to anyone. I want my heart to always be pliable in the hands of my Father!

Now, I'm almost 60 years old, but I have to tell you; "There is nothing more comforting than to be be held (spiritually speaking) in the arms of my Father, and have Him minister to my heart that He still loves me!" And that is not just a metaphor! One can actually sense and feel the presence of God when one approaches Him in true repentance or true worship. I don't believe that ones relationship with God should be based on feelings, but on the other hand, I wouldn't give a plug nickel for a relationship with NO FEELING! As I set here writing this, I'm listening to a Don Moen worship cd and God's presence is SO real in my heart! Thank you, Lord for your presence!!

Whatever the reason that the "music stops" in your life; when it happens, it is time to seek God and determine through prayer and a contrite spirit, the cause and allow God to restore us until the "music" is once more playing in our heart and spirit, and worship is once more a natural occurence as we spend time with God each day.

When the music of heaven plays, my soul dances, my heart leaps like the deer and I am blessed and at rest. PLAY ON HEAVENLY BAND!! SING THROUGH ME HOLY SPIRIT!! OH GOD, HOW I LOVE YOU!! MY LORD, HOW I ADORE YOU!!

My prayer for you is that you are never without the "music" of life from heavenly places!!

God bless and keep you is my prayer!

If perhaps you are reading this and you have never experienced the "music" because you have never known Christ as your personal saviour, then I invite you to give your life to Him and let Him start the "music" playing in your heart. It's a simple thing to do. Just confess with your mouth, the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved!

"The Project"

Abigail (holding a huge earthworm) and momma

“Papa, can you come help me swing?” a tiny voice called from the doorway of my shop. I looked up from the project I was working on to find this inquisitive little chatterbox, who was never at a loss for words and always full of questions, standing with hands clasped behind her back, eyes bright with anticipation. This beautiful little dark haired girl was the granddaughter I had always wanted. I placed the tool I was using back in its place on the wall, wiped my hands and called ”Just a minute baby girl.” The project I was working on would have to wait another day.

Yesterday the call had been, “Papa, can we feed the fishies in the creek? They’re hungry!” The project I was working on had been set aside then as well. As I reached for the tiny hand being held up to me, I was captured by the beauty of her deep brown eyes. Like bottomless pools of molten umber they caught the light of the sun and reflected it back in tiny sparkles like the water in the creek we were heading for. We had to stop and dig some “wums” to feed the fish, which brought squeals, giggles of delight and a few genuine shrieks as they wiggled in her hand on the way to the can she put them in. Who would have thought, my “baby girl”, the one who wanted to be called “Princess”, delighted in the wriggly creatures we dug from the earth.

At the creek there was much laughter and squeals of sheer joy as the fish broke the surface of the water to retrieve the worms that were tossed to them. And then came the inevitable question. “Papa, do fishies go to heaven?” In the nanosecond before I could answer, the question was forgotten as she took my hand to guide me on a tour of her world. There were flowers to see, a butterfly to chase, a baby rabbit to cherish and a hundred other things, which briefly caught her attention. The project was forgotten and the day spent just being with my granddaughter.

Today, as we set out for the swing, she alternated between holding my hand and skipping ahead, only to return and tug me along, chattering all the while. I knew that work on the project had ceased for the day. As I listened to her endless descriptions of every thing she saw, I was aware of another voice trying to get a word in edgeways. I know the voice well, the voice of the Holy Spirit.
I marveled as His gentle words found their way into my heart. “Some projects are much more important than others!” Then He helped me to understand.

You see my precious granddaughter is adopted. She came into our lives as a result of much prayer, and the longing of our daughter’s heart. Our only daughter, and only living child, had never married, but longed for a child. Being the godly woman she is, having a child out of wedlock was not an option. And there were so many children who needed someone to love them and care for them and give them a stable home. We fully supported her when she told us of her decision to try to adopt a child.

