Work And Worship

Today is Sunday. Today is Father's Day. Today is the longest day of the year. Today it's raining. Life is not about how we feel, but how we choose to act. Thinking back on our past month the two things that I've enjoyed are work and worship. The hard red winter wheat is about 2 weeks away from harvest.

Last weekend we drove to Sheldon, Iowa, met grandkids, Cody and Tori, who live in South Dakota, and attended a 2 day Christian outdoor concert called Risefest, attended by 30,000 folks. The atmosphere, music, and  message were true worship other than long lines. 53 folks gave their lives to Christ for the first time and were baptized Saturday evening. 

While looking for my 8th grade Bible, this report card showed up. I didn't care for school much. The Bs, Cs, and Ds don't bother me today. What does bother me though is that every report card, every year, by every teacher, said, "He is capable of doing better".

Speaking of 8th graders doing their best, Natalie and her older sister Adi just finished shooting at state with their Pella Christian School shooting team. Both girls did well. Natalie won State in her age group. Thanks for the picture.

Along with haying, June could be considered a "weed and feed" month. We're just about wrapped up with 2nd pass spraying. We have also been adding some nitrogen fertilizer to a few fields for ourselves and others.

Another June job is mowing road ditches, waterways, and terraces. It's not only to keep things neat, but also to keep the trashy trees from growing which are abundant in southern Iowa.

What a blessing it is to not only work with grandkids but to worship with them. Not just praying before meals. Not just sitting in church with them. Not just telling them stories of God's goodness in the pickup on the way to the field. But to be in an atmosphere where you feel God's presence, and see they do as well. To listen to little ones sing praise songs, and know every word.

I snapped this picture off the screen last Saturday evening. The raised hands around the stage aren't approving of the artist. Young and old alike are worshipping God. The pathway to meaningful work is sacrifice believe it or not. Surrendering our purposes and abilities to God. And surrendering the urge to be the center of every story, allowing others to succeed in both work and worship. "So when I fight, I'll fight on my knees, with my hands lifted high. Oh God, the battle belongs to you".

Storms And Promises

42 years ago this past week an F4 tornado tracked on the ground for 3 hours through northern Missouri and southeastern Iowa destroying the little town of Wright, Iowa. This past Thursday morning heavy rain, strong winds, and large hail, went through several of our communities in southern Iowa. Thanks for the picture Brad.

Damage ranged from leaning to flattened crops, to totally stripped by hail, to flooded acres.

                              

I'm going to break my own rule of last names today for you who enjoy "Dutch Bingo". Cornelius and Nellie Boender had 12 children. 2nd born William was born in Holland. At 16 years old he was to go to court for kicking a dog. He chose instead to come to America. My great-grandparents in this picture look like a storm must have went through their vegetable patch in Holland. 😊

Bill Boender married Christine DeVries. They had 10 children. 2 of their sons were Samuel and Harry. Sam married Wilma Nunnikoven. Harry married Bynie Rus. Sam had 3 children including Stanley. Harry had 6 including me (Steve). Stan married Lila Menninga and had 4 including Justin. I married Jan Ferguson and had 6 including BJ. Justin married Michelle Kuntz and had 3 boys including Noah. BJ married Cassia Leaverton and had 5 including Gideon. Noah married Samantha and have 2 including Tyson. Gideon married Emily Sytsma and have 2 including Ella.

Why the long boring genealogy? Because last week, on the same Sunday, at the same church, 7 generations later, two little Boender children, Tyson and Ella, were dedicated to God. We sang "The Blessing" where the chorus says, "May His favor be upon you....And your family and your children, and their children, and their children".

I have no idea of the status of all the offspring of Cornelius and Nellie. I do know the number is in the thousands. I do know however that God has been faithful. And in the last 125 years, His favor has been upon the 7 generations of those I mentioned today. Below grandkids ranging from kindergarten through 6th grade are taking the blades off of Grandma's mower so Grandpa can sharpen them.

Monday afternoon, after helping with jobs, the younger grandkids went swimming while Grandpa was lifeguard.

There have been plenty of storms over those last 125 years. Some downright tough. Yet through it all God is always by our side. The older grandkids all have work of their own now. Elijah is taking the JD8420 and going to mow road ditches. Ethan is heading for his dump truck to haul rock.

Wednesday evening I hurried home with the skidloader and mower before an approaching storm. As I stepped out to open the shop door a lightning strike hit the ground just behind me. The crash was deafening. The flash of light was blinding. I could still barely smell sulfur the next morning. Our electricity flashed. Jan's house windows rattled. She ran out in the rain to see if I was still moving. I thought, Wow, that was close. Then I thought that was God's presence in the storm. He was in Jan and my storm last summer when we were both diagnosed with health issues. And in our storms, He says, "I will never leave you or forsake you".

Being Salt

Salt heals, preserves, and enhances. It does everything from taking the redness out of sores to killing weeds. Salt melts ice off sidewalks and icy roads. It's purposes are almost endless. Yet it's price is insignificant. And salt does it's work unnoticed.

