The temperature started at 60 this morning and it will drop below 20 by Saturday night. I just took a stroll with Hazard. The wind has picked up and it is chilly. It may even spit a little snow out here tonight. That’s OK. It won’t last long.
Sunday I will preach at Bethel, and I’m not kidding here, from the roof of my study. We will have drive-in church and we will broadcast the message and music on an FM signal so people can listen from the snug safety and security of their own cars. Check it out and let us know you are coming.
Here is my most recent Stories From Bittersweet Farm Podcast
Hard Times
We baled hay for Grandpa in the summers of my youth. After bailing our families gathered in the yard under a huge Maple tree. The aunts and uncles. Our grandparents. The cousins. We picnicked on thick burgers, potato chips, and pork and beans. We washed them down with icy sweet tea. Hungry and hot from your labor we devoured cold watermelon, or sometimes ice cream, and then we settled back to listen to stories.
Usually the stories were about surviving the Great Depression or the enduring the hardships of WWII. There were tales of the far-away and exotic, but mostly they were stories of making-do with home-made toys and rationing.
As a young pastor I often visited with people who had lived through these times of unforgettable hardship and sacrifice. These were good, Christian people and they were good citizens. They were devout and they were patriotic. I was almost always left with the same impression. Looking back on them those times of hardship and sacrifice were good times. They were good times, because people trusted the Lord and they were good times because people helped one another.
My grandparents often told stories of gathering around the radio in those days, eagerly listening for news of the progress of war and praying and hoping for its end.
Now every night we gather around the TV out here on Bittersweet Farm and we listen to the swift-changing details of a plague sweeping across the globe. I am reminded of the good people, now mostly gone on to be with the Lord, who survived hard times before us. They conceived of the world we enjoy today in their hearts and built it with their own hands. I remember their stories and the unforgettable lesson they seemed to hold: Hard times can be good times, if we trust the Lord and stick together.
Bittersweet Farm
March 20, 2020
Always find a blessing in your messages .
We too will be having week two with our church service being watched at home from the internet connection . We have a large church family and seldom miss a service but in these hard times we are all encouraged to stay in our homes because of our age .
We are on day 7 of the advised instructions to stay at home.
Getting a bit stir crazy. not sick though.
Our daughter and granddaughter walked here yesterday and we visited at the front door and didn’t stay too close to one another.
Things gave escalated quickly in our area this past week
Yes they are definitely hard times and we must stay close to God
Martin and Caro-Claire–thanks for letting me know the messages are helpful. That is what I always pray. Be safe.
“Hard times can be good times if we trust the Lotd and stick together.”
Love that, Pastor Ken. Thanks for using your gift to bless many.
It’s true, isn’t it Donna… I know you all have been through much and know the Lord sustains. It was good to see you Sunday even just a glimpse 🙂