From the time our daughter had decided to try for adoption, we had somehow always known she would adopt a girl and in all our conversations concerning the adoption, Abbi (Abigail) was called by name. We reveled in the thoughts that filled our hearts as we waited. What would she look like? What color was her hair? What color were her eyes? Would she grow up to be short or tall? Abigail was included in every plan we made, just in case “the call” came on any given day. On vacation in the mountains of Colorado, our daughter kept the cell phone at hand, waiting for the call. We made alternate plans, so we could be free to rush to her, if the call came. After a three year “eternity”, the call came that our daughter had been chosen to adopt, miracle of miracles, a then as yet unborn baby girl! God had answered our prayers! Abbi was coming to us! Oh the joy that filled our hearts when our daughter gave us the news! It was the last of August 2006 when word came, and Abigail was to be born in late September. That was the longest, hardest wait of my life! I don’t remember being that anxious during the nine months my wife carried our daughter, or our twin boys. (Our twins did not survive, but that’s another story for another time.) Though the days were filled with preparation, they seemed to pass at an interminably slow pace.
I must admit, I was probably good for nothing during those days of waiting. My every thought was of Abigail! We were about to find out the answers to all those musing of, what color eyes, what color hair, short or tall, slim or chubby, dark or fair complexion, and the waiting was eating me alive!

I remember arriving at the hospital the day Abbi was to be born. The doctor was to induce labor that morning and we were told we should expect a delivery sometime that day. WOW! I was going to be a grandpa!!

Let me take a moment to say that, the precious young lady who would bring Abigail into this world was one of the most beautiful individuals I have ever met. Her spirit was SO sweet, and her love for the baby she carried was ever so evident. She now found herself in a situation where some wrong choices had brought her to this point in life, where she had made a most difficult decision, but the right decision nonetheless, to give her baby life and allow someone else the desire of their heart. She knew adoption was best for Abigail and she was determined to do what was best! How my heart went out to her and still goes out to her. There is hardly a day goes by that I don’t think of her, wonder where she is, how she and Abbi’s half sister are, and they are always in my prayers. She will perhaps, never know the joy her selfless act brought into our lives; the gift she placed in our hands and the longing that was fulfilled by her decision. There is NO doubt in my mind about her love for Abigail. The breaking of her heart became the healing for our hearts. You can’t top that kind of selfless love!

At the hospital I settled into the waiting room with a book I would never remember reading as my daughter and my wife went to the delivery room to visit with Abigail’s birthmom while she waited for things to progress. This is the only thing I remember happening fast! It seemed I had only read the first page of the book, for maybe the fourth or fifth time, when I looked up to see my wife coming down the hospital corridor blubbering something I couldn't understand and crying uncontrollably! My first thought was that perhaps the young lady had changed her mind about the adoption. I shot out of my seat like I had a rocket strapped to me, and ran toward my wife saying, “What’s wrong, what’s wrong?” She proceeded right past me toward her purse and personal bag, which I was supposed to be watching, and said as she passed me, “Nothings wrong! She’s here and she’s BEAUTIFUL!!” It took just a moment to sink in that things had progressed THAT far THAT fast!! I was left standing there for the moment with a bewildered look on my face as my wife exclaimed, “I NEED MY CAMERA!!” WOW!! Just like that… I was a grandpa!! In just a few moments I was allowed into the room where I got my first look at Abigail! I’ll just say this… I was SMITTEN!!

We love Abigail as if she were our own flesh and blood. She is, in every sense of the word, our daughter’s daughter and our “granddaughter.” My wife cherishes the endearing name “Nana” and fills it to perfection.


Our daughter is an educator in the public school system where we live and is financially able to provide for her new daughter, and very much up to the task of rearing a child. She is a great mother to this little brown-eyed beauty. It is just another testament to God’s love and his wisdom and control over every situation that Abigail LOOKS SO MUCH LIKE HER MOM!!

Since adopting Abbi, I have seen the fullness of life in my daughter like never before. How good God is to give us the desires of our heart. The fact that they live next door to us and we get to babysit Abigail, is just “icing on the cake.”

Now, some are against the idea of adoption by a single person. But I, for one, see things differently. Were it not for adoption by a single person, I may never have known the joy of being “Papa.” And who’s to say that because there is a mommy and daddy at the start, that will be the case five or ten years down the road? I am the main male influence in this little one’s life, as her birth mother’s father has chosen from the start not to be in her life, and her biological father was eager to sign away his rights, or more likely, his responsibilities. I can only say, they have no idea what they are missing.