I went to Jamie's house this past week and bought a new tool. It's a hydraulic driven brush cutter mounted on our skidloader. Jim is modifying a brand new machine.

Jan brought out Saturday morning breakfast, took advantage of the older grandkids being there, and had them help her move some heavy rocks.

I asked Lane if he would help me replace some fuel lines on our 1971 JD 4020 which we use to spray fencerows. Lane is around 6 yrs old. Thanks for the picture Kurt.

Part of summer responsibilities is scouting crops, checking stands, weed control, and differences in hybrids. Matt and Michael joined Karl in looking at a test plot.

When scouting, I use a Ranger, up until the corn is knee high. I put notes on my phone or I forget.

We had a left front wheel assist hub disintegrate after a snap ring failed on our 2004 JD 8420 with 7500 hours on it. This tractor is on the batwing mower all summer. The expensive parts should be in to fix it tomorrow.

I went to Pleasant Hill Tuesday evening. Adam started and ended his governor campaign with a praise and worship service. Worshipping our Lord with Adam, Casey, Maverick, Ryker, and a church full of ordinary folks was unforgettable.

About 75 generations ago Jesus told an audience of people that we are the salt of the earth. We are to help heal folks troubles. We are to be 2AM friends that preserves others faith walk. We are to enhance those around us by encouraging them, affirming them, and not talking negative about them. Being the salt of the earth is an intentional decision, not an outcome. And it usually works best when efforts go unnoticed.

In Jesus's message 2000 yrs ago, the emphasis was not on being salt, but losing our saltiness. We live in a decaying world. If Christians don't stand up with a backbone and work at preserving our culture, who will? The evil one can't take away our salvation. But he works hard to take away our significance.

Leave The Rest To Him

Memorial Day is past. The crop is growing. The weather is warm. Our 2nd full moon of the month welcomed me up this morning. It's called a blue moon. And it's wedding season. Amelia and Tysen were married Monday. I snagged a picture of them with their parents, Randy and Jodi, and Stacy and Mark.

"Direct your children on the right path. And when they get older, they will not leave it". Proverbs 22:6. As parents we raise our kids with love, boundaries, responsibilities, and a care for others. When they become adults and become their own family, we promise them support, we respect their independence, we pray for them, we bless them like these parents are doing at Monday's wedding, and we leave the rest to God.

"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him... How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them". Psalm 127: 3,5. What is a man with a full quiver to do? Serve others. Finish strong. Be teachable. Be generous. Walk humbly. And leave the rest to the Lord.

"It is good for people to make a living, to enjoy their work, and to accept their destiny in life... God keeps people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to worry over the past". Ecclesiastes 5:18,20. We felt behind early in the week killing weeds. However we were able to catch up on 2nd pass spraying for ourselves and others this past week.

BJ and John spent the week haying, both alfalfa and grass, both large round and large square, both for themselves and others.

Kurt and his friend Matt moved some bred heifers from dry lot to grass. Kurt and Emily also had a number of wood fired pizza venues to serve at.

While the crew is working on spraying weeds in crops, I'm busy spraying them in fencerows, waterways, and road ditches. We're on our 3rd load of product.

"We plan, prepare, plant, and pray, but it is ultimately the Lord who guides our paths and determines the outcome of our efforts". Proverbs 16:9 paraphrased. The crop is growing and finally finding the fertilizer. It's not perfect. Nothing is on earth. We leave the rest to Him. I went around and replanted 10 acres of flooded holes in four soybean fields.

Farming is rooted in faith. Much of what we do is out of our control. God tells us to be fruitful and multiply. That's more than just having kids. It's to be productive. We are also to care the best we can for our land. Some of that care to the land comes after planting season. We've a half a dozen projects for ourselves and others we're still working on. We will replant the affected areas up until the end of June. Thanks for the picture BJ and Kurt. They are putting in a new 8" main tile around Kurt and Emily's buildings.

"Whoever is kind to others lends to the Lord. And He will reward them for what they have done". Proverbs 19:17 paraphrased. This was the week we had time to till and plant a food plot for an elderly widower in our neighborhood.

Jan's Clematis vine has quite the story. It reminds me of Jesus message, "And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't He surely care for you". Matthew 6:30.

Tuesday is primary voting day here in Iowa. There are folks speculating. There are folks cutting last minute deals. There are folks that feel the weight of this election totally on their shoulders and are trying to turn in the middle of the stream. My advice to you is stick with your plan A when voting Tuesday. And then leave the rest to "Him". This just may be the season of "Once in a blue moon".

The Next Right Thing

What's the next right thing after approaching a flooded road? "Turn around. Don't drown". Except that's kind of hard to do with a train. After heavy rains in our area earlier this week we had some flooding. The train that comes through our farm daily had to park it one evening. About the time Jan was considering bringing them supper, a RR pickup came by and picked up the crew.

