StillwatersIowa

Hezekiah (King of Israel) was 35 yrs old when his pastor (the prophet Isaiah) told him to get his affairs in order because he would not recover from his illness. Hezekiah wept and prayed to the Lord. The Lord saw his tears and heard his prayers. He sent Isaiah back to the King to tell him He would answer his prayer and give him 15 more years. II Kings 20. During those 15 years Hezekiah became very successful. So much so that guests from Babylon came to visit. Hezekiah's pastor returned and asked what his guest saw. Hezekiah replied he showed them every treasure he owned (Pride). Isaiah said the time would come when everything in his home (palace) would be carried off to Babylon including descendants born to him. I have always been amazed about Hezekiah's response to Isaiah. II Kings 20:19 "This message you have given me is good. At least their will be peace and security during my lifetime". Jan and I were in our early 50s. Our extended family was outgrowing the old fa...

When I was ten years old my Dad would put the stock racks up on our farm truck, load some new straw, a 4-H box, a wheel barrow, three club calves, and we would head for the fair. After unloading, scooping out the straw, covering the stock racks with an old canvas tarp, we would park along the west fence, and that would be my home for the fair week. Later in the summer, Dad would put 2x12s across the top of the stock racks, we would park in Greenveiw, and watch Wednesday night races from across the street of corners 3 and 4. Today most livestock comes to the fair in 5th-wheel trailers. The camping area is full of campers for the week's stay, and Jan and I give all 4-H and FFA kids free tickets on fair week to those same Wednesday night races. Kurt brings our grill and cooks with the Sheriffs Dept. Today several of our grandkids are involved. Some with livestock. Some helping the fairboard set up the track for a Saturday night Redneck Rally. Some racing. And these young men helping G...

Last Monday around mid-morning the younger grandkids wanted to go on a Ranger ride. I asked if they preferred a long ride or a short one. Of course, they said a long ride. So we loaded up. I heard Lane tell his cousins he was going to take the BB gun along in case we ran into "robbers". We drove south to a farm where Karl was spraying fungicide. We have family members using Luke and his Hagie. We have others using the helicopter. We're also using our regular sprayers where the center section drags the tassels. Because of the hot dry forecast, we're also adding a biological called Terramar. It improves the corn plant's response to stressful conditions. I occasionally remind our crew to enjoy their week, and our grandkids to do their best. What do these have in common?  With being intentional and the right attitude, we have the power to do both. To change things up a little this morning, rather than focusing on our main summer jobs like haying, trucking, and sprayin...

Happy Birthday America. 250 years ago, under God's direction, our forefathers drafted a Declaration of Independence. Then they fought for 6 years, sacrificing their time, their property, and their lives for a cause they believed in. Thanks for the picture Suzanne. What we forget is that only about a third of those in the 13 colonies were patriots for the cause of independence. Another third were loyalist and wanted to stay with Britain. The final third was undecided. I read an article written by my friend Del that said George Washington showed appreciation to his soldiers and to the communities where they fought. While with the British, everything was expected, including the redcoats as well as the communities they often ransacked. The undecided third of the colonist were won over by how people were handled. Are things in life expected? Absolutely! However expectations can quietly turn blessings into burdens, while appreciation brings out the best in people. Jan's Grandfather w...