As the Holy Spirit teaches me about “the project” at hand, I know that this is one project I will never lay aside. Projects of wood or metal may be laid aside from time to time and resumed at will, but not a project as delicate as this. The Holy Spirit ministers to me, that constant attention to detail is of utmost importance and a gentle yet firm hand is needed in the shaping process. I find comfort in the fact that I am only the apprentice on this project and the “master craftsman” is really in charge!

“Papa, can we get something to drink? I’m thirsty!!” Back to “the project” at hand!!

Written by Richard Sessions 06-04-07

I penned this when my grand daughter was a little over eight months old. It was just something that unfolded in my mind and I wrote it down, as I have a habit of doing. So, at the time, it was part fact and part fiction. Obviously, she couldn’t walk or talk at that age, but the commentary surrounding her birth and adoption is true. And wouldn’t you know, I have a picture of her carrying around a big earthworm!! And now, at almost three years of age, she loves to swing and loves the creek on our property (as most kids would) and she is SO full of energy and life and chatters ALL of the time! What a blessing to see the things I envisioned and wrote about coming to pass!

Would you consider being adopted? I'm talking about the process of becoming a child of the King, whereby we are given the spirit of adoption. That is, Christ claiming us as His own and by that adoption we become sons and daughters of the most high God! I was adopted into God's family a number of years ago, and I can't begin to tell you what a joy and comfort it is to know that I belong to the Royal Family! And to top it all off.... I am given eternal life as a son and heir to God.

If you need a family to belong to, let me encourage you to contact me through this blog and I will lead you through the process of becoming a child of the King. There is always room for a new brother or sister!

What a summer!!

Wow!! They say time flies when your having fun. I just didn't know I was having THAT much fun!!
This has been an incredible summer so far. We had really HOT weather in June, and then really COOL weather in July, with several days not making it out of the 70's and quite a bit of rain for the month. August began HOT, but today we received a lot of rain (it's still raining) and once again the temp dropped into the 70's this afternoon. I have mowed grass until I'm sick of it! However, it has been a good year for pastures and hay. If this keeps up my cows will have graze til November!

What incredible things are happening in our country these days! It is amazing how quickly things go down hill when God turns His face away from man. And I believe He has done just that to America. When the president of America refuses to honor God by doing as presidents have done for many years in hosting a prayer breakfast on the National Day of Prayer, yet attends the gay and lesbian rally and praises lesbians and gays for their tenacity in seeking special privileges and rights, praises Muslims for their efforts to force the religion of Islam on the world and goes to Arab countries and declares that America is NO LONGER a Christian nation, but a conglomeration of Christians, atheists, muslims and agnostics, one can expect that Jehovah God, the ONLY true God, would be offended.

The one consolation for believers today, is that regardless of what man says or does, God is still in control of the final outcome and we have His promises that He will never leave us, but will go with us always, even to the end of the world.

The American people are being sold "a bill of goods" so to speak and many are buying it, lock-stock-and barrel. Even though many have seen the hand writing on the wall, their pride won't let them admit that they made a dumb choice in voting for Obama. They don't want to admit that they joined a mass vote for change, but paid no attention to the fact that JUST WHAT CHANGES were in store never were revealed! We as Americans now owe TRILLIONS of dollars in debt that we didn't owe at the end of the Bush administration. This is Obama's doing, not George Bushs'. Obama chose to ignore the "National Day of Prayer"! Obama seeks to bankrupt America. I believe it is his intention that there will not be another presidential election in America. Not three years and four months from now, NOT EVER! When do dictators come to power? When a country's' economy collapses!

It is indeed sad to watch America being systematically dismantled and brought down to third world status by the man who holds the highest office of the once greatest nation in the world!

Why do I say, the ONCE greatest nation? It's simple! A nation who elects as their leader a person who will not acknowledge God as being God, cannot expect a holy and righteous God to continue to heap blessings on them. America has only been the greatest nation on earth because of our Christian beliefs and our acknowledging God as the All Mighty, thus invoking His blessing on us and His power in our behalf. Now the leader of this nation thumbs his nose at God and that has had and will continue to have disastrous consequences for the nation. We are being told that everything is improving. That is a lie that will be borne out as man deals with the judgment of an All Mighty God, against whom, man cannot presume to fight! The wisdom of God in dealing with man, is greater than the wisdom of man in dealing with God!

Christians, get ready to suffer for the cause of Christ!!

