Living Purposely Or Simply Marking Time

You'all know what "purposely" means. "Marking time" means to wait idly, to pull over on the shoulder, put your flashers on, and watch the rest of folks journey by with their lives. Occasionally troubles require us to pull over. Thanks for the picture Emily.

2025 was a journey neither Jan nor myself expected. After both being diagnosed with health issues we were temporarily sidelined. After excellent advice from surgeons, we were put back on the road to either recovery or waiting. 

Being sidelined often makes one think about if we have been, and will continue to, live purposely. One of our many purposes is to intentionally relate stories to our grandchildren of God's faithfulness. "We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generations about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about His power, and His mighty wonders". Psalm 78:4

I've been reminded in 2025 that work and worship go hand in hand. It's how God designed it in the Garden of Eden before man was disobedient. I've also been reminded that love and laughter are good medicine. "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength". Proverbs 17:22 This verse not only applies to receiving this good medicine, but also prescribing and giving it.

"God give us men! A time like this demands strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands". Josiah Holland gave this advice 150 years ago. If our generation doesn't pass these character traits along to the next generations, who will? Thanks for the picture Kurt.

On Christmas afternoon Jan and I drove to Ottumwa to watch the movie "David". As a young man, David lived purposely even though advice and troubles encouraged him to sit on the sidelines.

This past Tuesday evening at our family's Christmas supper, Rosie is perfectly content sitting in the middle of the men's table. Sometimes discontentment can ensnare us. "Man is caught by what he chases". Mr. Chapman wrote this line in 1595. Desire can heal or sicken, depending on what we chase.

There are many excuses to "simply mark time" and watch life drive on by. How about you? Let's fill our miles with purpose in 2026. As we're traveling next year, let's not "Fear the things we think, rather than the things that are". Below Jan and I are blessed with our grandkids behind us, and our great-grandkids on our laps. Happy New Year.

The Joy Candle

I remember one year Bev talking about the Joy candle not wanting to light during an Advent service. On that first Christmas I wonder about all the struggles the teenage couple, Mary and Joseph, experienced, before, during, and after the birth of the Son of God. Today, we also tend to remember the Christmas seasons when the Joy candle didn't want to light.

Decades ago when I was in 5th grade, living on the Ponderosa near Union Mills, I remember our parents telling us kids there would be no presents for Christmas. There were only enough resources for food and heat. On Christmas Eve 36 years ago we came home to a large barn fire. 33 years ago my mother-in-law died after surgery a week before Christmas. In 2020 my father died a month before Christmas. This past week I attended a funeral visitation of a family's beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. 

Last Sunday after church, Jan and I were invited to join BJ and Cassia's family for lunch. We prayed together for Natalie who had back surgery this past Wednesday morning.

Last Monday during lunch time a number of Becks Seed dealers met to discuss products, programs, and progress in helping farmers prepare for next year.

Last Tuesday we invited a cabin full of friends to meet Adam, a friend who is running for governor of Iowa.

Last Wednesday morning Natalie had back surgery in a small hospital in the Appalachian Mountains near Chattanooga, TN. Dr Scott is the same doctor that fixed up Natalie's Dad, BJ, 7 years ago. Thanks for the picture.

Last Wednesday evening Karl and Kristin rented the New Sharon movie theater, invited customers and friends, furnished pop and popcorn, and watched a movie documentary on the history, the growth, and the culture of the Becks family. Thanks for the picture.

Last Thursday evening our family got together in the meeting room at Georges Pizza. Our kids, grandkids, and great-grand kids celebrated Jan's birthday together.

Last Friday evening my brothers (Doug and Bill) and sisters (Donna and Beth), and their families, got together at the cabin for appetizers and soups to celebrate Christmas.

Without the gift of our new born Savior we're celebrating this week, we would live without hope, without light, and without true joy. Our hope comes from accepting the gift we celebrate. Our light comes from the reflection of Christ living in us. And our joy comes from gratitude and contentment. So carry your candle, run to the darkness, seek out the tired, worn, and lonely, and go light your world. Merry Christmas friends.