Last Sunday evening we helped celebrate Rosie's first birthday. A little Dutch Bingo. Rosie is Carson and Rachel's daughter. Rachel is BJ and Cassia's daughter. BJ is our son. PTL.

Is a Fendt tractor the next right thing? It does kind of grow on you after being used to green, red, and yellow. One of it's perks is a 3000 hour warranty including a full service package. That means service techs come and change all oils and filters at regular intervals without being asked.

Last Monday evening Adam came to Oskaloosa. Someone called into Smokey Row with a death threat to him and those attending. Adam said, "We are in a battle between good and evil. Evil will not prevail. Conservatism is alive and well in the state of Iowa. We will move forward as planned". Sometimes the next right thing involves standing up for our principles, values, and freedoms.

This has been a wet, but busy week. For you as well I'm sure. My sister Beth, her husband Dan, their son Will and Brittney, along with their grandson Russel spent the week with us. Checking crop stands, preparing sprayers for skinny tire spraying between crop rows, state track meet at Drake, graduations, and parties celebrating with the graduates. And we have a granddaughter getting married tomorrow, on Memorial Day.

Kudos to Jackson (Kurt and Emily), Elijah (Mark and Stacy), Malaki (Karl and Kristin), and Elliot (Brian and Becky) for helping yesterday. I think growing up and working together with cousins is a blessing. Plus Grandpa and Grandma get to enjoy their company.

After competing at the State track meet, Ezra (Brian and Becky) graduated from PCHS last evening. His father was the commencement speaker.  

Two year old Tatum (Karl and Kristin) decided the next right thing to do was to get off his 3-wheeler and help his brother Malaki break down pro boxes.

So what's our point this morning? Often when tough things happen we want to quit, turn around, or immediately count our loss, when in fact, we need to be like the train, and do the next right thing, wait. 24 hours later the water was off this field and Kurt's corn looks just fine.

"Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart". Psalm 27:13

Seasons Of Activity

The book of Ecclesiastes is a book of perspective written by a man who the Bible says was the wisest man on earth. Wisdom is to be asked for and God given. Solomon starts this book by the meaninglessness of chasing the wind. "We don't remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now." Eccl. 1:11

So the crop is in. It's in various sizes and stages. The stands are from great to whatever. We are now in the killing weeds and mowing grass mode. In Ecclesiastes 2 Solomon talks about the futility and foolishness of chasing the 'good things' in life. We can plan, prepare, and plant, however the Lord determines the outcome, for which I am grateful.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 talks about a season for every activity. And then in his own words, relevant for his time 3000 yrs ago, Solomon talks about seasons for hard work, rest, building, new life, weddings, ball games, elections, graduations, and birthday parties.

Solomon concludes this section with vs 11, that God has made everything beautiful in His own time. He has planted eternity in our hearts. Even so, we can't see or comprehend the whole scope of God's purpose. Vs. 12-13, life is a gift, so enjoy the ride. And vs 14-15, God's purpose for past, present, and future is final. And what is happening now has happened before, and will happen again.

Ecclesiastes 4 talks about the advantages of companionship. Yesterday morning after a beautiful half inch of rain, our office was full for morning coffee and Jan's baked goodies. I asked the older grandkids if they would please replace a broken shift cable on our cab Ranger. They did awesome.

Ecclesiastes 3:7 says there is a time to be quiet, and a time to speak. I take this advice very seriously. I'm going to give you my opinion this morning and am not offended if you feel differently. I went to the auditors office and voted for Adam Friday morning. I feel Randy is Washington politics and seems to come across as not wanting to serve the grass roots of Iowa. Zach is a contender and has come on strong as of late. He is a self funded millionaire which does not disqualify him. He is also a bit of an unknown, and when digging deeper, his experiences and stories don't always add up. Brad is a pastor and constitutionalist. He's older than myself. He loves the Lord, but lacks experience. Eddie is a likable guy, a praise team leader in his church, an Iowa legislature, but lacks the ability to lead a state. 

Adam has experience running a state, working under Governor Kim. He has the leadership and confidence needed. He is grass roots. During the six counties I drove him to, he consistently asked me to help him pray for discernment and wisdom before each visit. If you're in the area, Id invite you to come visit with Adam tomorrow, Monday evening @ Smokey Row in Oskaloosa.

Natalie (BJ and Cassia) and Allison (Mark and Stacy) graduated from 8th grade at Oskaloosa Christian Friday evening. Growing up I changed schools five times and attended both public and parent run schools during my k-12 education. In all my years I have been thankful for Christian education.

Solomon writes one of my favorite verses in this story: "It is appropriate and good for a person to make a living, and find satisfaction in their work during the few days God has given them, for this is their destiny. Moreover, when God gives possessions, the ability to enjoy them, to accept their destiny, and to be happy in their work, this is a gift from God. They seldom look back on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with the gladness of heart". Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (condensed)

Let's keep a clear perspective on the seasons of our activities, and then enjoy them.