We will be portrayed by the God haters of this world as the reason for the difficulties and strange happenings which I believe are about to befall America. Don't be caught sleeping or complacent and CERTAINLY don't be caught COMPLIANT with the world. Stand up and be numbered with the people of God!

As time passes I long more and more for my heavenly home. That house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens!

To every Christian who reads this blog, I encourage you to be strong and courageous in these last days. Hold fast to your salvation and don't be shaken by the forces of evil who are arrayed against us. Remember, our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, and powers and rulers of darkness in high places. Our weapons are not carnal, but are mighty through God and can pull down the strongholds of the enemy.

God bless each of you as you labor for the Master! May He cause you to be at peace and rest.

How Great Is Our God!!

I was privileged to take this photo of God's handiwork, in Rocky Mountain National Park.

WOW!! Over a month since my last blog! But with all the mowing lawns, working my garden, the photography studio business and, MOST IMPORTANTLY, watching Lovey play in the sprinkler or the pool, I've been a very busy guy. But in all this, I praise my Lord!!

I had no idea when I awoke Thursday morning at 6 a.m. that I would not sleep again until sometime in the early hours of this (Saturday) morning! It was REALLY strange!! I wasn't worried about anything. I wasn't fearful, upset, troubled or any of the things which might ordinarily keep me from sleeping! Nonetheless, I simply could not go to sleep. SO... I did OTHER things! Some just to pass time ( there's not much going on at my house throughout the night) and others to see if I could find a reason for not sleeping. ie: "soul searching"!

I won't bore you with the details, but sometime late Friday night, I just began to speak aloud the truths about God! I said, "God, You are the only true God. There is no other beside you! You are above all in all things! You are the redeemer. But more than that, You are MY redeemer! You are Jehovah Jireh, the provider, but more than that you are MY provider! You are the healer! But moreover You are MY healer! You are MY comfort! You are MY source!" And the list just continued to grow as I praised God for WHO HE IS to ME!!

I had been a little short of breath throughout the day Friday, which I attributed to being tired from not sleeping. However, in naming the attributes of God, I simply stated an obvious truth. I said, "God, You are my very BREATH! Without you I could not even breath in the air that you supply." Immediately as I spoke those words my breathing began to ease and once again I was totally AMAZED at the power of God and the spoken word!

The truths that I was speaking aloud, (there is a difference in knowing these things in our heart and speaking them aloud) are truths that we as believers all know. But, if you want these truths to be affirmed in your heart, I challenge you to just SPEAK THEM OUT LOUD!

You may have noticed as I talked about God being MY provider, MY healer, MY comfort, MY source........ I had spoken a truth BEFORE any of those things. That truth is, "God, You are the one true God!"

Now the question arose; Are You MY one true God? OUCH!! Do I ALWAYS put You first in EVERYTHING I SAY and DO? Do I EVER allow You to be crowded out by the cares of life?

Do I ALWAYS seek to GLORIFY YOU and not myself? Even when I praise You, am I seeking praise in return? When people look at me...... Do they see me, or do they see YOU!? Tough questions! But questions that must be answered nonetheless!

The Bible, God's Word, tells us in Colossians 1:18 (that JEWEL of wisdom between Philippians and First Thessalonians); "And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning; the firstborn from the dead: that in ALL things He might have the PRE-EMINENCE!"

The FIRST place, the place of HONOR, the position of AUTHORITY, the only OBJECT of PRAISE!!

I simply did what I knew to do! I asked God to forgive me for my failures in any and all areas, and asked Him to do what I cannot do; .......make my life His own. Paul said, "I live, nevertheless, not I, but Christ liveth in me. And the life that I NOW live in the FLESH, I live by faith of the Son of God."

Sometime after midnight, this a.m. sleep came and I slept soundly until waking at about 8:45, refreshed in both body and soul.

I am a simple person, and I am SO glad that God is willing to come down to my level, to teach me the things I need to learn. Such love...... I can't understand.

There is an old old song which I think sums it up as well as man can word it...... "Could we with ink, the oceans fill, and were the skies of parchment made. Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade. To write the love of God above, would drain the oceans dry! Nor could the scroll, contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky! Oh love of God. How rich and pure. How measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure; the saints and angels song!

I trust something I have shared has touched your heart and drawn you closer to God. If so, then I have accomplished something worthwhile, by sharing my experience and glorifying God.