Daring Differently

Taking risk is part of farming. It's part of relationships. It's part of life. Daring differently takes courage. Not haphazardly. Not unnecessarily. But intentionally. Winter work days around here start in the shop office, with family, help, and occasional guests. It's visiting, planning, joking, and of course, black coffee.

We've had our share of winter already in southern Iowa. Mostly on weekends. There hasn't been much frost in the ground yet. However it's -20 windchill here on an early Sunday morning.

Dare to build. Kurt and Dean built a snow pusher earlier this week. No blueprints. Nothing to copy. Just a need and an idea. They started with a skidloader faceplate, some 1/4 inch 2 x 4 tubing, and an old tractor track.

This pusher is 13 feet wide and can hold a truckload of snow. We've cleared snow around here two or three times this past week. Thanks guys.

Dare to invest. Cattle numbers in our country are at 65 year lows. Cowboys are getting older. Good fences are hard to find. However we all still enjoy our hamburgers and even an occasional steak. According to Gideon and Emily's meat market, demand is as strong as ever.

Dare to rest. We were created for a weekly day of rest. For many of us that also includes worship. During the week it can also include fun jobs we never have time for, like moving black dirt back where it belongs. It's winter time in Iowa. Christmas is next week. Planting season 2026 is just 16 weeks away.

Dare to work. Over the years I've occasionally been criticized for making things happen. This statement needs to be immediately followed by acknowledging I'm nothing without God's purpose and blessing. However we were created to be productive. The Bible say's to be fruitful and multiply. That charge is more than just having kids. Also Faith, Family, and Friends come ahead of Farming. That being said, watching kids and grandkids help others this past week, I'm not sure I would have changed much. Thanks for the picture BJ.

Dare to lead. Leadership isn't a title. Neither is it assumed. It's earned. Kiddos, dare to be a leader behind the scenes. With your convictions, your goals, your values, and your God-given abilities. These are siblings and cousins at last evening's Christmas banquet at PCHS. Thanks for the picture.

Finally, Dare to trust and obey. This summer after coming on her 4 wheeler to fish, BJ and Cassia's 8th grader, Natalie, came in the office and wrote all these little notes of encouragement. This morning I'm sending them back to her. She, along with her parents, leave this evening after our candlelight service for Tennessee for back surgery. If you remember, join me in keeping our granddaughter in your prayers.

Attitudes And Actions

Welcome to December in southern Iowa. Last evening we had our 3rd measurable snowfall in the last 10 days. Deciding to embrace winter and the actions and responsibilities it requires on the outside, like scooping sidewalks, pushing driveways, and keeping livestock dry and comfortable, starts with an attitude on the inside, like looking forward to family and friends during the holidays, Christmas carols, treats, giving, and spending more time inside next to the woodstove reading.

Thanks for the picture Emily. When the days get short and ruts (or snow drifts) get in the way, I find helping someone else or an act of kindness fulfills a purpose. Jackson and Jayden are working to push brother Lane out of some deep snow. I'm wondering if they are pushing the right direction. 😊

BJ and Cassia went to northeast Iowa along the Mississippi River Thursday to haul a tractor home for a friend. Online auctions are the new normal these days.  Thanks for the picture.

Jan and I went to Indianapolis early this week and attended Christmas Extravaganza with Becks. The agenda centered around attitudes and actions, new horizons with artificial intelligence, and being a friend and helping others during a tough ag economy.

I also find my attitude is better if I start the day with a conversation with God. A conversation includes listening. We hear from God in scripture, in those little nudges, and taking quiet time to think. Since I'm an early riser the conference room was a quiet place to start. Then coffee. Then visits with old and new friends.

After leaving Indiana Wednesday morning we drove across central Illinois on 2-lane highways, through small rural towns, to Havana, IL.

We found what we were looking for, a quilt shop. We also enjoyed observing the farmsteads we drove by. Some very neat. Some not so much.

On Friday morning we drove to the Dordt University campus in Sioux Center. This stained glass light fixture was designed and built by our son-in-law's (Brian) parents about 20 years ago. Nope, we don't have any grandkids at Dordt this year.

