Forgotten

I thought you might enjoy seeing the latest new residents at the Windy Knob Ranch of rural El Dorado. We now have a pair of Eastern Bluebirds nesting in a very modest nesting box in our backyard. I got this box (bird nest) free with an order that I received from an outdoor catalogue, and I really didn't think much about it. Then I saw this Bluebird messing around an old wren house that I have up, so I decided to put the new house up and see what happened. Amazingly enough, the Bluebird immediately started using the house and now has a nest in it.

What is interesting about this new house is the fact that it is mounted somewhat haphazardly (sorry, I was in a hurry) and isn't even level, as the floor slants to the south. The entrance hole is somewhat low in relationship to the rest of the structure - making me think that the Bluebirds wouldn't consider it for a nesting box. And the bird house is fairly small, again making me think that it wouldn't be used.

So what does this have to do with life in general? Well, I got to thinking about the verse that says that even the "sparrows" are not forgotten by God: "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid: you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:6,7

Pretty cool, eh? At times, we think that we are having a tough time (and we probably are) and our day is going pretty lousy. If you're like me, you may be even thinking that God has kind of forgotten about about you for the day. But did you get it from the verses above? God even watches over the birds of the land. He provides for them and they take advantage of His provisions. There's been times when God's provisions have been right there in front of my face, and I have overlooked it. Evidently, I was thinking I needed a "fancier nesting box." Again, it wasn't because God hadn't provided. It was because I was blind to what he had provided for me.

I'll keep you posted on our new family in our backyard. Maybe they'll keep me reminded each day of the real provisions from God.

Have a good week!

Prayer requests: 1) The Liberia mission team as they return. 2) Jr Campers. 3) Those in the church family who have lost loved ones this past week.4) The Escape Concert. 5) Jim & Cathy S. as they travel to Disney World. 6) Chris C's Cousin Carrie dying of cancer.

Empty Me

I try to go out and walk each morning before I start my day. As I sat down to put on my shoes in the garage, I heard the song, Empty Me on the radio. If you listen to the words, you hear the writer speaking of being emptied, or flushed out, of all fleshly and worldly desires, selfishness, and pride and being filled with Christ and His Spirit.

A circle of moisture around the morning sun.

As I walked, I meditated and prayed the prayer for Christ to do just that - empty me of my selfish desires and pride. It's so hard to live like this in today's society. The world believes that it's all about me and we see it displayed far too much. Can a Christian live in today's world and live as Christ wants him to? To be emptied of the world and filled with Christ?

Can we as Christians support and encourage one another to do this? I urge you (as well as myself) to empty yourself/die to self each day as you start your day. Galations 2:20 says, I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. A full moon moving over the morning sky.

Baby Killdeer chick at the end of our driveway.

Searching

Well, I told you that I would let you know how the Wakarusa Music Festival (Hippie Fest) at Clinton State Park went, so here's a couple observations:
1) To be a new age guy hippie you must have have dreadlocks and not wash your hair (matted mop) but once a month. See Exhibit 1 below.

2) To be an old fashioned hippie, you must still own a VW mini-van (with custom paint job).

3) To attend the festival, you are required to dress totally weird in the outfit of your choice.

4) To make things easy to find, you may want to store your botanical substances in easy to locate, compact storage devices.

5) And lastly, all festival goers must be adorned with some sort of tattoo.

Now, if you noticed, the tattoo displayed is that of Jesus holding a cross. How ironic! The guy was with his buddies, all of them participating in consuming adult beverages. Doing my best not to judge them, but their fruits (language, etc.) didn't appear to be that of a Christian witness. The point is, most of the attendees at the festival appeared to be searching for something. Maybe this guy above had found it - only the Father knows. One thing I am certain of: we are promised a real peace and joy in our Savior, Jesus Christ. The search is over. We can fill our souls with a "new wine." Isn't it great that our God offers the peace, love, and contentment that no "Wakarusa" can ever fulfill?

This weeks prayer requests are many: Please, first of all, uphold our mission team leaving this week for Liberia, West Africa. (Don't forget about Pastor Wade's hand, which the enemy works on every time he goes on a mission trip.) Also, please lift up the following: 1)Thad W's first appointment concerning his disability; 2) Peggy W's dad/Peggy; 3) Darla S's travel and Mara & McKinna staying away from home; 4) Middle schoolers at camp; 5) Shannon B's family challenges; 6) Judy & Paige S as they go to N.Y.; 7) Jim S's sister Karen as she mourns and deals with life's challenges; 8) Trish F's comfort as Logan's covering as he goes on the team to Liberia; 9) Dale & Jeanna S as they travel; 10) Randy & Chris C's house plans/move...... Please let me know if we need to add to the list. Also, inform us of answered prayers, if you wish. Oh, also please cover Pastors Dave & Jim while Pastor Wade is away.

Have a great week! Remember we're too blessed to be stressed!

Remember the Hippies

Funny title to a blog, eh? Well, I'll let you know what it's like, but on Thursday and Friday of this week I go to Clinton State Park at Lawrence to work the Wakarusa Festival. It's kind of a modern day Woodstock, or so I'm told. It could be interesting. Emmylou Harris and The Flaming Lips are on the top of the lineup if that gives you any indication. Wow!

I thought I'd show you our pets here at the Windy Knob Ranch. The pictures are those taken out back. Pretty "wild", huh? The deer were taken right before sunrise with the night vision setting on my camera. The pesky "goats" were in our yard fetching themselves a free meal! And how about that long haired, long snouted "kitty cat" by the rose bush? Actually that's an opossum - not known for it's intelligence. It has the smallest brain, proportionally to it's body size, compared to any other mammal. So don't feel bad if you can't remember something.
Tamra found a pet box turtle in the driveway. It didn't stick around too long. Then there's those little hummingbirds. They have taken to the feeders that we have up and are they fast. We enjoy watching them.

So enjoy the rest of the week and say an extra prayer for me and the "hippies". Again, we're too blessed to be stressed!
Randy