From Simple to Complicated to Simple again

Well, I turned the ripe old age of 63 last week. It is amazing the change from this picture to my current one. Yes I really was some one's little kid once. Looking at this picture brings back memories of a simpler (?) lifestyle. If you listen to many older people (whatever age that means?) they always seem to get around to talking about how much simpler life was when they were young. That may be or may not be true, but one aspect of it that I believe is true is that choices appeared simpler. A child doesn't realize all the ramification of her choices, so things are much more black or white.

Carol says I usually make a profound spiritual application in my posts. I will take that as a complement, so here goes. Besides being a little kid who wore cowboy boots I remember being God's little kid, and I probably still am in his sight. Everything seemed so simple and straight forward as a little kid. There were the good guys, those who did the right things, and the bad guys, those who didn't. If you followed the 5-step plan you could earn a place in heaven, and on and on.

Now because I am older, the logical next comment would be that I now believe life is more complicated and a relationship with God more difficult, but that is not true. The more I study and live, the more simple I find obeying God to be. Not easier but simpler. The simple aspect is just to follow Jesus. I have spent too much time trying to understand and teach the rules and regulations people make up trying to explain what God wants. It is so simple - Love God with all your mind, soul, heart and strength and love one another as He loves us. Simple but not always easy.

Senior Night Out

Our big night out to celebrate my birthday, was to go see the new Harry Potter film. Yes, there are some benefits of being "seniors" cheap movie tickets. There are just some movies that have to be seen on the big screen. Harry Potter is one of them. In my opinion it is the special effects that make these movies. The story is great too, but you have already read the books, so it is no great surprise. The casting of Dolores Umbridge was excellent, the villain du jour. I thought Imelda Staunton played the character to perfection. The name again is so clever for the character. For all those people who are upset about witches, get over it, it is only a book of fiction.

Borders in the yard

I think the jungle is finally under control, there is still work to be done, but the grass is mowed, and the weeds in the garden are pulled. I have even been able to lay some more of our kiln bricks around two more areas.


The picture to the left separates a corner by the sidewalk and driveway. The bricks are laid but all the grass and weeds haven't been pulled yet. It was easy to mow around today which was one of the objectives. The bricks are also big enough they can't be easily moved and they make a clear distinction between the grass and the plant area.



The picture on the right is a little hill that I made near the house. We intend to put plants on it to add permanent color as opposed to planting new flowers every year. The walkway leads back to the valves for the sprinkler system.

Thinking about our yard as I write, it seems as if we are going to a lot of trouble to make separate areas in our yard and I guess we are. I am afraid we do that with lives too. We have a tendency to compartmentalize our lives, which can lead to trouble if we separate God out of some areas of our life. When we talk about the secular and spiritual aspects of our lives, I think we are making a mistake. I believe a disciple only has a spiritual life. Our Christianity has to penetrate all areas of our lives, to receive the blessings that God provides for us. So borders are fine for my yard but not my life if they are used to keep God out.

Thank You God for the Land I live In

I had a great time this 4th of July, but then I usually enjoy the 4th. We slept in a little and then had a good breakfast. I worked in the yard in the morning. I laid some more of our kiln bricks, this time around a corner of plants in the front yard.

Then as I was getting ready to eat some lunch and take a break, Max rode up and wanted to go somewhere. After a glass of ice tea off we went to Red Lodge MT. It has been pretty hot and still was on Wednesday, so we opted to head towards the mountains and cooler temperatures. It was a nice ride, the wind wasn't blowing hardly at all, riding vertical as opposed to 45 degrees is a lot more fun. The wildlife was sparse as I only saw 3 antelopes. There is nothing quite like riding between fields that are being irrigated, the smell and the coolness are great. The traffic wasn't bad either for the 4th.

That evening the church had a cookout as usual, but this time it was at Jimmy and Amy Park's place. They moved here about 6 months ago and have a nice 20 acre spread. The food and fellowship were great and nobody was hurt by the fireworks, a very successful evening.

I thank God daily for our home, the country, the state, and our local area. I often wonder why I am so blessed. Father help me to care for what you have given me and to use it for your glory.

Welcome back to the jungle

It is always nice to get home from a trip, there's your own bed, a normal schedule, your stuff where you want it, and there is the jungle. The grass wasn't too tall because we weren't gone that long, but the little vegetables garden and the flower beds, I should call them the weed patch. We did have someone come and water our garden when she fed our dog, but without tending the weeds grew as fast or faster than our vegetables. I wish now that I had taken a picture of it before I started weeding it again. It would have made a great before and after series. We don't have a big garden maybe 20x40. Carol is past the canning stage. She did that while we were raising our boys. Now we just grow enough to eat while it is in season. We had fresh baby spinach leaves in a salad last night, hmmmmm good!!

Being the retired preacher, I have to mention at least one spiritual application, so here goes. Our garden had all it needed to grow - sun, dirt, and water - and it grew, but so did all the weeds. What it missed was someone to tend it, someone to take care of it, someone to love it. I think too often we only provide the nutrients for our family, but without the close caring that is needed. We provide clothes, shelter, food, activities lead by others, but without the personal care weeds in the form of trouble will spring up. The same is true in our community of faith. We need each other, we need more than lessons and teachings. This is a hard part for me because I love to teach. It is easy (for me) to teach lessons, but takes effort and time to be a friend.

Lord help me to realize what is truly important and lasting.

The Texas Trip

We made our big Texas trip last week to see my brother and his family, my favorite aunt, and a whole bunch of other relatives. It was a long trip, we covered around 2500 miles in 9 days. The travel part of the trip was fine, except for the road construction delays that were almost solid from Colo Springs to Amarillo or so it seemed. The weather was cool as it was overcast most of the way, much different than normal. We saw a lot of different kinds of scenery, but decided that our local mountains are still more beautiful. We didn't do any real sightseeing, we just went to see the people. While in Austin we just hungout with my brother and went with them to a few places. We went to a Home Depot where we bought something we have been needing., a swimming pool store (he has a new pool) and a music store where we got something too. We only ate out once, after church on Sunday. We went to visit and get and give updates on our respective families. It was a fun time.