Life Blogs Archives - Page 12 of 21 - GraceAndWorks

What’s it about? Murder, sex, violence, wars, storm stories, documentary, medical, drama, love, etc.etc. Some of these will last from 12-24 shows and that is just one season. That means you have spent up to 24 hours of your life just watching TV for that one series. Now you’re hooked and can’t wait for the next season and even more the next series. REALLY???? That’s how you want to spend your time? What’s the point? What have you gained? Knowledge that is absolutely worthless about something that has done nothing except take up your valuable time.

How about picking up a good book for reading enjoyment. I know of a book that is full of good stories from wars to romance. There are stories about storms, murder, comedy, violence, drama, love, documentary, or just about anything else you can think of. There are stories about a man who led people out of captivity, a man who built a big boat so he could save the animals and the people who decided to get aboard, how leaders are to be treated, a luxurious home, and about travels. There are tributes to men who were teachers, men who knew how to save the world from tragedy, and women who loved their families. There are multiple stories about the Man that created everything we have and see and the Son He sent to earth to seek and save the lost. Just in case you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m talking about the BIBLE!!

The Bible tells us how, why, when to be baptized and how to live so we can inherit the beautiful home that is talked about. It shows us how to love and not hate those we associate with, whether it be family, friends, co-workers or fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. It tells us we can make choices in life and also reveals what will happen for both good and bad choices.

The Bible is full of good stories that will not only make you a better person, but will show you the path to an eternal life with God. Soooo stop wasting precious hours binge watching TV shows and open the Bible and binge on the stories it provides.

Have a good week all!! SMILE God loves YOU.

I remember sitting at a truck stop one time when we were on vacation and marveling at all the different loads. There were flatbeds, trailers with cars on them, big boxes on the trailers, lumber on some, steel on others, one with a big front end loader, couple others with farm tractors, and one that stood out had a refrigeration unit on the trailer. The reason that one stood out was because the tractor was a brilliant midnight blue color (Beautiful) with bright shiny chrome wheels, both on the tractor and the trailer. You could tell the owner had a lot of pride in this 18 wheeler and took good care of it. I had an idea he was hauling some kind of perishable goods and would end up on shelves somewhere. I watched as he climbed up into the drivers seat and got ready to roll. As he pulled out of his parking place, he looked in every direction to make sure nothing was coming and he was clear to go. He pulled onto the interstate highway and put the hammer down. Smoke bellowing out of the stacks and that big, beautiful midnight blue truck was soon out of sight. As we left, I remember thinking how all these trucks were carrying good stuff that someone needed. YAY to all the truckers that keep America turning.

Then after getting home, I remember sitting in my living room watching the garbage truck and the workers picking up all the garbage that we and the neighbors had put curb side. Unlike the Semis I saw carrying good stuff that someone wanted, these guys were carrying off all the stuff no one wanted or needed. What a difference in the usage of trucks.

I got to thinking about all the garbage we have in life. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just baggage it up, put it curb side and let the garbage truck pick it up and haul it away. Good riddance to all the stuff I don’t want and can’t use!! Then it came to me that I do have a way to get rid of all life’s garbage and not have to worry about it any more. GIVE it to GOD!! He’ll take it off your hands, do away with it and will also help get the good stuff back in life. Then I can be like the Semis, carrying a good load that I want and can be useful to me. YAY God!!

Have a good week all. SMILE God loves YOU!!

I’m writing this for those who have never experienced farm life and have no idea what happens. Also for those of us with memories, or living the life now. The skies are clear and the air is fresh and pure. No haze or smog. The sun shines bright during the day and the sky opens up wide at night with wonderful views of the moon and stars. You can see as far as your eyes will let you.

Life is not easy as a farmed/rancher, but is very rewarding. On our farm, we had 125 head of cattle that calved in the spring, 1280 acres of pasture, approximately 1300 acres of wheat, alfalfa, cane, prairie hay, oats, barley, and rye crops. We drove the tractors through the fields pulling equipment tilling the ground for new crops. We had haying equipment (Swathers, mowers, hay rakes, and balers) to put up the feed grain crops so we would have feed for the cattle in the winter time. There is nothing as succulent as the smell of fresh mowed hay or freshly tilled soil. The picture of combines coming through the land as they separate the grain from the stocks and the grain being augured into trucks to be taken to the elevator or bins for storage , is a picture of success, pleasure, pride, and satisfaction. We put up approximately 10,000 bales each summer from the alfalfa, cane, and prairie hay for the cattle feed. We also would bale wheat straw for bedding, so when winter came the cattle would have dry places to lay.

Our food was the best there is. We raised our own beef, pork, and chickens. We had farm fresh eggs, milk, cream, and vegetables from the garden. Mom would store vegetables and fruit in mason jars so we would have them in the winter time. Bing cherries were to kill for–so delicious.