If you don't know Christ as your personal Saviour, you can. Simply confess to Him that you are a sinner. Ask Him to forgive your sin. Believe on Him for salvation, and you shall be saved. Then share your decision to follow Christ with someone.

HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!!! That's a statement, NOT a question!!

CAREFUL!! It's Easy to Lose Your Balance!

Last Friday Lovey and Nana had gone down to Abbiland (a little park I built for my granddaughter) to spend sometime swinging, sliding, rock climbing etc.

Before long I found myself wandering in that direction. Oh, I had plenty to do, but I just felt drawn to where they were. I was pretty sure what would happen upon my arrival and sure enough the all important question was quickly voiced by Lovey. "Pa, can we go to the creek?" Well, it's only ten steps from Abbiland, so what could a grandpa say? So off we went to the creek to throw some rocks and gather some water in a bucket and countless other things that just could not wait til another day!

As the play progressed, Lovey became bolder and bolder as she ferried water back and forth from one side of the low water slab to the other. (You don't know what a low water slab is? It's just THAT, a slab that lets you cross the creek during low water times!) Anyway, I was continually cautioning her, "Careful!! It's easy to lose your balance!"

As you can see from the picture above, my warnings went pretty much unheeded and sure enough on one rambunctious trip to get another bucket of water, she pitched face first right out in the creek!

I had followed her back and forth, back and forth across the slab so I would be close when the inevitable happened. So, as she landed face first in the water I was already reaching to grab her. I hauled her, spitting, sputtering and wailing out of the water and held her close and assured her she was OK. She had a little abrasion on her hand and being the "Queen of Drama" she was going to make the most of it. SO, I had to kiss her hand and Nana had to kiss her hand and we had to stop and listen to how she had fell in that "ole wet water" and got hurt! It just so happened, I had given my camera to Nana a moment before and she had started taking pictures. Thus the picture above. So, off we went to the house for dry clothes and to play at something else for a while.

I then went about some things I had to do, and this is when things REALLY started to get INTERESTING!! I was involved in the mundane task of cutting some branches back away from the drive way. They had grown out to where they would scrape along the side of my truck when going in or out the driveway. You city folk probably won't quite understand this. Trust me, It's a country thing!!

Anyway, it doesn't take a great deal of concentration to actually accomplish the task, so my mind was pretty available at the time. So God chose to use the time to His advantage! Do you ever notice how we are sometimes too busy even to listen to our creator? He's the one who has walked the path before us, knows every pitfall, and we don't have time to listen to what He has to say! AMAZING!!

As I was thinking about Lovey's little accident, the Spirit of the Lord just spoke quietly to my heart and said; "Kind of reminds you of my oft repeated warning huh? Careful! It's easy to lose your balance!" That gentle but very forceful voice brought me up short! I thought about how often I got that; I Know What I'm Doing! attitude and God ended up following me around saying; Careful, It's easy to lose your balance! AND so that He would be there to pick me up when the inevitable happened and I finally lost my balance and fell flat on my face! I thought of how I always find something or someone to blame it on as I wail to God about how unfair life is! As Lovey said, 'That ole water got me wet!" Well of course it did! Water is WET!! AND, the muck we sometimes mix up and then fall into is ugly and yucky and unpleasant, to say the least!! Of course an attitude of "It won't happen to me" is a recipe for disaster! And when you are NOT careful, you WILL lose your balance.

This lesson was reinforced Sunday morning by our Sunday School lesson as we studied about how the leaders of Israel leaned to their own desires and lusts until finally they lost their balance and fell face first into the cesspool created by their own hand. Up until that moment they had maintained that nothing bad would come of their actions and even stated that surely God was with them. Well, I'm glad that God is indeed with us, for He is the only one who can rescue us from our "face down in the dirt" position.

But, just as I scooped my granddaughter up and held her close and reassured her that she was ok, so God has done for me many times after a fall. Sometimes my falls were only witnessed by me and God. Other times my failures were allowed to be viewed by others. Public failures are perhaps more difficult as our flaws are there for everyone to see. But the lessons learned from those failures are, perhaps, much more profound.

At any rate, for me, God used a simple action by an over eager child, that ended with a sputter and a wail, to teach me a life lesson that I should have learned long ago.

"CAREFUL! IT'S EASY TO LOSE YOUR BALANCE!!"

