Forty-Four Years and Counting
Posts
In the Potter's Hands
Jeremiah received the Lord’s word: Go down to the potter’s house, and I’ll give you instructions about what to do there. So I went down to the potter’s house; he was working on the potter’s wheel. But the piece he was making was flawed while still in his hands, so the potter started on another, as seemed best to him. Then the Lord’s word came to me: House of Israel, can’t I deal with you like this potter, declares the Lord? Like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in mine, house of Israel! Jeremiah 18:1-6 CEB The good news is this: We are in God’s hands. We may be cracked, flawed, weak, unprepared, seemingly unusable, unstable or even outright broken, yet we are still in God’s hands. I don’t know about you, but I am clinging to that good news with all my heart, mind and spirit!! Pulling down statues does not change history. Changing your heart and being molded by the Potter transforms the present and the future. Covid-19 exploits our weaknesses...
Some Things Dad Taught Me
My Dad, Melvin, is 94 years of age. He is the youngest man I know in both mind and spirit. Every day he rises early, eats breakfast, tends to the chores around his place, drives from his place to the main farm to confer with my brother, Larry, on what things need to be accomplished that day then, depending on the outcome of that conversation, heads out to whatever is next on his list. Usually around 5:00 p.m. he wraps up his day and heads home for the evening. For as long as I can remember on our family dairy farm, which now hosts a black Angus cow/calf herd instead of the Holsteins I once knew, Dad got up before sunrise and worked until he was done for the day, whenever that may be. Now, as then, by his example he sets a standard of accomplishment which guides my daily life and witness in ministry. Funny thing, though, at the tender age of 94 Dad apologizes for not putting in more than about 8 or 9 hours a day helping on the farm . . . and I smile when I hear young folk today lob...
Just Stay on Track!
How many times has it been said to me, "Just stay on track!"? Then I see a sight such as this and mull on those words as a blessing . . . May the track your life is on bring you to the newness of sunrise each day. May your every sunrise be filled with the colors of beauty and delight. May you not be so busy that you don't have time to have a cup of coffee and visit with the people at the rail side elevator as you move ahead. May the 'sailor's warning' of such a dawning find its resolve in the 'sailor's delight' of an evening spent with friends and family reflecting on a day lived well. At the spot where rails and trees seem to converge, may you find your way continuing to open before you, straight and true, leading to peace and content along the way. May the foundation under your tracks be set upon the certainty of Faith in God, the strength of Christ the Rock, and the solid unwavering Love of the Holy Spirit. May the countryside through...