They were a pair. Not just a pair of cats but a study in care and nurturing.

She came to us from a farm family with too many cats who shared her with us. She was gray and white soft-striped tabby of sorts; nondescript coloring with stripes that blurred and swirled together. He is a fancy tuxedo-type cat with a glossy black coat and white paws, whiskers , eyebrows and chest. And he has personality plus. We call him our therapy cat. When he hears raised voices or tearful exchanges, he shows up on the scene insisting to be stroked; rubbing his body on your legs until he is picked up and stroked…mutually beneficial and lowering the blood pressure. He is soothing to the spirit and not just partial to those who feed him, but to any who come on his turf.

Katarina, as she was named by little Naomie, came to us in the late fall and resided in the warm shop where we fed her and tended all her needs. She slept in a little box bed by the wood stove. Kitty paradise it was for North Dakota winter. Yet, one day she scampered outside as the overhead door opened to let the tractor out. She was scared, lost in the big world of snow and cold. Too frightened to reason,if cats reason, she hid under a large freezer nearby. She couldn’t be coaxed out to take her back to safety, so we set out food and water under the freezer away from doggies’ appetites. Sometimes a little food would be gone, but often it was frozen.This went on for a week or two,when a severe winter storm came upon us. Amongst the other chores outside, she was fed her bit of food and given a little water under the freezer, pushed under as far as could be reached. The wind blew from the northwest and we couldn’t tell just where, under that freezer she was. We coaxed and called and prodded to no avail and turned away to warm ourselves.

By spring, she appeared with evidence of her storm survival: a battle worn kitty with one ear frozen very short and internal infection apparent under her frozen tail. Eventually she was left with a one inch stub. No self-respecting mouse or bird would be caught by this kitty again. We nurtured her back to health and took her to the barn to be with Frosty, the tuxedo cat. He’s a tomcat. Most tomcats don’t take kindly to new arrivals, but alas, he’s an unusual tom. They buddied up right away. He rubbed his scent on her and licked her face , snuggling in beside her to keep her warm.

Food was put out for them, but not enough to deter hunting. Would she hunt? Could she? He did. He has always been an excellent hunter, bringing in gophers from time to time and small ducks, as well. Now, though, his generosity shone forth. Frosty could be seen in the pastures around the barn waiting patiently for the next mouse in the hay bales or a gopher coming out to graze in the sun. At first we watched as he caught something for Katarina and took it back to the barn and after she had hers, he would go back and hunt a second time for himself. Now that’s not a typical tomcat . Some people could take valuable lessons from that!

Katarina began the healing process with her friend caring for her. She thrived on the fresh meat Frosty brought and the affection he bestowed on her. He stroked her with a tenderness so unusual to see. We watched as this continued through the summer and she began going out partway with him when he hunted. He wouldn’t have as far to carry the meal, that way. Then, later, they would eat his first catch together, as time went on. Of course, a cat with a stub of a tail, will have much less balance for high places and birds were a thing of the past, in her hunting realm. So over the course of a year, she would go out further with him and hunt grasshoppers, baby mice and other easy prey.

A year later she could be seen high in the bale stack hoping to catch an unsuspecting bird or a slow mouse. Mostly though, she was soaking up the sun and warming her fur while Frosty fetched fresh meat to share. By this time, he was likely eating his first catch and sharing the second. She was, after all, healed as much as she would.

Now…she has disappeared. It’s been two weeks now and no Katarina around the barn or hay stack. He comes and goes from the barn alone and begs for a pet, to which we readily respond. Who couldn’t adore a cat like this?

Many are the lessons we may take from God’s creation. This one? We are to carry our own burdens and help others with theirs, accepting help humbly and with gratitude.

It’s such a simple thing. Open the Book and see where it leads. The Book this morning is believed to be written by a fellow named John. As I opened It to the  place marker, my eye fell on the terms ‘grace for grace’.  Hmmm.  Reading the reference notes, the rabbit trail began in Exodus 32-34. After the plagues of the earlier chapters of Exodus, these children of God were in the desert while Moses, their leader, took way too long on the mountain meeting with God. They grew discouraged and wandered to other gods. Such a human level of events.