"The Wonders of Spaghetti"

Spaghetti and children go together like .... um ..... um .... uhh ..... hmmmm.... Oh well, never mind! It's interesting to say the least. For a two year old spaghetti is like ...... a new galaxy to an astronomer, an ancient dig to an archaeologist, a....... a...... a newly discovered, totally flat, dehydrated frog carcase to a house dog who has been let out for his morning stroll!! It's tantalizing! It's totally mesmerizing! It stretches the boundaries of the imagination!! I discovered this when we sat down to a dinner of spaghetti this evening.

Lovey began right away to experiment to see what all it could be used for. During the course of the meal, her spaghetti became ... whiskers, which kept her occupied for a while, worms, which kept her occupied for QUITE a while, string, to tie around the handle of her cup and numerous other items that were mentioned briefly. OH, it also became a sort of musical instrument so that when you hum and pull it up and down over your lips, it changes the sound a little. However, it doesn't last very long when used for this purpose. Of course during the experiments it became known that one could "slurp" a string of spaghetti ..... the longer the string, the better to "slurp"!

OK!! OK!! So I showed her how to do THAT!! I'm still a kid at heart and DON"T TRY TO TELL ME YOU NEVER SLURPED SPAGHETTI!!! It's like a rite of passage! And besides, I wanted her to know how to act when her mother takes her to The Olive Garden to eat out with friends!! Grandkids are SUCH fun!!

I looked at those sparkling brown eyes above those sauce streaked lips and cheeks and I thought ........"OH, YEAH!! This is what grandkids are for!!"

Now, what was it I heard kids could do with green beans.... ?

However, as with most things, the wonder of it all soon began to fade and as Nana attempted to wash her hands and face, (dread chore) THAT became the new game for the moment! As soon as that was accomplished, it was on to the musical floor mat to dance until she couldn't stand up!!

You know .... we adults could learn a lot from kids. For example, Experiment... you never know what an item can be used for. Let your imagination lead you! Create a game out of your most unpleasant chores. Don't dwell on one thing too long. Adults tend to wrestle a problem long after it has surrendered. And don't forget to sing and dance!! Sometimes during the day I will hear Lovey in another room just singing away! Sometimes it is a made up song about something that has caught her attention. Or it may be a verse or so from two or three songs that, in her mind and her world, go together just perfectly!! And it always brings a smile to my face when I walk in a room and see her caught up in some little dance that is just an outflow of her zest for and joy of life!

There is a song that says something like .... "I'm gonna sing, like nobody's listening, love, like I'll never get hurt. I'm gonna dance, dance, dance, like nobody's watching.......

So, "Go ahead! Let that song out!! Nobody's listening!! And if they are .... you might hear them take the harmony part! And go ahead. Take that twirl or do that little two step. Nobody's watching!! And if they are, you might just find you have a partner!

I guess what I'm trying to say is, "Life should be enjoyed.... like a good meal of spaghetti!!!

Blessings to you! And I double dog dare you to sing and dance!!

P.S. The associated picture of Lovey was taken at age 13 months. She is now 2 years, 7 months.

SPRING!!! Again?

Well, a week or so back the weather teased us a little and made us think spring was here. Then it turned cold on us. However, I know not to pay much attention to a warm day or two. For me, the real sign that spring has arrived is when the walnut trees put out leaves. The young ones are just now starting to leaf and the mature ones have yet to make a showing. But.... the gardening bug bit me and so I've started my garden in hopes that all the frost and freezes are behind us. I've got taters up, onions up, carrots up and corn, squash, green peas and some tomatos and sweet peppers planted. I love spring and I love gardening, though you would never know it by listening to me moan and groan at the end of a day spent plowing, planting or weeding! In a few weeks the squash will be maturing, and the tomatos and other stuff I like won't be far behind. Yum-yum. And when that "Gotta have it" sweet corn matures... OH YEAH!! I can't resist eating that first ear right there in the garden!

Here in our little valley we are about two weeks behind as far as things blooming out. It is just cold enough here to hold things back a little. Brenda's lilacs are just now blooming and my iris' are just now beginning to show buds. We get to see everyone else's flowers and then we get to enjoy our own! How cool is that?

