Love cannot be forced, love cannot be coaxed and teased. It comes out of heaven, unasked and unsought.
To serve is beautiful, but only if it is done with joy and a whole heart and a free mind.
American writer and novelist, Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973), spent much of her early life in China as a missionary. She was widely heralded for her book, THE GOOD EARTH, which was published in 1931. She garnered the Pulitzer Prize in 1932 and later the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938.
Throughout much of my teaching career in Montana, I personally witnessed the labors and hard work of farmers and ranchers on the eastern plains. Their faithful perseverance will always be a testament of their faith in a God who will see us through.
The labors of a family wait for another harvest. Fields of spring wheat are maturing rapidly under the blistering hot, August sun. The heads of grain are filling out and turning harvest gold.
A year’s worth of income rests in these fields. Three generations view God’s bounty with praise and thanksgiving.
An aging grandfather has witnessed the good times and bad. While he has slowed down a bit, he still looks forward to operating the combine at harvest time. He becomes as excited as a young boy while watching the header cut the ripened grain.
His son, now a mature and tested father, has followed in his footsteps. He returned to the farm ten years ago when his father suffered a heart attack. He manages the day-to-day operations as skillfully as his father ever did.
A teenage boy, both grandson and son, has observed his father’s long hours and hard work. He values his grandfather’s wisdom and experience. He plans to attend the state’s land grant university during the upcoming fall semester, but first he needs to help out with harvest.
One evening, with harvest set to begin soon, these three generations of men view a field closest to their homes. The grain is heavy, filled with high protein content, and will fetch an honest price at market.
Dark clouds loom to the northwest as a storm appears heading away from their farm. The three men turn in for the night, feeling confident and safe.
The next morning, the sun comes up right on schedule, but this season’s harvest has been cruelly cancelled.
Overnight the storm changed its route. Heavy rain, strong winds, and large hail shredded every bit of grain far and wide. Not even a cow would be able to find any nourishment.
The grandson has never seen such devastation, and he is emotionally numb and filled with shock.
His father knows the coming year will be filled with hardship and uncertainty. With God’s guidance, somehow he will carefully balance the books.
The grandfather prays to God, asking the Lord to provide for the family as He always has—in the best of times, and now the darkest. He opens his Bible and reads the following verse from Isaiah 40:10:
“Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”
When we are in the presence of God, removed from distractions, we are able to hear Him more clearly, and a secure environment has been established for the young and broken places in our heart to surface.
From Psalm 16:11: “You show me the path of life. In Your presence there is fullness of joy; in Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
John Eldredge (born 1960) is an American author, counselor, and lecturer on Christianity. More details are available on his website: wildatheart.org.
In a world consumed with thoughts of itself, filled with people impressed with each other, having disconnected with the only One worthy of praise, it’s time we return to Theology 101 and sit silently in His presence.
From Psalm 115:3: “Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.”
Greeting darkness
Life’s constant foe
Silent journey
Absent shadow
Hidden purpose
Never speaking
Winter too long
Cold floor creaking
Blackness escapes
Bright light prevails
Time’s transition
Finding new trails
Hello sunshine
Life’s steadfast friend
Catching each smile
Day shall ascend
Sunglasses on
Joy filling heart
Now to catch up
Summer’s fun starts
You are never too old to reinvent yourself.
Growth is in a series of mistakes. That’s the only way you learn.
Immerse yourself in the curriculum of grace.
From Romans 5:1-2: “Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.”
Remembering yesterday
Memories writing screenplays
Unlocking moments in time
Back to days of youthful prime
Recalling life’s endless scenes
Thoughts fill so many big screens
Recounting countless favors
Smorgasbord of sweet flavors
Dreaming now, time standing still
Every mile traveled downhill
Savoring secret tidbits
Without mass media blitz
Reliving forgotten past
Days can never be recast
Harkening back to past friends
Encouragement’s dividends
Noting previous mistakes
Life offers one more retake
Beholding smallest of gifts
Miracles’ blessings uplift
You must always be prepared to place a bet on yourself, on your future, by heading in a direction that others seem to fear.
Understand: you are one of a kind. Your character traits are a kind of chemical mix that will never be repeated in history.
Robert Greene (born 1959) is an American author. He has written six international bestsellers based around the topics of strategy and power.
Though our physical body ages, our soul stays young as we continually grow in the Lord.
From Psalm 92:14-15: “In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap, showing that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”
Big Sky Buckeye 