What other gods?  The obvious is the golden calf.  They wanted something, anything tangible to worship.  We could discuss this for awhile; all the material goods there are to be desired…BMWs and color tvs according to Janis Joplin years ago. And gods according to methods of escape- entertainment of all sorts and it was a sexual society as most are; I won’t prompt the imagination here.

Then I thought of Grace and Exodus 12 documents the Passover, grace given to the children of God by way of protection. If you aren’t familiar with the account of this event, it’s remarkable reading. Grace for grace. God was gracious to provide a way out of oppression and darkness for his people, yet once escaped into the desert, past the Red Sea miracle of passing those waters on solid enough soil to walk across…they needed more grace. They got out into that desert and when their man, Moses, took too long on the mountain, they wanted something else NOW! Demanding tones, frustration and frenzy no doubt ensued. Yet God understood their needs, their humanity. After all, He was their Creator as He is ours. He gets us. Then the question: Do we get Him? Do we even try to know Him? Do we consider His perspective?

Ah, but this is about the joy. The joy of looking back at historical accounts through the eyes of inspired folks who were there or handed down the ancient stories word of mouth until they were recorded in writings. Passover has always intrigued me and we are told not to forget this early graceful act of God. Yet, even though they wandered from gratitude in their discouragement and actively opposed him, He was gracious toward them. How ? He provided direction, food and shelter.  He stayed close to them even though they strayed from Him. They grumbled ,complained and whined. Does this sound familiar?  It does to me. And here’s the joy- no matter the circumstances in our life, we have a God who does not vary. He is consistently loving us and showing us Grace whether we recognize it or not.

Grace for grace. He’ll get us out of a bad spot and won’t leave us hanging out to dry.  It may not be easy; we may not understand. But it’s the Truth. And that’s the joy!

Within this thought process I see several other rabbit trails:

turning to other gods and how that applies to our present day situations

“…show me now your way that I may know you…” Ex. 33.13 and present day application.

happiness vs joy-what’s the difference?

Thanks for sharing my happy place. Joy for your day!

Trying to make this quick because we are all busy people…this is my second try…remember to hit ‘save’ every second word!!

Reading this morning in Luke 19 about Jesus cleansing the temple reminded me of a recent conversation with my five year old granddaughter. In discussing a story from scripture, she said “Oh, I know that one already.”  Many times we feel that way, yet as I reread these verses this morning, I noticed something new.

Following a bunny trail of references to Jeremiah 7 which deals with ‘lying words’ and verse 5 begins ” For if  you thoroughly amen your ways…6 and do not shed innocent blood in this place (the temple), or walk after other gods to your hurt “,… At first I thought it meant ‘in your pain’- no! It means if you turn to other gods (means putting your trust, finding your security, in other stuff instead of God) it will cause you hurt…damage to your well-being.

A long sermon could be made of this, but let’s just say it quickly as a reminder to chew on abit through the day…If you depend on your checking account, credit cards or savings( what’s that?),  sexy ads or porn magazines, excessive caffeine, prescription oxycodone or methamphetimines sp? to get you through the day…they’s gonna be a problem. (poor grammar for emphasis 🙂  )

Christian or no, Jesus freak or not…this stuff will cause problems.  We would all be wise to reevaluate where we put our trust from time to time. And I do speak from experience of putting mine in the wrong spots.

Thanks for joining me here.

Have a great day!

It’s fall…autumn. The hottest days of summer are past and we’ve had a cool stretch of weather. Yesterday, though, it was hot for a few hours and reminded me of my thoughts on those hottest days.

In our  yard, there are one or two trees that cast a shadow over the gravel road that winds between buildings. Walking across the yard on a hot day, they offer a brief respite from the heat. I find myself wanting to just sit down in the shade of that tree. There’s a coolness under its poplar branches that causes my steps to slow as I walk. Even if it’s for a brief moment(in case I’m walking quickly), just the mental relief from the heat is enough to lift the burden.

