20/20 Vision

20/20 vision is a term used to express the clarity or sharpness of what we see. Some folks see things clearly. Others need help.

I have worn glasses ever since I was seven years old. I put my glasses on to answer the phone in the middle of the night. I have lived with them so long I feel uncomfortable without them on. 

This bunch is shifting gears and is busy with spring projects ranging from shop work, calving, home projects, and even starting some dirt work.

 

Since we only get one chance a year and about 40-50 chances in a lifetime to raise a crop, farmers need to make sure they are doing everything possible to be prepared. Planters today have 20/20 vision and can show you on their computer with accuracy and clarity what kind of job you are doing. 

Some folks can clearly see potential in a project and know that with a little planning and a lot of hard work good results are possible. This is called being a visionary.

A good leader can see potential in other people and with affirmation, encouragement, direction, and accountability can bring out and expect the best in those people. This is called discipleship. 

Becky and Brian are getting ready for their boys to have a few chores. Many a farm kid grew up feeding chickens and gathering eggs. Thanks for selling them the building Delmar and Marilyn.

Mike has been checking on how much frost is left in the ground all week. Yesterday he built his first terrace of the season.

Mike has also been checking how much ice is left and has gotten his boat out. We Iowans are pretty adaptable. If we have ice we race motorcycles on it. If the ice goes away, we fish.

This past Friday morning our Senator, Ken, and a few friends joined us for breakfast while we discussed legislative issues and where our state is headed.

Last Sunday was Gems Sunday. Gems is an organization that disciples girls to become Christian young women. Our church has more girls attending from outside our church than members. Kutos to the gals from our church that disciple these girls.

This week was also Prayer Day. That's a service we set aside to ask God for His help and blessing on our crops, industry, families, churches, schools, community, and country.

Friday evening our church had a session on Visionary Marriage and Saturday morning a session on Visionary Parenting. It's good to get together once in a while and think about what God's purpose is for marriage and parenting. Thanks to Rob for an excellent job of leading. Thanks to Irv and the evangelism committee for organizing it.

So do we have a vision for our churches and if we do is that purpose clear and accurate? Yes, it's about preaching and sacraments and holding folks accountable. That's the "what we do" in church. What about the "why we do it"? I had the neatest visit with a younger member of our church this week. Thanks Cory. 

I think the "why we do it" in church needs to be patterned after family. After all family is God's design right? Christ was selfless and cared about us. We in His image are to be selfless and care about each other. That's the definition of family. It's also the definition of discipleship. That's why the folks that are against  Christian values are trying so hard to destroy the family structure in this country. Caring about the next generation doesn't start in a church committee. It starts in our hearts.