StillwatersIowa

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 leav...

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 th...

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 con...

The book of Proverbs is about Biblical wisdom and gives advice about values, moral behavior, and the meaning of life. Most of the content is written by King Solomon about 3000 yrs ago to his children (my son, take heed). However the last chapter starts with advice from a mother to her son, a king, and finishes with the characteristics and admiration of a wife. This will be the first Mother's Day without my mother. I've shared her words of advice about values and behavior before. However this morning I'm thinking more about the advice she showed me by example. The first is to love the unlovable. Next, not be hypersensitive or easily upset by criticism I hear about myself or those I love. And finally to be ok when acts of kindness, caring, and going the extra mile, go unnoticed.  The author of Proverbs 31 finishes with the virtues of a wife of noble character. Jewish tradition thinks this chapter was written by Bathsheba to her son, King Solomon. Heaven knows he could have us...

Good morning friends. Let's start with the meat and potatoes of what's been on my mind this week. And then finish our hopefully short and interesting visit with a "what if". Tatum was at Grandma with his farm toys, a book called "Wisdom", and his farm boots. Wow, one could write a story on this picture alone. Where will Tatum be in 50 short years? What will God's purpose be for him? Will his Grandfather have had any influence, good or bad, on his future? I'm a long ways from perfect. Just ask the family that gets written about every week. Forgetfulness, not big on details, and often too busy. But I serve a God that is perfect, and because of His goodness, what we have as a family is beautiful. Hazel and Jayden are showing some pieces of the Old Testament Biblical tabernacle they built as a class in school.  Thursday morning I joined Zach, Elijah, Anton, Elliot, Ezra, and Adi for a high school chapel on Grandparents Day. "Tell your children about...