Storms would come up as the sky would fill with huge bellowing clouds in the western sky line. In the summer time, that would mean thunder storms filled with moisture for the crops. A welcome to all unless there were hail stones in the clouds which would reek havoc on the crops. In the winter time those clouds would bring snow storms. If there was wind in the clouds with heavy snow, well, you can imagine the drifts and problems on the farm, especially when we had to keep the cattle fed. Getting tractors started and hauling hay to the cattle could almost become impossible, but somehow we always managed to get the job done. Life on the farm–rewarding, yes–hard work, yes, but what a satisfying way of life and when the skies clear everything is back to normal.

As I thought about this, I realized my walk as a Christian parallels in many ways. The work is hard (God never said it was going to be easy), the walk is as clear as the skies, it’s rewarding, and very satisfying.  There will be storms that reek havoc, but won’t last long and after they pass, all will be back to normal. God will see you through those storms, if you let Him

Have a good week all!!

Thursday I had an appointment with the skin cancer Doctor. I arrived at my appointment about 20 minutes early. Got checked in and was just sitting, waiting for the Nurse to call me back to see the Doctor. This wasn’t my first rodeo, so I kind of knew what was going to happen. As I was sitting there, I got to thinking about how cancer is like sin, if you don’t address it and get it taken care of, it can create major problems. I thought to myself, how nice it would be if one could take a sharp knife and just cut the sin away just as the Doctor would do with my cancer. Then it came to me that with God and His living word, I don’t need needles or knives, all I need to do is talk to God and ask for His help. After all, He is the Great Physician and can solve any problem. Thankful for no knives or needles.

The Nurse called my name and took me back to my room and soon the Doctor came in. He looked at the spots and said, “This one we can freeze off.” YAY!! I thought. That’s easy enough. Then he looked at the second  one and said, “This one can be scraped and frozen.” YAY!! I thought. That’s easy enough. No knives or needles. Then he looked at the third one and said, “This one needs to be cut out for biopsy and sent off.” Oh, no!! Knives and needles, I thought. This isn’t going to be good. He leaves and here comes the Nurse with a HUGE needle (Not really, but it’s the thought that counts). I don’t know if you all have ever had a needle poked in your forehead, but it hurts like crazy. 4 shots later all was numbed up and in came the Doctor to use his knife on me. I was laying there still thinking about sin and cancer and I thought about Jesus, how he died for my sins and the horrible death He had gone through for me. He carried a crown of thorns on His head. Now I just had the “BIG” needle and the shots, so I knew how that felt. I can’t imagine how a whole crown of needles digging into my head would feel like, but it has to unbearable. Here I am complaining and Jesus has no complaints to offer. Thoughts like these really puts things in prospective.

Have a good week all!!

Find a safe place in times of trouble. Hail storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and life itself all have times we find ourselves looking to find shelter. I remember one time when my uncle was on the golf course and a hail storm came up quick. He found a culvert to take refuge in. The problem being was that he was a big man and couldn’t fit all the way in. He did get his head and upper body covered but his backside was exposed and got pretty badly bruised. The Midwest has storm shelters underground to shelter them from tornadoes. Those who live in the gulf coast states sometimes have to evacuate to higher ground for refuge from a hurricane. All different, shelters in times of storm, yet they all serve the  purpose of protection.

We have trials, tribulations, and storms in our daily lives that we take refuge from. These can range from a falling out with friends or family, job loss, loss of a loved one or friend, loss of a home with fire, flooding, or some type of storm, depression, fears, illness, and the list goes on endlessly. How do we cope with these situations? Where do we find refuge? Many will rely on friends or family to help them get through. Some will crawl into a hole and try to deal with them by themselves, many times causing even more problems. Want a better solution? Try taking refuge with God!!

Our belief and obedience to God can be satisfying and very gratifying. The Bible speaks in several places about God putting a hedge around us for protection. Paul’s letters speak about handing our troubles, sorrows, anxieties, and struggles of to God and let Him help us work things out. In God, we always have a “Friend In Need” to find shelter with in times of storm. Take refuge in your storms of life with God. He WILL get you through!! Friends and family may be there for you, but sometimes they just don’t have the answers or solutions. Just like my uncle in the culvert, friends and family can help a part of you but may not be the refuge you seek for a complete shelter from the storm.

Have a good week all.

I hear a lot of people say that they believe in God. That’s OK. However that only makes them a believer. I want to take a look at what being a Christian entails. The first thing is realizing what Christian means. Very simply it means to be Christ like. So what do we need to do to be Christ like? Here is some of what the Bible says.

A) Christ set the example to be baptized. John 3:15-17

B) We need to follow that example and be baptized. Acts 2:38

C) We need to be obedient. Acts 5:29

D) Jesus says that we need to be obedient and He will prepare for us a place. That place is called Heaven. John 14:1-4

E) Obedience to attend Worship services on the First day of the week. Don’t forsake the assembly of the Saints. Hebrews 10:24-26

F) We need to walk as Christ walked. Living a life of righteousness. 2nd Corinthians 5:21)

G) We need to have tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing one another and forgiving one another. Colossians 3:12-13

H) We need to have Faith. Hebrews 11:1

I) We need to have Hope. Colossians 1:27

J) We need to have the proper Love. 1st John 4:7-8

These a just a few examples of what being a Christian means. It is MUCH more that just being a believer in God. Being a believer is the beginning of being a Christian. 2nd Timothy 2:14-15. Be diligent and study to show yourself approved. Through study we will find the path to righteousness and salvation. Without the understanding of God’s word, we will find ourselves lost without hope.