As you know by now, I love word studies, but this morning as I jot these notes, there’ll be no detailed definitions.  (to the relief of some…). However, it’s easy to see that the words ‘shade’ and ‘shadow’ are related. So many times, as in the rest of life, one may be able to see both negative and positive meanings or uses for words. Obviously, they are used to be either kind or hurtful, etc.

Shadows often bring a negative connotation…linked with other words such as, lurking, sinister or dark alleys.  On the other hand, there is shadow play, as in hand shadows on a bedroom wall at night as sleep is around the corner or shadow tag outside on a sunny day with a young child.

Shade brings more positive thoughts…an umbrella on a beach for protection from too much sun,  a tree in the garden casting relief on that area of work in the afternoon heat, even standing in the shade of a building against the glare of hot sun, while contemplating direction.

Biblically, I think of the fellow God sent a vine to provide shade for. Then when he complained about his circumstance, a worm came along and ate the vine…oops! We must be grateful for the respite we receive, whether it’s physical shade or mental relief from discomfort.

God is good…all the time. Often, we just need to be able to recognize his goodness. Look for the good…the shade in shadows…the relief amongst the negatives. It’s there. It simply depends on mindset. Not that we are able to change the negative by willing it, but to be able to see the good that can come out of a bad situation.

May you find a shady tree on a hot day.

Warning! This will be blatantly God-centered but short and sweet. Those uninterested or offended may turn their eyes away. It’s the reason for the blog, remember? It’s a choice.

This morning as I woke, I said a two sentence prayer; one of which asked for help with a clear mind to deal with (what feels like a mountain of paperwork on a looming deadline) scheduled paperwork.  Ten minutes later, I realized there were two different deadlines so the load was not so great at the moment as I was thinking. Ahh…relief from pressure.

And as I made the first coffee of the day, I remembered the name of a potential beef customer wanting half the steer going down in two days.  This had been on my mind for several days now. Sweet relief in such small things.

The reason this is mentioned at all is to show how God works in the little things…small answers to prayer, small prayers but real help with our sanity sometimes. It’s about provision.

Reading this morning in Luke chapter nine, about Jesus feeding the five thousand, I realized (because of a footnote there) it is an example of Jesus’ ability to provide. Boom! Just as my worried mind has been concerned about physical provision in old age…there it is again…reassurance.

Yes, it has to do with faith. On my way to chores last Sunday morning, the thought entered my mind- How do we know God is trustworthy? Immediately the answer came- Because His Word (otherwise known as the Bible) is an historical account full of examples of his care and provision for his people…his tribe. O, yeah, there’s part of the counsel and comfort we so badly need to manuever this hectic, chaotic life…living on the edge of sanity sometimes. Yes, but how to know it’s true, you say?  Yes, it takes faith. Yes, He will provide that too…if we ask.  Yes! Yes! Yes!

When there’s a choice to make in this direction, let the answer be Yes!

Thank you so much for hanging in there while I share my exuberance.

In the fall of 2017 it became very obvious that beavers were destroying a grove of poplar trees on a pasture along a pond. Yesterday, as I attempted leafy spurge control with an aggressive trimmer, I noticed there was fresh beaver action in this grove.

The local Fish and Wildlife fellow had thinned out the population here last spring. Now, though they were destroying soil protection , I couldn’t be mad at them. After all, they are God creatures too and busy , brazen fellows getting their hut together for winter…seems abit early to start, but maybe a sign of an early winter? At any rate, noticing their fresh trails down to the water and back to the tree, I invisioned their industriousness as they bustled back and forth building their protection for winter’s frigid weather in this severe cold climate. It must be alot more work to build a hut to withstand the cold temperatures of this land as opposed to the southern climes.

The freshness of the chewn stump of a tree and the lack of branches surrounding the stump, indicated they had done their work well. A few larger stripped branches lay hither and yon. What was it that struck me about this picture? What life lesson did this story hold? I just can’t make the connection quite yet.