The Church Ambassador Network, sponsored by The Family Leader, and led by Greg, are doing a Breaking Bondage Tour. It's purpose is to show the effectiveness of churches, pastors, and believers engaging in the civil arena and in our culture. Especially involving helping the DHS with pre-foster care, mentoring, discipling, and involving others in our church programs. Five years ago Iowa's foster care was at 8000 kids. Today it's 3700, thanks to the actions of relatives and churches who care.

Whether we want to admit it or not, we did not get to where we are at by ourselves. I'm not sure what the turtle in the picture is doing on a fence post, but I'll guarantee you it had help. When we remember back to the folks that impacted us, we start to connect the dots. Then we ask ourselves, how can we with the right attitude, be a dot, act, and help others? Thanks for the picture.

Yes, it's December. It's also Christmas time. "And when I think that God, His son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in. That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing. He bled and died to take away my sin. Then sings my soul, my Savior, God to thee. How great thou art".

Then after health issues this past summer, my attitude is: "When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation. And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart. Then I shall bow, in humble adoration, and then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art". Yes, How Great Thou Art is a Christmas song. Blessings this season friends.

Go Dog Go

Our past week was full of actions and interactions as I'm sure yours was as well. It started with grandkids, hosting a governor candidate, hauling grain, tiling, dozing, and hospital visits. It ended with getting ready for a Thanksgiving snow storm and looking forward to our final goal of the week, a family Thanksgiving get-together. Tatum is comfortable on Grandma's lap reading Go Dog Go. Grandma can make the story come alive.

Go Dog Go is a 1961 children's book that describes the actions and interactions of a group of dogs. They work, play, travel in cars, go up, go down, try to gain approval of a hat, and look forward to a final goal, a dog get-together in a tree. Our family's book must must be at least 40 yrs old. Anyone else remember reading kids and grandkids this book?

Our corn merchant texted Friday asking if there was a way we could deliver corn ahead of the coming bad weather. Kasey and I were able to get in 10 loads.

Thanks for the picture John. The tiling crew was working on pattern tiling a Skunk River bottom. BJ spent two early mornings designing the job on his laptop in the office. Making sure the tile drains downhill on flat land has been made possible thanks to technology and satellites.

BJ and Mike both put in long hours trying to stay ahead of winter. Mike was cleaning a 3/4 mile dike on a different Skunk River bottom. Technology helps with both steering and grade at night. Thanks for the picture Mike.

Mom spent a couple of nights in the hospital this past week. In her day she quietly and willingly prepared and hosted more family and holiday get-togethers than most remember. And often times with her own 6 children including Dan, a special needs, a house full of foster kids, and aging parents and aunts living in her home. She has dementia so she can't remember a conversation more than two minutes. She can however remember the "old days". When I was little our family moved 6 times in 12 years. Mom took it all in stride, making the most of the moment.

Both my parents were first generation kids born in America. We were raised in a conservative home and church, even hearing an occasional Dutch conversation with a roomful of cigar smoke. However there was something in our family that didn't quite seem to fit our upbringing. Our homes were always full of music, even southern gospel music, when we were just going from singing Psalms to hymns at church. So a week ago I asked Mom about how this came to be. She actually thought awhile and then said, "I think it was at family get-togethers at the Amsterdam School house". I realize she is forgetful. But that's her story and I'm sticking to it. 😊

Yep, we got our first winter storm Saturday. Several inches of very wet snow.

With a large family it's about impossible to get everyone together on an actual holiday. However most made it. Four generations enjoyed turkey, hamballs, beef brisket, and all the appetizers, potatoes, vegetables, salads, rolls, and desserts that go with a Thanksgiving meal. Thanks Jan and gals.

 After dinner we looked over some of the kids' old guns. The guys set up the annual Annie-Oakley clay shooting match. We had a large fire so folks could warm up.

In Matthew 19 Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them. For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children". Jesus was reaching out to a segment of society that was thought to be insignificant. Especially this past year, children, in their weakness and vulnerability have a lot to teach me about trust. I see a significant amount of callous hearts in the hardness of our current culture. Thanks for the picture.

Our identity as a child of God means that we are in His hands and His care. And fully trust in His plan for our lives. Just like Tatum fully trusts Grandma to guide him when she babysits, and read to him Go Dog Go. Sorry for the longer visit this morning. Blessings.