Lovey enjoyed being outside today, even though it was a little windy. Ok, it was VERY windy! But that child loves the outdoors and she never slows down once she gets outside. What a joy it is to watch her romp and run and to hear that little voice calling, "Chase me, Pa!" She loves to play "tag" and she has learned to "trick" us, by bending over, looking at the ground and saying, "Oh look at this. Isn't it pretty?" Then when you come to see "it" she will jump up and touch you and shout, "Tag. You're it!" She seems never to tire of that game. She doesn't understand why Pa and Nana need to sit down and rest now and then. To her it seems such a waste of good play time! And besides, if she DOES get tired, Pa can always carry her or pull her in the wagon! Problem solved!!

I look at Lovey and I can't help but wonder what the world holds if the Lord should tarry much longer. I must be truthful... Sometimes a feeling of fear tries to worm it's way into my mind as I realize how much evil is in the world today and how vulnerable our little ones are. It is such a relief to know that God is in control of the life of those who invite Him to live within. With all the turmoil in the world today and such uncertainty as to what lies ahead, I am so glad to have the promise of my Lord, that He will never leave me nor forsake me, but will go with me to the end! The promises and the person of God are the only REAL certainties we have. We have no promise of life on this earth tomorrow. But that does not leave us destitute! For we DO have a promise of eternal life in Christ! If you have not availed yourself of that promise, won't you do so today? When you do, share your decision with someone!

Have a blessed day.

Where did the warm weather go?

BRRRRRRRRRRRR!! It's cold tonight!! Thank God for a warm house and a comfortable bed to sleep in. Nights like this I can't help but think about those less fortunate than myself. Do I have everything I want? NO!! But I certainly have everything I need! How blessed I am and all because of unmerited favor. GOD LOVES ME!! How awesome is that?!! He loves you too. I hope you know that.

My wife is back home after visiting her mom's family for a couple of days. Man, I miss her when she's gone!! I'm just glad she always comes back! :-) I always leave a few dishes sitting around, just so she'll feel right at home as SOON as she returns!! :-) Now isn't that just the sweetest gesture on my part?

Lovey was her usual charming self today! That child is SO sweet!! I am so blessed to be able to spend time with her every day! She is such a little "drama queen"!! I showed her some pictures today of the train we rode when on vacation in Colorado; the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge.
So she says in her most pitiful voice; "Pa, I NEED to go to RODORADO and ride the train!!" She is SUCH a DOLL!!

Well, I am getting very sleepy and I don't want to fight it, (har) so.... "Now I lay me down to sleep.....

Until next time,
May the God of all creation shower you with blessings.

OFF TO THE CIRCUS!!

Yesterday evening me, Lovey and Lovey's momma went to the circus. After chasing tickets all day, Lovey and I finally drove to Mt.Home and bought them at the Chamber of Commerce. Then it was back home for a quick nap before the great adventure! Lovey was SO excited and that got momma and Pa excited too!! We had front row seats and Lovey just couldn't be still. The music just got in her little body and she had to MOVE! So, it was dance and jump and twist and turn! What fun to watch her having such a great time. She loved the elephants and the puppy dogs. She didn't much care for the clowns. She didn't like it because they "hit" each other. She kept shouting at them; "NO.... STOP....DON'T!!" She wasn't too sure about the tigers when they came out of their cages. She asked momma; "They won't get me?" Momma assured her that she was safe. She got to ride an elephant with momma. That was SO cool. She made friends with a little girl she met there and it was so cute to watch them standing there holding hands and talking like oldtime friends. Of course Lovey NEVER meets a stranger, so wherever she goes she's going to have some friends before she leaves! What a fun time we had!!

Lovey is at the age where she is trying to assert herself and take charge. The other day she and I went to the pharmacy to pick up some meds. As we entered the store she said, "I can talk to these people." I didn't think much about it. However, when we walked up to the counter I guess things weren't moving fast enough to suit her. So... she stands up on her tiptoes and is just barely able to be seen by the cashier and she says very loudly, "Excuse me lady. Do you have some medicine for my Pa?" Of course everyone with in hearing just started laughing. She was the center of attention and that is just what she wanted!

Well, evening has come. The last rays of daylight have faded. Tomorrow is the Lord's day and I'm looking forward to being in His house. Tomorrow we mark his triumphant entry into Jerusalem as he prepares to offer himself as the Sacrificial Lamb for the sins of the world.