Maybe it’s the fact that the loud roaring or the trimmer didn’t frighten them away. I saw them five minutes later in the water, swimming back and forth as if waiting for me to leave. They were bold, fearless and brazen. An excellent example of how we should be in our preparedness for life.  To be ready. Ready for what? Ready for the next step of Life.

As my hair whitens with the years and my years increase, the need to ‘be ready’ closes in on me. Ready for what? Some may think of their next life, as in reincarnation. Would they return as a lower level creature or as a superior being according to their works here on this earth? Others may not sense a need to be ready for anything, but simply fulfill their bucket list.

Me? I’m thinking to be ready to meet my Maker. Yep. He put me  here and He’ll take me Home when He’s ready …and I better be ready.

So on that note, I better get busy as a beaver.

Summer 2017

As I turned away from closing the barbed wire gate, I thought, Would anyone really want to know what it’s like for this organic farmer?

I just spent an hour chasing cattle out of certified organic hard red spring wheat that I allowed in to graze two hours earlier. The wheat is in
dough stage and scorching from the drought. It was late seeded and it’s a small fenced field alongside native pasture we are using for a sacrifice pasture this summer while we wait for rain or harvest to afford more grazing.
Before starting the move out of the next field gate, I snapped a photo of the sight…in the long shadows of near sunset and all those tender wheat beards turned upward to meet the sun, it appeared to be a mistake that the cattle are there in the first place. How many folks know the terror of the call ” Cows are out!!!” and the fact of it being in a lovely crop…maybe even the neighbor’s crop.
One moment- on closer inspection ( and not much closer), the majority of the field is turning brown from the ground up. And at least one third is turning brown on the heads from the top down. It’s pitiful.
Yet from another perspective, it is a blessing to have a field of edibles so near the location of the cattle in need. We have been feeding a bale or two of hay from last year’s crop to supplement the’ grazed down’ pasture. Holdover hay. Another blessing.
As far as grazing the wheat under drought conditions, there is the concern of nitrate poisoning if it is not managed properly. The concentration of the nitrate would be in the base of the plant, so the closer the livestock eat to the ground, the greater chance of ingesting the nitrate…if there is a concentration. The forage sample was sent to the lab today after consulting with a nutritionist. After discussing the situation, it seemed manageable to allow intense grazing for a short period of time on this maturing crop. Of course, dough stage is allowed for grassfed beef so we are good on that end. And we wouldn’t want the risk of brittle beards to cause mouth issues later. It could certainly be a likely problem with mature beards.
So this is the perspective I choose to take-God is good! As evidenced by his provision on the most common level, I see his love through his provision of food for the cattle.
Is it hard to open that gate to let them graze the crop meant for grain for wholesome clean food for the people? Yes it is. But it provides wholesome clean food for the cattle that will be wholesome clean food for the people.
And as I prepared a quick supper of sauteed greens and grilled whole wheat toast made from last year’s crop, the old prayer from childhood came to my mind. God is good , God is great, let us thank him for our food, amen.

I was nearly finished with what would’ve been my first blog post…lost it! As I’ve written snippets of ideas and posted a few on facebook, I’ve realized a blog maybe more appropriate. Well, the message needs to be out there, whether some appreciate it or not!

This writing must be real in order to count for anything at all. So I will not sugar coat the thoughts, although being crass diminishes the dignity of the words.

This morning as I read, I was struck by the fact that when Jesus healed the blind (this is where I noticed it most), he led them away from the population…the village, the crowd. He wanted the focus on the healing. When he healed the blind man in stages (Mark 8), the notes in both NIV and NKJV mention it was an example to  the disciples that their own understanding would come in stages. So we must accept that ours does too.

Many folks will not write of their beliefs so none are offended. Some will not write or speak of it out of fear…backlash at work, loss of friendship etc. I am called to write and sometimes speak of my beliefs, whether anyone reads it or not.  It is an act of obedience.