Let the study now begin!! Have a good week all.

Yellow caution tape is used at almost every Police, FBI, and Fire investigation. It warns us that we should not enter because it is a crime scene or that it is not safe. Sometimes the tape is across a door, around a building, or blocking off a street. The point being, no matter how big the crime scene is, authorities can and will use the tape to protect their scene and to protect us.

So, as I was thinking about this, I got the idea that it sure would be nice if we had some of that yellow caution tape to use when we have areas in our life that we shouldn’t enter. Areas that may be harmful or areas that might lead us off in the wrong direction. Just take some yellow caution tape and tape that area off so you know not to enter. Boy, would that ever make things simpler. See the tape and just avoid that area. It could be used as a protection for our life and keep us out of trouble. No greed in our life–that would be taped off. No lust of the eye in our life–that would be taped off. No pride in our life–that would be taped off. Life would be better and this would be a much better world to live in.

Now with all that being said, if we are a part of God’s Kingdom, we have a hedge around us for protection. In Job the 1st chapter, Satan makes reference to Job having a hedge around him put there by God for protection from evil. God tells Satan that Job is a blameless and upright man who fears God and shuns evil. The hedge concept for protection is used in many places throughout the scriptures. If we are obedient to God, blameless and shun evil as Job did, God will put a hedge around us and protect us from evil just as He did Job.

No need for the “Yellow Caution Tape”–Just be obedient to God and let the “Hedge” protect you.

Have a good week all.

Entertainment comes with many different levels. Movies, musical shows, bowling, skiing, skating, playing games with friends and family, golfing, and the list goes on. Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday have become “Party” time. I hear things such as let’s have a Sunday “Fun-Day”, where’s everyone partying, and “I” want to……..It’s become a way of life for many to just do their own “Thing” and have fun.

We have no regard to what God wants us to do. We can’t seem to make time for ourselves to attend Worship services on Sunday. Sunday “Fun-Day” should be having the enjoyment of family time and God time, not “Where’s the party?” The writer of the book of Hebrews tells us to not forsake the assembly of the saints. We should want to attend Worship. You want a Sunday “Fun-Day”? Go to Worship with family and friends, sing to your heart’s content, pray to God and thank Him for the blessings that you have in your life, Commune with Him to show your respect and thanks for Jesus giving His life for you and me, and you can also hear a lesson from His written word so that you may become a better person. Worship services are not for entertainment as one thinks of entertainment. They are to Praise God with all our heart, soul, and mind. We don’t need instruments and choirs because we all sing in unison with our hearts and voices.

Next time Sunday rolls around, attend Worship services and create a God “Fun-Day”. Create a good habit instead of relying on the bad habits that the world has. SMILE God loves YOU!!

Have a good week all.

When driving down the road, how easy it is to lose concentration. You see something off to the side of the road and glance over for a look. Conversation can be distracting to the driver. Talking of the phone or texting. Listening to the radio can take your attention away from driving. There are all kinds of things that will cause us to lose focus and some times it will cause accidents.

I watch a lot of sports. I see teams get a big lead and think they have the game won only to lose concentration and end up in a close game and even losing. In football, teams will employ what they call “Prevent Defense” only to see a lead evaporate, trying to run out the clock and win the game. I call this a “Prevent to win Defense” because there are times when the team loses focus and ends up losing the game. Individual sports like golf, tennis, and track and field require extreme focus. You hear athletes say “my head just wasn’t in the game today.” What that simply means is they couldn’t gather the concentration or focus to make good things happen.

Life is full of distractions. We lose jobs, friends and family members pass on, health issues, bad attitudes, not knowing what is going to happen, worry, stress, procrastination, bull headedness, and the list goes on. However, things are going to happen to cause us to lose our focus on the job at hand and we must be able to adapt and overcome. Not easy at times, but can be done with the concentration, attitude and focus.

Christian lives are also suspect to losing focus. We get tired, grow apathetic, and lose interest. We become comfortable and lose focus on the goal. All of this persuades us to slow down, back off, drop out, and give up all because we lost focus.We don’t like quitters, we hate ourselves for giving up, and the very word SURRENDER leaves a bad taste in our mouths. Even when things are bleakest we need to persevere, hang on, not giving up, and never cry “Uncle”. We have sayings we use, such as “Keep on keeping on”, “Never say die”, “Tie a knot and hold on”, and “It’s not over ’til it’s over”. Catching sayings, but they won’t work unless we can stay focused.

In 2nd Timothy chapter 2, Paul gives us good examples on how to remain focused. He tells us to be as single minded as a soldier, be as disciplined as an athlete, and be as hard working as a farmer. Most of can relate to one or all of these. We need to be patient under hardship, abstain from wicked ways, and be a pursuer of a good and pure heart. If we can do these things, we will remain focused on the goal. That goal being Heaven.

SMILE God loves YOU!! Have a good week all.