[Sunday Evening, June 5, 2022] I’m sitting by the open window. The night is cool and the room is dark except for the small light on my desk and the glow of the monitor. The sun set on a perfect Lord’s Day an hour ago. Hope and Tim came to Bethel and shared diner with us and visited most of the day out on Bittersweet. We drove to our little spot in Horton for ice cream, telling stories and enjoying the fecund beauty of the countryside in early June. My heart is quiet as the room right now. A good day has come to a close and I’m grateful to God.
This morning I started a new series of messages at Bethel: Daniel the Prophet. The series will last at least the summer and may continue into the fall. I am eager to immerse myself in the powerful stories and fascinating prophecies of Daniel all summer long. There was a good spirit at Bethel today. I’m blessed to serve a warm-hearted, loving congregation. It was five years ago that I first met with the pulpit team and I like to say it was love at first sight. They are sincere in following Jesus and seem to love the teaching of God’s Word.
[Thursday Evening, June 9, 2022] This morning leaving for church I saw a Mom Turkey and a half dozen poults. They were wandering across the farm. This evening I was out on the porch and they made their way back in the evening cool. I got a picture. It is pretty far away because I could not imagine the difficulty of trying to raise six young at a time. I love this place. The light fled and day came to an end on Bittersweet. Tomorrow is my study day. I look forward to it all week.
Somebody Needs to Hold the High Ground
Lois has fallen into an endearing habit of late. She works at an antique shop and dresses every day in a pair of jeans and a tee-shirt. The tee-shirt always has a message written on it. Usually a positive affirmation of some kind.
“Glass Half-Full”
“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”
“Life is Good.”
“Have a Blessed Day.”
Stuff like that. I love them. I like to think of myself as a very positive guy. I like to think of myself as a “glass half-full,” “Life is Good,” “Don’t Worry. Be Happy,” kind of guy, but Lois has the shirts.
Yesterday started sunny but turned wet. I got home and made dinner then joined Lois to watch the news. Outside the living room windows it was dreary and wet. Gray clouds moved ominously across the sky. My spirit lagged. I said, “Wow, dreary evening.”
Lois said, “It’s cozy, don’t you think?”
There we are. My “glass half full” girl pulls me from the pit of despair. Here is a pro tip: Try to be sure only one of you gets down at the same time. Somebody needs to hold the high ground to pull the other out when he falls into a pit of despair.
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. –Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV
Bittersweet Farm
June 2022