Thinking of obedience, I know it’s best to do as the Lord leads. Jonah knew he was to speak to the folks in Ninevah. He ran the other direction…right into that whale! Afterward he obeyed.

Moses didn’t want to be the speaker in front of Pharoah. He made excuses and tried to weasel his way out of it. God sent his brother Aaron to help.

I understand how Moses must’ve felt when he said ‘what if they don’t believe me or listen to me’ ( Exodus 4).  Been there. Still, my part is to obey. Whether another person believes me or listens, is not within my power to determine. My part is to do my part.

So it is, that there’s nothing left to do but say it! Jesus is my Lord and Savior. My writing will be in that direction. The reader is free to listen, believe or turn away, but my part is my part and I will do it. You must choose your part.

It has been suggested to me that I should write a blog. Some have mentioned writing a devotion. This may end up being a combination. As I’ve been working my way through the Bible, there’s this compelling need to express,  somewhere, what I’m learning from it.  After many years of searching for a spiritual companion for this journey, I’ve concluded the most important One to journey with is the Lord Himself. Gotta love it. It frees a person to realize this.

Yes, we were designed for relationship but we forget that the first relationship we are designed for is with our Creator ( Genesis 1 and 2).  And that leads back to the earlier thought of Jesus leading the blind away from the crowd to heal them.  It doesn’t need to be a big retreat at a camp or resort. In fact, often those are packed with people and there’s a meal schedule and corporate worship. It takes time alone with God to slow down enough to give him 5 minutes of time in the morning as the day begins. I remember the days when I thought I couldn’t possibly squeeze in one more thing. Try it. See how it works to allow 5 minutes to read a single verse. Daily. Give it a try for thirty days. Maybe at the end of the day is best for some. But 5 minutes off Facebook, Google Play or watching sports.

And we can start by wanting something for ourselves out of it…selfishly. He will meet us anywhere, any time. And he will provide all we need. Got no faith? Ask for it! Got anger issues? Cry out about it. He will hear.  Hate  your father? Resent your mother? Those folks are nothing like this God. Pray for your ears to be opened to hear his response. Pray for his help to get his perspective on…life…your specific situation…this world’s situation.

Didn’t really mean for this to turn into a sermon, but then, you were given fair warning. 🙂

So it begins…the second try. It is often my experience with technology, that just when I get a good thought typed in, a miscue happens and it is lost. I’m never sure if it’s ‘the force’ or my lack of expertise here. At any rate, I persist. You’ll know when major frustration sets in,  for I will write it out on paper , take a picture of it and post it here!

Since it’s a second try, I’ll catch up on the background a little later.  The main point here is not about me. It’s about my Saviour. For a couple of years, I’ve realized I must write about him. It isn’t maybe, maybe not. It’s to be done NOW! I realized it last night while hearing yet another sermon about how we are to listen and act on what we hear from God. Agreed! Now to proceed will not be on my own. For I cannot without him giving me the air and the ability to inhale…exhale. He is the air I breathe. And now it has come  down to obedience or not.

I know what happens to those who are not obedient. They do not prosper. Now, hold on…let’s look at the word prosper. It isn’t a recent occurrence that dollar signs appear in our thought circles when we hear the word ‘prosper’.

This from Google:

pros·per

ˈpräspər/

verb

verb: prosper; 3rd person present: prospers; past tense: prospered; past participle: prospered; gerund or present participle: prospering

1. succeed in material terms; be financially successful.

   “his business prospered”

   • flourish physically; grow strong and healthy.

     “areas where gray squirrels cannot prosper”

     synonyms:

     flourish, thrive, do well, bloom, blossom, burgeon, progress, do all right for oneself, get ahead, get on (in the world), be successful; informal go places “the family business continues to prosper”

     antonyms:

     fail, flounder

   • archaic

     make successful.

     “God has wonderfully prospered this nation”

Origin

late Middle English: from Old French prosperer, from Latin prosperare, from prosperus ‘doing well.’