For Such A Time

A long time ago a couple of young folks immigrated from Holland to America. They settled in southern Illinois and northern Indiana. Bill and Christine married, moved to Iowa, and raised 10 children (2nd generation). All 10 children married, stayed in Iowa, and had around 40 offspring (3rd generation). I'm the little guy standing in the left front corner of the picture.

In 1957 my grandparents built this home which is just south of the current Oskaloosa Elementary School on the old apple farm. Those 3rd generationers are my siblings and cousins. Most of them married and had around 100 kids (4th generation). Obviously my grandparents are gone. The only 2 wives left from those 10 married children are my mother (Harry) and my Aunt Marilyn (Cornie).

Most of those 100 4th generationers married, (our children included), are raising families (5th generation), have businesses, and are now considered middle-age. A few 5th generation (some of our grandchildren included) are now adults, have their own businesses or helping their parents, and are starting to have children (6th generation).

Earlier this past week was snowless in southern Iowa. Doing dirt work in January is a gift around here. BJ (4th generation), Alex, Kasey, and John (5th generation) pattern tiled on Karl's (4th generation) home farm. Mike (4th generation) leveled dirt where Ethan and Elijah (5th generation) had excavated out a drainage ditch.

Gideon and Emily (5th generation), at their locker (Sully Meat Market), are back in the groove after a busy holiday season. Little Oakley (6th generation) and her unborn sibling, due next month, come to work with their parents often.

We were created to live a bigger life than ourselves. We are also expected to bear fruit. However those things are impossible without the help and grace of our Heavenly Father. Growing fruit takes time. I've often been pruned. Pruning is an act of love, and doesn't mean God is displeased. Outward fruit comes from an inward life.

Christian living is not trying harder. It's abiding, remaining, and staying close to Christ. How about you? For such a time as this, you also are on earth with a heritage and for a purpose. Are you living a bigger life than just yourself? How much time do we have left on earth? How do we want to be remembered?

55 years ago cousin Al and I stood together in front of Calvary CRC Church in Pella, answered the profession of faith questions, and told the church and community we intended to live a life bigger than ourselves. Those profession of faith questions promised us God would never leave us. On New Years Day, 2026, I went and visited cousin Al in the hospital for the last time. We reminded each other of those promises.

Cousin Al lost his battle to cancer on earth. However because of his accepting Christ's gift of salvation, he is now in heaven with his grandparents, his parents, and his older brother. I'm going to remember to keep his wife Joyce, his kids, Matt and Megan and their families, and his sisters Linda, Sheryl, and Valarie in my prayers for awhile. 

I might be wrong, but I'm thinking Al was #13 of our 3rd generation tribe who have went on to eternity. "I will recall all you have done, O Lord; yes, I will remember your wonderful deeds of long ago". Psalm 77:11. Help me Lord to have unity over accuracy, and to see opportunities rather than outcomes, for such a time as this. The picture below is the church service we attended in Grand Cayman last week.

The Gift, The Giver, The Glory

Remember as a child when you were prompted to say thank you and acknowledge the giver when you were given a gift? Actually, it was a good practice to learn, and a great habit to develop. Sadly, expressing gratitude today is not as popular as it used to be.

                             

This past week Jan and I enjoyed a week in the Cayman Islands. The trip was a gift from Becks as a thank you for using their seed on our acres.

The 21 condo apartments known as the London House are filled with farmers from all over the Midwest. There is great comradery and conversation from morning coffee, to sitting on the beach, to hanging out in the ocean. 

Evening are often filled with eating out with new friends, watching a televised game together, playing cards, or reading a good book.

Every year around this time I retell the story of the spice isle. For those of our blog family who are experiencing back issues and could possibly need a solution. In 2017 Jan and I stopped at Fosters Grocery in Cayman. In the spice isle we met a fellow named David from Tennessee. He was on the island for his wife's back disc replacement surgery.

Our son BJ was back home with a ruptured disc in his lower back. When Jan and I returned to our rental car we discussed if we should email BJ and Cassia. This surgery was done by surgeons from the states, but had to be performed out of country because the new procedure was not yet approved in America. The next month BJ and Cassia came for a week's stay in Cayman, had the ruptured disc replaced, and are still farming today because of this divine intervention. Thank you David for the info. Thank you Becks for us being on the island. Thank you Dr. Scott and team for doing the surgery. And most of all thank you Lord for this gift. Today this surgery is done in the states. Google 3Spine if interested. The 3 founders driving force behind the company comes from the principle of "giving back, helping others, and caring for friends". Our family just reconnected two weeks ago when they did back surgery on Natalie's (our 8th grade granddaughter) back.

From obstacles to opportunities, from self doubt to anticipation, from fear to freedom, what we are devoted to, becomes the kind of people we are.

Everything we are and have is a gift from the Giver above. And He wants us to use our gifts for His glory and others good. "God has given each of you gifts. Use them well to serve one another". 1 Peter 4:10

What Makes A Good Story

What makes a book interesting? What makes a good story? In my opinion a good book, either audio or print, is when developing an affection and interest in the characters is more important than what happens in the plot. And after a number of chapters, getting to know the authors heart.

Because of end of the year vacation, on Monday Jan had a house full of grandkids. When I stopped at the house, I suggested Allison, Sydnie, and Brynn take down the old chrome tinsel Christmas tree since they arrived early. Of course Tatum was convinced he could be of some help.

On New Years Eve morning we decided to clean up the tool room. John, Alex, Kasey, and BJ are busy organizing, sorting, tossing, and finishing projects. I so appreciate our hard working team. And my goal as a "Monday morning job" coach is to guide rather than rule. And direct rather than demand.

I'm often concerned on these Sunday mornings, you all read about the same plot, the same story year after year. Human nature has a tendency to repeat itself. My goal is that you become familiar with the characters to the point you feel a kinship to our family. And that from week to week, good or bad, you get to know the author's heart. Thanks for the picture Emily, of Kurt and Jackson repairing a gate hinge.

On New Years Eve evening we were invited to Jake and Lisi's home. This young couple was just married in late October. Jake farms and works at Musco Lighting. What a privilege to hang out with this bunch. However Jan and I were home long before ringing in the new year.

Congratulations to Kristin's cousin, Kara, and her husband Jacob, who were married last evening. Karl and Kristin's daughters were small attendants in the wedding in Sully. They got to play with sparklers before heading home. Mike and Suzanne babysat the boys, Malaki and Tatum, taking them out for supper. Thanks for the picture. 

What plots will be in chapter 2026 of your life's story? In the coming year think twice, before choosing safety over adventure, security over opportunity, and comfort over change. I pray you continue to fall in love with and cherish the characters in your story, written with a purpose for you. And that more and more, you get to know the author's (God) heart.

This morning (I'm posting Saturday evening) I attended the final chapter of my friend Ken's story. Ken farmed, owned his own truck and hopper bottom, drove school bus, and volunteered his time tirelessly. On one of our recent visits we shared with each other that we were so blessed to have our children and grandchildren love the Lord. At his funeral Pastor Erik described Ken's personality as a quiet faithfulness. An excellent example. What should be a goal for our final chapter? "Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses. Let us run the race not only for the prize. But as those who've gone before us, let us leave to those behind us, the heritage of faithfulness passed on through Godly lives". Steve Green

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.