Do you know that he died for you? Oh yes, it's true! He knew that we could never pay the price for our own sins, because we were already tainted by a sin nature. So, he willingly became sin for us, that he might offer us eternal life! All we have to do is confess our sins, believe on him as the Son of God who God raised from the dead, we will be saved! Yes, it really IS that simple. Won't you ask him into your heart right now? He's waiting for you!

Have a great weekend!

Just the two of us

What a beautiful morning, this third day of April, 2009!! It was frosty in our valley this morning with the temp at 31 degrees. But the sun is shining bright and the temps are going UP!

Lovey and I will spend the day together, just the two of us. Nana has gone for a visit with her family and mom is at work, so it's just Lovey and me. We plan to be outside as much as possible! This evening we plan on going to the circus in Mt. Home! What FUN that should be! Lovey's FIRST circus!! Mom will be going with us!

Have a wonderful day and I encourage you to make time to talk with God today, and give Him praise. "

"Let every thing that has breath praise the Lord!"

Are you breathing? :-)

Frosty morning

The forecast called for a low of 35 in our area last night. When I awoke a 6:30 a.m. this morning it was 29 here in our little valley. FROSTY!! Good thing I covered up my wife's flowers last night!
But the sun is shining and gives a hint of a warmer day as the hours pass. Lovey has already asked me if we could go outside. I know she is tired of being stuck in the house all winter. SO AM I!!
I watched a little bit of fog rise from the creek as the sun began to make it's presence known. As usual, my mind turned to our Creator and how He has established all things in their own time. He even likened our life to that vapor that rises from the earth and within moments is passed away. I am so glad to know I have eternal life in Christ; another wonder of our Creator!

If today you experience loss, frustration, lonlieness, fear or uncertainty I encourage you to seek the safety and peace that is found only in Christ Jesus. Just ask him to help you. We are invited in his word (Ist Peter 5:7 ) to cast all our care on him, because he cares for us. What a comforting assurance!

Have a great day!! God bless.

Ahhh, spring!!

One of my favorite times of year! I love the transition from winter to spring and from summer to fall. Even though these times of year bring a restlessness to my spirit I am drawn into each of them by the magnificent changes taking place all around me. I love how each day of spring brings the change of color from winter's boring shades of brown. How seemingly each morning there is some new hint of bright color and even the activities of birds and animals herald the change of season. How those hardy roots that have lain dormant through winters cold seem to defy the chill at last and reach for the sun!! Those that seem to be among the frailest, the daffodils, crocuses and buttercups appear to be the most determined and sometimes become so impatient that they must endure a late snow or a frosty morning! I wonder what valuable lessons we of the "higher" nature could learn if only we could speak their language?

Even the turmoil in our country and the world seem somehow easier to face with the promise of new life bursting all around. My desire to start a garden and other "springy" things is tempered only by a look at the forecast that says there are cold nights yet to be endured and the possibility of frost to wreak havoc with my efforts. And so, I seek something with which to pass the days until the warmth has come to stay. I still need to keep the wood box replenished and make sure there is heat in the well house etc. But soon the tangy smell of wood smoke from our two woodburners will fade away and will not be known until my next favorite season, autumn, comes calling and speaks of winters sure return.

I look forward to times with my family in the great outdoors. Times of watching my granddaughter discover new things as they seemingly appear like magic. A butterfly, a frog by the creek, a caterpillar on a leaf, a baby bird's first attempt at flight. "Lovey", my granddaughter is so alive, so full of wonder and so inquisitive at the age of two and a half years! Her imagination is boundless and she sees things in such a delightful fashion. One day I am a puppy dog to her and she pats my face and says "You're a good doggy!!" The next day I am transformed into "Bob" the tomato of Veggietail fame and she is "Larry the cucumber"!! Oh how I waited for and longed for these times. "Thank you God, for the blessings you so richly pour into my life day by day!" You and you alone know my needs and how to provide them.
In a later post I will speak more of this wonderful child and how God brought her into my life!! It's an amazing story of God's love, power, sense of timing, and control; over circumstances!!

So to end my first post, let me say "Thanks for visiting. Come again. Read, enjoy, comment and walk a trail of life with me now and then. I can promise that, in a more literal sense, there will be someone else walking that trail with us. One who already knows the way!! God bless!"