Why Stories?

Jan and I arrived home from Arizona last Sunday afternoon. It's great to have family, friends, and a farm to come home to.

In the beginning of Deuteronomy 11, Moses is talking to the Israelites just before they come to enter their promised homeland. He tells the people to keep in mind their children have not experienced God's discipline or seen the Lord's greatness, miraculous signs, and powerful arm when this large family left Egypt, and watched their adversary drown in the Red Sea. Or how God cared for them while they were in the wilderness. In verses 8-15 Moses tells them about the blessings of obedience. In verses 16-17 he warms them about the consequences of forgetting God.

God's promises, instructions, and warnings don't automatically, spontaneously, through birthright, or unassisted come into the lives of children and young adults. Previous generations are to be intentional. Not just about rules and boundaries. But with personal stories about God's love and grace. Our everyday stories share Jesus.

I enjoy our Sunday morning visits. I hope many of you do as well. I also hope as grandkids, and someday greatgrandkids, maybe read Grandpa's stories, they will be reminded of God's faithfulness to our family.

Karl, Kristin, and their four children delivered Becks Seed yesterday with their semi. Thanks for the picture Kristin.

Mark and Stacy's, Allison, got her wish of having 4-H pigs for the fair. Thanks for the picture Stacy.

Karl and his son Malaki got up early one morning and loaded out 5 semi loads of double stock. They are usually double filled with baby pigs. Then 6 to 8 week later half of the pigs get loaded out and go to growers somewhere.

Because of spring break the grandkids were available to help this past week. Elliott, Elijah, Ezra, all helped Grandpa with odd jobs, sorting hogs, cleaning out cabs, washing vehicles, and some fieldwork.

Mike and Mark worked together cleaning trees off of dikes on a rented farm.

BJ, his son John, and Alex plowed in more tile Our very dry soil did get a drink this week. We had 8 tenths of rain one day south of Oskaloosa.

Mike was able to sneak in a broadbase terrace for his Dad after the shower of rain since his dozer was around the shop.

The Gospel Singers have been singing since 1970. I sang with them from 1973 till 1993. Back then concerts were mostly after Sunday night church. And Jan would have a bench full of wiggling children while watching. Last Sunday evening I enjoyed their concert during our evening service.

Our friend Andy and his son Olsen went to pick up a tractor with their semi. To their surprise the salesman threw in a pedal tractor in the deal. So Andy strapped on Olsen's tractor just like Dads. Kudos to Andy and the John Deere salesman. Little Olsen will never forget this story. And how important and needed it made him feel. Thanks for the picture Andy.

I was talking to a retired Oakdale prison guard this past week. He agreed 80% of incarcerated folks in our country didn't have an active father in the home. Or hear positive stories.

Moses continues his story in Deuteronomy 11:18-21. He asks the Israelites to commit themselves to his stories. To teach them to their children. To talk to them at home, and on the road, and going to bed, and getting up. He asks they write these stories on their doorposts of their home, and on their gates. "So that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord has given you".

In one generation the country of Israel forgot about God. And they suffered the consequences. We live in a country that has forgotten about God. What can we do about it? It starts with families. And sharing stories about God's faithfulness. Thanks for the picture TFL. And blessings on your gathering today.