StillwatersIowa

His main man told him not to. However 3000 years ago (1000BC) King David insisted that Joab count the people in Israel. 450 years earlier Moses had led the Israelites out of Egypt. Joshua led them across the Jordan River into the promised land. They had defeated their enemies. The 12 tribes of Israel were each given land as an inheritance. Life was good. And pride was starting to creep into David's thoughts. Joab knew God would be unhappy with David's prideful thoughts. He only counted 10 of the 12 tribes. David immediately had a guilty conscious. He repented and was given a choice of one of three punishments, 3 years of drought, 3 months of defeat by enemies, or 3 days of a plague. He picked the plague and 70,000 Israelites died. How often it happens that our wrong choices not only affect ourselves but others as well. Everything we are part of here on earth belong to God. Including our families. A simple solution to our (things) is to hang on loosely. That's best done by b...

With the planting completed and the crop emerged, summer is a time to grow. That happens in crops. That happens in projects. That happens in life. Mike is taking a break during the longer days of summer to chat with his brother Kurt and nephew Lane. The beginning of summer means the ending of a school year. The cabin is extra busy with graduation parties. Last week I mentioned a get-together this past Tuesday evening. We were able to introduce our Family Leader friends, where I serve on the board, to our community friends. It was an informative meeting about how to advance God's kingdom and reflect Christ's light in a dark culture. A special thanks to everyone who came. Summer is haying season. BJ already has a couple of fields baled. We mowed first cutting alfalfa Friday. In a normal growing season alfalfa is cut and baled every four weeks. Summer is a busy time for a big yard. Jan spends much of her summer outdoors with her mowing, garden, weeding, spraying, and plants and fl...

There are three ways a person can give. One can give of their treasures (things). Folks can give of their talents (abilities). Finally we can give of our time (relationships). Yesterday family and a few friends put aside their own priorities, came over on a rainy Saturday morning, and gave of their talents and time to replace an 18 year old deck on the pond by our cabin. Mark and Ryan braved the 60 degree water to attach the treated frame that would support the new composite boards. Yesterday's help was a Mother's Day gift to Jan. Quality time is Jan's favorite gift to receive. In everyone's crazy busy world, and with the way we communicate nowdays with texts and emails, quality time is getting to be a rare commodity. Talent is how Jan likes to give. And food is one of her many talents. She served the dock crew both breakfast and lunch. Happy Mother's Day Jan. I love you and couldn't have thought to ask for a better mother for our children. Another proj...

Moses had his hands full. God had gotten his attention through a burning bush in the desert. And asked him to help deliver Israel from the bondage of Egypt. So after many excuses he agreed. There was the dealing with wicked folks. The plagues. The Passover. The crossing the Red Sea on dry land and watching the Egyptian army drown. And finally dealing with all the drama, whining, and complaining of his extended family, the Israelites. Little did folks know this 11 day trip from Egypt to the promised land was going to last 40 years. It was about two months into the journey when Jethro, Moses father-in-law, came for a visit to encourage him. He brought along Moses's wife and two sons who Moses had sent back home to Midian while he was so busy. Andy and Amara's Lyndi came with her Dad for coffee early one morning. Moses barely had time to visit because all his time was being spent in listening to disputes and settling quarrels. Finally Moses father-in-law Jethro said, "What ar...